The Continuing (Photographic) Adventures of Nightcrawler

[Nightcrawler]

Flood-Damaged Guns. Or, the Continuing Adventures of Nightcrawler

The following pictures will probably disturb you. Get gun insurance!

On August 17th, 2005, I set out with a buddy on a ten day road trip. A couple days ago, on February 1st, 2006, I finally arrived home. It took me from home, to Chicago, to Wyoming, where my car died. From there to Salt Lake City, then a bus to Knoxville, TN. From there a bus ride home, but I was called about a job in MS when I was in Gary, IN, so I turned around and headed to Memphis. From there I went to Nesbit, MS, my employer's headquarters. From there, it was Pearl for a night at the State Police Academy, and from there onto Hancock County. More than a month there, then up to Camp Shelby for a night, then back down to Pascagoula.

Yeesh.

Anyway, long story short, here're some pics of why you ought to either have a waterproof gun safe or live far, far away from the ocean.

 

[Nightcrawler]

These are from a really cool military museum in Nebraska. I can't remember which town it's in, but it's along Interstate 80 about halfway through the state.

 

[Nightcrawler]

As for the fate of my car...

See, I had the oil pan replaced right after I got home from Qatar. They cranked it down to tight or something, putting too much pressure on the gasket. The gasket blew, the oil leaked out, and the oil light didn't come on until it was too late, typical with an old car.

My engine seized up 35 miles east of Rawlins, Wyoming. I ended up giving my car to a scrap yard in that barren little town. Couldn't do anything else with it! It's working out, though. The shop that did the initial repairs is giving me a replacement car, so they're making it good. Anyways, s**t happens.

But...why did it happen?

See, when you come into Wyoming along Insterstate 80, you're met by the towering, chiseled, scowling visage of President Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln then proceeds to ask unwitting travellers a riddle. If you answer correctly, your trip will be trouble free. If you answer incorrectly, a curse be upon you.

It went like this.

ME: "What the hell is that?"
SMOKEY: "It's a big Lincoln head!"
ME: "Wanna stop?"
SMOKEY: "Hell yeah!"
ME: "So...big Lincoln head."
SMOKEY: "Yep."
LINCOLN: "HEAR ME!"
BOTH OF US: "AAH!!"
LINCOLN: "YOU MUST ANSWER A RIDDLE TO PASS!"
ME: "Um...why?"
LINCOLN: "What a philosopher you are. Listen, Socrates, just answer the damned riddle. That's how it's done."
SMOKEY: "Okay..."
ME: "What's the riddle?"
LINCOLN: "My first is foremost, legally. My second circles outwardly. My third leads all in victory. My fourth twice ends in nominee. What am I?"
ME: "Um...is it l-"
SMOKEY, interrupting, stabbing a finger skyward: "BARBECUE SAUCE!"
LINCOLN: "YOU HAVE ANSWERED INCORRECTLY! A CURSE BE UPON YOU!"
ME: "Crap."

And that's totally how it happened.

 

[Nightcrawler]

Later on, I got to see Waveland, Mississippi, where Hurricaine Katrina made landfall.

It was something else. The people there went through a lot. Made me happy I live far from the sea. Personally, I don't know why anyone would want to live next to the ocean. Bad things come out of the ocean. Hurricanes, tidal waves, tsunamis, pirates, sea monsters, enemy invasions, Godzilla...no thank you!

 

[1 old 0311]

Hope you had insurance! Man that is SAD to see.

Kevin

 

[Nightcrawler]

It was quite an adventure. I lived in a tent for almost four months, working security for FEMA. Southern Mississippi sure is...well, different. The weather down there is absolutely horrid.

Can anybody identify the 9mm carbine in my first post (last picture)? I've got no clue.

 

[benEzra]

Nightcrawler, what engine did you car have? 3800 Series II?

 

[Nightcrawler]

Maybe. V6. It was a '94 Delta 88. I had an auto shop look it over in Rawlins. The engine was toast, and a '94 with over 110,000 miles on it wasn't worth a new engine (not that I could've afforded it anyway).

Now I just have to find the title and mail it to the guy. No point, really. He's probably taken and sold every usable part off of my old car already...

 

[Brother in Arms]

Its a Wilkinson arms Terry carbine.
A relatively rare firearm.

By the way did you buy all these firearms during the hurricane? Or are these arms that where Siezed?

Brother in Arms

 

[Nightcrawler]

The Hancock County Sheriff's Department had them in a heap under a tarp. Apparently they were guns collected in the aftermath of the storm. Note that that Sheriff's Office took a big hit of their own, losing their station (I believe), several of their cruisers, and the homes of most of their deputies.

 

[Stickjockey]

A '17 Ehrfurt Luger? I wanna cry...

 

[jobu07]

A '17 Ehrfurt Luger? I wanna cry...

Even though it's ruined collectably, I wonder if that luger could be refinished and made into a nice firearm again?

 

[Brother in Arms]

Its possible it could be brought back from the dead.
I have ressurected some really horrible looking firearms. It truly is a shame, that it is ruined collectability wise.

So the police had these arms? Where they trying to find there owners???

Brother in Arms

 

[P95Carry]

Oh boy NC - have you ever had some adventures!!!

How very sad to see the state of those guns - worst thing is the pitting erosion which is darned hard to deal with if restoring.

Thx for all the pics and the whole story.

 

[f4t9r]

sad to see so many guns ruined

 

[Nightcrawler]

So the police had these arms? Where they trying to find there owners???

Considering the utter chaos Hancock County was in when I got there, I sincerely doubt it. IIRC, I think most of them came out of their crime scene confiscation locker since their station was trashed.

Some ATF guys came buy and dutifully logged all of the weapons.

Anyways, I'm happy to see that no one is questioning my story about the Lincolnhead. Usually when I relay that one, people laugh and think I'm making it up.

 

[tegemu]

Can any of these guns be salvaged?

 

[tegemu]

Can any of these guns be salvaged?

 

[tegemu]

Can any of these guns be salvaged?

 

[MatthewVanitas]

Remember, an alert has been issued to all potential gun-buyers:

In the aftermath of Katrina, some individuals have obtained guns that were listed as destroyed for insurance purposes, wiped the titles, and are selling them with no mention of their flood-damage status. Over the next six months, many thousands of these "Katrina Guns" are expected to be sold to unwary buyers in locations all over the country.

Before purchasing a used firearm, ensure that you:

a) Run the serial# on www.gunfax.com, noting any abnormalities in its ownership and insurance records.
b) Though the exterior may seem clean, check for signs of corrosion, or even standing water in locations like the firing pin channel, or underneath the grips.

Please shop carefully. -MV