Recently we have had some good threads going on the worst gun, rarest gun, gun that attracts the most attention, ect.

So what is the oldest (non-reproduction) gun you own?
Mine is a Remington rolling block in 50-70 made in the early 1880s.

Maynard carbine from the civil war.

A WWII Nazi Luger.

Pretty recent, by historical measure.

I bet you can find 9mm luger easier than I can find .50 maynard carbine though I hate not being able to shoot a gun I own lol.

A Belgium made Browning Auto 12. Manufactured in September, 1953.

What was the auto 12? Is it a variant on the A-5, or a precursor to the light 12 of the late 50s-early 60s?

Civil war era percussion double shotgun but is a wall hanger. Shooter would be an early 1900s Cresent double shotgun in 16 ga.

It is called many things. Some call is a Light 12. Others call it a Auto 5 or A-5.

The paperwork that came with it new says Browning Auto 12 gauge.

I know it was way ahead of it's time and has features not found on guns today. It will reach out a lot longer distances than any of my newer shotguns.

But it was $453 back in 1953. That was more than most people would make in two months back then. And for those not old enough to remember, there were no Visa, Mastercard or American Express back then.

I do believe some pictures are in order sir That sounds like an amazing shotgun. Given where you are geographically, is it safe to assume this was a duck gun for most of its life?

M96 Swede. Made in 1908. Clean bore and smooth as glass. It shoots great. Always gets a little attention at the range.

Colt New Navy, made in 1902.

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The oldest shooters I have are a J. Stevens A & T Co Model #225 SXS 12 gauge hammer shotgun, and a Parker Bros 20 gauge Trojan Model SXS. I think the Parker dates to 1916. I shoot 2.5" reduced pressure shells in them.

There has never been a finer quail gun than the little Parker. My Great Uncle bought it new. It went to my Daddy when Uncle Perk died, and Daddy gave it to me when I was about 12.

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Shipped 1915

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Roger

I have an old colt .44 from 1860.

1905 4th change .38spl made/delivered in 1914. Still a shooter with light loads.

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Rem.model 12 .22cal shots short,long, long rifle about 1912 Great pump rifle

Actually I would rather spend my time chasing fat women than duck hunting. I used to deer hunt but learned I could buy a lot of meat at the grocery store for what I was spending on fuel to go hunting. The time I saved by not hunting was spent sleeping. The money I spent on hunting went to buying more guns.

As you asked, here is a photo of the Browning and a photo of the excess long guns that will no fit in the safes anymore.

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Remington .44; 1863.

Regards,

Tam 3

Cooper DA revolver made in the 1860s, I forget when and I'm too lazy to go look it up. It needs a new hammer.

Old functional guns that I have include a S&W top break made in 1908, a Model 12 Winchester from 1919, and a Remington Model 11 that's so hold it has the trigger safety. There's also an old '91 long Carcano I had that I think predates WW1.

I tell you what, I'll make you a deal: I'll take those long guns off of you and store them in my safe, free of charge lol. You sound a lot like my father in regards to hunting lol.

Made in 1898. A hand-me-down family heirloom, from great-uncle born 1886....he probably bought it 2nd hand?

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John

1887 and 1889 are the years of the two oldest firearms around here. Both still see regular use.

A second-year-of-production Winchester Model 1886 .45-90 from 1887.



Stalking the wilds of Texas with the '86 a few years back when there was less gray hair. No deer were had that day but the rifle and I took a turkey later that afternoon.

A Springfield Model 1884 "Trapdoor" manufactured in 1889.



Colts, a military contract and a civilian variation of the same model, share the duties of being the current oldest handguns in the menagerie. Both date from 1901.





It's amazing how useful the older guns still can be. I have 59 firearms that date from World War II or earlier. There's absolutely nothing that may be accomplished with the newer ones owned that can't be just as effectively accomplished with these oldies. For that matter one would be well covered for most any conceivable firearms requirements with any of several pre-1900 models. The designs are still that good.



Despite all the mixing and matching of designs and operating systems, all the latest cartridge offerings and bullet technology, and all the "advances" in materials and methods used in the manufacture of firearms, something like a ray gun is needed in order to truly advance beyond the metallic cartridge arms available on the eve of World War II.

Model 1, 2nd issue, S&W. Shipped July 1867.


Model 1 1/2 2nd issue .32 RF, S&W. Shipped Jan. 1873


Model 1 1/2 2nd Issue, .32 CF, S&W. Shipped Mar. 1879

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Model 71 Mauser 11MM single shot. #69XX so probably first year. Original 71/84 ammo.

The oldest shooter is this Win. Model 12, from 1915, 16 gauge, factory cylinder choke.

Tight as a tick. She requires short shells, but I get her out a couple of times a year. She's taken quite a few woodcock.

This is old Rebel claiming her the day I brought her home. He lets me borrow the old girl every once in a while if I bring him along.

Mine is an Allen & Thurber pepperbox. I believe the date on it is 1839. It was a gift from an elderly family friend in the late 1960's. it is in good shape and functions mechanically, but I choose not to fire it.

Next are 2 original 1861 springfields, after them is a 1873 springfield trapdoor.

LTC

22/32 Heavy Frame Target (aka Bekeart model) from 1911.

Last year I sold my First Model Hand Ejector.

Bekeart

Two of my working shotguns are from the 1820's...One SXS in 12 bore and a English Fowler, also in 12 bore.

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JP Sauer & Sohn SxS 16 ga shotgun - 1910, passed down from my dad, still shoots fine.

You are most generous. Your kindness is exceeded only by the charm you exhibit on this forum. In light of it all, I am afraid I will have to pass on your offer. The reason I have not bought another safe is that I am too old to make it financially worthwhile.

I am likely older than your father and we people born back when peas were invented think alike using something called wisdom and common sense.

My oldest gun is a Colt Police Positive made in 1916.

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

Pepper box circa 1840's

Wow, you guys have some impressive old firearms. Makes my two pocket pistols from the 1920's seem almost new.

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A Winchester Model 12 Tournament grade shotgun made in 1923

Faulkner,

That Hammerless Colt is a beauty.

.32 acp Savage Model 1917 made in 1921.

Jerry

1919 Model 8 Remington...in .32 Remington....dern things shoots great too

A Sharps rifle and carbine. Both New Model 1863. The oldest hand gun is a Forehand and Wadsworth .32 rimfire revolver 1896.

Evening, All,

My oldest handgun was made around 1720, in England, and it's a lovely Queen Anne, screwbarrel, in .60 caliber. Made by Robert Harvey, who as later "Gunmaker to the King", with it's sterling silver lion's head butt cap, it's truly a wonderful firearm. The kicker is that it's in super tight condition, and if I wanted to, which I do NOT, I could safely fire it!! I'll try to dig up some photos, or take some new ones, and post them here. Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

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Honor God, above all.

Thanks Iggy, it's one of my favorites. Here's a little better picture of it.

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What's left of a short Land pattern Brown Bess. My Great,Great Grandfather bought it surplus (he was living in Nova Scotia) in the 1850s. I think Britain surplussed them when they adopted the 1852 (?) Enfield rifled musket. The Brown Bess probably dates from the 18th century.

That IS a little jewel.

My Model M/Type III is the next to the oldest thing I have. It's a 1913 vintage, but surely doesn't look as nice as that one.

The .32 Hand Ejector, 5th change will shade it a little in age I think. The Colt was my paternal grandfather's and the HE was my maternal grandfather's.

They both died before I came along, so handling these is sort of a connection that I appreciate.

Pond....Lucius W. Pond,
little .22 cal..from somewhere around 1863...
It was an attempt to circumvent the Rollin White / Smith & Wesson patent on a bored through cylinder. Approx. 2,000 made in .22 cal. it's #214
and in need of parts.. think I'm going to have to break out the lathe and make a few..
Oldest S&W .455 triple-lock from 1914... #50XX

Mine is this Model 1866 Springfield Breech Loading Rifled Musket. AKA the Allen Gun. 50-70 is a heck of a fun round to shoot!

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Some very impressive old firearms. And many of them in outstanding condition for their ages.

My oldest is a Civil War era Starr carbine.

Remington 1911 in mint condition....

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Colt model 1917