WWI Presentation

[Aragorn243]

My WWI presentation is today. I was actually ready for it early this year. Got everything boxed and stacked downstairs by Thursday afternoon. Yesterday just rounded up a few more things I found in exploring the house (yes it's that bad) and made up some identification slips and little flags to put with each nations stuff. Last thing I found was a full sized German Imperial flag which I forgot I had. My wife managed to get the church set up after an event last night so I don't even have to do that.

I have help lined up to move it to the truck and to the church and back again.

Not looking forward to putting it away.

Can anyone explain how I removed 15 rifles from my one safe, put all the rest back and can't shut the door? So yes, I have to figure that out all over again. I believe I'm taking the bolts out this time.

Hopefully I'll remember to take photos of the tables etc.

I have 4 German rifles although one is Turkish, 3 British (one is a later Indian that has a WWI grenade launcher mounted on it), 2 US, 4 French, 3 Japanese, 1 Russian, 1 Belgian, 1 Swiss, 2 Austro-Hungarian, 3 Italian and 1 Portuguese.

I also have four handguns, 2 German, 1 French and 1 Russian although post WWI production on the Russian.

Pretty near complete US soldier set up, not going to try to set the tent up.

Did discover I'm really weak on WWI helmets. Only have 2 but will take a later Adrian helmet to show as an example.

So if you're local and want to stop in, Hope UMC in Akron (Ephrata) PA. Starts at 6:00.

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[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

I trust you did not tease us with the detailed description and are not going to provide photos.

Can anyone explain how I removed 15 rifles from my one safe, put all the rest back and can't shut the door? So yes, I have to figure that out all over again.

I will be checking back often hopefully for photos and an answer to the question I have been seeking the answer to as well.

[Aragorn243]

I took photos and a video of a walk through. I have to edit the sound on that though. I did not video the actual presentation, just after everything was set up. Turn out was not what I expected but it was a good group. I really wish I could do this for a job because I really enjoy it. Alas, it is not fiscally possible.

[Flying10uk]

I took photos and a video of a walk through.

I look forward to seeing it.

It's a pity that you can't do something along these lines for a job, either online or working for a museum, for example.

[Aragorn243]

It's a pity that you can't do something along these lines for a job, either online or working for a museum, for example.

I was thinking about that this morning. I have about 10 years till retirement, after that I may seriously look into it. As fast as time seems to fly these days, that will not be that long.

[vykkagur]

Regarding the safe issue, how solid is the surface upon which it stands? Not an old wooden floor, or worse, carpet? I'm thinking that changing the loading inside the safe has caused it to lozenge a small bit, throwing the door opening slightly out of square. This could happen if the surface under it has some flex, even if minute. Maybe try pushing sideways on the upper corners, one at a time, while trying to close the door, to verify. Just a first thought.

[Aragorn243]

No, it just won't close because the 15 fewer rifles didn't fit in it anymore. I solved that problem, now added two to the bottom and maybe have room for 3 or 4 more. I took the bolts out of about half of them and stacked them very carefully. I'm not ready for the video yet. I have to figure out how to edit the sound. My helpers were talking in the background about unrelated things. Can't understand what they are saying but it doesn't go well with the video.

---------- Post added at 09:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:35 PM ----------

[Aragorn243]

Just to point out a few obvious and not so obvious things, I have no idea what year the Type 38 rifles were made. The US 1911 holster is black or very dark brown but originally made for WWI. The Adrian helmet is a WWII version, the Tent pegs and ropes are reproductions. The black luger holster is the WWII holster it came in, the brown one is a correct WWI holster and the Grenade launcher while period correct is on a 1955 Indian MK1 No3 rifle. The white sling on the Martini Henri would have most likely not been used in WWI. There are several obsolete rifles that were only used in very limited ways or were used in Africa by native troops. I pointed all these things out during the presentation. I also have a modern helmet there I used to show the progress made from the first US helmet to the current on.

[Aragorn243]

The uniform and small photos by it are not mine. They were provided by another church member. It was his grandfather's uniform. The photos are of him with his then fiancee while in uniform and the troop ship he traveled on to France.

[Singer B]

What an incredible collection! Thank you for keeping that history alive. In regards to how do you get 15 long guns into a safe? Two words - Rifle socks! I started using them about a year ago and they are great at protecting your collection in tight quarters. I am even learning how to identify my rifles by feel through each sock when I am looking for a certain firearm.