What might $6500 look like?

[RCS]

The Wisconsin barn did not have any of the rebuild SA SPG stocks (1947-1951) with the "fat" letters.

[gtxc01]

He started collecting in the late 80's or early 90's, I believe, and got very active in building M1s for quite a while. I was out shooting my 11/44 SA (reparked, definitely the bottom feeder of my collection) and he mentioned that he was paring down his collection, but that people had already bought all of the lower-end rifles.

Three rifles that he sold that I wish I had gotten (but hey, I overspent as it is) were a late 6 million type 2 NM, a Type 1 transitional NM, and a 1946 arsenal overhaul that had a '46 barrel, and a double stamped stock SHM and DAS cartouches.

Other than that, I helped him sell a 4/45 NFR. The rest, I purchased. He acquired a lot of good metal over the years, but never seemed to have as much luck with stocks. A lot of the interesting rifles were Navy trophy rifles that had what appeared to be all original parts, but replaced stocks. I have a 6/41 SA that is sitting in a box with all the right parts, but no stock or stock metal. It was one of the aforementioned trophy rifles. There were a lot of active Navy shooters at this base, and a lot of their trophy rifles ended getting sold to the gentleman who has ben so generous to me. I paid $1200 for an M1D that included an original M84 that he paid $1100 for in 1996.

I frequently pointed out that he was giving me great deals on everything, but he stated that he didn't want to bother shipping anything, and would rather sell it to somebody who appreciates the history. It's basically the only way I could afford the collection I've acquired over the last 2 years, which basically amounts to 30 years of his efforts.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

It is always good to find a seller who sees the value beyond $ in placing a good milsurp in the hands of someone who will appreciate/preserve it and do the same when they pay it forward.
I have been the benifactor of this a few times when someone realizes my motive is not "buy low & sell high".

[gtxc01]

Yes, it's been good to me. To hold and fire the rifle is to experience, just a little bit, what our predecessors experienced. I find it magically illuminating. The value goes so far beyond dollar amounts.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Very nicely put. You always hear "if they could only speek" . They speek to me. Glad you hear it also.

[Bob Seijas]

FWIW, "Buy low, sell high" is very old fashioned. Now it's "Buy High, Sell Higher."

[SRiverrat11]

You helped sell a 6/45 SA/NFR.And I still have it. Nice haul Chris.