New member introductions thread ......

[stonemason-harry]

Hello my name is Harry. I enjoy shooting plus loading the 10ga

[sbk99]

Really enjoy the forum. I'm lucky enough to have a transferable ZB26 so I appreciate all the information available here.

[lindameow]

Hi am trying to find out what these markings mean on Enfield Rifle Crown VR 1896 then LEC 1.what year where it is from originally such as army or what?

[Brian1Green]

Just signed up and am looking forward to being part of the community. Haven't dealt in military collectables long but as my knowledge is limited my enthusiasm is strong! Glad to be a part of this!

[MajorFaversham]

Greetings everyone!

I'm a new member from Iowa in the USA. I've been lurking as a guest ever since my son bought an SKS back in September this year.

It's funny how things can snowball. Back in June, he decided that he wanted to buy his first firearm. He asked my opinion. I spent 16 years in the US Army and had never owned a personal firearm. I inherited my grandpa's 12 gauge a few years ago, but I'd never fired it.

I've never hunted even though I was a "duck hunter" in the US Army (Air Defense Artillery - M163A1 Vulcan SP and later with the PATRIOT missile system during the Gulf War). It's not that I have any objections to hunting. Hunting just didn't seem cost effective to me as a source of meat and to be quite honest eating something that has been living in the wild seemed sort of dicey -- "Who knows what type of diseases that thing may have picked up?" Yeah, I know that meat from the supermarket is probably more unhealthy for consumption -- steroids, antibiotics, etc. --, but I digress.

Both of my sons are Eagle Scouts and have had experiences with .22 rifles and shotguns at Boy Scout camp, but we just never had the disposable income for firearms as a hobby -- raising four kids isn't cheap.

ANYWAY... My oldest son graduated from college last year and is gainfully employed. My oldest daughter is in her senior year. The son with the new interest in firearms is in his sophomore year in college but has a full ride athletic scholarship. Our youngest daughter is a high school senior, but looks on track to get some type of academic scholarship for college. Sooooo that means that we will soon be empty nesters with some discretionary income once again.

Meine frau wasn't crazy about our son wanting to buy a rifle last Spring; but conceded that since he was on scholarship and was an adult, he could spend money he'd earned de-tasseling corn how he pleased. Her only request was that I accompany him every time he went to the range as a "safety officer'.

Knowing how he had a tendency to pick up hobbies with a fervor only to drop them a few months later, I started doing some research on entry level rifles to provide him guidance on cost effectiveness while still having fun. His first purchase was a Mosin Nagant 91/30.

It was a great bonding experience for both of us --researching the history, cleaning off the cosmoline (?!), taking a gun safety course, searching for the best deals on ammo, and finally taking it to a local range. Since he lives on campus year round, he can't have a firearm in campus housing, so he has to leave his rifle at home. Now this was another factor that made his Mom more comfortable and gave me the opportunity to once again enjoy the experience of cleaning and getting to know a firearm.

I've always enjoyed woodworking, so refinishing the stock was a true joy for me -- Minwax mahogany and 12 coats of tung oil. It's beautiful.

Well last September, he decided that he wanted to buy an SKS. We were at the range and ran into his old Boy Scout troop leader. He is a great guy. He's into black powder musketry and is truly a MacGuyver when it comes to field craft. A few years ago, my sons and I went with the troop on a High Adventure trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. The troop leader had brought two rods and reels to do some fishing. At some point when his group was portaging their canoes, they lost his rods. I'd have been ****ed, but he took the opportunity to teach his group how to MAKE rods to which they could attach the reels. He also makes throwing tomahawks with leather scabbards that he presents to each scout when they make Eagle rank.

He had a variety of rifles and pistols at the range that he and his two sons were firing. He invited us over to fire them and my son reciprocated with offering them to fire his Mosin Nagant. This was the first time my son and I got the opportunity to see and fire an SKS.

My son now had a burning desire to own an SKS. So once again we went through the research, cosmoline removal, etc. Now I had a SECOND rifle to refinish the stock and play with -- I mean practice assembly and disassembly -- at home.

Here's the best part... my son bought me a Yugo M59/66A1 for this Christmas as a thanks for all of the work and time I've spent on his rifles and going with him to the range.

I took all four kids out to the range while they were home for the holidays. The youngest daughter has already had two trips to the range and was shooting clay pigeons better than her older brother and her dear old dad.

Glad to join the group for the wealth of knowledge -- both historical and practical.

Major Faversham

[lupothebutcher]

Hi to all; I've been collecting and shooting firearms for some 40 years now, some of you will know me from CGN also as lupothebutcher. One question I have, if you would....I see plenty of maple leafs above, and I've already seen some familiar names, but is this website actually based in Canada?

[mdcyr]

Just joined this forum as I search for an original German Mauser. Looking forward to gaining some knowledge here.

Thanks.

[Hapax Legomena]

Hello milsurps.com community.

I have just registered with the Forum. By way of introduction, I am a 53 year old Kentucky resident. I've been married for 27 years to the same wonderful (and indulging) wife. We have three fine children. By day, I'm a state government employee. I also have a C&R license.

I have been collecting milsurp rifles for the last ten years. So far, I have an M1903, M1903mk1, M1903A3, M1917, 2 M1 Carbines (Quality Hardware, Rockola), 5 M1 Garands (2SA, WRA, HRA, IHC), Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk1*, Lee-Enfield No.5 Mk.1.

I enjoy reading about the development of and the history of these fine rifles. I have already discovered a lot of interesting and helpful information here.

Hapax

[Tractorguy]

Good Morning, I'am a new member and just getting in to this hobby mainly because of a BSA 303 left to my wife by her father. Really trying to identify the rifle since it appears to have been sportized many years ago or even by the manufacture. look forward to visiting the sight!

[Stnsctt]

Greetings everyone. Glad to be a part of your forum. It seems fascinating.

My favorite Christmas present: an M1 Garand from CMP.

I'm looking for folks who know this rifle well because I have some questions, tips on function/shooting/cleaning, etc.

Also, anyone out there (maybe I should say, "in here" at Milsurps) know if .30-06 surplus ammo headstamped SL -- 43 is corrosive or not?

Happy new year to y'all--

--Scott