Apologies up front for stirring the pot

[Rhpd201]

Okay, I've put my eyes and ears on and am sporting my new and approved thick skin. Some time ago I got really frustrated when I realized how much I enjoy collecting and shooting WWII firearms and that my enjoyment was suffering because my "prizes" where locked away in a dark, humidity controlled, fire resistant safe. That frustration increased when I checked into additional insurance in the event something happened. The insurance company wasn't impressed at all that my collection was kept in a fire resistant safe and charged me as if I stored them propped up on my front porch.

My father passed away last year and I inherited a display my brother and I put together for him back in the 90's that had his medals, medic arm band, Patton's prayer and some other items. I also wound up with the K98 he brought back (upper right corner) as well as a nazi flag and arm band. Off and on over the past few years I have tried to figured out a fool proof way to display my collection, but I found no ideas that weren't through the roof expensive.

This past year I decided to just jump in with both feet. I got tired of being "afraid" something might happen and decided they were mine to enjoy and by God I was going to enjoy them. I'm glad I did. I actually shoot more, research more, and (unfortunately according to my wife) buy more.

I realize I'm exposing my collection to theft or fire, etc. But, why have them if you can't fully enjoy and appreciate them? As a precaution, I have disabled all of them. If they are stolen, the only way they will hurt someone is if they are used as a club.

I hope you all enjoy the pic as much as I've enjoyed collecting and shooting them.

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Actually mine were very similar in storage and display back in the 80's. Only reason then I changed was the kids getting to walking. Now we have laws here governing, but sitting there shooting the crap with you about these would be very relaxing. After all, you are in the land of the free...

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

I could have written this post. I have been looking for a way to display and enjoy my small collection without having an aniexety attack when I leave the house.
Your disply is wonderful. How aer the rifles hung?

[browningautorifle]

How aer the rifles hung?

Lag bolts to the studs...

[enfield303t]

Very nice, one thing you should IMHO is contact Badger and have him remove the little blue icon that someone can click on to find your location. Kansas is pretty big, no sense giving a bad guy any advantage.

You have done a great job in displaying what you have.

[Rhpd201]

I could have written this post. I have been looking for a way to display and enjoy my small collection without having an aniexety attack when I leave the house.
Your disply is wonderful. How aer the rifles hung?

Pretty low tech. There are anchors in the wall where there isn't a stud and I used a screw with black hose as a cushion for the guns to rest on. I thought a lot about lag bolts, cables, cutom building a case, etc. But even with lag bolts, cables, locks, etc.....they are still attached to wood and/or dry wall. They could be ripped or pried off the wall with damage to the gun and wall, etc.

We have someone home most of the time and I have two big dogs here as well. When we are going to be gone for an extended time they all get packed up and put back in the safe.

[browningautorifle]

I was kiddin' about the lags. I did see it though, a guy wanted to make sure they were safe and on display so he drilled through the stock and forend and lagged them to the studs. Great big 1/4" holes for the lags...looked great...you could do chin-ups on them...

[Aragorn243]

I'm assuming the disabling is easily reversible like removing the firing pin or something similar?

I like having mine on display but really have gravitated to keeping them either in a safe or hidden. So most are but a few are out.

[WarPig1976]

Wish I had the room. My biggest thing was/is keeping my kids mouths shut about what's in this house. I think we've all had that talk...

[Vincent]

Very nice collection and display. Any chance of some close up pictures and descriptions of the weapons and the pictures with them?