I tend to have an affinity for rarer items, particularly custom-action German Weatherby Mk Vs with 26" bbls (specific enough for ya?)
The majority of the custom-action Mk Vs are either 24" guns or Japanese mfg. I've also been able to track down some of the rarer pre-ban rifles, particularly Belgian FALs and Valmets.

Last year under the Christmas tree.I found a Jovino s&w 25 in 45 colt.My wonderful wife saw me drooling over it at a gunshop in Nashville .She made a deal when I wasn't looking and surprised me.

I Just did a couple weeks ago, but didn't even know it until I got it home. A model 624 Lew Horton Combat Special.
Pics below; complete story here:

Even a Blind Squirrel......

George

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I once had a collection of Weatherby rifles. Some of the early mauser action and German ones had the spider webbing.

The first was a Mauser action with a very low SN in 270 WBY. It shot like a lazer. I loved the gun, my Dad gave me his pre 64 Win M-70. Every year he'd ask if I killed my deer with his gun. I had to say no. I sold the WBY so I would use the old M-70 and killed my largest wall hanger with it. I now use the M70 until I take the 1st deer.

The WBY had the gloss finish with the spider web cracks, I hate shiny stocks and have always used 4 oooo steel wool to knock the shine off and then polish it well with rubbing compound and then stock wax. It leaves a hand rubbed oil finish look.

When I did it on the WBY to rid it of the shiny stock most of the webbing also vanished. With the satin sheen it was still there but not as heavy and harder too see.

I also did that to my German 300 WBY, a Browning BAR and a few others. I liked the results.

I remember reading about the Larson and always kept an eye open but never found one.

I tape off the checkering and work the stock down a little, don't take all the Polyurathane off.

I am a little different than most, I shoot my guns. I have a sneaking hunch that was what they were made for.

COLT PYTHON .357 from 1978

I found it at a gun show in Des Moines and SHMBO just happened to have the check book in her purse....bless her little ole heart!

When I was a young man I had the chance to shoot Korth revolvers of affluent friends and was impressed by the obvious quality and amazing double action trigger.

I had lusted for a Korth for 30 years before I bought one.



A couple of years ago I decided to start a small collection and have no buyer's remorse in this case.

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When I turned 16 in 1959, I could legally own a rifle where I lived. I walked over to a local hardware store, plunked down my saved up newspaper and caddie money, and happily carried a Marlin 39A with a 4x Marlin scope back to my house. Forward to 1975, I moved into a new (to me) house where I met a wonderful couple who lived across the street. They were my parents' age, and became like a 2nd mother and father away from home. Forward to ~1990 - I had moved, they had moved, but we stayed in touch. One day he told me that squirrels were destroying his bird feeders, but he couldn't hit them with his Marlin bolt .22 because had knocked the scope out of zero. I gave him my rifle to use while I took his to re-zero it for him. It took longer than I expected because one of the mount screws was stripped, and between that and lots of work travel, a year or two passed. When I took the repaired rifle back, the new owners of his house told me he moved because his wife had a terminal illness, but didn't know where. I could not find a phone or a tax record for him. His first and last names were very common. After some more years, I remembered him mentioning a son by name. No record of him either. In 2013, while using the internet for genealogy, I stumbled upon my friend's obituary, where two more sons were named. No phone listings for them either. The obit mentioned that one son worked for the state Attorney General's office. I called the office - bingo - it was the right one. He told me that my friend and his wife moved in with the oldest son, hence no public record, that they both had passed on, and that he didn't have the gun. He gave me a contact for the other sons, and after 3 cancelled meet-ups, we made a connection and swapped; I had my first gun back after ~20 years, and he had his father's gun.
For years, I despaired of ever getting my first gun back, and it's now not ever going out without me. It's back in the corner, in its case, where it's never run out and shot anybody in 56 years.

I had posted this before but it sure fits in here.
I went to a local gun shop to try the feel of a Ruger revolver. As the gent behind the counter opened the case to reach for the Ruger, parked next to it was a S&W with a tag that read K-32 at $600.00. I looked up at the gent and told him I'd take the S&W. He then told me "You know the barrel has been cut down from 6" to the 4" I saw in the case". I said I didn't care. He then told me the grips didn't number. I told him I didn't care. I bought the 5 screw K-32 with the 4" barrel. Turned out to be one of ten K-32 Combat Masterpieces built in 1949. Lettered as K.32 Masterpiece Pre-Model 16. There were 10 built and the factory charged $6.00 to cut the barrels down to 4".

They say that even a blind squirrel finds a nut

In close to 40 years of admiring these fine firearms, there are many Smith and Wessons that I am surprised I have found. This includes ones that I was actively seeking and others that simply appeared. Here are some fo my favorites:


One of the Master Engraved Deluxe Texas Ranger Commemoratives.




One of the Deluxe Texas Sesquicentennial Commemoratives.




One of the engraved, Nickel, model 45s




A 649 from the first day of production. One of the 25 selected to become a Special Engraved Limited Edition




Not only a 3566 Limited, but the one that had the second Performance Center fitted top end for shooting 40 S&W.




An unissued Rhode Island State Police model 66 with the factory installed lanyard loop

I see you still have the peep sight mounted. I've got one like yours, bought new by me in 1966. When I see them at gun shows and such, they never have the sight or single shot pieces. The T2 had the longer barrel and was nearly target gun accurate. Its been my go to 22 for the last 49 years.. coming up on 50.

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Dick Burg

Actually, a Nylon 66...

Korriphila HSP and Delta Top Gun stand out for me.

The first time in encountered a Korriphila I laughed a little at the name. It sure sounds like something you wouldn't want to catch.

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Bill Bates

My old daddys model 48 that I inherited in '76 and then sold in '79.
Found it a couple years ago, thanks to this forum:

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Halfway and one more step

I found a mint 1942 dated G41M for a killer price 10 years ago.

I think YOU win! What a tale!!

I bought mine just before Browning discontinued the model. Did you know it has a dry fire feature built into the safety and an adjustable trigger?
I shot the heck out of mine when .22 was cheap and plentiful. I wish I had thought to buy a few magazines for it when they were available. Now they cost mucho bucks if you can find one.

Frank237, yes, I did win :~)))))

A friend inherited a beautiful (90-95%) Nickle 19-3, 4"
that sat in a dresser drawer for the last 20 years.
He couldn't think of a good reason to hang onto it,
I couldn't think of ANY reason to let it go.
$300 later, Merry Christmas to me!

Well, one I had that I did not know what I had and sold. Singer 1911, $50.00 sold it for $100.00 cause I did not know what I had. It would not feed. That was in the 1980's before the internet. Does this fit if not I will delete and apply some other thread. This is just a tear jerker for me.....I don't want to talk about it, you understand?

Yup, beats any I have listened to.

Sorry not able to post photos but found two during separate visits to the same place, first was a K-32 Model Marked-16, 4 screw, the other was a First Model .44 Special Triple Lock, barrel finish is terrible but remainder of the revolver is pristine, had jibbed bone period correct stocks.
My problem it that I continue to find firearms I wasn't aware I wanted until I saw them.

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Sam
S&WHF 333 S&WCA 2198

Stopped by one of my favorite shops to pick up a case of hard cast LRN .45 ACP bullets I'd ordered.

Came across a like new fixed sighted .357 mag S&W M-681 that was a Toronto Police trade in.

Got it for $285 out the door.

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NULLI SECUNDUS

Always been my system. May not be cheap, but it works. You left off selling at a loss from time to time, too.

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Dick Burg

A NIB savage 99 .375, a savage 99 .284, two savage 99 22-250's.

Years ago I bought a Giles .38 Special M1911, a gun I never even knew existed. It's now my favorite centerfire target pistol.

I'd heard of the Colt factory and Clark conversions, but never Giles.

It's the best handgun I own, and I own a lot.

John Giles built some of the best 1911's ever. I've shot a few of them on Army teams.

Nearly all of them. A 9mm Wilson. A lovely HK P7. A 37 mm gas gun (that is fab for backyard fireworks). A .22 Korth I bought my brother. A couple Caesar Guerini shotguns. Etc. For the most part, if they aren't special I try not to buy them.

By the way, Andyd that's a hell of a collection.

Alonzo Krull 22 rimfire conversion on a US Colt. Cost me $220, great example of the art of the gunsmith. Much more that I could afford at the time, today one of my most cherished revolvers.

A fair percentage of mine are like that. "Ooh, what's that? I want it! Uh, how much is it?" Here's one that I didn't know what it was until I got it - it was advertised as a King conversion but I didn't think that was right. It's a factory target sighted Model 1917. SCSW says there might be about five in existence, although Jim Fisher estimates maybe 10-15.

Commercial 1917 Target - letter confirmed, post #13 - SWHF docs, post #15

Lots of nice stories and firearms! I too have gotten lucky to find some. I found a 952 6" heavy slide online before the crazy prices. I also found a 646 at a Gander Mountain store. The clerk said to me "Why would anyone want a revolver in 40 S&W ?" I told him that I would be happy to take it off his hands!

I always wanted a Beretta Model 84. Not that they were particularly rare, but they were about $100 more than a new Model 92. After I quit smoking, my wife told me that I could spend a year's worth of cigarette money on anything I wanted. She didn't realize that smokes were $6 a pack. I got a new Model 84 and a Glock 21! Beretta has since stopped marketing the 84 in the U.S.

Possibly the least likely firearm that I "ought" to have is this:


An orginal LeMat!



It was missing the loading assembly (fairly common with these revolvers, apparently) and the selector spring was broken, but otherwise in very good shape. Having some new springs fitted, so maybe it'll get some range time this year.

Triple Lock Target at a gun show and a price I had enough cash for. I love the re-blue as it's the only way I could afford it.

I walked into a gun show about 8 years ago right when it opened and I found this S&W Model 17-4 with 8 3/8 inch barrel for $500. I bought it and it is my most accurate S&W revolver. I added the combat grips to dress it up a little bit and it's my favorite S&W revolver.
17-4

As&w16_4 ,6 inches ,rcbs dies, 3 lyman molds,500 starline 32mag cases new,some 32 long for350€,when i see the add on a board at thé range club,i take off and phone thé guy, it was 3 years that he wants sold thé revolver

Not the rarest or the most scarce, but the condition was excellent. Early one line, S serial#, 2" M&P. An older guy was carrying this around a gun show and about four guys were looking at it. I heard him say he wouldn't take less than $275.00 for it. I about had a nervous break down until the four guys handed it back to him.

I asked to see it, gave it a very quick look and told the seller to please hold it while I get my money out. I didn't argue the price.





Or maybe this model 57 for $400.00

"(I think it's shotguns only for deer in Alabama)."

Not true. You can hunt deer with rifles, shotguns, handguns and muzzleloaders in Sweet Home Alabama. Certain limitations apply.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Here are three:



The Ithaca 4E was one of the few that ever come up on Gunbroker without a very high starting/reserve price

I got the Winchester 94 Riot in trade for a .308 Winchester 88 that I fired three times before I said never again.

I paid market price for the 1949 Model 70 in .257 Roberts. I never thought I would spend that kind of money for a gun.

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Sure! This isn't anything fancy but Strictly utilitarian. Always wanted a HK USP 45. They are expensive, even used they are in the $600 range plus mags are $60 ea. Well right before new years my LGS took in two tone USP 45 that was a former police gun. It had some slide wear but I don't care about those things, plus it came with 3 extra mags and was priced under $400. On top of that I found CDNN had had HK 12 round mags for $40ea!!!

No way I could afford one unless I save for years and years, but I'd love to have a martial Colt SAA.

A few have come my way..I found a nice 27-2 3 1/2 incher at a gun show for 575 bucks. I also lucked into a New Ithaca Double engraved gun in 28 ga...for under 1000 bucks...one of only 6 or 7 made. Thinking of selling it when I get back east

One really stands out. I found a .38/44 Outdoorsman at the gun shop one mile from my house. They didn't realize what they had!
Solid 90% plus condition with a Call gold bead front sight and its original walnut service stocks. I had it lettered and it shipped in 1934.

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Virtue,Liberty & Independence

Several that I can think of....

Back in the early 1970s when I had just started handgun shooting I wanted a S&W Model 53 .22 Jet with an extra rimfire cylinder. Looked for four years before my friend finally spotted one in a shop in Massachusetts while we were out shopping...have had that gun ever since and just turned it into a .327 Federal.





Back about the same time I read a gun magazine article about a Walther P38 in .22 Long Rifle. Not many were brought into the country. Saw several for sale over the years but always at "collector" prices. Finally about 2008 spotted one at one of the online auctions and was able to get it for under a grand. Have only seen a few for sale since and all well over a grand.





My favorite revolver is the 4" Model 57/657. Always wanted a first year of production 57 and dreamed about a factory Class A engraved model. Ended up finding a 1964 57 that was in excellent condition for a good price because it was minus the Cokes.





Then found a blue Class A 4" followed a year later by a nickel. Both were unfired. The blue has just the presentation case but the nickel is a complete in the packing box set. I saw two just like them sell for $3400 last year so it was a good investment.





Dreams do come true if you look long enough....Bob

I can tell you, I have never found affordable prices on anything I searched for, just lucky to stumble onto deals that didn't seam like deals at the time.

You must be either willing to take a risk, or have a broad spectrum of gun knowledge & values.

always wanted a Savage Anschutz match 64 from reading about squirrel hunting with one. About 7 or 8 years ago my local pawn shop had one with a Fecker target scope from a guy I knew. He was there & I told him I'd take it. While waiting for paperwork to be done I mentioned I was looking for a Remington 540X to replace one I had stupidly sold a while back. He said he had one of those in the back of the shop he was also planning to have the shop sell. That one had Redfield iron sights. Got both of them & a case of Remington 22's for $1,500. Both shoot better than me and won't be going anywhere.

These are the most recent hard to find guns I was able to work out a deal on. The one Birdshead is a Texas Longhorn Arms Border Special in 44 mag and it was Bill Grover's personal gun that he carried and used. Bill was the owner of TLA. The other is not a single gun but a three gun set of TLA guns ordered with the same serial number and in the custom leather case. No one really knows how many o f these cased sets Bill made but it is very few and we think this is the only one where the set was made in 41 Magnum. Ironically I also found the TLA Improved #5 model in 41 mag that goes with this set as well.

A couple. I had a nice Beretta over and under, but I'm not hunting birds any more so I sold it off. I also had a 4 inch Python, but didn't really like it.

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Even older, even crankier....

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At one time I was collecting AK-47's. I had been aware of the Norinco 86S, a bull pup variant of the AK-47, but I was not seriously on the lookout for one because I never had much hope that I would ever see one. I considered bidding on the occasional one that would show up on Gun Broker but the auction price always went higher than I was comfortable bidding.

Then ....... a few years ago at a gun show, sitting at the back of a rifle rack, among a lot of other rifle racks crowded close together, I spied something different, and much shorter than all the other rifles. It was mostly hidden. I was curious and not really sure what it was. When I asked the vendor to pull the rifle out for me I think my pulse went up 20 beats when I saw what it was. It went up another 20 beats when when they affirmatively answered my question about the box and accessories. Depending on your point of view you might say it is interestingly ugly. Between the rifle and the background rug I hope you don't grimace or gag too much.

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Scoundrel & Ne'er-Do-Well