Standing Wolf
Member in memoriam
1979 High Standard Trophy, purchased new. It's still the single most reliable, most accurate pistol I've ever owned.
What's the oldest gun you own ?
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Mike Irwin
Member
An Mle 1873 French Ordnance Revolver, stamped 1876.
Used as the front-line French revolver until 1892, when the 8mm Lebel was adopted, but it soldiered on in Colonial and Foreign Legion use until after World War II.
One of the reasons why I was so impressed with the movie The Mummy is that Brendhan Fraiser's character is in the Legion in the 1920s and is armed with Mle 1873s.
Used as the front-line French revolver until 1892, when the 8mm Lebel was adopted, but it soldiered on in Colonial and Foreign Legion use until after World War II.
One of the reasons why I was so impressed with the movie The Mummy is that Brendhan Fraiser's character is in the Legion in the 1920s and is armed with Mle 1873s.
BamBam
Member
M1 .30 Carbine. If I recall correctly it was manufactured in July of 1942.
BamBam
BamBam
Sven
Senior Member
1944 Winchester M1 Carbine. Appears all original, little used. Love that war baby.
Malone LaVeigh
Member
Old Starr revolver. Patent date is either 1850 or 1856, but I have no idea what the date of manufacture is.
My oldest working firearm is a Springfield Armory Model of 1911 manufactured in 1914. It still shoots remarkably well.
My oldest working firearm is a Springfield Armory Model of 1911 manufactured in 1914. It still shoots remarkably well.
TexasVet
Member
Late 17th or early 18th century Indian Matchlock. Has a hole blown out the side of the barrel, I wouldn't have shot it using someone else's hands!
But the gold inlay is pretty.
But the gold inlay is pretty.Sylvilagus Aquaticus
Member
My oldest is a Swedish Mauser, made in Orbendorf in 1898. Next, but not by much is a Colt Thunderer (M. 1887) in .41 Colt with a serial indicating a manufacture date of 1900. This one belonged to a policeman in my hometown who acquired it from the legendary Texas Ranger M.T. 'Lone Wolf' Gonzallus. It was a gift to me from my father not long ago.
Regards,
Rabbit.
"If we could just get everyone to close their eyes and visualize world
peace for an hour, imagine how serene and quiet it would be until
the looting started..."
Regards,
Rabbit.
"If we could just get everyone to close their eyes and visualize world
peace for an hour, imagine how serene and quiet it would be until
the looting started..."
10-Ring
Member
My oldest is my P7M8 that has an II date code on it which would make it an '88 vintage. I bought it soon after my son was born. I figured at some point, he'd be able to pull the trigger, at some point, he'd be able to squeeze the grip but by the time he would be able to do both at the same time, I'd be able to teach him proper handgun safety....I was right! 
Plus, it was the only gun I kept when I had to consolidate my collection.
Plus, it was the only gun I kept when I had to consolidate my collection.Tamara
Senior Member
Short lever Martini-Henry in .577-450. Actual age unknown, probably 1870s-80s, purchased at gun show.
Schmidt Rubin M96/11. Pre-1910, purchased from local collector.
M1896/38 Swedish Mauser. Dated 1900, bought from friend.
Schmidt Rubin M96/11. Pre-1910, purchased from local collector.
M1896/38 Swedish Mauser. Dated 1900, bought from friend.
Big_R
Member
I have several Mausers and two shotguns from before 1900, but I went to an aution in Annandale, MN a couple years ago where an unmarked matchlock was being sold. I missed that gun by about 10 minutes. It sold for $300.00 and was beautiful. It looked Persian, but I'm no expert. It had been fired. Bummer.
Ryan
Ryan
556A2
Member
A 1945 Mosin-Nagant M44 Carbine
Cosmoline
Member
1891 Argentine Mauser. Actually I have two. One for parts and one for shooting. The shooting one is amazingly accurate for a rifle over a century old. The stock is also in prime condition. Most amazingly of all, the mainspring still has tremendous force in it. Frankly it's in far better shape than many 1930's and 1940's era '98s I own. These early Mausers were made to last!
Crimper-D
Member
1889 Marlin
44-40. Ser# indicates 1890 manufacture, 24" barrel. Wood and metal are good for a 112 year old rifle, still has the casehardening on the receiver and a 'patina' that replaces the blued metal. Bore is aweful, but the rifeling goes all around and it STILL shoots accurately with properly sized lead bullets!
Smoothest trigger and action of any leveraction I've ever shot.
44-40. Ser# indicates 1890 manufacture, 24" barrel. Wood and metal are good for a 112 year old rifle, still has the casehardening on the receiver and a 'patina' that replaces the blued metal. Bore is aweful, but the rifeling goes all around and it STILL shoots accurately with properly sized lead bullets!
Smoothest trigger and action of any leveraction I've ever shot.
S_O_Laban
Member
Black powder SxS 10 guage muzzle loading exposed hammer shot gun This gun has been in the family for loong time. Was made by/for A.B. Semple and Sons, of Louisville, Kentucky. Not sure of the date of manufacture but suspect pre Civil War. I have tried to research the maker ( Semple) but the only thing I have been able to come up with is that they were offical dealers for Remington (pre Civil War...?) Also that they were indeed in Louisville Kentucky. If any body has any other info on this maker/dealer feel free to PM me
Two:
Stevens Favorite made 1889, bore ruined by blackpowder 22s and relined, bluing all gone to a nice brown, some traces of casehardening left, receiver peep sight, still a good squirrel gun.
Winchester Model 52 Speed Lock made 10/29, still a tack-driver.
Stevens Favorite made 1889, bore ruined by blackpowder 22s and relined, bluing all gone to a nice brown, some traces of casehardening left, receiver peep sight, still a good squirrel gun.
Winchester Model 52 Speed Lock made 10/29, still a tack-driver.
denfoote
Member
1961 DDR Pistolet Makarova.
PAshooter
Member
Right now my 1954 Tula SKS (born the same year I was).
Pretty soon my 1944 Garand which I've bought but haven't received yet (born the same year my wife was).
Both are in good shape but not pristine collectibles. Both will be shooters. Just like us
Pretty soon my 1944 Garand which I've bought but haven't received yet (born the same year my wife was).
Both are in good shape but not pristine collectibles. Both will be shooters. Just like us
Dorrin79
Member
Yugo SKS - I think it was made in 1959 (or maybe '66?)
all the rest of my firearms were purchased new over the last year or so.
all the rest of my firearms were purchased new over the last year or so.
Quantrill
Member
1915 DWM German Luger. It was sold to me by son of the man who brought it home from WWII. Shoots fine, not really a collectors item as it does not have all matching serial numbers. Usually causes some excitement at a range due to it's relative rarity. Quantrill
I have a mid 1800's boys shotgun. Black powder cap and ball. This gun was found by my Grandfather in a house that they owned in Marion NC. He found it behind an old barrel of chicken feed/corn.
My Granddad fired this a couple of time with bb's as the shot. The last time it was fired, a small piece of the hammer broke off and went through his left pinky finger.
This gun is in not too great condition, and I would love to refinish it...but then again, maybe I'll just leave it alone.
My Granddad fired this a couple of time with bb's as the shot. The last time it was fired, a small piece of the hammer broke off and went through his left pinky finger.
This gun is in not too great condition, and I would love to refinish it...but then again, maybe I'll just leave it alone.
An 1855 Colt Side Hammer Revolver in Nickel finish. Commonly known as a Root revolver for the man who invented it and let Colt sell it. It was manufactured from 1855 to 1870. .28 Caliber. It was left to me in the original walnut case with powder holder, bullet mold and a circular metal case for the caps. Never shot it and never will. Neat looking piece.
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