I started collecting guns by buying a 6.5 mm Manlicher Carcano. I was about 20 and the gun cost me about 12.95. I bought two more parts guns for .50 cents apiece. then a Springfield 1903A3 for 14.50 things have changed a lot since then and we will never see guns that cheap again.
I don't have a Carcano yet. The last good one looked at was a bit over $100 and I didn't get the money quick enough.
I have no way of finding here a Springfield, and our gun laws are complicated enough to import Garands. I only saw a Carcano when i was a kid, and now are the subject of jokes amog history/shooting lovers.
