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Where have all the OC gone? (Original Contributors)

R

RavenOps

Senior Member
I have noticed over a few years that the major original contributors to this forum no longer post or comment, and if they do, it’s to oddballs or abnormalities. Have things become stagnant or just dull?

Just an observation.
 
When did the forum start? 2010? This was Mike and Bruce's answer to GK43 going to sh.t? If I recall correctly. When I joined the forum I had a really nice collection of MO walnut stocked rifles including one G41M. Plus a nice collection of early G41W's. Things change over a decade. Life, kids, etc. I've gone back to almost purely ACW collecting. I still linger here because I like lurking. Plus I like the banter in a few of the sub-sections. At 48, the odds of me ever collecting high end 98's again are thin. I do know some of the original posters are now with the wind. Gergnotwen comes to mind. Simply a sign of the times. I've discovered recently that if you want double secret good info at ACWT, you need to be on Facebook. Well I'm not. I'll just live without it. (pretty sure FB is for old people too)
 
People age, priorities change, retirement, death, and divorce take their share. same in every hobby........

I'm 76 and I know my time is limited. I still love the chase BUT grim reality is setting in quickly.

Frankly I need to dispose of my extensive collection yesterday !!!!!
 
In the last few years we’ve had a lot of the “Facebook crowd” come here either blatantly pumping info to maximize profits, asking things easily answered on Google or the search feature here, or just posting the same types of threads that have been hashed and rehashed for two decades. There’s also some newer guys who “come in hot” and need to start a new thread daily, posting literally the same rifles that have already been posted but next to a different pair of feet. Frankly it gets boring. The longer you collect I think probably the fewer things you find worth posting or commenting on, but the interest is still there. Still a great site with a great core group
 
interesting topic... For some i'm sure we have already posted all we own or have. Others have gotten out of the hobby.. I cant count one one hand how many guys Ive seen build collections go nuts buying only to sell them all off and move on.. Also the issues with uploading photos I think deters some from posting photos.. Im in the middle of a internal tech war between apple and PC and it takes many steps to post a photo. Laziness and lack of new examples is one reason I don't post as much as I use to. I do enjoy this forum and its really one of two or three I even go on anymore. This was also built to collect data and get the books written and that task was accomplished. I do like reading old posts when this page was really clicking and we were pooling our minds to figure out the complexities of the k98k and other topics.
 
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I have not been as active as I usually have been in the past.
I expect that to change once I fully retire next month and will have additional time to commit.
In addition, I will be ramping up the work on Volume IV beginning in July so expect alot of activity then.
 
Great comments and thoughts. We all go through peaks and valleys with our enthusiasm towards the hobby, especially now that the economy is down and inflation is high. Thus driving prices high while our liquid cash flow is limited.

This forum is, and has been, a huge asset to me. I’m very grateful for the many contributions.

Looking forward to keeping this hobby moving.

BTW, has anyone heard of any new ATF laws/rules regarding person to person transactions?
 
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At least from the situation in Ohio, the shows upcoming seem to have taken a huge hit.
I know that the upcoming OGCA table count in Cleveland is way down from what it should be.
I know a larger local show will have a big reduction in table count as well.

I will try and get to one in the next few weeks and give an update.
 
Basically, little new info or rifles to learn or see, move along folks….

W/o many new rifles to see there’s few starting points for conversation. Are there any big questions that remain unanswered?

Many of the recent posts are RC or turd alert, or shilling on GB… (boring) … move along folks
 
If you're looking for research opportunities or new info coming out, the Imperial section seems to get a bit more of that. The Weimar section too, although that's much slower. Still lots of puzzles to pull apart in the world of pre-1933 Mausers. Off the top of my head, in the last few weeks there were some interesting threads on the late 19th century US Army and Navy trials with original documentation.
 
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To pile on what has already been stated, there is still a veritable endless mine of discoveries to be made.

I know two locations in particular that have an astounding amount of "new" information that would be awesome to crack open. They both require time and money. When I have time, I rarely have the money to travel and do research. When I have the money, I absolutely do not have the time!

When I am really busy with work, unfortunately my hobbies, and passion, really gets shelved. I suspect most here are like that.

One of my favorite topics is CG Haenel, a minor competitor to Mauser, but a company that developed some truly unique methods to circumvent Mauser's patents. For years I beat my head against the wall trying to find new material, new information. After awhile I had to walk away. There just isn't much available.

As more archives and historical documents are digitized, I think we will continue to see growth in the field. While many of the "originals" have gone on to other things, they will be replaced by others just as passionate.
 
Cyrano4747 said:
If you're looking for research opportunities or new info coming out, the Imperial section seems to get a bit more of that. The Weimar section too, although that's much slower. Still lots of puzzles to pull apart in the world of pre-1933 Mausers. Off the top of my head, in the last few weeks there were some interesting thread on the late 19th century US Army and Navy trials with original documentation.
Click to expand...

Oh great, I looked over there and now I have seen several things of interest. My wife is not going to be happy.
 
Bigdibbs88 said:
In the last few years we’ve had a lot of the “Facebook crowd” come here either blatantly pumping info to maximize profits, asking things easily answered on Google or the search feature here, or just posting the same types of threads that have been hashed and rehashed for two decades. There’s also some newer guys who “come in hot” and need to start a new thread daily, posting literally the same rifles that have already been posted but next to a different pair of feet. Frankly it gets boring. The longer you collect I think probably the fewer things you find worth posting or commenting on, but the interest is still there. Still a great site with a great core group
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I can’t call myself a long time member, but adding to this, I see a lot of Facebook/Instagram style posts popping up. Some from people who have been here longer than I have. If they want that sort of “hey look what I have” attention and the instant gratification of likes, they need to go to Instagram or Facebook for that. Don’t pollute the forum with it as it makes any sort of research about as useful as a google search. I understand posting up a rifle in the typical fashion here to learn more about it, but reposting the same rifle 2-3 times since it’s “been a while” and “better picture quality” seems a bit absurd. We don’t need to see the rifle in 4K ultra HD. Yes they need to be of good quality and without feet (many are guilty of that, including myself when I’m in a pinch due to work/life and don’t have time to get decent pictures). If a rifle switches hands here, it doesn’t need to be taken fully apart, re-photographed, and reposted. Especially if it’s already documented. I can’t be the only one to notice, but the forum itself seems to be sluggish most of the time, and it wasn’t like that when I first got here. I would assume it to be the huge increase in massive images, but I know more goes into it than that.

Watching from the sidelines most of the time, I’ve noticed some threads (mostly in the off-topic section) have caused arguments. Some bad enough to where people leave and don’t come back.

In time there will be new members. Some will have more fervor than others, but the research will continue. A new mystery or anomaly will appear, and it could turn some things upside down. That’s part of the fun. The best thing we can do is not completely gatekeep newcomers out of the hobby all-together.
 
I'm certainly no expert. I came here in 2013 looking for verification of an AX 41 that I ended up buying. The help I received was invaluable, and I've learned so much just by lurking. In 2020 my wife and son bought me a new guitar. I had quit playing for at least 10 years, and had sold everything but 2 guitars. Their guitar purchase woke up the guitar player in me, and now I'm back up to 15 guitars so my focus the past few years has definitely changed. Do I still love old battle rifles? OH YEAH! I'm 52, and the thoughts of starting to thin down some of my collection has crossed my mind. In my head I've convinced myself to put it off until I'm 60, but there are no guarantees for tomorrow. I have a list of all my guns and my perceived value so my wife would have an idea of what I think they're worth, but her having to get rid of them would be a gigantic pain in her a$$.

I still lurk and comment in the occasional thread where I think my contribution is worthwhile, but for the most part I still try to soak in and learn as much as I can especially on the "humped" and "turd" threads.
 
I still believe everyone that hasn’t passed is still here and bring their expertise here when needed. It’s my favorite spot on the internet since I joined in 2019….. Imperials and Weimar rifles have help me broaden my interest and kept me active…. I would have to echo that there is still items and information coming out of those sections. I still love great photos of great rifles (rifle porn) and will continue to post what I come across, both for the research trends and for mine and others visual enjoyment. Nice thread here
 
OzzMan said:
I can’t call myself a long time member, but adding to this, I see a lot of Facebook/Instagram style posts popping up. Some from people who have been here longer than I have. If they want that sort of “hey look what I have” attention and the instant gratification of likes, they need to go to Instagram or Facebook for that. Don’t pollute the forum with it as it makes any sort of research about as useful as a google search. I understand posting up a rifle in the typical fashion here to learn more about it, but reposting the same rifle 2-3 times since it’s “been a while” and “better picture quality” seems a bit absurd. We don’t need to see the rifle in 4K ultra HD. Yes they need to be of good quality and without feet (many are guilty of that, including myself when I’m in a pinch due to work/life and don’t have time to get decent pictures). If a rifle switches hands here, it doesn’t need to be taken fully apart, re-photographed, and reposted. Especially if it’s already documented. I can’t be the only one to notice, but the forum itself seems to be sluggish most of the time, and it wasn’t like that when I first got here. I would assume it to be the huge increase in massive images, but I know more goes into it than that.
Click to expand...
Well, I am guilty of this only in an effort to document an item further with detailed photographs.

For me, it’s an opportunity to give other collectors more comprehensive knowledge of a rifle that was not previously given
 
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