Gun show report.

[2ndovc]

I really like the small rural shows around here where you can still stumble across something the guy on the other side of the table doesn't know what he has. I found this little Romanian .22lr training rifle off in a corner of the show that wasn't getting a lot of traffic. Most of the guys were lined up buying ammo.
It's not perfect but complete and original M56 single shot. A little cleaning at home revealed a perfect bore and an adjustable trigger of all things. It's a little beat up, but functions perfectly. Not bad for $125! I've seen them in a little better condition in the $300s.
Can't wait to put it on paper.





jb

[wecsoger]

That is a great buy on that little 22. For a little plinker you can't go wrong with that.

My preference is for the smaller, more out-of-the-way shows.

The professional parking lot sharks and mark-up dealers are usually at the big ones.

[AJMD429]

That is the sweet fruit you occasionally find when wading through the brambles.

[gamekeeper]

That looks like a crackin' good rifle, congratulations...

[Sixgun]

Yep....that's how you do it! .....Knowledge is power.......just guessing but probably 80% of my guns came from small gunshows and especially small local auctions.....you may have to attend 20 to find your gem but it's worth it.

Some of those pre war "trainers" will shoot up there with a Model 52. Test her out at 50 with some Green Tag....----6

[Oldncrusty]

Nice find. I snagged a M68 repeater for the same price in a pawn shop. Hope to restock it someday.

[AJMD429]

That's how I got my 22 LR / 410 Shotshell Savage - of the 'old type' where barrels were together, and the craftsmanship was excellent. It became my son's favorite gun ever (and he's had plenty to compete with it); I take pride in the fact that he values it over even an accurate AR-15 or powerful 12 gauge pump gun - he is a true hunter and appreciates that gun far more than I would have, especially at his age.

[Bill in Oregon]

Jason, glad that lonesome little .22 found a good home. Great rescue! Is it a "Cugir"?

[Pitchy]

Probably a tack driver, grats on the buy.

[2ndovc]

Jason, glad that lonesome little .22 found a good home. Great rescue! Is it a "Cugir"?

Bill,
It is, and the first one I've seen in a ling time. I use to have quite a few military trainers, but sold most of them off when they started getting pricy. I still have an Enfield No. 7 and a Yugo Model 56 which are both tack drives. The Enfield was another example of being in the right price at the right time. Back when Springfield Sporters in PA was bringing in tons of good surplus stuff, we just happened to be there when they opened the crate. The Royal Australian Air Force had contracted for 2500 of them but was never completely fulfilled so no one knows for sure how many are out there.
I'll have to get a good picture of that one.


Thanks Pitchy,
It's a cool little Cold War piece.

jb

[Scott Tschirhart]

I love those military training rifles. Good find.

[3leggedturtle]

Any Ruger Old Army or 357 Blackhawks? Hard to go wrong with any 22 for around $100 or so. Let alone getting a piece of history.

[2ndovc]

Any Ruger Old Army or 357 Blackhawks? Hard to go wrong with any 22 for around $100 or so. Let alone getting a piece of history.

No luck on Old Army's. There were a few Black Hawks, but nothing really interesting. I did notice that most of the handguns were pretty over priced. I did see a Marlin in 375 Winchester, well used and kind of pricy at $700 for the condition it was in but I behaved. Not on my want list right now. Still need to replace a couple of .35 Remingtons.

jb

[JB]

I still see nice condition Cugir's sell $200 and "sometimes" a bit less, but I'd be happy with that rifle for $125.00 Some of them are great little shooters.

[marlinman93]

I need another .22 rifle like a hole in my head. But at $125 it would have still come home with me!

[CowboyTutt]

Jason, I am again reminded that you have excellent taste in firearms, I have to say. I was at a local gun show in Ukiah years ago and came across a Lee Enfield that even in my almost complete ignorance I could tell was special enough. It was still completely covered in Cosmoline. It had some peculiar markings on it with a squared "S" all over it. It had a really neat vernier rear sight on the back. I called my best friend who knew a lot about Enfields. It of course turned out to be a L.E. #4 Mark 1* made by Savage Arms in 1942. So I bought it, I may have paid $300 for it even, I don't remember for sure. A lot at the time if so. Worth twice that now.

I went to strip off the Cosmoline and got overly generous with the Murphy's Oil soap in a 5 gallon bucket of warm water. It stripped off the Cosmo alright, but also the wood stain and everything LOL. My bad. A refinish of the stock was the only option, so I did so using some Min Wax stain after steaming out and sanding the dings in the wood. The metal parts were perfect in their Parkerized finish. The general consensus of those who have seen it is that it was never issued, all matching numbers. Its going with me to the Friends of Billy Dixon Shooting Range in April with a custom long range load. If your in the area, please come by about April 6th or so.

Unfortunately I can't get my photos to post here, driving me crazy, can't figure it out.

Yes indeed, it is always worth attending a local gun show. You never know what you may find. One of the other better finds was a old Pabst Blue Ribbon "Church Key" bottle opener. Its rock solid, so much stronger than the cheap stuff made now. It will last forever. -Tutt

[2ndovc]

Thanks Tutt,
The Savage No.4s are great shooters. I love the Enfield rifles, we were buying them half a dozen at a time in the early '90s from the importers, keeping the best or unique rifles and selling off the others. Now, i wish we had kept them all, but between my dad and I, we still have a couple dozen. My favorites are the Australian Lithgow's but that Savage will outshoot them all. I've been wanting to take it and my Finn 39 to Camp Perry for the Vintage Rifle matches, but it seems like something always comes up. I have my eye on an Australian .22 trainer right now. We'll see how it goes.

jb