Holy Grail Guns

Every gunny has a gun they hope to someday find at a price they can afford. For some, it may be a plastic fantastic, for others vintage iron. For me, it was a Whitney Wolverine. I could have found one on Gunbroker, but not at a price I was willing to pay after shipping and fees. Recently, I found that Holy Grail gun, and it was even at an affordable price.

After finding the Wolverine, I had to establish the next Holy Grail for Xavier. That gun will be a K-22. Not just any K-22 though, it must be pinned and recessed. Five screws. The K-22 Outdoorsman will likely be the one. I will require it in a shape that's a bit rough, so I can afford the price on the tag. I'm setting my K22 limit at $350.
There are probably many who say that cannot be done. I disagree. It might not be through normal channels, but I plan to legally acquire a K-22 for under $350.

Some may scoff at my price limitation. That's OK. Hell, any monkey can decide they want a K-22 and go surfing Gunbroker with an unlimited expense account. That's not gun hunting, that's netting fish in a barrel. I liken the entire gun acquisition experience to a fishing trip. Before you leave, you look at the sky, check the barometer, and sniff the air. You try not to carry a bunch of unnecessary crap, but you take what you need. Yes, I believe there is a K-22 out there for under $350, possibly for under $250. I might have to accept a lesser condition, or find a seller who simply no longer wants the gun around. It is out there though. I can feel it.

I will prowl the gunshows and haunt the pawnshops until I find a K-22 for under $350. I will ask people at the barber shop if they have one for sale. I will ask little old ladies at church what they might have on a closet shelf. If you know of such a gun for sale near me, you had better buy it if you want it. It's on my list, and it will be found!

I have one other Holy Grail gun. I'm in the market for an authentic, genuine WWI 1911. Again, I could quickly find a nice one on Gunbroker if I had unlimited funding. The thing is, I want to acquire this 1911 in a certain way. I want to meet and know the man who carried it. Time is running out for this acquisition, obviously. I may have to acquire it from his son or daughter.

For this pistol though, the link to the man who carried it is as important as the gun itself. I do not care if it is weathered and rusted from years of improper storage and a trip overseas for the Big One. I just want it to be a real 1911 (not a 1911A1) and to have a provenance that is known. If possible, I want to know the man who carried it, and then acquired it from the Department of War when he returned home. If not, I want to hear a few stories about him from his children. I have faith that this gun, as well, will appear.