I'm back

[Big Larry]

Couple weeks ago, I was offered a near to mint, WW2 M97 Winchester Trenchgun. I had already sold off my entire US martial arms collection and had no intention of starting another one, but this shotgun became available at less than $3,000. I still have a few of my old US guns, but not the extent of what I once had. Not the proclaimed expert I might have been at one time, I have forgotten most all I knew.
Big Larry

http://www.fototime.com/C575348955EB7A0/standard.jpg

[scosgt]

Hi Larry
Nice to see you.
I don't collect much anymore either. Getting older does that to you.
But that one would be impossible to pass up.

[Big Larry]

That you Bruce? Long time no hear from. I am into Winchester M1892's M1894's and any old Winchester 22. Big Larry

[joem]

Very Nice. Wish it was mine.

[scosgt]

That you Bruce? Long time no hear from. I am into Winchester M1892's M1894's and any old Winchester 22. Big Larry

Dats me.
Lately I have been shooting lever actions: Winchester 73 by Winchester (japan) and Uberti. And Marlin 336 from around 1980. It's all guns.

[Big Larry]

My Winchester collection runs from 1899-1960. Some are really sweet. Big Larry

[SPEEDGUNNER]

Hey Big Larry, welcome back!! Your presence has been missed. See you over on the S&W Forum occasionally, but your wisdom and knowledge has been sorely missed on CSP. Hope you stay for a while.

[PhillipM]

Thanks for coming back. I learned much from you in the old CSP days.

[Big Larry]

Thanks guys. I had just decided to sell off all my militaria and go in a different direction. Collected Rugers and Smith and Wessons for a while and then got big into Winchesters.
That beautiful Trenchgun came my was a couple weeks ago, and for the asking price, I could not turn it down. Thanks, Big Larry

[John Ed]

Didn't that table use to be sort of Oval ?

Glad you are Back !!

[Big Larry]

Yes, but the oval table was too small.
A little incapacitated now, I cannot get out to take good pictures.
BTW, the serial number of that M97 is # 955552 and has a "43" bbl. date. Must be one of the last ones? Big Larry

[cplnorton]

I am really glad to see you back Larry. I enjoy our talks on the Marine Sniper Rifles and I hope to have many more!

I hope you stick around, your knowledge is always appreciated!

Steve Norton

[Big Larry]

Got a new and bigger table. big larry

[Dave L]

Hi Larry, glad to have you back.
Nice trench gun.

[Big Larry]

Thanks again folks. Didn't think anyone would remember me.
I changed direction and started a S&W collection and also some Rugers. Then I got back into Winchesters, my 1st love.
I did save some of my military collection. There were a few pieces I just could not part with, the biggie is my 1943 Savage Thompson M1. Something to be said about owning a live and legal Submachinegun. Thanks, Big Larry

[James B.]

Welcome back Larry. I know you sold off most if not all of your shotgun collection but did you save your pics. for reference? I remember a pic. of a stock marking that was stamped right on top of a knot or burl in the wood. You did good holding on to the Thompson. It will do nothing but go up in value.
James B.

[Big Larry]

A couple days after paying $4,500 for the Thompson, I received a call with a $30,000 offer. The values have gone down some with the poor economy, but I think I could still get $20,000 for it. I will be handing this gun over to my Great Grandson who is a Deputy Sheriff in Northern Utah. He is a gun nut and a great Deputy. I am very proud of him.
I did save some pics but do not recall the one with the knot. I used to have a M1892 SRC that had a large knot in the stock. I wondered how it passed inspection.
BTW, the original owner bought that Tommy gun from Interarmco in 1964 for less than $50. No import marks on the gun. Too early. He was a Captain on the Birmingham PD and didn't have to pay the $200 tax either. Big Larry

[Tom Doniphon]

Great memory, James B. That was Big Larry's Model 12 riot gun. The Ordnance mark was stamped right on top of a big knot on the stock causing it to not show up very well.

[rayg]

Hey Big Larry, good to hear from you again. Years ago you helped me authenticate a M12 Trench gun I was looking at to buy while at a gun shop and I had called you at your home while looking at the gun and you walked me through over the phone on what to look for and I bought it. Ray

[Big Larry]

My memory is getting bad. I am 73 years old now and my wife of 50 years passed a year ago. I live alone with 8 cats. Still manage to buy a gun just about every month. I just buy what I see and like now. Big Larry

[JJM]

Large Lawrence sorry to hear about your wife how are you doing I hope well

[Big Larry]

Not really. I have some health problems at 73. Cannot do gunshows any longer because of them. Thanks, Big Larry