And then there's today. Didn't even make it to the weekend.
I'm home from work early and decide to get the truck ready for Monday when I head north again for four days. A stranger stops and gets out of his vehicle and I'm like "can I help you". You're Steve right, I said "yes?" Says he has a rifle for me to identify. Made sense then since a friend had asked me if I'd look at something his neighbor had a couple of weeks ago. So he's off to get the rifle, is back in a couple of minutes and it's a bubba'd M43 Spanish Mauser. Not even a challenge to ID. So then it gets to what I think it's worth. I told him probably about $100 in the condition because it can't be saved. Barrel has been cut. Bolt handle cut off and a bent type brazed on, stock cut and heavily sanded, no crest, cracked and incorrect handguard (maybe original) Bore looks fine but the barrel has no crown at all. Am I interested in it, Hell no. More talking, he really doesn't want it or have any use for it. What would it be worth to me. I'm like $25 but told him I really didn't want it. He counters with $20 and I figure it could be a last ditch truck rifle or something and I give him the $20. He then asks if I am interested in other military items and I start down my list and he interupts with helmets. I said yes. He has five in his garage. So I head to his house a couple blocks away. I wasn't expecting much but I see an M42 shell in the bunch along with two Iraqi helmets and a US M1. I screwed up on the 5th and told him it was a Spanish helmet because of the bridge clip but I realize it's on the back not the front and I seem to recall Hungarian helmets had that feature. Again, he doesn't want them, got them for free. What are they worth to me. He doesn't care if I sell them for $500. I told him I'll pay $20 for any helmet so he gives them to me for $100. I'm not sure the M42 is an M42 but it's since been confirmed on another group I belong too so I'm happy with the deal. It's painted silver unfortunately. Thought the US helmet was a French one for a while and still not sure on the liner but I think it's a 70's-80's helmet like I would have had in service. Son in law already want's to give me $25 for the rifle LOL but I'm going to see if I can do something with it to improve the looks. It should at least function.