Long gun to hang over the fireplace?

Status
Not open for further replies.

Ringer

Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2003
Messages
1,249
Location
North Georgia
I think I want a gun to display in a rack over my fireplace in my basement. I want something I can fairly easily make inoperable, at least while it's hanging there. I do want something that will actually fire if I want it to so ammo has to be available though not readily, not interested in any replicas. I really don't know anything about Mil-Surp rifles but I think the Mauser M48 looks pretty nice. I think my preference would be a bolt or lever action for asthetics, but something like an SKS doesn't look all that bad and fires a cartridge I already have on hand. Then there is always a beat up .22 lever action, that would work too. I'd like to spend between $100 and $200. Are any of the Mil-Surps in this price range actually reliable shooters? What guns are easy to make inoperable without say just removing the bolt. I guess on a bolt action I could have a bolt with the firing pin removed and another to replace it with if I wanted to fire it.

OK, starting to ramble so better summarize:
Needs to look half way decent.
Must have wood stock set.
Needs to cost no more than $200 preferably less.
Needs to be easily changed from inoperable to operable.
Fires a cartridge I already have (.308, 7.62x39, .22) nice but not required.

Any suggestions?
 
An old Mauser 98 longrifle should look quite nice over the fireplace. Some can be found that really look nice, a Swede comes to mind. They are also available in your price range. Alternates would be a VZ24, the M48 you mentioned, etc. They, too, can be had cheaply.

Remove the bolt shroud/striker assembly from the bolt for safety and the ability to return it to service if desired. If you wish to make it 'look' whole, replace the bolt shroud with one without the striker assembly. Such parts are readily available.

Any old lever gun would look nice if you can find one in the price range you list. It should be easy to remove the firing pin and it still look operable and still be able to return it to original condition if desired.

Same with a pump shotgun, such as a Rem 870.

NO fireplace is complete without a 'classic' hanging over it! Good luck finding one that meets your needs.
 
I dunno, "fireplace" hanger to me seems to just scream for something real old-timey lookin, preferably a sidelock of some variety or another. If you're on a budget say a Cabela's/CVA Hawken, if you ain't say a Tennessee Valley Muzzleloading or Track of the Wolf flint longrifle. Now there's a conversation starter. :)

Anyhow, I've seen percussion Hawken kits even down in the $140 range, which looks pretty tempting to me, even if they aren't as properly historical as other more expensive repros. While they are reproductions, the nicer ones exude a sense of quality and history all their own... especially since you can still shoot 'em and not worry about 'em blowing up in your face and trashing a several-K piece of history in the process.

Failing that.. perhaps an old blackpowder double-barreled shotgun? I don't think they've rocketed up in price as much as others 'cause they can only take blackpowder loads, which makes 'em more unattractive to (most of) the CAS folk. For now. Here's an example, though it ain't shootable apparently:
http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976411228.htm

purty though. :)

You might find a beater .30-30 in that price range, which would look pretty cool there to.
 
I think it's between a beater lever action and a WW-II era Mil-Surp. These are both rifles I have kinda been wanting anyway, may as well kill two birds with one stone. The Mil-Surp is probably cheaper I just don't know how shootable/reliable they really are if I decide/need to shoot it. I've been keeping my eye open for beater 30-30 for a while I just don't seem to come across them.

SOG has some rifles in the $50 to $80 range, at that price I guess it's OK if it's just a wall hanger. Would like to at least shoot it though. Does SOG only sell to dealers or can you walk in and buy a rifle?

Thanks for the replies.
 
I own one gun that I am planning to hang over my fireplace (when I have a fireplace, that is.)

Arsenal milled AK-47. :D

I will admit though that a muzzleloader or levergun would probably make the coolest choice.

Also, maybe instead of making it inoperable, you could find a discrete way to secure it to the fireplace. That way, you have working gun that you can grab, load, and use. I wouldn't buy a replica sword that I couldn't use and I wouldn't want to own a gun that I couldn't use either.

If you have to disable it, maybe a Mosin Nagant. I can strip one completely to peices and put it back together in about 20 minutes. Just get a spare firing pin and cut the dangerous end off short enough that it won't reach the primer. Reassemble said firing pin into the orginal bolt and you have a nonfunctional gun that can be made functional in about three minutes.
 
I'd go with a cheaper Moisin Nagant. The warmth of wood with the long picker stick for sticking pigs (just like the Civil War soljer :p).
 
I agree with Gary; the Model 91 with the bayonet would be a great choice, and easy to deactivate by removing the firing pin. I was going to suggest just removing the bolt head, but I realized that would not prevent the rifle from being fired and if it were the result would be, well, interesting.

Jim
 
I plan to do the same thing when I have a suitable fireplace, and I decided that a Trapdoor Springfield would be about the best gun to use. Classy AND thoroughly shootable.
 
I'd have to go with my grandfather's example and suggest a Kentucky long rifle. Unfortunately they don't fit into your pricing restrictions, but dang they look good over a mantle. :)
 
I would find an old blackpowder Hawken to put up there. An old flintlock or caplock would look great as would a pair of old ball and cap revolvers. I would still use a glass case for display to keep little one away from it. I have seen these somewhere mounted on a nice oak base. One thing to remember is never overdo it. I have been in some homes that have stuff wall to wall. Always keep the "good" stuff locked up.
 
Best bet is an old Rolling Block


Hell I have one that is full military except for some ones idea of buffaloe hunting sites, some one wants it they can have it for 200 dollars.
 
Another vote for M91/30. I have one that is rusted out on the inside of the barrel, and so sometime soon we're gonna deactivate it, plug the barrel, and put it over our fireplace.

On a side note, anybody ever been to the Governor's Palace in Williamsburg? Talk about wall-hangers... I count no less than 96 sabers and 102 muskets in the entry room alone.
 
What guns are easy to make inoperable without say just removing the bolt.

SKS sounds like the ticket. Remove the bolt assembly to pull it's teeth. The bolt carrier is what you see.

Just be careful you don't run afowl of state or local "safe storage" laws.
 
I used to have an old Nagant 91/30 that served that purpose, but I gave it to a friend as a going away present. It's been replaced with an old double barrel shotgun I found at a yard sale. (Definately not a shooter) You can also buy a cheap black powder kit and make youir own rifle to hang up.
 
That's what I have is an old, rustic looking double bbl shotgun with dual hammers. I plan on adding a blackpowder rifle soon, maybe hang a powder horn and find some old paper shotgun shells. My "gunrack" was made with some old barnwood then left outside for more aging effect. I'm with you on making the display firearms inoperable to a point.
 
A couple of thoughts?

1)check your local newspapers' for sale gun ads.I've been watching the Press' like a hawk after just missing a Garand for $250...I've also seen Marlin & Winchester lever rifles in your price range in the paper.

2)Come mid-December there is a gun show in Lansing.I obviously don't know just how far you want to drive but you might find something unusual there.

The guns that I think look best over the mantel are those that are over 100 years old(or at least purport to be). :)
 
How about a Turkish mauser?

They're long, classic configuration, burn cheap 8mm, and may sport interesting symbols. Another classic would be a SMLE (No 1 Enfield) with bayonet. Could also use one to build a floor lamp with a little character. Easy to decommission, yet fully functional. M91/30 would also work, I guess.

Don't forget the antlers!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top