Opinion: Whole Thoughts

On a dark and stormy night I sit at my desk, my lower back aching thanks to a pulled muscle. The faint chill of a drafty window lets in a strong wind from outside to drift across my legs from one side while a space heater warms the other.

I sit here typing like mad and then deleting the whole entry only to type anew because what I had said before was pure whining nonsense.

Perhaps I should get on with what I hope this to be? That would be a good solution, in fact; so, with that said I’ll begin.

I wish this to be a small op-ed piece. Perhaps a little advice or just commentary on life in general. While many may not read this, it still has a worthy sense of needing to be, for me at least.

I begin with a topic that seems to make others uncomfortable in general, if not outright irritates, enrages or simply frightens a few. For others, though, the subject seems to be interesting, informative even, perhaps like a cool drink in a summer’s heat.

I’ll cover my liking of firearms.

Yes, I like them, love even, for some.  It’s not a mutual sort of relationship because I know they are inanimate objects, but just the same it doesn’t stop my care for such items. I own what to some might be a scary number and I do seek to expand it even further through selected buys. I do this not because one is “cool” or the newest. I actually like old designs and prefer military surplus buys.

I favor those in particular because of the history they would hold in wood and steel. A history: when new, who held it first? Was it ever fired in anger? Was it used to take a life? To save a life? Sometimes the journey it would have taken is interesting.

I speak more of one that stands out. It’s not the best looking by far of what I own, it’s well used and could probably stand to be refinished. But it won’t be as long as I own it.

What it is, is a German manufactured Mauser K98. Crafted and constructed in 1941. Used and eventually captured or confiscated and eventually sold again this time to Israel where it was given new life with a new caliber. No markings were altered for inspections, so yes: it still has several swastikas marked on it. It also has Hebrew markings and a inventory tag for an arsenal in Israel. I can only guess how long it was there and what more service it performed before coming to my hands.

Now it rests in a locked gunsafe having taken up residence with a Czar-marked Mosan Nagant dragoon style rifle, circa 1900, an 1893 Turkish contract Mauser rebarreled sometime between 1934 and 1935 since there is an over stamp on the date.  These sit with a SKS of Communist Russia from 1950 and at least one 1955 M1 Garand manufactured to bolster us arms for the Korean war. The last piece that comes to mind is a 1917 manufactured Springfield model 1911.

These are to me, historical pieces, their values may never be high or have any potential to be placed in museums. I wouldn’t expect them to be, because these were not purchased to be sold later for profit, these were purchased because they have history and in their silent steel is a story, fantastic in nature that needs only to be listened to.

I wanted to share this because while certain these firearms may be dangerous and very likely have souls attached to them at some point, the value doesn’t come from what was spent or could had if sold. The value is in knowing and taking the time to listen to the tiny voice as it speaks. You – I use that loosely as to not single anyone out – may only see frightening lumps of heavy steel and wood, the sound may be frightening and just the notion of being near them wold send shivers up the spine. It does not mean, however, that the other qualities possessed are any less worthy of appreciation.

That is what I give to you. Wait a while before you make a judgment so you see the history and value therein. Do this before casting a choice of good or bad and you will be very amazed at how much of the world around you opens up.