Spencer Rifle Lament!

Two Flints · January 29, 2012, 10:33:30 AM

Hello SSS,

I just returned home from visiting the Marlboro MA Firearms & Knife Show. There were 500 tables and as I meandered up and down each aisle I looked for an Evans or Spencer to possibly purchase.

And then I saw it

A beautiful Spencer Rifle in MINT condition. I fondled it ever so gently

The action was as smooth as silk. Just a real beauty

I returned to it several times to fondle it again and again. The serial # is 8143.

I waited and waited ever so patiently for my lovely wife to say those magic words. "If you really want it then buy it."

But those words were not forthcoming. What I did hear was, "Don't forget we need a new roof this year" $:-\$ $:-\$

I slowly walked away from that Spencer Rifle

ever so slowly

Two Flints

8143 perhaps issued to Indiana Volunteer Infantry

Jack Wagon · January 29, 2012, 11:27:32 AM

Two Flints, I feel your pain. JW

JimBob · January 29, 2012, 12:39:41 PM

If your lucks like mine,you'll never see that rifle again. :'(I feel your pain,I had to re-roof the house a couple of years ago.

matt45 · January 29, 2012, 01:19:48 PM

Couldn't you offer to stretch a tarp real tight over any potential leaks?

There is always the old "This is an investment ploy", or you could sneak the darn thing in and say two of your other guns were breeding.

rbertalotto · January 29, 2012, 04:52:24 PM

Women just have no sense of priority!

You can easily get along with out a roof, but trying to live one you've seen a rifle of your dreams.........can't be done.

I hope you got the dealers card...............

sharps1863 · January 29, 2012, 06:14:59 PM

If it was not for wives, we could own a lot more guns.

Two Flints have you not learned never take your wife to a gun show. I did one time and came home empty handed too. Never again did I take her. I just forget to mention where I'm going when I go out the door.

Jobe Holiday · January 30, 2012, 12:06:59 AM

I feel sorry for you fellas, for not only is my wife a shooter, she thinks all these old guns are a great part of our American history! So, I've got all the support on the home front anyone could ask for! The only reason she doesn't go to the gun shows with me is because there aren't any close to home, so she just says "Don't slam the door on the way out, Honey!" When I get home she says "Whatdidyaget?" It doesn't matter if it is just another book, a bayonet, or an old beat up gun, she shares my enthusiasm with me for whatever my "New Toy" may be.

I will share our philosophy on "Life" with you. "Life" is one grand Merry-Go-Round ride, and while the ride is running you can ride all the great and colorful animals on it....the Lions, Tigers, Bears, and Chariots....BUT there is no Brass Ring for a second ride, so enjoy the trip to your hearts content.

Jobe

Two Flints · January 30, 2012, 04:30:01 AM

Jobe,

I'm gonna print out a copy of your "philosophy of life" and leave it on the breakfast table this morning for my wife to read as soon as she gets up

I thank you for sharing . . . BTW, do you have a spare bedroom I could share $:-\$ $:-\$

Two Flints

Jobe Holiday · January 30, 2012, 08:37:12 AM

Two Flints -

You are most welcome to use my "Philosophy of Life". It isn't a joke, either. Yes, common sense and moderation in all things is the operative word. I once made an off hand comment to another shooter/collector friend when he was agonizing over whether to make a new purchase, or not. I was a lot younger, and probably a bit flippant at the time, when I told him "Don't worry about it, its only money....it'll grow back!" He went on to become an ordained Minister with two churches. He recently thanked for the wisdom of the "Money will grow back" comment because he uses it in his sermons from time to time when the congregation gets too up tight over money issues.

Your friend always,
Jobe

Two Flints · January 30, 2012, 08:49:49 AM

Jobe,

Thank you for letting me borrow your "philosophy of life" comment, but you kinda side-stepped and avoided answering my original my question "do you have a spare bedroom I could share"

Best wishes,

Two Flints

Jobe Holiday · January 30, 2012, 10:14:36 AM

Oh, yes....about that "Spare Bedroom"....my wife recently announced "You do know, the spare bedroom is now full of your stuff.....DON'T YOU?"

I think there's a thinly veiled message there somewhere

Jobe

matt45 · January 30, 2012, 01:35:16 PM

and there's the old joke about the husband who shows up around 3 in the morning smelling of nefarious deeds. His wife asks him where he has been, and he answers, "down at the bar getting drunk."

To which she snarls "Don't try to get in my good graces. You #!%^&, you were at a gun show."

Little Dalton · January 31, 2012, 10:15:37 AM

About that roof.... tell her that when it's raining, it's too wet to fix it, and when it's dry, it's as good as any man's roof.

Tuolumne Lawman · January 31, 2012, 03:27:48 PM

Two Flints,

You have my sympathy... I totally understand. I had a similar situation several years ago where someone had a GORGEOUS 1860 56-56 carbine consigned in a local gunshop that they only wanted $1500 for... Unfortunately I was so broke I couldn't even pay attention!

Herbert · January 31, 2012, 03:57:03 PM

I feel the same about a Spencer conversion that was posted here not long ago. It was marked JPG and was almost my perfect dream Spencer,unfortunately the dentist cleaned me out for some time!

Arizona Trooper · January 31, 2012, 08:38:32 PM

I feel your pain! Back a few years ago, I was at an N-SSA National and stumbled across a Windsor P-53 Enfield (Made by Robbins & Lawrence on a British contract for the Crimean War, a lot of them ended up in Georgia for the Civil War). It was the only one I have ever seen for sale. I knew we had some bills coming, so I called my wife and told her about it rather than just whip out the money. Her answer was; "Go buy it!" When I got back to the table it was gone.