Aside from being fun to play with, do you see beauty in rifles, shotguns, handguns, knives, etcetera?

I do. I even think my old beat up AK-47 is beautiful in its own way. But the one that sticks in my mind was a Weatherby rifle from back in the days when mention of the name Weatherby would bring sort of an awed hush over a group of gun lovers or hunters. It was a bolt action beauty with a stock that looked like it must have been made from Zebrawood or something. I remember thinking, "If I owned that, I wouldn't even fire it! I'd have a display case made and just put it out there for everyone to admire!" I can still see that rifle in my mind, and that's been years, that's how strong of an impression it made on me.

And I've seen a lot of knives that were worthy of a display case, and handguns and all.

But I'd guess there are people who think all weapons are ugly.

And I'd guess that there are people who'd say that a weapon is no more beautiful than a screwdriver or a wrench (although I think hand tools are beautiful too, but that's a different thread).

So what do you think? Is there beauty in a well made, nicely adorned weapon? I was just looking at OG's M-14 in another thread and thinking how beautiful it was, and that's what got me thinking about this question, as I realized not everyone in the world would see it as beautiful.

State your position, and if you have pics, those are always nice!

Cheers!

Rick...

I'd think most anything can be beautifully crafted.

I have no pics, so it may not have happened.

I absolutely do.

Like that Weatherby; how many here appreciate a finely "blued" weapon? I'm talking about the Old Way blueing. Where it was actually a blue/black. I know all the new methods are more protective of the metal, but what they call blued now days isn't that jewell-like blue of the past. And If you are caring for the weapon properly, rust shouldn't be a factor.

I know synthetic is better, but I like wood. It gives a rifle soul and character. I appreciate the new rifles, but they seem like Nazgul compared to a well done wood stock.

Like airplanes, if it looks right it may be right; if it looks fecked-up, it is fecked-up. There is a beauty in a fine form to accomplish a function.

The beauty of an 80 year old rifle -



There is something right about the feel of a wood stock. It has an alive and warm feel that synthetics lack.

And with wood, I don't want shellac,varish, or pollywhatever. No; either a nice oil or wax finish is right for wood.



About my M1A; shan noticed something right away. Wood will show a shooter. He noticed the darker area where my hand grips it. Wood tells you something about the owner.



But I am of The Old Ways.


But I sure do have some nice Nazgul guns as well. I can appreciate new stuff if done well.

Two of my favorites as far as design and appearance have always been the Thompson sub-machine gun and the Browning 1911 .45 pistol.

Both classics that have become part of the English language, the Tommy Gun and the 45. an early Thompson with the wooden stock and grips is a work of art.

I used to own a .44 Magnum Desert Eagle with a black matte finish. I often looked at it just to look at it. I bought it new in the early 90s for under $800. I sold it again after about a year simply because I could never hold on to anything for long. Excuse me while I go to a lonely place and kick myself!

I look at my (semi-old) handguns, and compare them to the new 'breed', and I can really appreciate the asthetics of the older guns. Same at the range the other day. One guy had a Mini-Glock, the other an old Walther PPK. I knew instantly which one I'd want to have, and that was the curves and smoothness of the Walther, not the blocky plastic of the Glock.

The only reason I'll be getting a newer handgun is I need it if I want to shoot IPSC, my old Sig is really not suited for it in 9mm.

I don't see much beauty in modern weapons. They're just too utilitarian. But I love the workmanship and artistry of old melee weapons. One of my favorite things is a well-made blade. There is nothing like the wave patterns of folded steel.

From a physics point of view, the bomb dropped on Nagasaki was more beautiful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima...

Always had a big favor for the M14. This rifle is, IMHO, trully magnificient. The last of a breed of wooden-stock "big" caliber combat rifle. It looks really nice and can be a hell of a shot with the right shooter behind it. Add a scope on it, and you find yourself with a pretty good sharp-shooting rifle. You may find it stupid, but to me, the M14 is to the assault rifle what the F-8 Crusader was to the fighter aiplanes, the last one of a long line.

Appart from this, I always loved the 1911, and am pretty happy to own one. And on the other side, I can love a somewhat modern rifle/handgun too. Always loved the H&K USP in .45ACP and the first of the Armalites, i.e. XM16E1 and XM177E1. Gotta love this mix between new components and traditionnal look.

That! There is something very basic, very primal and ancient about wielding an even half-well made Katana or Great Sword. My Katana, just the way it sits on it's proper display stand in the center of the room, is a piece of quietness and a center to meditation for me.