Thread: "Too pretty to use"

I bought a custom engraved 8x57 small ring Mauser.The original owner would have spent easily 20K on it when was comissioned most of that would have been spent on the engraving. I bought it for a fraction of that and at once thought how sad it was that it had seen so little use. I use it as my main hunting gun,its getting banged up and worn but so has my body over the last 43 years.

I would rather a gun be passed on when I cant use it any longer and its patina tells a story of it having done what it was ment to do,rather than a pristine safe queen who no one really enjoyed.

My dad has a Commercial Mauser stutzen that is all beaten to shit, and has been rebarrelled. Its fun imagining what adventures that Rifle has been a part of.

Originally Posted by norsk

I bought a custom engraved 8x57 small ring Mauser.The original owner would have spent easily 20K on it when was comissioned most of that would have been spent on the engraving. I bought it for a fraction of that and at once thought how sad it was that it had seen so little use. I use it as my main hunting gun,its getting banged up and worn but so has my body over the last 43 years.

I would rather a gun be passed on when I cant use it any longer and its patina tells a story of it having done what it was ment to do,rather than a pristine safe queen who no one really enjoyed.

My dad has a Commercial Mauser stutzen that is all beaten to shit, and has been rebarrelled. Its fun imagining what adventures that Rifle has been a part of.

Any chance of a pic?


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It's no secret I like my rifles to be asthetically pleasing (well to me anyway ) but I do like to use them too.
It can be a little unnerving when dragging them through the scrub but hey its not hard to tidy up a paint job if it bothers you.

Well I just out a serious scratch on the glass of my Swarovski z5... Not happy but its a chance you take if they come out of the safe!! Still not sure how as it had a neoprene cover on it 95% of the time.

Guess it depends if you buy something as a tool / toy or as an investment

Originally Posted by 223nut

Well I just out a serious scratch on the glass of my Swarovski z5... Not happy but its a chance you take if they come out of the safe!! Still not sure how as it had a neoprene cover on it 95% of the time.

Guess it depends if you buy something as a tool / toy or as an investment

Dont worry you can always re purpose it as a hammer

Originally Posted by dannyb

Dont worry you can always re purpose it as a hammer

It's a Swarovski not a nightforce!!!

Originally Posted by 223nut

It's a Swarovski not a nightforce!!!

Sorry crowbar then

I have quite a few rifles, some of them very collectible and rare.

BUT I have One Rule: I need to (and do) use ANY of my rifles for hunting, as the mood takes me.

This Rule has worked well for me.

What's the point of a lingerie model girlfriend sitting in your garage?

I think we can all appreciate a classic rifle that has been kept in great condition due to a fastidious owner so I kind of agree and don’t agree with the sentiments of this thread.

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

I think we can all appreciate a classic rifle that has been kept in great condition due to a fastidious owner so I kind of agree and don’t agree with the sentiments of this thread.

Yeah, I agree with this, I like my rifles to be used no matter how pretty……however, it’s also a case of use the tool that’s fit for purpose.

If it’s going to be a thick, wet , bushbashing trip, I wouldn’t take a best quality handmade rifle, I would use my 16” Howa mountain rifle as it’s synthetic and cerakoted and fit for purpose.
Any other trip I certainly would.

I don’t agree with deliberately taking and damaging an expensive rifle on a hunt you know is going to be rough because “it’s a tool and it’s meant to be used and abused” but I would use it as much as possible.

There has to be some element of care, the same as using a brand new high end suv to do hard 4x4 work, use something more suitable that you don’t mind if you roll it over


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I have a "too pretty to use" left handed Sako 85. It has not been fired and probably won't by me. I just like looking at it.

Originally Posted by Shearer

I have a "too pretty to use" left handed Sako 85. It has not been fired and probably won't by me. I just like looking at it.
Attachment 197568

I think everyone in both camps can appreciate this dedication. Must be a hard thing not to shoot it though.
Everyone to their own

Originally Posted by Noswal

I think everyone in both camps can appreciate this dedication. Must be a hard thing not to shoot it though.
Everyone to their own

I have deliberately not put a scope on it in case the temptation gets too great. It's a 243win so would make a pretty good goat rifle and I have another (totally different) rifle that does all the work.

Originally Posted by Noswal

I think everyone in both camps can appreciate this dedication. Must be a hard thing not to shoot it though.
Everyone to their own

I have seen and handled it and it’s an absolute beauty.

Shearer’s Sako 85 I’m referring to there.