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    Legacy Member Bionicback321's Avatar
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    I seek the wisdom of the forum members

    I ran across an Arisakaicon Type 38 made at the Koishikawa arsenal ( no series number ) with a very clean bore at a local gun here in central Florida a couple months ago and the owner was asking $180 for it. That is when I broke the first rule of military surplus gun collecting...I bought first and then did my homework. I was lucky this time and ended up with a very nice example of Japanese military hardware. It’s a sweet shooter with low recoil and is very accurate. That got me thinking...and you know what happens when you start thinking...you start buying. I decided to start collecting bolt-action rifles of World War II. Within a month I added a 1932 Mosin ( with a hex receiver ), two months later a 1945 Turkishicon 8mm Mauser took up residence in my safe. Last Sunday I really got lucky and found a 1944 1903a3 in great condition for $500. I did my homework first and felt that was a good price. So the question is ... what’s next ... that’s the question I ask of the members of this forum ... what would you add next?

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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

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    Legacy Member Vincent's Avatar
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    Enfields, K98icon Mauser, BREN, STEN, MP-38, MP-40, MG-42, PPSh-41, PPS-43, Tokarev SVT-40, M1icon Thompson, Suomi m-31, De Lisle Carbine, Lanchester, StG44, BAR, M1919, M1 Garand, M3A1 "Grease Gun",......

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    Advisory Panel Patrick Chadwick's Avatar
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    So you already have designs that are Japaneseicon, Germanicon, American and Russianicon.
    Whether you look at it from the point of view of a selection of WW combat rifles or a selection of different approaches to bolt-rifle design, there is no question - an Enfield is missing!

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    Contributing Member Aragorn243's Avatar
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    Japan - Arisakaicon type 99, Germanyicon - K98, Italyicon - Cavalry Carbine, Model 1938 short rifle, Commonwealth - SMLE, No4 Mk, No5 Jungle Carbine, Sovieticon Union - M44, Franceicon - MAS 36, Minor Axis allies - Styr M1895

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    Advisory Panel smellie's Avatar
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    You definitely NEED an SMLE and a Number 4. That will bring you "up to speed" on Britishicon rifles of the two great Wars.

    And you must have a 98 Mauser, ideally 3 of them: Gew. 98, Kar 98aZ, Kar 98k.

    Once you have those, you get the Perfect Rifle: Mark III Ross.

    PS: I am not the LEAST bit biased!

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    Legacy Member Bionicback321's Avatar
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    Thread Starter
    Thanks for the input. Keep it coming. The thought occured to me ... what about one bolt-action from each of the major ( minor ) combatents of the war, four down and I see an Enfield in my future, and maybe a .... what ????.....not sure. (Yes, I would love to add a K98icon to the collection but the Turk will have to do for now.)

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    Advisory Panel Patrick Chadwick's Avatar
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    Just get "Collecting Classic Bolt Action Military Rifles" by Paul Scarlata, and work your way through from beginning to end.

    That should keep you busy for a while!

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    Contributing Member Aragorn243's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bionicback321 View Post
    Thanks for the input. Keep it coming. The thought occured to me ... what about one bolt-action from each of the major ( minor ) combatents of the war, four down and I see an Enfield in my future, and maybe a .... what ????.....not sure. (Yes, I would love to add a K98icon to the collection but the Turk will have to do for now.)
    Then you're looking at an Enfield, probably a No4, a Carcano short rifle for Italyicon, A MAS 36 for Franceicon and the Steyr for the Baltic axis powers.

    Personally, I don't think any WWII bolt action rifle collection is complete without getting the Swissicon K31. While the Swiss obviously stayed neutral, this is probably the best rifle bar none to come out of that time period. It is a straight pull, but then so is the Steyr.

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    Legacy Member HOOKED ON HISTORY's Avatar
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    Finn capture Mosin Nagant.

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    Legacy Member Bionicback321's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Aragorn243 View Post
    Then you're looking at an Enfield, probably a No4, a Carcano short rifle for Italyicon, A MAS 36 for France and the Steyr for the Baltic axis powers.

    Personally, I don't think any WWII bolt action rifle collection is complete without getting the Swissicon K31. While the Swiss obviously stayed neutral, this is probably the best rifle bar none to come out of that time period. It is a straight pull, but then so is the Steyr.
    An Enfield is at the top of my list. There is a local gun shop in town that is owned by a Brit who has a number of Enfields in various stages of refurb and a few he hasn't even started on. I'm going to try and convince him that I could save him a great deal of time and effort if he would just sell one of the un-refurbed Enfields to me ( at a reduced price of course ), and let me do all the work. I'll let you know how that works out. I almost bought a Carcano at the gun show I bought my 1903a3 at, but it was in pretty rough shape and the seller would not budge on the price. I guess I should apologize to the Frenchicon because they kind of slipped my mind when I was listing the countries that I wanted to collect from so thank you for the proverbial slap upside the head.

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