What is the oldest man made object that you have?

[Detroitgator]

We have quite a few antiques, but most are ‘40s and ‘50s. However, I do have an old German .22 rifle that my granddaddy picked up somewhere down the line. Best I can make from a little casual research is that the rifle was likely produced in the ‘30s…

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That rifle was made in a pretty famous gun shop (among many other famous gun makers like Walther and Anschutz until the Soviets came) about 20 miles across the East German border from where I was stationed in the '80s

 

[cover2]

That rifle was made in a pretty famous gun shop (among many other famous gun makers like Walther and Anschutz until the Soviets came) about 20 miles across the East German border from where I was stationed in the '80s

In my few quick reads, it sounds like some of these that are over here were transported back with some of the WWII vets. I don’t remember all the details, but I believe Granddad did some work for a fellow and traded out labor for the old rifle.

 

[Double Gator Dad]

I have my great grandfather’s Bible. He wrote the date in 1885 when he first received it.
It has no value to anyone outside the family.

 

[Altitude Gator]

I have my great grandfather’s Bible. He wrote the date in 1885 when he first received it.
It has no value to anyone outside the family.

And Jesus!

 

[deuce]

I have some old coins.......... The 1st penny I ever made.

 

[bradgator2]

I have some old coins.......... The 1st penny I ever made.

So…. Civil war era?

 

[Detroitgator]

So…. Civil war era?

First minted April 16, 1865

 

[wrpgator]

I have a Samurai sword brought back from the Pacific after WWII by my grandfather. The Japanese officer it was appropriated from "didn't need it anymore". It is said to be 14th-15th Century by "a sword guy" at a gun show in Ft Myers. I'm reaching out to "Florida Token-Kai" an expert listed on "Japanese Sword Index" for a better appraisal, and hopefully to re-wrap the handle.

There is evidence of blade combat.

The rifle at the top of pic #1 was my g-g-grandfather's .58 cal model 1861 Springfield muzzle loader when he served in the 51st NY Vol Regiment. In the 1880's it was converted to breach loader. These items were hastily photographed for insurance purposes just before Hurricane Ian slammed us last fall.
wrp

 

[Detroitgator]

I have a Samurai sword brought back from the Pacific after WWII by my grandfather. The Japanese officer it was appropriated from "didn't need it anymore". It is said to be 14th-15th Century by "a sword guy" at a gun show in Ft Myers. I'm reaching out to "Florida Token-Kai" an expert listed on "Japanese Sword Index" for a better appraisal, and hopefully to re-wrap the handle.
View attachment 60005
There is evidence of blade combat.
View attachment 60006
The rifle at the top of pic #1 was my g-g-grandfather's .58 cal model 1861 Springfield muzzle loader when he served in the 51st NY Vol Regiment. In the 1880's it was converted to breach loader. These items were hastily photographed for insurance purposes just before Hurricane Ian slammed us last fall.
wrp

ProTip #8864: Regarding the sword - if the appraiser thinks it's genuinely even remotely that old, and while there is probably no question that the handle has been rewrapped over time (but most recent rewrap is probably 100 years +/- 20 years), he should probably tell you "don't do a fukking thing to it, leave it exactly 'as is'."

My experience with similar is the M1911 I mentioned (1918 serial number 4XX,XXX, made in a run when we entered WW I). It has been in the family since long before I was born and I have no idea of its history. When my Dad died and I got it, I did not realize it was a true 1911 and not a 1911A1. To me, it was a ".45". It did look like it had all original parts though (and I do have the grips that were on it, but they were the Army plastic ones, not originals, I put Pachmayr's on it because I still shoot it, often). Anyway, I took it to a good gunsmith and asked him about re-Parkerizing/blueing it. After looking at it for a minute, he said, "It's a true 1911. I'll do whatever you want, but I wouldn't do a damn thing to it, and if you want to sell it, call me first." Other than the grips, I haen't done a damn thing to it. And yes, as a true 1911, it'll "bite" the schit out of the web of your strong hand if you don't grip it right (the "A1" fixed that).

 

[B52G8rAC]

I have a Samurai sword brought back from the Pacific after WWII by my grandfather. The Japanese officer it was appropriated from "didn't need it anymore". It is said to be 14th-15th Century by "a sword guy" at a gun show in Ft Myers. I'm reaching out to "Florida Token-Kai" an expert listed on "Japanese Sword Index" for a better appraisal, and hopefully to re-wrap the handle.
View attachment 60005
There is evidence of blade combat.
View attachment 60006
The rifle at the top of pic #1 was my g-g-grandfather's .58 cal model 1861 Springfield muzzle loader when he served in the 51st NY Vol Regiment. In the 1880's it was converted to breach loader. These items were hastily photographed for insurance purposes just before Hurricane Ian slammed us last fall.
wrp

Your g-g-g-grandfather was a Yankee? Oh the horror.

 

[bradgator2]

Certainly no winner here, but still worthy. My mom’s dad was gifted a 250 acre farm when he graduated high school. The farm is still in the family. A few years ago, we are snooping around one of the barns and we come across a cigar box with some old paperwork. Looked like an old brochure that was tightly rolled up. Very yellow and brittle. We could tell it was my grandmother’s confirmation certificate and her pocket bible. But it was truly on the edge of complete disintegration. We researched historical document restoration people. It took the lady 2 years, and came with a hefty bill, but it was returned to us a couple of weeks ago.

From 1928:

 

[AlexDaGator]

Certainly no winner here, but still worthy. My mom’s dad was gifted a 250 acre farm when he graduated high school. The farm is still in the family. A few years ago, we are snooping around one of the barns and we come across a cigar box with some old paperwork. Looked like an old brochure that was tightly rolled up. Very yellow and brittle. We could tell it was my grandmother’s confirmation certificate and her pocket bible. But it was truly on the edge of complete disintegration. We researched historical document restoration people. It took the lady 2 years, and came with a hefty bill, but it was returned to us a couple of weeks ago.

From 1928:

View attachment 60032

I'm shocked you didn't burst into flames the moment you touched it.


Alex.

 

[jdh5484]

 

[RiverRat]

Japanese rifle Uncle brought bask from WW 11 notice the notch on the bottom of the stock, he was a marine fought at New Britain

 

[RiverRat]

He brought this back as well , need to get it translated

 

[G8trwood]

Have a couple marlins 1891 and 1893 (22/32) from late 1890’s. Ugly ass chairs that great grand parents brought from Germany in 1800’s.

 

[B52G8rAC]

Have a couple marlins 1891 and 1893 (22/32) from late 1890’s. Ugly ass chairs that great grand parents brought from Germany in 1800’s.

So my mind works different. The first thought I had was Marlin rifles. Then I thought guitars, but I realized that was Martin. Then I thought fish and they would be spoilt by now. Chairs weren't in the process.

 

[G8trwood]

My mind would have gone to Martini - no henry needed

 

[Detroitgator]

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He brought this back as well , need to get it translated

It says, "no tickee, no shirtee"

 

[Detroitgator]

So my mind works different. The first thought I had was Marlin rifles. Then I thought guitars, but I realized that was Martin. Then I thought fish and they would be spoilt by now. Chairs weren't in the process.

^ this is why they should have banned Harrison Ford from flying any more a long, long time ago.