Just when you think you've seen it all

[vintovka]

People spend $70,000 on a pickup truck and turn it into useless pile of junk within 10 years. But a gun that costs a few thousand dollars is "too nice to shoot". Stupidest thing I ever heard.

You're correct to a certain degree. First its human nature but many many use that 70K truck to make money in their business then write it off as a business expense. Then again there's so much printed, unbacked, money out there all bets are off.

 

[user 53891]

Back in the day I used to say buying a gun like that would be like marrying (insert name of favorite glamorous woman) and never taking her to bed. My current favorite female celebrity Kim Go Eun pasted below as her character Ji Eun Tak: Yeah, I watch K-dramas sometimes...
View attachment 196126

We'll see if we can get her shipped to you on the next balloon

 

[vintovka]

We'll see if we can get her shipped to you on the next balloon

6 months??

 

[cynthialee]

That's the kind of gun I wish I could build. And I'd shoot it just to watch other people cringe. OK, I'm a contrarian, I know it.

that's where I am at with this.

I'd have to make youtube videos shooting it.

 

[gustrolland]

As a former truck driver I don't understand why people have to leave the US to see beautiful scenery. I have seen so many beautiful places here that I don't think that I could pick a favorite place.

Even in my own state of Oregon, too much to see, I love the high lonesome. Lots of wilderness here that I have been to on horse back or a foot. Even the back roads in a good 4-wheel drive.

 

[vintovka]

That's the kind of gun I wish I could build. And I'd shoot it just to watch other people cringe. OK, I'm a contrarian, I know it.

Come to conclusion i really dont like the rifle at all. Its gaudy appearance may reflect poorly on creator and users alike.

 

[Cruzatte]

Come to conclusion i really dont like the rifle at all. Its gaudy appearance may reflect poorly on creator and users alike.

Yeah, I'd agree with gaudy. Excess can always be dialed back.

 

[Danjou]

Something like this pops up. Is there is a point, both beauty and price, that makes it a wall hanger?

https://www.newtownegallery.com/historical-weaponry/45-caliber-flintlock-rifle
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If this rifle walks the walk like it talks the talk, meaning if it is accurate, I'd take it hunting, range, etc... All that brass and carving will look a hell of a lot better with a nice patina and a few dings over it. Yeah, I know, my wife calls me a barbarian

 

[Tanglefoot]

Back when the world was young (and so were we … ) I had to make a decision. I could opt to spend my limited funds on performance or on appearance. I chose performance …. ie: the best barrel, lock, and other key parts I could afford or the fanciest wood, inlays, and engraving, etc.
I chose a Douglas Premium barrel over P+ maple for my first rifle. A buddy nicknamed that rifle my “Mud Gun” claiming it was as homely as a mud fence. He did so shortly after she (and I) won the Men’s Rifle math at that years fall rendezvous. I do have one rifle with a fancy stock. The riflesmith who built her ran out of the plain maple I asked for when it was time to make my order in the FIFO waiting line, and chose to use what he had available instead of waiting for a delivery. He didn’t charge me for the upgrade. That rifle shoots center too, so I still have her. I really enjoy seeing fine wood stocks and rifles with multiple inlays and ornate patch boxes and so on, but if a gun doesn’t shoot I won’t give it house room.
There floats my stick.

 

[Dale Allen Raby]

DALE, you should be ashamed of your self.....that young lady is at least 6 mos. too young for you...Be Safe>>>>Wally

Well, believe it or not, Go Eun was 31 years old when this photo was taken, the character she played in the beginning of the drama was about 18, I believe. Yeah, she's just a little young for me...

 

[user 53891]

That rifle is a beautiful piece of work and skill, and craftsmanship.
If I could afford it, I would shoot it.
Now, "gaudy" to one, is "beauty" to another.
So, to each his own.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

That rifle is not my cup of tea but if someone likes it and can afford it, more power to them.

IMO the cost doesn't automatically render it a wall hanger. While I don't have any guns that cost as much, I do have a WW1-vintage Mauser C96 Broomhandle with a stock that's in 95%+ condition with a mint bore. I bought it in December 2016 after wanting one for over 40 years. I'd estimate its current value at 50% of 60% of the rifle in the OP.

Since buying that Broomhandle my daughter and I have put 100 - 200 rounds per year through it. It gets treated well and properly maintained but I bought it to shoot.

Plenty of guys buy bass boats or hot rods for $8500 or a lot more, and they get used. No different with a high end gun, IMHO.

 

[vintovka]

That rifle is not my cup of tea but if someone likes it and can afford it, more power to them.

IMO the cost doesn't automatically render it a wall hanger. While I don't have any guns that cost as much, I do have a WW1-vintage Mauser C96 Broomhandle with a stock that's in 95%+ condition with a mint bore. I bought it in December 2016 after wanting one for over 40 years. I'd estimate its current value at 50% of 60% of the rifle in the OP.

Since buying that Broomhandle my daughter and I have put 100 - 200 rounds per year through it. It gets treated well and properly maintained but I bought it to shoot.

Plenty of guys buy bass boats or hot rods for $8500 or a lot more, and they get used. No different with a high end gun, IMHO.

While unmentionable, I must comment brooms are ok as long you're not feeding it .30 Tokarev. If so it may be down to parts value like many others brought to me for "repair". Even some who favor those in 9mm eventually find out they really don't like modern loads like +P.

Now back to topic I too have items whose value gives me pause about shooting. The Nathaniel Whitmore ML presentation shotgun (heavily inlaid with gold, Silver and platinum) was my ML trap gun for years until i was told what it was worth. Whitmore reportedly made presentation guns for Sherman and Lincoln. Its off to RIA now.

 

[BigD63]

Plenty of guys buy bass boats or hot rods for $8500 or a lot more, and they get used. No different with a high end gun, IMHO.

I think that is the second best point made here so far.
It's second only to Dale's post about Kim Go Eun! ;-)

 

[Dave Markowitz]

While unmentionable, I must comment brooms are ok as long you're not feeding it .30 Tokarev. If so it may be down to parts value like many others brought to me for "repair". Even some who favor those in 9mm eventually find out they really don't like modern loads like +P.

I'm not hot rodding something that's over a century old. I'll leave it at that.

 

[Dale Allen Raby]

I think that is the second best point made here so far.
It's second only to Dale's post about Kim Go Eun! ;-)

Y'know, I got an idea. First, I gotta go to Korea and somehow contrive to actually meet Kim Go Eun. How hard could that be? Then I gotta convince her to move to rural Wisconsin and leave her current boyfriend, supposedly the team captain of the Korean National Football (soccer) team for a decrepit old man who cannot even speak her language. Then I get her to marry me and buy me that gun as a wedding present. Simple, nicht wahr? Works out great for everyone except for poor Miss Kim.

On second thought, a young woman, no matter how beautiful is just too much excitement for me, and she would cut into my range time. I'd have to learn to speak Korean... more range time lost... and I already speak enough languages. One more would probably fry my brain.

Sorry Miss Kim, but I just cannot marry you.

 

[SciAggie]

To the op's original question - I don't think price dictates when something becomes a wall hanger. If someone wanted to buy a rifle like that and simply enjoy it as art, that's their business. As has been mentioned plenty of folks buy expensive artwork just to own and enjoy.

I don't care for this particular rifle, but in general IF I were to purchase a rifle like that I would certainly carry it in the woods and shoot it. Now more than ever I use my nice things - I know my kids don't want my stuff when I'm gone. I don't abuse or misuse things - I just want to enjoy them. The ML I carry and shoot the most is also the most expensive gun I have ever purchased. It has a bit of engraving, carving, and wire inlay. I didn't cost as much as the rifle here, but that's besides the point. I got because I wanted it. It's beautiful (to me), functional, and accurate. The best money I have spent in a long time.

 

[The Appalachian]

I like plain rifles, but I can highly respect the craftsmanship that went into this one. I'm betting very heavy odds that most here couldn't turn out a rifle a tiny fraction as good as that one with period tools and finishes. That in and of itself probably contributes heavily to the price tag. This is art, done by an artist, replicating an original rifle, meaning duplicating someone else's vision.

For perspective, people go bonkers for dumb and weird things painted on canvas that nobody can understand and pay far far more for it. That to me is just silly. This rifle, I wouldn't own it, but it's the right kind of art in my opinion.

"All work on this rifle was done using the hand tools typical of the time during which the original rifle was built. Wood and metal finishing was done using the materials and methods typical of the early 19th century (1800’s), specifically those used in the creation of the original Sheetz rifle referenced here."

 

[senseisugarbear]

I would not want it. not envious just fact. I would have to shoot it to check function and accuracy, Buying a copy of a One
of One Rifle dose'nt make sense to me. If you WANT one , Commission an ORIGINAL with all the bells and whistles , Then you Have an Original . Be Safe>>>>>>Wally

 

[user 53891]

That rifle is not my cup of tea but if someone likes it and can afford it, more power to them.

IMO the cost doesn't automatically render it a wall hanger. While I don't have any guns that cost as much, I do have a WW1-vintage Mauser C96 Broomhandle with a stock that's in 95%+ condition with a mint bore. I bought it in December 2016 after wanting one for over 40 years. I'd estimate its current value at 50% of 60% of the rifle in the OP.

Since buying that Broomhandle my daughter and I have put 100 - 200 rounds per year through it. It gets treated well and properly maintained but I bought it to shoot.

Plenty of guys buy bass boats or hot rods for $8500 or a lot more, and they get used. No different with a high end gun, IMHO.

Awwwww.....love the broomhandles, awesome firearm. Hope to get one someday soon! Happy shooting friend.