Musing on why/what we collect

[Major 2]

Eclectic militaria, ACW thru Vietnam,
From bayonets, holsters & helmets to bring backs and many, many years of accumulated chattel.

 

[AJ]

I have two rooms full of stuff. Nicer than some and not as nice as others. Will post some pictures later

 

[Model29-26.5]

Dirty Harry gun for me.
Started with a plastic model, and then a non-firing replica, that a plastic BB replica, then a metal BB replica…
Finally, the real thing sucked me into collecting models with that classic half under lug look.
629, 66, 57, 53, 29, 28, 27, 25, 19… and a couple of 22’s…48-4 pre 17 and pre 18.
I found my OCD wants me to collect all barrel lengths in all finishes.
So, for instance, if I have a model 25–5… I’ll need six of them. 8” 6” 4” in blue and nickel.
It’s the hunt and the OCD pattern recognition… with a goal… but the right one that is really nice, but not 100% collector. I’m good with a few of those, but I actually want to shoot every gun. I have eventually, because I feel that is what they were made for even if I only shoot them once.
Of course, the more you collect, the fewer times you will shoot any one of them unless you have a specific few that you shoot the most.
Finding the right one at the right price.. real nice, right price.
My gun broker account constantly has about 15 to 20 on my watchlist at any given time, and usually about eight that I am bidding on… at any given time, but I do not expect to win most of the time.
If I happen to win, it’ll either be a good deal, or one that I’m really after to complete a “set”.
Does this sound familiar?

 

['79 Magnum GT]

Dirty Harry..

All started with a non firing plastic model my brother had when I was a child over in England.

LS 6.5” model 29… I came to learn that it was actually a pre as the plastic grips were modeled after cokes.


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Then I had a Kokusai metal non firing replica
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Then I had an ABS plastic, plastic BB firing replica by Tanaka.
All Japanese models.

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Then an Umarex, German metal BB firing replica


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Then the real thing.


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After that, I went down the rabbit hole.

I remember seeing that LS Model in Dan's Crafts and Things in Rochester in 1986 or so. I ordered one and never picked it up. If I saw one there I have no idea why I would order one. Hey I was just a punk kid of 30. What would I know.

Rick

 

[AJ]

I have two rooms full of stuff. Nicer than some and not as nice as others. Will post some pictures later

 

[pawncop]

I’m an accumulator as others have mentioned. So many times a particular firearm called my name, caught my eye, tickled my fancy, call it what you will. Many were purchased with the intent of qualifying and carrying it as an off duty or second gun.

When I started in law enforcement, many officers were part of the “new gun of the week club” . A large number of those officers were really into firearms and they kinda rubbed off on me (plus I loved guns anyway).

Now these days, I am retired. I pretty much qualify with two guns, Glock 32 and 30. I still acquire those that call my name or I decide that I really want (don’t have any real needs). I have slowed my acquisitions as I probably need to downsize, but I don’t have the mindset yet.

My last four purchases have been an Iver Johnson Super Enforcer 30 carbine, S&W 1905 4th change (it was a really good deal), a Ruger Blackhawk 41 magnum, and an Sig P-210 target (recent production).

Mrs. Pawncop wants to know how the downsizing is going and I don’t have a very good answer just yet.

I don’t have anything on the radar now but I continue to be on the lookout.