Machodoc
Old Guy
Well, it seems that I was the only one who felt that way about these two, and I was very hesitant to pop for them, even at a pretty low price, but I did. The amount of pitting that's surely going to be under the furniture concerns me, but it might not be too bad. Matching numbers, no import marks, good crests ... all are nice to see. At the worst, they'll make nice display pieces but I'm hoping for the best. There's always a risk.
In any case, I love a challenge, and this is a way to add two Venezuelans to my South American collection at once ... ones that have been there and done that. Let's see if Kaptain Kroil can work miracles on these. The fact that they've clearly been in storage somewhere for decades, with older tags and dried cosmoline on them, just seemed to call to me.
The first one didn't especially ring my bells, but I like it. Rack marks are always cool, and this one appears to have one mark over top another. This seems to be an earlier (maybe pre-war) Model 24/30 "short rifle".
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=426615243#BID
The second one intrigues me. I need to do some research on this one to see if it's original, or someone did some mods to it awhile back. I'm betting on it being original, think it's a 24/30 carbine, and appreciate that nobody with a special interest in Naval firearms spotted that "Fuerzas Armadas" marking.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=426616863
Gotta find some cleaning rods, etc., but there's always something. Shouldn't be too hard to do.
So ... what's the general consensus? Am I going to be able to make these into a couple of silk purses, or did I just over-pay for a couple of sow's ears?
In any case, I love a challenge, and this is a way to add two Venezuelans to my South American collection at once ... ones that have been there and done that. Let's see if Kaptain Kroil can work miracles on these. The fact that they've clearly been in storage somewhere for decades, with older tags and dried cosmoline on them, just seemed to call to me.
The first one didn't especially ring my bells, but I like it. Rack marks are always cool, and this one appears to have one mark over top another. This seems to be an earlier (maybe pre-war) Model 24/30 "short rifle".
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=426615243#BID
The second one intrigues me. I need to do some research on this one to see if it's original, or someone did some mods to it awhile back. I'm betting on it being original, think it's a 24/30 carbine, and appreciate that nobody with a special interest in Naval firearms spotted that "Fuerzas Armadas" marking.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=426616863
Gotta find some cleaning rods, etc., but there's always something. Shouldn't be too hard to do.
So ... what's the general consensus? Am I going to be able to make these into a couple of silk purses, or did I just over-pay for a couple of sow's ears?
