In a post yesterday, Mike asked about the very interesting 1896 Carbine he purchased as a gift for his father. Comments including concerns that it went for a pretty high price on GB.

Well Mike, I say, So What? Buy the rifle and give that gift and GOOD FOR YOU! The price doesn't matter as much as the time remaining with your father.

Here is my story about Krags and Dads. My dad was a collector. He was a shop teacher and never made a ton of money. But he would save up and buy a military rifle here and there. The first Krag  I can remember was an 1898 rifle that stood in a rack at my grandparents in the 1960's. Dad bought a few Krag parts and projects in the 1970's before there were any collector books about them. Friends started to offer Krags to him for sale as our knowledge and interest built.

Fast forward to the 1980's. I was through college, just married and starting a working career. We had chatted with Bill Brophy a few times before his book was published and Bill Mook and others tracked dad down to talk Krags as well.

As the collection grew, Mook invited us to meet him and his Krag buddies at some of the major national East and West gun shows. My dad declined saying plane tickets and hotels cost too much.  Here is my point. The cost didn't matter. I bought the plane tickets and we made a number of very memorable trips together on my dime. Later on as I had a few extra bucks I was able to purchase some Krags for our collection that dad could never afford. Again the price didn't matter much, because dad passed away early, just as we both were spending more time together. I am so thankful that we shared that Krag time before he was gone.

So Mike, I sincerely hope you and your dad get to spend many happy days together shooting Krags and making memories. The money doesn't mean so much.

I miss my dad and treasure our shared Krag collection.

CAT Man