Guns Of The Twilight Zone

On my "Makin' 'em Count" blog of November 22nd, I also eluded to the "guns of the twilight zone", as I call them.

They aren't beautiful. They're not adorned with fancy engraving or gold plating. Few have ever been scoped, and their barrel/reciver groups aren't cradled in glossy/checkered stocks (unless it was "sporterized" later).

These are the guns of the Civil War, World War I, World War II and Korea. Guns that, some of which, could keep you riveted for DAYS if they could talk and tell you where they've been and what they've done.

Just as an example, among my collection is an old 1940 vintage Model 98 German Mauser. Arsenal markings show it to have been captured by the Russians and reconditioned in one of their armories.

There is a brass "Unit Disc" in the stock, which, in my Mauser code book, would show it to have been the eighth rifle, issued to someone in the 5th Company, of the 5th Werhmacht Regiment, that was captured by the Russians somewhere southwest of Stalingrad.

When I'm cleaning it after a session at the range, I always wonder who the German soldier was that it was issued to. Was he killed or captured? How many Russians did HE kill with that rifle before HE was stopped?

Maybe it was during the freezing Soviet winter that the Germans were not prepared for, and the German Regiment surrendered, rather than starve and freeze to death.

The Mauser rifle at that time, was considered to be the best bolt action design EVER, so captured guns were SURELY sent back to the Soviet REAR for teardown and study, reconditioned if need be, and experimented with.

***The original "98" Mauser is STILL the basis today, for modern rifle design, such as Ruger's M-77. Smooth and strong, that old "98" action has never really been improved upon.***

Content with their AK-47's many years later, the Russians eventually allowed the old "captured German Mausers" to be sold to the West for those wanting them. Bolt action rifles are considered "obsolete" within most military forces, so the Soviets saw an opportunity to make a few dollars.

My particular "98", though 68 years old now, is still smooth and accurate, even at distance. The 8mm x 57 ammo, isn't easy to find, but I've stocked enough of it away, that it isn't an issue.

The first thing you usually notice when you pick up one of these, be it a Mauser, Japanese Arisaka, Russian M-91 or an American M-1 Garand...is the weight. The average ex-military rifles are traditionally heavier than the modern hunting rifle. Chambers and barrels are usually thicker, with heavier walnut stocks.

This is because of the expected abuse and extreme conditions these guns are going to be exposed to. They were DESIGNED to go the distance, no matter what.

Given reasonable care, the bores are most often still in pretty good to excellent condition, and you can still find them in pawn shops, hawked by widows and nephews who didn't need them gathering dust in a closet, and would rather have the money.

One of the most interesting "twilight zone" rifles I have, is a Swiss K-31. It has a unique straight bolt lockup system. The gun is easily 50 years old and has a MAGNIFICENT bore...almost like new. I learned later that it was nothing special, because virtually ALL of those old Swiss rifles are in great shape, usually only fired once a year for the men to stay familiar with them.

Though decades old, the K-31's are very "low mileage" rifles, because Switzerland has never had to fight a war with anybody. Gun ownership is mandatory in Switzerland and HAS been for as long as anyone can remember. Every able-bodied man is issued a weapon & adequate supply of ammo. He keeps it in his home, and is automatically a "militiaman."

This was not only a major reason that Hitler never invaded Switzerland, but the prime reason that crime is for all practical purposes NON EXISTENT today in that country as well. A potential thief can't make a living, when there's a gun in every house with a citizen trained and willing to use it!

We could learn from that.

Knowing his armies would have to go house-to-house, losing troops all the way, Hitler decided he didn't really "need" Switzerland anyway, although the Nazis DID do some questionable business with the Swiss banks.....(so do a lot of other people these days as well).

But trying to take and occupy a country where EVERYONE has some "heat"..............even the 3rd Reich knew better than that!

I have a 7.7 Japanese Type 99, that was almost CERTAINLY, taken from a dead soldier, as the Japanese considered surrender a disgrace and "loss of face," so they were known to fight to the death, no matter how hopeless the situation might be. Whenever I handle THAT one, I usually picture a Marine with a Garand or a Thmmygun on the other end.

They make GREAT rifles today, even for hunting, except for ammo availabiliy (unless you're shooting an old 1903 Springfield or M-1 Garand...........both chambered for the popular 30.06).

Same for the old military pistols, like the German Luger (the gun that STARTED the 9mm caliber that is so popular today. (In fact, when you buy 9mm ammo even TODAY for your Glock, Beretta or whatever kind of 9mm you own, look at the ammo box........it STILL says "9mm Luger") The P-38 (also 9mm), followed it, and of course, the old American G.I. M-1911, 45 automatic, a PROVEN manstopper.

If you are fortunate to have an "Old West" or Civil War gun (which I am NOT), I imagine you can REALLY hear some stories of "adventure" if you have the ears to hear, as they say. I bought my AK-47 new. It has only been to the range, so it doesn't have any stories to tell yet.

But I still like to "listen" to a few of the others, while I'm wiping them down.

A few years ago, I saw John Wayne's old 45 Colt at the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City. Blueing wes well-worn from DECADES of "in and out of the holster", and those old faded, yellowed ivory grips that every fan of the "Duke" knows.............lots of stories there too, although it never really "killed" anybody, except with studio "blanks!"

Guns of the "twilight zone" appealing only to collectors today, but still "all business" and a "hoot to shoot!"