Madsen M47 - Should you add it to your collection?

If you have an opportunity to add a Madsen M47 to your collection,would you? Is it even a real milsurp?

I would if the price was right. I have the bayonet. Yes, it’s a milsurp. An uncommon one and the last of the bolt actions I believe.

Looks like it might be a shooter, with that almost straight line stock.

It comes with the bayonet and has the Columbian crest embedded in the side of the stock. I'm just having a hard time buying a milsurp that was never deployed.

I get that. I have an Irish contract No4 that was never issued and often consider selling it. No been there. The Madden is pretty cool however. It’s unique. Again, the price would have to be right. An offer I couldn’t refuse.

Definitely an historical milsurp. I really enjoy shooting mine, but they aren't 'tack-drivers'. As posted above, the last of the military bolt-actions...even if they never really got to their destinations. Well-worth the purchase.

Collecting this stuff is a slippery slope. I started with rifles before I even knew I was collecting them. Bought a couple of cheap barrel rifles from Woolworths, 303 British No1 MKIII and a Swedish Mauser. Then an Australian cadet rifle because of the Kangaroo at an auction. Then kids came, nothing for a few years then I started collecting bayonets because they were cheap. After a few years they weren't cheap anymore, kids were grown or I had a little extra money so the actual rifle collecting began. WWI and WWII ONLY, had to have wood stocks, used by the combatants. But then I kept seeing these "bargains" that didn't fit the mold The Irish Contract was one. $400 at a yard sale for a $1000 rifle and I couldn't let it go. Others followed, Siamese rifles, South American rifles, post war rifles. Then I started running out of things I could either afford or find. Can't buy something if you can't find it. Then the gear started, canteens and mess kits, then backpacks, then any weird thing that I found.

Yes, I have a problem. A good problem I think for the most part but some things I should probably let well enough alone.

Yes. It's a unique rifle that was at least advertised as a military rifle. I have one and it's a fun rifle to shoot.

I might have the only one that the bayonet was lost by someone in the chain. They all came with them. It's a FUN rifle to shoot, but not very accurate. The ghost ring rear sight is quick, and nicely adjustable for windage, but it's not the most precise sight picture.

It absolutely qualifies as a mil-surp. The ones in circulation were made for and sent to Colombia as the Model 58. If Colombia needed them for a conflict, you can be absolutely certain they would have been brought out of the warehouse and ceremonial duties and put in active combat. They were in the military stockpile and ready to go. They were then surplused, probably all to the US.

A Milsurp is simply a firearm used by a military, it doesn't have to be used in combat or even given much time/service.

Personally I know I would like one at some point as my collection at this point is focused on action types and being a different action it would fit quite well.