Oldest gun you have you bought yourself

[jonp]

Sitting here at camp on vacation. Nice to get out of the upper 90 heat and into 60 with a slight drizzle.

Sitting at the table with my Ruger Single Six Convertible and was thinking this was the first firearm I bought for myself 40yrs or so ago. Bought and sold dozens since but always kept this one which has been on my hip many miles in the woods and provided much rabbit and partridge for supper. Hiking, hunting, trapping snowshoeing and general looking about. Squirrels, woodchucks, beaver even finished a few whitetail with the Mag cylinder in. Still have the original grey plastic box it came in. I might sell everything I own but this trusty Ruger will never go.

So, what is the oldest firearm you still have that you bought for yourself?

[Half Dog]

S&W 686 SS 6-1/2” barrel. I got this shortly before I got out of the suck. It’s still a great shooter.

[Electrod47]

1967 Ruger 10/22. Serial # in the first 100k produced...cost 62.00. Still have it and shoot it regular out here in the boonies.

[Dom]

Rem 700 264mag. Bought new in 1964. Has taken countless deer & elk over the years. Never put more two rounds down the barrel with out a cool down. Still shoots great.

[rbuck351]

I have a couple of Stevens tip up 22lr pistols that were made in the 1880s or 1890s I also have an Iver Johnson 38 S&W that may be in that same range.

[Vopie]

A Hollis double barrel 16 ga. percussion made in 1834. I've taken a few Pheasants with it over the years.

[Shawlerbrook]

Probably my 1884 Trapdoor.

[Dom]

Is this about the oldest gun we have that we bought new? Or is it about the oldest gun we have ? Clarification , please.

[45_Colt]

Maybe a 1916(?) Swedish Mouser? I have older, but not purchased, inheritances. Don't fire them, wall hangers....

45_Colt

[maxreloader]

44 Evans, New Model

[375supermag]

I have a pump action .22LR that I bought in 1968 or 69.
Haven't shot it in years and years. About the only rimfire I shoot is through a couple of .22LR revolvers and a lever action Marlin .22Magnum.
Mostly shoot centerfire handguns these last 30-40 years although I do shoot a fair amount of 12ga shotgun and various caliber rifles, just not a big rimfire shooter these days.

[Harter66]

In inheritance I have a 1914 M12 Win and an 1866 Chessipot with an 1871 issue stamp .

That I personally bought is a 1916 DWM Gew 98, mid May 1916 M12 Win and an April 1918 1917 S&W .

That I've owned the longest that I bought , 1965 110LH circa 1989 .

[HWooldridge]

Rem roller from 1880 is the oldest I’ve bought. Several more from early 1900’s.

[Winger Ed.]

I saw a double barrel percussion 12 ga. from the mid-1800s at a thrift store awhile back.
For $50. I couldn't just leave it there.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I assume the OP means Bought new.
.
The S&W 622 [semi-auto 22LR] came out in 1990.
I bought the 6" alloy version in 1991.
My plan was to use it for back packing, as it was super lightweight [23.5 oz]

[jonp]

Is this about the oldest gun we have that we bought new? Or is it about the oldest gun we have ? Clarification , please.

Should be clear on this. What is the firearm you own that you bought for yourself and still have. New or used. Not the oldest made gun in your collection. Do you still have your first revolver or rifle you bought just for yourself like I do or the second or what.

[jonp]

Btw: now 55 out. Just used a battery powered shower in the pond. Refreshing!

[WILCO]

Honestly can't remember.

[georgerkahn]

Sitting here at camp on vacation. Nice to get out of the upper 90 heat and into 60 with a slight drizzle.

Sitting at the table with my Ruger Single Six Convertible and was thinking this was the first firearm I bought for myself 40yrs or so ago. Bought and sold dozens since but always kept this one which has been on my hip many miles in the woods and provided much rabbit and partridge for supper. Hiking, hunting, trapping snowshoeing and general looking about. Squirrels, woodchucks, beaver even finished a few whitetail with the Mag cylinder in. Still have the original grey plastic box it came in. I might sell everything I own but this trusty Ruger will never go.

So, what is the oldest firearm you still have that you bought for yourself?

Bion, a local department store ran a discount sale on everything from 26 December thru the 31st annually (It was called "Ames"); they sold firearms, too; and, I spied a Winchester 9422 with a $99.95 price tag on it, crossed out and cut to $85.00. Then, there was that 10% off on top of it -- and this .22 lever became my 2nd (1st was a Ruger New Model single six .22/.22mag convertible) firearm bought by me for me. ((Seeing what these are going for now -- I should've bought more than one!)) I put a scope on it; my sons shot it; and, I still have it! (The single six long ago -- needed cash -- was traded off :().
geo
geo

[Hick]

Made a deal with my grandfather in 1955 for his old Remington Model 4 22 LR (rolling block he bought new in 1907). He hadn't used it in years and figured it was pretty much shot out (Barrel is very well worn, but there's just enough rifling to hit a paper plate at 100 yards).

[Finster101]

Bought a Remington 550-1 from my uncle that he bought new. It was 1967 and I was 6 years old. The price, ten dollars. I still have it as well as my dad's gun that is it's twin.

[Kraschenbirn]

A .357 Blackhawk from 1966...the first new gun I ever purchased for myself...still resides in my safe. Also in that same safe is a 'field-grade' Winchester M12 that I bought from my dad in 1961...which he bought new in 1937.

Bill

[jgstrug]

Marlin 1891, but I realize that some people have me beat by 50 years!

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[CastingFool]

My remington 512, bought in 1964, paid all of $45 plus tax. Killed quite a few squirrels, raccoons and woodchucks with it.

[txbirdman]

Model 24 Winchester 12 ga I bought for $50 in 1962.

[kaiser]

1851 Birmingham percussion “cape” gun in 12ga X .45cal.

[45workhorse]

Ruger 10/22 when I was 18+-. Picked up cans alongside the road to pay for it. Ruger Single Single Six 9" barrel (22/22Mag) shortly after that. My first two guns I bought! Still have both! Turned 60 in Feb. Also still have My Ithaca Model 49 lever. 22 lr, my dad gave it to me when I was 14 I think.

[challenger_i]

New to me in 1979: 88 Commission Rifle, 7.92mmx57 (.323", so obviously an arsenal re-barrel).

[36g]

The first gun that I ever bought was a surplus 1891 Carcano rifle (1918 mfg), which I still have, Bought in 1961.

[Minerat]

A Mossberg Model 800A in .308. I worked all summer for my dad copying oil well logs. It cost me $69.00 in 1968 my 16 yo grandson now uses it.

[MT Gianni]

Glenfield 22 auto in 1977. Best deal I ever made was passing on a Browning Citori that same year and buying an engagement ring instead. Yes she has heard me say on occasion, "I shoulda gone with the Browning".

[sigep1764]

The oldest was a 25ACP Beretta I bought from my boss, 1954 or so. Second oldest is a Model 94 from 1971. I inherited a Model 90 from 1917.

[Thundarstick]

Ruger single six Bisley 22lr is my oldest bought new. I'm not one to keep them forever either.

[jonp]

What an interesting grab bag of firearms.

[Dave H]

I purchased a little Marlin 22 fifty four years ago and my 410 shotgun I had for fifty seven years

[deltaenterprizes]

My first new gun was a S&W 686 in 1983 that I still have and the oldest is a S&W #1 that I bought from a member here!

[fiberoptik]

1898 Krag sporterized


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[Rapier]

Per the question only; I still have my first "bought" actually traded for Ruger Single Six Convertible, traded for it in 1961. It is a cusp gun, has features of earlier pre 62 guns and later post 62 guns. When Bill Ruger came up with a change idea he would have the change stuck on guns at random during assembly to see how the change would be received by the buying public.

[Gewehr-Guy]

First real rifle I bought myself, was a cut down 91 Mosin Nagant rifle ,bought from a family friend when I was 14. The next rifle I purchased at 18 yrs was a Rossi .22 pump carbine, copy of a Win 62, cost was $85. On the trip home from town, I shot a $45 badger, and paid for half the rifle's cost. Still have both rifles 43 years later.

[GhostHawk]

189? Winchester pump gun in .22 short only that I found at an Auction. Mag tube was buba'd a bit, but otherwise its in good condition. I don't shoot it much, but love the feel of it mounting and how smooth the action is.

Bidding was stalled on it at 300 and I figured it was worth double that. If I overpayed for it, well that money was spent many years ago, and I have not missed not having it.

Sometimes holding a piece of history is worth a pretty good chunk of cash.

[MrWolf]

Charles Daly 12 ga skeet over/under with two triggers. Was a challenge shooting doubles. Bought it around 1978 or so. My next was a Beretta 92f bought around 1985. Still have em.

[wilecoyote]

Should be clear on this. What is the firearm you own that you bought for yourself and still have. New or used. Not the oldest made gun in your collection. Do you still have your first revolver or rifle you bought just for yourself like I do or the second or what.
...this

[jonp]

...this

Boy, you started right :Fire:

[MostlyLeverGuns]

Marlin 336C - .30-30, 1963 - on sale - $53.95 - Hess's Department Store, Allentown, PA.

[shootinfox2]

Bought, Dan Wesson 15-2, 357. 1983
Have, Grandfather’s winchester 1897 , made in 1902

[wilecoyote]

Boy, you started right :Fire:

...thank you, sir !

[waksupi]

Mid 1830's double barrel shotgun.

[Texas by God]

The first gun that I ever bought( I paid half, Dad paid half) was an H&R Topper 490 Jr. Single shot 20 gauge shotgun.
This was in 1972 at Leonard’s Department store in downtown Fort Worth, Texas. I had just turned 14.
While dating my future wife, I let her shoot a water moccasin with it. After creating a snake meat hole in the bank, she turned and said “Can I have this one?”
“Not hardly” said I.
After marrying her, it became hers.
And it hangs in the bedroom closet, ready to go to this day.


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[John Guedry]

In about 1960 I traded a "Benjamin Pump " and maybe $5 to another kid for a Winchester model 60 single shot .22 rifle. Not anywhere near new then. I still have it.

[sparky45]

1906 Winchester (gallery gun) shot pretty good but I now have cataract problems in my shooting eye so I sent it down the road.
Oldest that I bought new is a 3 screw Ruger Single Six (not tampered with) in 1968 after RFK's death. Still have and use to dispatch vermin.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

I knew there was a reason why that purty gal married you, TbG!

Well, like Dom, I still a bit confused about what is wanted here. All guns new or used that I bought, I bought for me. Many old ones have gone down the road. Here's the one that comes to mind as being the oldest that I've still got:

316492

And here's the oldest one that I bought new that I've still got:

316493

DG

[Walks]

Oldest I bought new was a Ruger NM Blackhawk in 1974. Oldest I bought is Savage 1907. Oldest I inherited was S&W Lemon Squeezer.

[Pereira]

I still have my first rifle, Marlin 336 from 1974, I worked one weekend for back in '83.
And the second handgun I bought around the same time, Colt King Cobra 357.
First handgun I had was stolen.
As to the oldest that I have, it's a Marlin 1892 in 32 colt, made in 1899.
Have had it for probably 10 years or so.

RP

[Jedman]

When I read the title and then read - that you still own made me put my brain in overload.
I had to get my list of current guns that I own and think of when I acquired them and I believe it is my Marlin 39 A . I bought it new in 1974 and at that time it was the most I had ever spent on a gun, I think it was about $ 230.00 ?
Now I had bought many guns prior to this but no longer own them. I had owned dozens of used guns prior to the Marlin plus the brand new ones I can remember were, Kassnar single shot 20 ga. Hi Standard Flite King 12 ga. Noble 20 ga. SXS. Rem 870 20 ga. those I had to get my dad or someone old enough to buy for me as I was not yet 18 but they were all bought with my own money.
Jedman

Of course the gun I have owned the longest was my fathers only gun he ever owned, a Win M 67 - 22 RF. He gave it to me when I was 12 or 13 but he kept it stored so I couldn’t take it out without asking and of course I still have it today.

[super6]

Mine was a browning hump back 12 gauge, American manufacturer. In 1972, It was on a used rack for 50$ Still have it! I still do not know the year of manufacture.

[imashooter2]

A Mossberg 500 combo with an 18 inch rifle sight slug barrel and 28 inch modified. I bought it to repel boarders when I married and got my own house some 41 years ago. Shot mostly clays with the 28 inch barrel. When not at the range it wears the slug barrel and sits in a rack in our bedroom.

[Rockingkj]

Bought and still shoot on a regular basis a 1850’s .38 cal muzzle loading rifle. If I do my job it shoots a 5” offhand group at 50 yards. Obviously the rife shoots better than I can hold it.

[Moleman-]

First gun purchased was a Glenfield model 60. Shot the heck out of that thing until the receiver cracked after replacing the barrel pin a couple times. Got a Rem 1100 shortly after the model 60 and still have and use it.

[abunaitoo]

I have a Chassepot rifle that I used to load for and shoot.
It's the oldest original firearm I own.
Got it over 10 years ago.

[hiram]

Rem 788 in >308 win. bought sometime between 1972--1977. $126 at Leslie Edelman on Long. Island. Still have and probably my most accurate rifle.

[stubshaft]

1956 Winchester model 64 in 30/30, now rebored to 35-30/30.

[SeabeeMan]

A model 99 22 Savage Hi-Power. No idea when it was made, but it was the communal deer camp gun when my dad was a kid, and it had already been around a while at that point. Should have a 1917 complete here this summer or fall, but that's been sporterized with a new barrel and stock, so that hardly counts.

[HarryT]

S&W model 19-3 6 inch barrel Combat Magnum bought at the Fort Ord BX 1969. Used it two years in Vietnam. I didn't know anything about firearms back then, if I had been smart I'd have gotten a Browning Highpower or a Model 59. If I had been really smart I would have saved my money and carried more rifle ammunition instead of a revolver. It's in the safe with real ivory grips. I haven't shot it in years. It's supposed to be buried with me.

[M-Tecs]

I purchased an 1884 Trapdoor in 1971 as an 11-year-old. Since than I have purchased older firearms but that was my first purchase. At 12 I purchased a Remington 700 ADL in 30/06. Two years later I traded it for a Browning Sako L579 in .243 to hunt coyotes with since during that time fur prices were very good.

[jdfoxinc]

A Gahendra and a Snyder.

[Wayne Smith]

Ruger Convertible Single Six and a Super Blackhawk purchased while I was in Grad School. Had had a 16ga Single shot shotgun and a cap and ball pistol prior but no longer with me. The two revolvers are.

[ddeck22]

Marlin Model 60 SSK, 22 LR.

Still have it, still shoot it regularly.

[jonp]

I knew there was a reason why that purty gal married you, TbG!

Well, like Dom, I still a bit confused about what is wanted here. All guns new or used that I bought, I bought for me. Many old ones have gone down the road. Here's the one that comes to mind as being the oldest that I've still got:

316492

And here's the oldest one that I bought new that I've still got:

316493

DG

What firearm have you had the longest? For me it was the first one I bought for myself, my Single Six. Others it might be that 22 rifle you got for Christmas when you were 8 like I did (that Win 190 is gone somewhere). Doesn't need to be NIB, used out of a case at the FFL or bought off a friend. If you still have it after all the years while others have been sent down the road, that is what the question is.
I could feed Sherman's Army on their march to Savannah with the partridge, rabbits and woodchucks that 190 took.

[26Charlie]

First gun bought new: Ruger .44 magnum Blackhawk, 1959. Had to be 21 to buy a pistol, so I ordered it by mail from Chicago. Lived in New Orleans at the time so had it sent to Gretna, general delivery, across the river (Jackson Street ferry, a steam paddle-wheeler at rhe time). I was 19. Still have it. Second new gun the next year, a Hi-standard Supermatic Tournament. Still have it, shot many matches in Worcester county pistol league until I took over Hopedale Junior Rifle Club & realized I could not do both. Had the JRC for 20 years until moved out of MA to ME.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

What firearm have you had the longest? For me it was the first one I bought for myself, my Single Six. Others it might be that 22 rifle you got for Christmas when you were 8 like I did (that Win 190 is gone somewhere). Doesn't need to be NIB, used out of a case at the FFL or bought off a friend. If you still have it after all the years while others have been sent down the road, that is what the question is.
I could feed Sherman's Army on their march to Savannah with the partridge, rabbits and woodchucks that 190 took.

Well, put that way, the first one was a Christmas gift at age 12, still have it, but didn't buy it. So it was new at the time, but now is 68 years old. Stevens Mod. 15-A .22 S., L., LR. Wonderful rifle to learn shooting with as it is a single shot which taught me the necessity for good marksmanship-- making the first shot count. Lots of varmints fell to this rifle, which is essentially still like new.

316514

Next acquisition was a No.1 Mk.III* .303 Lee Enfield Rifle unaltered. It accounted for several deer, but was not the best specimen, and went down the road just last year, as I have some nicer specimens including some I rescued from Bubba to make very nice rifles. Third was/is a 1937 K98k 8mm still in my possession, with which I also bagged a nice buck. After that, things just kind of got out of control with a collection that eventually topped out a bit over 500 pieces. Down to about half that now, and many of those will probably depart this Fall. But, some will never leave. :D (In my lifetime.)

316515 316516

DG

[lightman]

The oldest gun that I have bought is an 1873 Winchester in 44-40. The oldest gun that I bought new was a Colt Frontier Scout sometime in the 60's with yard mowing money.

[aap2]

Springfield Trapdoor 45-70 that I bought mailorder in 1970 at age 15. Lived in Hawaii at the time and had an after school job at a motorcycle shop. It took a long time to earn the money ($125 as I recall) for a really nice one, but it started a lifelong hobby that has been a blast.

[dverna]

A Marlin 1894 purchased about 20 years ago.

I bought my fitst gun in 1968, but sold it. Wish I had kept it.

[rbuck351]

The gun I've had the longest is a Mossberg bolt action 22lr. Dad got it for me when I was 9. That was 65 years ago. It's nothing fancy but it was my first.

[Wayne Smith]

Yup, if you are talking about the first gun mine was also a single shot .22 - in this case a Sears made by Marlin. Dad bought it for us when I was 9 and my brother was 12. It's still upstairs in the closet, and I refinished the stock easily a dozen years ago.

[firefly1957]

It is kind of funny I often think the first gun I bought was my Remington model 700 in 30-06 that I still have but really before that I bought a CVA belt pistol kit that I still have . However the oldest gun by date is my Springfield model 1884 made in 1889 .
In all these years I have only sold swapped 2 guns a S&W Model 28 (HUGE MISTAKE) and a cheap Chinese 12 gauge couch gun I never cared for . I also lost 5 guns in a break in I got the two pistols back but not the Rem. 760 in .270 , the Ithaca model 500 over under or my Navy Arms 12 gauge double muzzle loader .

[fecmech]

Back in 1970 I bought a Model 1911 Colt made in 1918 and about 6 yrs ago bought a Remington Automatic Shotgun ( later called a Model 11) made in 1909. Both guns are serviceable and shot regularly though neither has great collector value. The 1911 had a rib and dot sight on it when I shot bullseye.

[fjrdoc]

I recently purchased a Steyr 1893 in 6.5x53R that was listed on Gunbroker. The rifle was covered with black, sticky grunge and nobody had an interest in it. I thought that the old girl could be a diamond in the rough and I decided to give her a new home. I performed a conservation on her and later found out that it was made by George Gibbs in England. That was a win, win for me!
https://thumbs4.imagebam.com/78/fc/ac/MELM6B5_t.jpg (https://www.imagebam.com/view/MELM6B5)
https://thumbs4.imagebam.com/d8/4f/b8/MELM6B0_t.jpg (https://www.imagebam.com/view/MELM6B0)

[higgins]

German-built Swedish Mauser made in 1899. I also had a Finnish M39 with a 1943 VKT Finnish barrel, but the action was an 1890s Russian Mosin.

[Idaho45guy]

Sadly it is my S&W M&P40 full-size I bought new in 2007. It's the oldest firearm that I still have that I bought myself.

Not very old at all. It's my nightstand gun...

317024

I bought my first firearm back in 1986 or so. I believe it was a 10/22. I've only bought two used firearms; a S&W 642 and a JM Marlin 1894 in .357 Mag. Sold the marlin for $1000 to finance my move to Idaho after my divorce. My wife kept the J-frame in the divorce as it was "her" pistol.

My actual oldest gun is one I inherited from my dad, I think. I know nothing about it. I do know that he used it in matches.

It's a 1903 Springfield WWII sniper rifle. Not sure of the year of manufacture...

317026

[BrianL]

Oldest smokeless gun is a 1908 Remington repeating shotgun (pre model 10). That has the tightest full choke that I have ever seen. I use 3/4 ounce loads on squirrels and it is lethal out a long ways.

[quack1]

The gun I have had longest is an 870 Wingmaster magnum, bought used in 1969. It fits me perfectly, and has killed untold numbers of ducks, geese, doves and turkeys. It would be the last gun I'd ever sell. Over the years wore out the two big long springs in the action that control shells coming out of the magazine, broke the firing pin and replaced the original 30" full barrel with one with screw in chokes when steel shot became mandatory for waterfowl. Also replaced the original recoil pad when it started to crumble from age.

[centershot]

The oldest would be my Ithaca Flues Model 1-1/2, 12 gauge SxS manufactured in 1915. It's choked mod and full so does double duty as my turkey and squirrel shotgun. It's not much to look at, almost devoid of bluing and the colors are gone from the case-hardened receiver but the action is tight and she shoots straight. It was purchased new by the great-uncle of a fried of mine and was handed down through the family to her. After a few years she decided to sell it, that's when I came to own it. I love that gun!

[Armorer77]

Recently found a Mauser M96 Red 9 .

[RichardB]

1863 Springfield musket. Has belonged to my family since my ancestor served in the Civil War. Also has the original belt, pouch, caps, powder horn with powder, tools, tampion, bayonet and scabbard.

[BigEyeBob]

1885 Colt Lightening 44 WCF , serial number 0026, it was part payment for some work I did last year. Yet to shoot it .

[44 flattop]

1886 in .45-90 with a birthdate of 1891.

[Paf]

First firearm that started it all was an H&R 158 Topper (20 ga.) bought used at "Bill's House of Guns" in Merrill, Wisconsin. It was 1973 or 74 as a gift from my parents. Ended up getting a job a few years later at a grocery store at the age of 14, so now I had my own money to buy guns. The first rifle was a Type 99 Arisaka (transitional model) for $50.00. First handgun was a used standard Ruger .22 for I believe $75.00 (father was with me when the Ruger was bought). These two guns were bought a year apart at a gun show held in the Holiday Inn in Wausau, Wisconsin. While in high school I bought a used Ruger 10/22 from a friend for $60.00. Next came a Argentine 1909 cavalry carbine for $75.00. Have every gun except the Type 99. Why I sold it is still a question I ask myself from time to time.

[slam45]

Colt New Service US Model 1909 manufactured and shipped to the Philippine Constabulary in 1911...

[deltaenterprizes]

I forgot about my S&W #1 Second Edition!

[ebb]

swede 1894

[Duckiller]

Not sure. Win 94 in 25/35, 1911 SR, Swede carbine, Rem Model 8 in 35 Rem. Most of my guns were built in the 20th century. Do have a 21st century 3.5" Baretta for Geese and a Fabarms 20 ga SxS of recent manufacture.

[atfsux]

Bought an old 1888 German "Commission Rifle" (often misidentified as a Mauser, which it isn't). It was as a project to convert into a short .45acp suppressed rifle.

[atr]

7X57 Remington rolling block I bought while I was in high school in the early 60's. Purchase price $7.00 from a second hand store. I still have and shoot that rifle.

[Chill Wills]

An 1851 Colt (replica) in 1970.
Being a naive high-schooler, I was more than happy to learn the old cap-n-ball was a non-firearm, and so I could buy it.
I shot the daylights out of it. Put holes in everything. It started my life long casting habit. Dad had been casting snagging hooks for the fall salmon run. That is as much as I knew about casting when I started.
Before that I had a BB gun and then a pump Crossman pellet rifle Shooting, shooting, shooting! The BB gun mostly replaced the firecrackers. I had been blowing everything up with firecrackers and M-80's when I could get my hands on them.
Some would say a miss-spent youth!

[David2011]

Off the top of my head, probably a pair of 1907 Brazilian Mausers or maybe my 1893 Marlin in 32-40 but I can't remember at the moment the year of manufacture of the Marlin.

[kenton]

...this

I have it's Spanish twin (Llama knockoff). It came to me cheap with a broken cylinder pin. I made a new pin and have enjoyed it since. Even came with a cheap briefcase to carry it in.

317939

I just noticed you can see one of the welding gloves I was wearing when I test fired it.

[Maineboy]

I bought a Sears bolt action .410 shotgun in 1963 when I was 12 years old. Mom ordered it out of the Fall catalog and it was delivered right to the door by the post office. I had earned the money to buy it picking potatoes, something most kids in this area did at the time. I still have it and use it every fall to shoot grouse.

[Texas by God]

I have $100 invested in this 1916 Spanish/Swedish 6.5 x55.
It shoots like a $500 gun….,https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230916/881da663cfdab8a88fcddf6ac9b0aebf.jpg


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[slim1836]

1900 Swede.

Slim

[missionary5155]

Oldest I bought and shoot regular is a Hall 1819 Flintlock. Took it our corn cruncher hunting some years back but have yet to squeeze the trigger on a deer. Dad got me collecting U.S. military arms many years back. He collected only 1846 muskets and 1858 Remington revolvers. But I expanded.
We do have a few older but they do not get out hunting much.
Oldest would be a flint fouler that has parts on it from around 1760 and possible assembled about 1770. That info is what a builder in Sidell ILL told me in his shop where the smooth bore barrel was deemed unsafe to shoot as it is badly / deeply pitted about 14" down from the muzzle.


317986317987
317990317991

[OptimusPanda]

Oldest currently is a 1916 SMLE mk3*. 107 years old and still kicking.

[warren5421]

Either the .45-70 trapdoor or the 4 barreled .22 short Sharps pistol. Both are shot several times a year.

[doctorggg]

1873 Winchester carbine made in 1884. It was a special order, nickle plated and 1/2 octagon barrel. Still shoots straight with mild smokeless loads. Barrel is pitted so I do not use black powder.

[northwoodneil]

Oldest I own is probably a Rem RB in 43 Spanish. The oldest I can date for sure is a 1891 Winchester 1885 low wall. The oldest I bought new is a Marlin 336 in 35 rem in 1978. And they all still get shot on an annual basis.

[Rockindaddy]

Did some yard work for a guy that lived up the road when I was 18 years old. The fellow paid me and knew I liked guns. He handed me an old 36 cal 5 shot pepperbox revolver. The old dog had a worn out rotation star and would not turn. I did manage to come up with some lead balls and bought a can of 3F Dupont black powder for $1.25. Shot holes in a few garbage cans and old cars. Had to turn the barrel by hand to get it to align the nipple and live cap to fire it. Found a really nice English 11ga Fisher double barrel that was black from curd and dirt sitting in an antique shop. Traded my pepperbox to the antique dealer plus $50 That was a lot of $$$ in 1963. Cleaned the old double up! Turned out to be a beautiful high quality double. Hunted with it for many years! My hunting buddies would laugh because they had Model 12's and Smith doubles. But the old 11ga Fisher really banged the grouse, rabbits, and occasional ring necks. Am 78 years old now and still get the old "two pipes" out and make some smoke! That's my oldest!!!

[forwardgunner]

I have a Remington 1863 58 Caliber Zouave, in VG condition.

[Kentucky146]

I collect WWI and WWII the oldest of those Arisaka Type 38 still has the MUM, Now the dust cover, sling and bi pod are missing. But ya can not show me anything produced today that shoots flatter.

[rintinglen]

My first rifle was a Ruger 10-22, which I still have. It hasn't had much use of late but back in the 70's it was shot a lot. The handgun I have had the longest is my 1974 S&W M-17. It also has been shot a lot and still gets use.
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[shooterg]

Sitting here at camp on vacation. Nice to get out of the upper 90 heat and into 60 with a slight drizzle.

Sitting at the table with my Ruger Single Six Convertible and was thinking this was the first firearm I bought for myself 40yrs or so ago. Bought and sold dozens since but always kept this one which has been on my hip many miles in the woods and provided much rabbit and partridge for supper. Hiking, hunting, trapping snowshoeing and general looking about. Squirrels, woodchucks, beaver even finished a few whitetail with the Mag cylinder in. Still have the original grey plastic box it came in. I might sell everything I own but this trusty Ruger will never go.

So, what is the oldest firearm you still have that you bought for yourself?

Same gun, but I'm so old my Super Single Six came in the red/black cardboard box !

[Shanghai Jack]

Oldest pistol was a 1909 era top break HR that I bought when I was 14

[fiberoptik]

Does Davids sling count???

[greybuff]

Model 54 Win. 30-06. 60 years ago. I was 10 and my dad took me elk hunting and I killed a big cow. Still have the gun and the elk leg gun rack.

[MOshooter]

The oldest gun I bought was a 1885 US Springfield 45-70 carbine


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I also have a 1864 US Springfield, that one of my ancestors carried during the civil war
I couldn't get that photo to load?

[.45Cole]

I was given a 1881 marlin large frame frame, which sparked my interest in rebuilding it. Every part is serial numbered, so far I have amassed 8 serial numbers building the gun (this is 8 rifles that must have been parted out).

I found a complete 1881 in 40-60 and bought that - it's from 1883 I believe.