"But I wanted to illuminate the sheer hypocrisy and disingenuous behavior that masquerades as civility here."
I certainly have no desire to be categorized in that manner. I have no problem saying that the inhabitants of this bbs are almost uniformity preening poseurs "collecting" insignificant and abused examples of firearms that few if any would otherwise GAF about, and massively dedicated to the "sow's ear" concept of acquisition enhancement. Whenever I need a laff this is the place I come to. Top of that list are those who post questions and ignore any answer that does not agree w/ whatever erroneous preconception they have already decided to be the case. Sort of the Darwin Awards section of the gun world.
keep up the good work
have a day
Dr.WtS
My first reaction to this post was minor bother. Then I asked myself in what way is it true if only in part.
I believe it true many of the guns and issues discussed on this site are on guns inelegantly referred to as weapons "few if any would otherwise GAF about"
The shoe fits, but it is equally true in the big world that "few if any would otherwise GAF about" Purdeys, or other supposedly prefect SxS guns. We populate this website because we like doubleguns. That in itself marks us apart from most everyone in society.
There is a great deal of old and battered guns out there that are of little real value other than what we give then in our desire. Some of us play in the low end of the market because it is what we can afford. I don't look down on them anymore than the old boy shooting the silvered 870 on a trap range. Not because they might shoot them well but because we share a common love of shotgunning
Are many guns discussed here beaten down trash to most? So what, if you don't like it don't come here read and post.
I long ago decided to focus in Belgium guns by Jules Bury because I got lucky enough to blunder into one then a few more at a price I could afford. I know I will put more money into them fixing them up than they will be worth when done. Would it have been better to have brought the Purdey in 1985 for $5k when I had the chance, probably? But the wife I got instead is still a better move. This makes me look foolish to some. Moreover I know there are those who look down on my guns and me. They are less for the thought. For me the worst of them is prettier and cleaner than any of my hunting buddies best guns. To some it is a sow's ear still.
By WtS's judgment our guns are insignificant. That may be true in the great scheme of existence. It is not true to us. It is poor manner's to speak ill of someone and his passions provided the passions are legal and I trust moral. I hope that WtS's guns meet his standards and he does well with them.
As for posing, WtS is right I pose better manners here than I really possess, I hope all others do too.
Gil