How battle scarred is your milsurp?
- Thread starter metalslug
- Start date
Doug, good story. I'll add something.
1. My Grandfather did 11 months combat recce for 12 Arty Reg. He took a German weapon off an SS man he greased. That piece he carried for the rest of the war. It was hit by a piece of schrapnel,causing a dent. So the German weapon saved the Canadian soldier.
2. I got 2 rifles that I believe are Battle Scarred. The top rifle, US Winchester Lee Navy, has a small round hole in the butt on right side, and exited the left side taking a large piece of wood with it. There is also some unknown liquid stain on this one area of the stock only. I only noticed the stain last night and felt very sad for the American Marine that may have suffered from whatever pierced the stock.
The bottom rifle is a GEW 98 that has a chunk of birch missing along with several cracks. The cracks I glued and I added a little sawdust with glue to help ease the splinter ends so I could shoot on the range with out slivers.
I soldiered 15 yrs. My father served as a soldier, WWII. My Grandfather was, in WWII, 5 medals. My Great grandfather was a soldier 20yrs,and in WWI with 4 medals. I do believe that there are many real picked up Battle Scarred rifles out there. I believe many of the soldier stories passed done through out the yrs.
1. My Grandfather did 11 months combat recce for 12 Arty Reg. He took a German weapon off an SS man he greased. That piece he carried for the rest of the war. It was hit by a piece of schrapnel,causing a dent. So the German weapon saved the Canadian soldier.
2. I got 2 rifles that I believe are Battle Scarred. The top rifle, US Winchester Lee Navy, has a small round hole in the butt on right side, and exited the left side taking a large piece of wood with it. There is also some unknown liquid stain on this one area of the stock only. I only noticed the stain last night and felt very sad for the American Marine that may have suffered from whatever pierced the stock.
The bottom rifle is a GEW 98 that has a chunk of birch missing along with several cracks. The cracks I glued and I added a little sawdust with glue to help ease the splinter ends so I could shoot on the range with out slivers.
I soldiered 15 yrs. My father served as a soldier, WWII. My Grandfather was, in WWII, 5 medals. My Great grandfather was a soldier 20yrs,and in WWI with 4 medals. I do believe that there are many real picked up Battle Scarred rifles out there. I believe many of the soldier stories passed done through out the yrs.
Not all battle scars are combat related... This No 1 Mk 111* started it's life in the thick of the Great War, 1917, where it likely saw some measure of use and abuse. Recovered and refurbished, it was stored away until the next great conflict, where it may or may not have seen some measure of action. Finally after a glorious military service spanning 3 decades, it was sold out of service and bears the stamp to prove it. Released upon the civilian market, it fought hard but succumbed to the Great Bubba Wars that spanned the next several decades. Unloved and abused, it then spent several decades in the hall closet where it served as a coatrack, or hanging in the back window of a Dodge Stepside pickup, where it's then current caretaker would occasionally take it down , prop the shortened stock up against the windowsill and unsuccessfully take potshots at unsuspecting wild game before speeding off in a cloud of dust and small stones. Finally, it was passed on through several caretakers who could barely look at it without shedding a tear, until it came to me. As current caretaker, I am collecting the parts to return it to it's original appearance and occasionally raise a smile instead of a tear in the eye.
Of course not to detract from the service men and women who carried these tools of war and suffered or died fighting for their country. Many of the battle scars suffered by soldiers are not visible to the naked eye, nor easily repaired like a rifle by going through a FTR program. Thank you to all past and present who served.
Of course not to detract from the service men and women who carried these tools of war and suffered or died fighting for their country. Many of the battle scars suffered by soldiers are not visible to the naked eye, nor easily repaired like a rifle by going through a FTR program. Thank you to all past and present who served.
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Where's this from?
Both the M16 & the Luger are at the National Army Museum, Waiouru, New Zealand.
http://www.armymuseum.co.nz/
My military rifles grade everywhere from really nice to - 
my goodness! I have no strict opinion on just how a milsurp should look, nor on the overall condition. As I said, I own some that are as close to "new" as such old rifles can get. Some I shoot, some I don't. I would never poo-poo anyone for shooting or not shooting their collection rifles. I am glad that I didn't become stuck in a rut one way or another, and over the last 50 years I have gathered up some neat stuff.
I guess my favorite old rifle would have to be my 1942 6-digit Springfield Garand. It is a scruffy old beggar, but puts a smile on everyone's face who shoots it.
my goodness! I have no strict opinion on just how a milsurp should look, nor on the overall condition. As I said, I own some that are as close to "new" as such old rifles can get. Some I shoot, some I don't. I would never poo-poo anyone for shooting or not shooting their collection rifles. I am glad that I didn't become stuck in a rut one way or another, and over the last 50 years I have gathered up some neat stuff.I guess my favorite old rifle would have to be my 1942 6-digit Springfield Garand. It is a scruffy old beggar, but puts a smile on everyone's face who shoots it.
johnny1984
CGN Regular
I too have wondered about the stories my rifles could tell.
I have a RC K98 that has been dinged up pretty well. A Stalingrad veteran? Who knows, maybe!!
Also I have a Type 38 Arisaka that has been "well loved". I know the wood on them was different and more susceptible to dings but again the stories could be awesome!!!
Just let your mind soar!!!
I have a RC K98 that has been dinged up pretty well. A Stalingrad veteran? Who knows, maybe!!
Also I have a Type 38 Arisaka that has been "well loved". I know the wood on them was different and more susceptible to dings but again the stories could be awesome!!!
Just let your mind soar!!!
