Re: If buying 1911 as a possible family....
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JML403</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Pointblank4445</div><div class="ubbcode-body">+1 on the above
Sentimental value can't be bought in a store. Nor can it be added by the suggestions of a bunch of strangers.
This thread might as well be a discussion on what Wal Mart products are going to be valuable antiques in 50 years. And I have read your post about the de-milled .50 cal shell....that has a very significant meaning behind it. That's the key:
SIGNIFICANCE.
What are you going to tell your kid 20 years down the road...."I bought this gun off the internet cause a bunch of guys who may or may not know anything told me to. Here you go, son....it's an heirloom....cause I said so."
I know this will probably fall upon deaf ears, but I will say it anyways.
Buy a gun from a company you like
Buy one from an era you have interset in (WWI, WWII, Vietnam, Modern)
Buy one you like the looks/features of.
The key here being YOUR choices. At least then you will have some shred of character and significance in the piece. </div></div>
This thread turned into quite an interesting read. A lot of good information and strong opinions. Sounds like the OP came to some solid conclusions through all this and that was the goal so great! I just felt like touching on downzero's & Pointblank's posts. I think what they're getting at is that some items such as military weapons can double as family heirlooms AND be items that maintain some level of historical signifigance. I personally think that is a pretty hard combination to beat when handing down toys. Plus it will have a high monetary value, which as its been said WHO CARES, its being passed down. However, It IS nice knowing you own something value, what would you rather have from your dad, an old ford mustang or an old Ford Festiva??
The only problem, if I received a cherry USGI 1911 from my father, I would be scared to death to go out and run the thing, on the chance something could happen to it. Where as the modern firearm you have custom build for your son will be something he's more likely to use, however beyond just being a gun you purchased, it has no "greater role" in history besides shooting paper. So the only logical answer is better get started buying up quality antique shit, and building up your collection of firearms because you might end up with 4 or 5 boys that love shooting....
PS. Just curious about the .50 cal round above that was taken from the B-17, how come the primer pocket looks that way, and flash hole? </div></div>
Thank you. But I can assure you that Downzero was trying to say what an asshole he is, ntohing more than that. So, had to give you a slight correction. To give him anymore credit than that is incorrect.
That .50 was taken right off of my Grandpa's B-17G-35-BO 42-31983, "Mary Alice". The Mary Alice that is on display in the Imperial war Museum is a replica, as the original Mary Alice was flown back to USA under it's own power, but later scrapped as it was "War weary". You ask those "in the know" and they will tell you that the Mary Alice was the most heavily damaged Bomber during teh entire war, and NOT get shot down. My grandpa flew 31 missions from Feb 22, 1944 until August 18, 1944(he was required to fly only 30, but he flew an extra mission at the end to cover for a crew member/friend of his that had gotten injured) and of those 31 missions, @ 24 of those were on teh Mary Alice. My Grandpa flew on D-Day, and he also flew on a date that is not as widely known, which is May 28, 1944...and again, those "in the know" will tell you that THAT day specifcially was tehmost dangerous day to have flown, as more B-17's were shot down in that single day than at any other day in teh War. There is also a book dedicated to that one day, which I am currently reading, "Mission 376:Battle over the Reich 28 May, 1944"
On that particular day, my Grandpa's bomber was hit severly with Flak and a 20MM shell from a German figther went through it's right horizintal stabilizer, through the fuselage, and onto the floor, next to an ammunition box and did not explode. The tailgunner had it defused when they landed, and he kept it as a souvenir. The pilot of Mary Alice is still alive and has been able to share some stories with me.
Back to the .50....
The .50 cal round is a factory-made inert round, hence the lack of a flash hole in the primer pocket and the drilled hole in the case.
FA = Frankford Arsenal, Philadelphia
4= 1944
The case is steel-washed for visual recognition.
Frankford produced a huge number of these, most dated 1944, for training and more importantly inspection and maintenance of guns.
Most gunners would have kept one of these handy to check headspacing, etc.
Hope that answers that...
