setting my genre

Hi everyone It's been a while but I've been involved in Family matters. As I look at my collection I can truthfully say that a pattern is forming. All of my rifles are bolt action milsurps from WW1 and WW2.Some are older than these periods but were comon place during these times.And all are European I think I'll keep it this way.Next week I'll buy that K98 as my first choice,Yugo RC as my second choice.At this point in time I will not deal with the internet. I have found a dealer close to home that has what I want,or can get it for me.But everyone has told me that trimming my collection down to one particular genre has it's good points.Even you guys said the same.Even the M1917 I have an prize so much is actually from I believe a factory located in Birmingham England.They were not made in the USA.While I may not have the Lee SMLE I do have a British made rifle.In time I will think about rifles like the German Gew and the needle rifle.But for now I'll concentrate on the weapons that made a major impact on the world stage during the two world wars.If you can offer any advice by all means do reply.I'll add my email
paulm66@optonline.net Look forward to hearing from you Paul M

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Originally Posted by paulm

...bolt action...weapons that made a major impact on the world stage during the two world wars.

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The key players:
WWI:
-SMLE No.1 Mk.III
-Gew 98
-Mle 1886/93
-Mosin M91
-Springfield 1903 (although you could probably substitute your M1917, but your American friends might protest)


WWII:
-Lee Enfield No.4 Mk.I
-K98k
-Carcano 91/38
-Mannlicher Berthier 1907/15
-Mosin 91/30
-M1 Garand
-Arisaka T38

Though those rifles were the ones that (arguably) saw the widest use within their respective countries at the time, there were innumerable other rifles listed by each country. This list also doesn't take into account the main arm of some of the lesser acknowledged combatants, like the Czech's and Belgians etc.

Luckily, all of the omissions will give you direction once you've filled the list ;)

I used to collect nothing but LEE ENFIELDS, but as my collection grew, I began to wonder why I ever bought 30+ rifles, that to the untrained eye, all looked the same! Oh, sure, I knew that this one had two groove rifling, that one four, and the other six! I sold most of my ENFIELDS, only keeping a representative example of each model. I began buying rifles and pistols from many countries, and each new weapon inspired me to learn about a new country, and what wars it may have been used in. I now have firearms from 32 countries at last count, and I'm having WAY more fun than I had collecting only one type. I think that the cost works out to be less, too. It also has the advantage that more people will have something in common with you, than if you joined, for example, the MAUSER CULT. I have made friends with a few old veterans, who were quite surprised that I had a rifle just like the one that they carried. I also got to learn all about reloading, when I wanted to shoot my new treasures. All old military rifles are interesting, and I often think about the great deals that I passed by when I was younger. Because I only knew about LEE ENFIELDS, I had no idea at the time that I was being offered such great deals. Now, I own and shoot almost all of the 20th century bolt guns, plus some of the semi autos, and many of the 19th century repeaters. All of them are going up in value, some I wouldn't even be able to afford now, three years after buying them!