So does Smellie still post to forums?

[tatou]

"information" is not the same as "knowledge" and certainly a far cry from "wisdom".

I'm gonna have to steal this quote... that phrase sums up this whole treads.

5THBATT i had a somewhat similar experience. I am still considering myself a newbie and will do so for many many years to come.
All the ''mentors'' i have got to know over these last 10 years have one thing in common... they all say they still have something to learn.

I had a bit of an un-pleasant exchange with a very well known and respected Lee Enfield ''veteran'' several years ago.
Someone had asked a question about why it seemed that some model of rifles had miss matched bolts serials.
I answered him that i had once read somewhere that importers sometimes brought rifles in with bolts removed and didn't care to match them up once they sold them.
This ''veteran'' jumped in and started to sermon us on why a matching bolt was not so important for a rifle to function well, etc (i've forgotten exactly what he said)
I felt this person was looking down on us for no reason, especially when the question and answer was not on the importance of matching or not.
I politely replied that to some collectors a matching rifle was simply more valuable .... and i almost never posted on that forum again.
I felt that indeed there was a group of guys that didn't want outsiders to chime in and step on their turf.
I can imagine how frustrating to an old collector how it can be frustrating to repeat the same informations every weeks to every new guy that comes in... but personally to me, that is expected now and i dont mind it.

 

[purple]

You have to be careful when you pick your arguments. many moons ago I was having a chat with our RSM, a gun nut and a Korea veteran who had been in the thick of it.

We were talking about the virtues of the No4 rifle, which he had used to good effect in Korea, when he mentioned that the No4Mk1* was fairly rare. I just smiled and nodded, knowing that you DO NOT correct the RSM, even if you are a Captain.

 

[Ballsofice154]

The sentiment expressed here is certainly in-line with what I've seen here, and mostly what I personally look as well as enjoy in this forum are the well researched posts by many of the posters here. And the milsurp forum ebbs and flows between the many what are they worth threads, the x is better than y, the spitballing shtf threads, and the educational posts the forum has done that for as long as I've been around here.

To bastardise a commonly said quote of Epictetus “We have two ears, two eyes and one mouth so that we can listen and read twice as much as we speak.”
As tinman can attest I've got a big pair of spectacle holders!!

 

[student of history]

Fwiw, while I don't claim to be expert in anything really, I don't post high value content all that much anymore and basically it's because it goes unappreciated.

What I mean is that a well researched and informed post is a lot of work. I have to dig out the collection, photograph stuff, upload to a hosting site, resize, edit, etc. Then I have to type up the post, fact check what I wrote, refer to my notes and reference material, etc.

Then when I post, I get negative drive-by comments from teenagers, or more commonly the posts draw little attention and even less meaningful dialogue here on cgn.

In the end, unless I'm really riled up to do something with a new rare addition to the collection, I'm just like meh... Why bother?

I'd say Claven has effectively identified the problem. In recent years, the quality of this section of the site has largely gone down the drain.

I can recall a number of circumstances where I took the time to carefully craft an informative post, only to have it fall on deaf ears. So, after a while, you begin to ask yourself, why exactly you're wasting your time?

Perhaps this is an overly pessimistic point of view which further contributes to the diminished quality of the forum, but at this point, I'm not sure that it's possible to go back. Too many knowledgeable individuals have thrown their hands up in frustration, while they were simultaneously replaced by at least twice the number of trolls who have directly contributed to the current state of affairs.

Truthfully, I used to really enjoy posting detailed threads here in the milsurp section of the site but it's gotten to the point where I legitimately question whether there are enough guys out there who truly appreciate the effort it takes to post something worthwhile. So, I've largely chosen to remain quiet, simply out of dismay.

I'd be happy to start threads on at least a few of these rifles if I felt that people actually cared enough to read them, but at this point, I'm not so sure...

 

[mr.e moose]

You sir have a fine collection and it would be a shame if people didn't care to learn about it.

 

[Ballsofice154]

I'd be happy to start threads on at least a few of these rifles if I felt that people actually cared enough to read them, but at this point, I'm not so sure...

I too have had that same dilemma and just re-reading this thread at least a dozen or so posters that feel the same way. As well as this thread has been viewed over 2000 times... So why don't we start posting on these historic pieces again I'll get to writing on a certain rifle I've been sitting on for the better part of a year that made smellie drool!

 

[Tinman204]

I'd say Claven has effectively identified the problem. In recent years, the quality of this section of the site has largely gone down the drain.

I can recall a number of circumstances where I took the time to carefully craft an informative post, only to have it fall on deaf ears. So, after a while, you begin to ask yourself, why exactly you're wasting your time?

Perhaps this is an overly pessimistic point of view which further contributes to the diminished quality of the forum, but at this point, I'm not sure that it's possible to go back. Too many knowledgeable individuals have thrown their hands up in frustration, while they were simultaneously replaced by at least twice the number of trolls who have directly contributed to the current state of affairs.

Truthfully, I used to really enjoy posting detailed threads here in the milsurp section of the site but it's gotten to the point where I legitimately question whether there are enough guys out there who truly appreciate the effort it takes to post something worthwhile. So, I've largely chosen to remain quiet, simply out of dismay.

I'd be happy to start threads on at least a few of these rifles if I felt that people actually cared enough to read them, but at this point, I'm not so sure...

Very nice stuff you have there. Please post threads about some of them..

The funniest part about that picture is the new batch of CGN Internet experts are thinking "wow that's a huge collection that guy has!"

Little do they know that's just a sample cause all of it wouldnt possibly fit into a single picture lol!!

 

[win94luver]

I get negative drive-by comments from teenagers

I can understand that the increasing presence of mission orientated, anti-gun trolls deployed to the forum by the Liberals, anti-gun civilian organizations & gov't agencies and LEAs to break our morale and the will to fight and spread disinformation as well as the influx of infighting, confrontational, garrulous teeny-bopper types would drive the older, more mature and knowledgeable members who just want to talk about their guns without getting insulted away.

 

[crogers]

Wow nice pieces of history there. The pictures definitely help me as I am a visual person, and now I try to figure what you have there. I see the two 1911A1s I have a pair of Remington Rands from 43 and 44, would love the paratrooper M1 Carbine, working on getting a M1 carbine at present, next one looks like a M97 trench gun, 5 Garands I also have 5, now here is where I start to have difficulties in identifying, a couple different 1903s I think, and now I cant identify any further. I am interested in your knowledge and anyone else, if you have the time to post please do so. I know others that also would be interested in reading. Doesn't matter what is posted it seems there will always be someone with a negative comment out there, not sure why. If I wasn't so cheap or lazy to pay for a membership or set up image posting I would post pics of my milsurps. Thank you Smellie where ever you are for your fine work educating. Maybe a show and tell milsurp section would be popular, worked in kindergarten might work here.

 

[bearhunter]

Quote Originally Posted by Ganderite View Post
In other words, why play Beethoven for pigs?

I post what I think should be informative, maybe even educational material from time to time. I don't mind a bit if someone is sceptical and asks me more questions. The dialogue should be even more educational.

But I recall once a guy called me out. In effect, he called me a liar. I had commented on having a lot of guns and he said, in effect, "No one has that many." That hurt, and it affected my posting enthusiasm for awhile. The only thing that helped was that someone who knew me backed me up.

I think the Internet has created a problem. Guys can dredge up a lot of facts, quickly. But "information" is not the same as "knowledge" and certainly a far cry from "wisdom".


I have found that the more I think I know, the less I really do. Now I'm at the point in my life where I have more time to learn about the things I'm interested in but not enough left to even make a good dent in it all.

I have also come to the realization that people tend to think all of the rest of the people around them in general have the same interests, habits and stuff. Last week I picked up a case of 20 g shotshells at a garage sale. I went in because it looked like the type of place that just might have some firearms related stuff for sale or even some firearms/ammo. The yard sale was a sad legacy of the trappings of an old shooter/hunter who had passed on the torch. Old hunting equipment from decades past such as clothes, boots, blinds, shell belts, worn knives etc. All well taken care of but very out of date. There wasn't any ammunition or firearms on display so I asked the two young ladies running the sale If there were any firearms or ammunition.

They were very nice and told me the firearms had all gone to relatives but there was a ton of ammo in a cabinet at the back of the garage that I could look at and make an offer on.

The fellow was a serious hunter. His gear showed that but you don't know until you see the firearms/ammo. There were about 25 part boxes of various calibers and another dozen complete boxes of 308Win. All of this was approximately from ten or so years ago by the price tags. All of it was premium Federal brand. Some of the ammo was very old so because of the number of almost new in appearance partial boxes I assumed that he bought new boxes of ammo every year and only shot enough to sight in his hunting rifles and hunt.

There was also a full unopened case of 20g 2 3/4" x #6. I made an offer on all of it and showed them my license so there wouldn't be any issues. They were happy to see it go as they were afraid to sell it because it was "so old and it might not be any good." Also, they just couldn't understand "why anyone would have so much ammunition. Why there was enough there to start a war."

It all totaled to just over 2500 rounds. Including the centerfire rifle/shotgun ammo (600 rounds) which was a mix of 30-06, 308Win, 12ga and 20ga. The rest was left over from a case of 22lr.

I explained this really wasn't a large cache of ammo and lots of serious shooters/hunters had much more in storage. They were shocked. The felt they were shooters but whenever they went out to practice they would share a box of 50 22lr between 2 or 3 people and maybe shoot one or two rounds out of the shot guns and rifles each. This is what they based their perception of reality on. I doubt they believed anything I told them as it was just beyond their comprehension.


By the way John, pigs love to listen to Beethoven. Tchaikovsky irritates them and Brahms gets them grunting.

 

[Eaglelord17]

I don't really post many threads anymore on here as it does seem to fall on deaf ears. Most my posts tend to be on Milsurps.com mainly due to the fact people on there are interested and wanting to see/share. Maybe I will start sharing my threads from there again. One thing I do find they have which helps is a thanks button under the post so more knowledgeable/good information posts get thanked for sharing the information. It also has the effect of allowing the better information to surface as you can tell who knows what they are talking about not by post count but by the amount of members agreeing with what was shared.

I can understand that the increasing presence of mission orientated, anti-gun trolls deployed to the forum by the Liberals, anti-gun civilian organizations & gov't agencies and LEAs to break our morale and the will to fight and spread disinformation as well as the influx of infighting, confrontational, garrulous teeny-bopper types would drive the older, more mature and knowledgeable members who just want to talk about their guns without getting insulted away.

You do understand comments like this are exactly why many aren't commenting. The conspiracy theories get old and make gun owners in general appear to be irrational paranoid people. You also might not even realize it but you just insulted quite a few members of the forum based solely on prejudiced opinion. Just because someone is old doesn't mean they are mature, and just because they are older doesn't mean they are more knowledgeable. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses.

 

[aric84]

^^^ This! So tired of a pile of members lately seeming to think there are gun grabbing boogeymen everywhere and constantly asking mind numbing questions about shtf tinfoil scenarios.

Couple of questions I posted here fell dead whereas they would have been answered informatively a few years ago.

 

[5THBATT]

I have slowed down a bit in posting on forums, mainly due to reasons posted here & the fact i have found i have been getting a 'bit short' in some of my replies.

 

[cigar_man]

Thanks guys for posting your comments on this thread as I thought it was just me noticing this.

Yes, I'm in the same boat as you all feel, not only with military firearms, but also military history, Remembrance Day and everything connected.

I bust my @ss off over in European Battlefields with Remembrance only to come home too,,,,,,,, who cares.

It has taken a real toll on me.

I won't give up and never ever will, as long as there is handful of guys and gals, like you lot around here.

 

[Curly1]

Thanks guys for posting your comments on this thread as I thought it was just me noticing this.

Yes, I'm in the same boat as you all feel, not only with military firearms, but also military history, Remembrance Day and everything connected.

I bust my @ss off over in European Battlefields with Remembrance only to come home too,,,,,,,, who cares.

It has taken a real toll on me.

I won't give up and never ever will, as long as there is handful of guys and gals, like you lot around here.

This needs a LIKE as I feel the same.

 

[mr.e moose]

I post occasionally to help answer a question that is within my realm of knowledge. I also refer people to a item that they are looking for, or if it is a small part that I have a abundance of I send it to them.

The purpose of this sub forum is to share information between like minded collectors. Some are a general fount of knowledge on all military arms, some are a specialists in a certain type.

High post counts do not count for much but I won't name names (Sunray excepted), same as low feedback is not a indicator. Smellie has a single digit feedback score but has a respectable collection.

Some of the collectors here started in the 60's and have no need to wheel and deal on the EE.

Alan Kerr has never posted on CGN but some day if you are ever in Edmonton visit his private museum at Milarm in Edmonton. He is always a gracious host and will walk you through one of the best public private collections in Canada and explain the history.

In ending, I would like to thank all the numerous people that have contributed over the years to my knowledge and appreciation of our history. You are too numerous to name.

 

[kjohn]

“Advice is not a gift, but a debt that the old owe to the young.”
― James Fenimore Cooper, The Prairie

 

[Claven2]

“Advice is not a gift, but a debt that the old owe to the young.”
― James Fenimore Cooper, The Prairie

And yet, I find very few young people actually want my advice. I'm just some old codger (anyone over 35 is an old codger to a millenial) trying to push an outdated view onto some young whipple that already knows everything and has the wisdom of Solomon

 

[kjohn]

And yet, I find very few young people actually want my advice. I'm just some old codger (anyone over 35 is an old codger to a millenial) trying to push an outdated view onto some young whipple that already knows everything and has the wisdom of Solomon

I have tables at a few gun shows around SK and MB. I have been very careful to be polite and willing to share what little knowledge I do have with people who are interested. Several dealers now come to me to help them identify milsurps. I don't profess to be all knowing, and if I can't help them right then, I usually will explain that I will do my best to search out the info they need.

I do know the feeling of being considered an old fudd, usually by someone who takes one look at me.

Some time ago, I started collecting information, mostly to do with milsurps, and keeping that info in OneNote. It is a free program, easy to learn, and very versatile. The file is ever growing, as I add info when I run across it. For me, there is a way too much info to keep in my memory. Dealers and customers at gun shows often come to me to look up such and such. It only takes a few seconds with the modern technology we have at our fingertips. People appreciate the info, and I like to be able to help people who are interested in firearms.

 

[pierre427]

Frequent lurker here. I built 2 Garands and followed the Garand build thread closely for a long time. The advice posted by folks like purple and others (here in this thread!) was invaluable. For every negative comment, there were a hundred people taking note of your wisdom. The effort that you put into your posts did not go un-noticed, it was very much appreciated!!