So two people with a lot of money outbid the world to get something they both wanted. That's fine. Unfortunatly now sellers will use this sale as a reason to inflate their prices. You will probably be seeing Krag bayonets with inflated prices soon on internet sites.  If you are not in a hurry you can usually find what you want at a fair price. As far as owning piles of guns, there is an old saying, "fear the man with one gun". (He probably knows how to use it well). KC.

I appreciate the kind words gents.  I guess I was really just venting because some very greedy people would allow this to happen (namely, the seller who probably knows what it's worth and is rubbing his hands together laughing... and the buyers who have more money than God, and don't mind spending it to possess Midas's gold)!

Everything I know... I learned from people here, like Chuck, Dick, Ned, Bob, etc., the guys who welcomed me and helped me when I first joined this forum almost a decade ago.  Frankly, I don't even visit other forums anymore (heck, in addition to the fights, animosity and information overload on Culvers, I've also gotten a computer virus and got hacked).  I've always said, the very best information and the very best people are right here, and I cherish the friends I've made here!!! 

Oh, and I would LOVE to meet and shoot with you all at Perry!  (BTW, I save all year to afford Perry, and fortunately it's only a couple hour drive for me.)

By the way, if I offended anyone who collects... I apologize.  I did not intend to say anything against collecting or people who do collect.  Most of the amazing people here that I learned from ARE collectors!!!