So what do you carry?

That's an incredible collection! Thanks for posting!

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Dave Brown
SWCA #3279

This is the best thread I have ever observed. Thank you. Truly ridiculous and I just can't even fathom the value or time it would take to locate and accumulate these. Well done

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I liked the Woodsman...but about half way through it was more just yawn, and scurry to the end. I appreciate the effort you have gone through. But to me it is no different than looking at any other inanimate object. Boring beyond comprehension.

I will post more as time permits. Glad you guys liked these. I appreciate all the comments.

Thank You
John Fugate

SVT,, look at this gun. 1930's truly NEW IN THE BOX pre war K22 , Look at the ejector rod with no wear, look at the grips, sharp enough to cut you, look at the numbered box, still a little color left " lol" , look at the absence of a turn line ,, anything shiny you see if camera flash,, this gun was left untouched in this box for 80 plus years. Not a fleabite,, not one. I laugh when people say something is mint or minty or new in the box or like new in the box and they don't really have a concept of what new really means. Like new and Minty,, to me means USED USED USED. NIB IS NIB , no wiggle room on that term.

Amazing!
Beyond amazing.

How many body parts can I sell and still be alive to buy one.
Mr, Fugate;
You have accomplished an incredible and nearly impossible collection.
Words escape me.
So, a simple thank you will have to suffice.

Absolutely awesome collection of handguns.

Pre 27 NEW IN THE BOX,, look at bottom of those grips, that's how they are supposed to look, ejector rod retains all its blue, THE GOLD BOX is breathtaking ! Not one blemish on the gun or box. The real deal. Anything shiny is camera flash. Took this with my iPhone,, the next ones I take will be back in the photo tent.


Have a goodnight,, Im wore out. More to come...

The condition of these boxes is as amazing as the guns themselves. Please continue the show.

WOW!!! I don't get on here very often. What a super nice collection. It takes a lot of effort and time to post such quality pictures. Rubone, I hope you were kidding. If not, you should have kept quiet. You have now removed all doubt as to being a complete moron.

WORDS CAN'T ADEQUATELY DESCRIBE YOUR COLLECTION. THE LIKE FEATURE JUST DOES NOT CONVEY IT.....

THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME, AND MAKING THE EFFORT TO SHARE IT WITH US......

YOUR DISPLAY AND PHOTOGRAPHY SKILLS ARE SUPERB ! ! !

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

Maybe this will cheer you up if the NIB pre war woodsman match target was the only gun worthy to post pics of. One for me and one for you.

Sorry if this thread has been boring beyond comprehension for you, please just be patient and give it a chance. I promise in a day or two I will get to the good stuff.

When are you EVER gonna have time to shoot them all??

Just plain B E Utiful!!

I agree. It does look great.

Oh dear lord....if this isn't "the good stuff" I can't wait to see what is.

Absolutely amazing collection John. Please share any and all pics that you feel like sharing.

I think that you are making Rubone green.....lmao

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1st smiles,lies.Last,gunfire.

Rubone, WITH ABOUT AS MUCH UNDESERVED RESPECT AS I CAN MUSTER---YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH BETTER SERVED BY KEEPING YOUR RUDE AND IGNORANT COMMENTS TO YOURSELF......

I WONDER EXACTLY WHY YOU CONTINUE TO BE A MEMBER OF A FORUM, THAT FEATURES MUCH SOUGHT AFTER IMAGES, OF OUR BELOVED INANIMATE OBJECTS ? ? ?

THIS IS PURELY A RHETORICAL QUESTION. I'M CERTAIN THAT ANY RESPONSE ON YOUR PART, WILL BE OF THE SAME QUALITY AS YOUR ORIGINAL REMARKS---AND NOT WORTH READING ! ! !

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

Feel like I've died and gone to heaven. That and I think the like button is broke. I don't think I have ever seen so many MINT condition pistols and revolvers ever and with their original boxes and accessories. Thanks very much for posting and cannot wait until you get to the so called good stuff. Frank

I have two thoughts

1) this needs to be made a sticky. Now
2) the title needs to be amended : “The Million Dollar Thread”

Thanks again for taking the time and effort and posting these gems that we won’t even see in museums.

This thread has more eye candy than... yeah, I don’t even know. What an amazing collection of absolutely beautiful works of craftsmanship and art!!!

Amazing collection, don't know how long it took to do, but very, very nice!! terry

Thank you so much for sharing! My morning coffee went cold as my jaw was resting on the desk the entire time!

Magnificent.

Thank you for taking the time to put this thread together.

I am in awe! Truly amazing collection.Can not express how impressive it is to see all of them.

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Hue 68 noli me tangere

exelente pistola ,es increible su estado

Beautiful, beautiful collection John!!!! Thanks for sharing.....boy what pride they had in their product. Artwork. Your collection is worth more than the the combined wealth of Warren Buffet, Jeff Bezos and that Mexican oil magnate combined.

Certainly the most amazing collection I have seen. Could not even guess at the value. Was a thrill just to see these finely crafted pieces. Thanks for sharing.

I will 2nd the comment of making this a sticky.

The best education I've come across. Kinda changes your perception when I look at guns I'm interested in. The common phrases we've all become accustomed to seeing, have been defined for us here.
I've read lnib or mint, so many times it lost its meaning.
Those phrases have been defined in pictures, no less. Thank you again, Mr. Fugate.

Amazing!!!

Thanks for posting!

I hope people new to our hobby or collecting of handguns take special notice of this thread.

When you go to the local gun show, and the person says it's "new"; keep in mind what you just saw here. All the stocks have crisp checkering, consistent color throughout, no staining from holding or oil when wiping down, ejector rods have no wear, no turn lines, consistent flawless bluing.

It is a high standard, but these are 'new' guns in their purest collecting form.

Bravo, sir.

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Rather be outdoors

I was prepared to make offers on the first few selections but now you have exceeded my budget with the additions so I'll just try to keep the slobber out of my lap top, beyond, good beyond great just amazing! MY Compliments, Sir!!!!!! You have my attention!

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Sam
S&WHF 333 S&WCA 2198

Where are the loud mouths that HAVE to interject "guns were made to be shot", "I won't own safe queens", "someone is goingb to shoot it, it may as well be you..." and all the other clueless quips from the folks who may never fully understand the collecting aspect that truly can peacefully co-exist with the hobby of owning and shooting?

You can't unring a bell. If you are lucky enough to find, be able to purchase/afford or own something that is literally decades or MANY decades old and is in high condition or *gulp* seriously 100% condition...

Do whatever the hell you want but quit the incessant crying because some of us see the beauty and intrinsic value of preserving history.

Every example shown is amazing and tells as much a story about the evolution of man as it does about the progress of American gunmaking and craftsmanship.

John,
You're gonna wear that bluin tank out!


No doubt about it, you've got the collector's heart.
Those packages will appreciate at an exponential rate compared to the lesser condition guns.
Well done.


Thanks for sharing them.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

Keep them coming John

Thanks for sharing with us here on the forum.

I appreciate every picture.

You are one dedicated collector.

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Dum vivo cano

Your collection, is above and beyond words. THANK YOU

Great point. John has clearly shown what LNIB really is. Thank you John for taking the time to show your exceptional collection. Look forward to seeing more. I have not become bored looking at your collection. Anyone who is bored should spend their time elsewhere.

Mr. Fugate, not much I can say that hasn't already been said. However, what I'll bet a lot of us would like to know is some of the stories behind some of them. Can you share any known history or provenance like "it was found up on a closet shelf where it had been for 75 years when the old man died" or "they were found up on a shelf of an old established gun shop when they were cleaning out the stockroom or remodeling" ?
Surely some of the circumstances for them to remain in that condition must have some interesting stories to go along with them.

Not that it matters much but I'm happy to learn that you are also a collector and not just in the business of selling fine firearms for the money. Thank you for taking the time to post

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-Matt

WOW! What a collection.

John you say you only buy perfect guns with perfect accessories for your collection.
I would greatly appreciate it if you would give me a heads up on your rejects

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Forum consigliere

Just an awesome collection, and no doubt investment. Glad there is someone with your passion and resources out there.

I would think internet auctions would have to be your friend to accomplish this. Unless your 100 years old and purchased these new.

Can only imagine what a Colt Woodsman Target would cost if still made the same way today!

Beautiful collection of guns. Thank you for posting and for the excellent photography.

For anyone considering a gun that has been 'restored' or having a gun restored, look at these factory original examples first.
They are the benchmark of the polisher and finishers art of the time.

This is what a true restoration should look like, no excuses.
You should not be able to tell the difference betw the two.
The sharper than sharp edges, flat smooth surfaces, mirror polishes,,all of it.
Anything less is a refinish.

Wow !

Thank you for taking the time to share these beauties !!

I just noticed this thread is only rated 4 stars, I would vote again if I could.

And I also vote for a sticky, I might want to look at the beautiful firearms 3 times a day. :-)

Have a blessed day,

Leon

Let me add my thanks for sharing your incredible collection with us. I have a question that I think others may be wondering as well: Acquiring firearms in essentially brand new condition is a big undertaking but to me maintaining them in that state over time is even a bigger challenge. Would you care to share with us what preservation steps you may be taking on an ongoing basis? For example: Are these handguns coated with a protective product such as Renaissance Wax? This of course is a procedure that many including myself use to retain the pristine appearance of firearms in our own collections.
Jim

Like many here I have been amazed by the examples shared by John. You just never know what someone has, laying around the house do you! While I'm not a New In Box kind of accumulator and I prefer to shoot the guns I own, I can't help but appreciate the time, patience, funds and expertise that it must take to find these items but also maintain and preserve them. Im terrified of guns of this value and condition, honestly! Cause I know I don't have the ability to preserve them in the way that others like John do. So hats off to you sir and the museum you curate and manage everyday (I work in a museum and know what it takes)! I look forward to any and all examples you choose to share and if for some reason I get overwhelmed or "bored" by the ridiculous condition firearms you posses, then I can always swipe my way over to the Glock forum to read and observe a tool without having to post my inconsiderate feelings.

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Eagerly awaiting updates...

John, relative to your posts, and as some have asked regarding care taking, do you store the stocks separate from the firearms? I think I know the answer, but would welcome an expert opinion.

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Rather be outdoors

This thread got the arthritis in my scrolling finger acting up!