Oldest gun in your personal collection?

[utahjeepr]

So what is the oldest gun you own, and why was it important for you to have it?

For me: Eli Whitney Rolling Block in .43 Spanish circa ? Post civil war.

Why: Father in law had owned it for years. I had researched out of curiosity. He eventually gave it to me (I actually consider this rifle to belong to my wife, he is her father. God forbid something goes sideways in our marriage, the gun goes with her) I still find this gun interesting. The cotton gin revolutionized the cotton industry but made Whitney nothing, so... make and sell guns, it's the American Way.

[SteyrAUG]

Probably my Winchester Model 1894 - .32-40 (1896 date) because Wild, Wild West.

But my favorite old gun is my Luger P-08 Model 1914 Erfurt Royal Arsenal (1917 date) because it was the first gun I got when I was in the 4th grade.

[Pacific5th]

Winchester 1906 22 pump built in 1917. My uncle gave it to me last year before he passed from a brain tumor. He inherited it from his dad, my grandfather who died a year before I was born. My grandfather inherited it from his brother who died in 1930 of TB. He was only 27. No one knows if my great uncle bought it new or not but I am now the 4th Faimly member to own it. It meant the world to my uncle that he was able to give it to me himself. It’s a shooter and me and my boys have already had fun with it and will continue to do so. He also gave me a 1960’s crossman 22 pellet gun and a BB gun of the same vintage. The Crossman has the box and receipt still in it. It was $20 something dollars.

[Circle_10]

So what is the oldest gun you own, and why was it important for you to have it?

I have a Carcano that is dated 1897, and honestly it really wasn’t important for me to have it. I just had it offered to me cheap a while back when I thought I might actually try and get more into milsurps. I’ve never shot it but find the complex rear sight design interesting.

[Uni-Vibe]

British shotgun, maker unknown, late 19th century. It's a wall hanger.

[Arik]

Late 1800s Martini Henry 303 in like new condition. Not important. Was just a cool piece of historical steel

[HeruMew]

It's in rough shape, but for a cheap revolver that's over 100 years old, its still hanging in there.

US Revolver Co. .38 S&W.

[The_War_Wagon]

Springfield Mil-Spec. Bought it new in 1995.

I'm INTO those "modern firearms."

[Grand58742]

Argentine M1891 Mauser carbine in 7.65x53mm. It hasn't been shot in a long time since the stock is cracked, but everything else is still functional and I have a couple of boxes of ammo for it.

I will say it's light and handy, but that comes at the expense of a shoulder while shooting it. Call me a modern sissy man, but a steel buttplate isn't exactly designed for comfort.

[Alpha-17]

Currently, my oldest is a M1896 Krag-Jorgenson from 1896. This Span-Am War Veteran has undoubtedly been around the block a couple of times and isn't the most accurate shooter. That said, it is in good condition otherwise, and makes a great piece to talk about the ramshackle and very chaotic approach the US military was forced to take towards weapons during the First World War. Very handy since I'm a reenactor, when my schedule allows it.