Petition to make "Adventures in surplus" a standalone show with a really goofy title sequence

Trust Ian to find something interesting about a rifle that he initially dismissed as junk.

Yes it is a drill parade rifle, it should come with a crome bayonet too all and the scabard crome with the frog in white,, I am Uruguayan and here we have the same with some old mauser 98 that are still in use for drill, parade for the military schooll and the reg Florida batallion has allso crome plated mausers they are the históric legislature palace guard.

-Something finally from my country -Ian: "It's basically junk" lmao, got my hopes up for nothing

In the arms collecting system, unique oddball weapons are considered especially valuable. In Arizona, the dedicated detectives who investigate these extraordinary firearms are members of an elite squad known as the Forgotten Weapons unit. These are their stories.

This rifle is the star of Adventures in Surplus, because it’s the history of the gun not the model

A unknown firearm once likely used by military parades with no documentation? Sounds like a true "forgotten weapon"

I'm certain that this rifle would be quite a looker fresh off the line.

There are people who love hairless cats so there is definitely somebody somewhere who would love how that rifle looks.

My grandfather had a sporterized 1891 he picked up sometime in the 60's. It used to hang on the wall of his den. Sure it isn't worth anything, especially not to serious collectors, but as a kid, taking that old rifle down and looking at the mechanics, learning how they all work and fit together, really sparked my interest in firearms. Even "junk" rifles (or in this case not quite junk) are important. Thank you for the video and the fond memory.

Don't call it grotesque, it is better to say that this rifle has a lot of "character"

This is Ian version of Unboxing mixed with "Look what i got" aaaand i love it

Wow! Hi there, I´m argentine, I´ve heard of chromed plated Mauser rifles, but I´ve never seen one, because they had been all sold to U.S.A. apparently. An old Army Engineer Officer once told me that some people chromed Mauser rifles in the wrong way, presumably the interior of the chamber, these rifles were intended for parade only since they looked "nice and shiny" and were not meant to be shot, which unfortunately happened, resulting in the bolt flying backwards and sending the shooter to the hospital. I hope this history results helpfull to understand the background of the rifle.

That Refinishing was done so long ago so that one day future generations would discover by looking at the bolt body that Ian in fact does possess a ceiling fan!

I own this rifle. It shoots great and I love it. I have Ian's signed Authentication for it. Bought it the second I saw it. An amazing part of history.

The East German army had SKS for parades and ceremonial guard duty with a similar chrome pattern (small parts chromed).

I've been waiting for an Argentine Mauser Video for so long! This rifle specifically is so cool. My first rifle that I ever bought was a surplus Argentine Mauser. It's an original modification with all matching serial numbers. It even has the brass tip cleaning rod still.

A customer brought me a horrible looking Ballister-Molina. It looked like it was so worn the gun was almost in the white. Careful disassembly and cleaning revealed a pistol with a hard chrome finish in very good condition. When coupled with other facts (e.g., a lanyard loop, very little bore or parts wear but wear consistent with a long life holstered), we concluded it was a ceremonial gun, likely issued to some guard organization who never shot it, and carried it in a flap holster. When we took it to the range to try it the first shot was dead center in the bullseye and the remaining shots in that magazine were all in the 10-ring. My customer was super happy and continues to shoot it from time to time.

Im from uruguay, we are argentina’s closest neighbors and we do things like those finishes in the guns to use them in military parades... i live in the frontiere, and every august 25th, a bunch of argentinian marines come to town to march dressed kind of like the British red jackets, and they use old rifles

Indeed an Argentine Navy 1891 rifle for honor guards and parades. There are photos of sailors with chromed plated 1891 rifles in honor guard at the 1982 War Memorial in Buenos Aires.

My Great Grandpa bought an Argentine Mauser from G.I Joes in 1964 for $16. He sporterized it, and my grandpa inherited it. I just bought one for $400 in immaculate condition. Still has the crest. Awesome rifles. Thanks for the video Ian! Well done as always!

I have a photo of my father marching with one of these during his graduation from a Military Academy in Buenos Aires in the mid 50's. I'd ask him if he recognized it (He might have said he'd forgotten as he HATED going there, haha) but he's now not with us any longer.

As a teen I worked in an army surplus store and we had a completely chromed bayonet for the Canadian FAL.

I actually like the chrome bling... call me crazy. There’s something about it. Maybe its just different and thats cool. The history is cool too. Always a great job Ian.

It would be interesting to look at the bolt face to see if the chrome plating is there as well and how much has worn off if so. That might help prove that it was a parade gun in a way if they didn't use it to shoot blanks off. I guess you would have to look into the parades of the day to determine that. Either way I find these extremely odd firearms much more interesting than the standard issue weapons and I think they have a much more intriguing story to tell.

The title I never thought I'd see on a FW video.

I've been waiting for a video on these rifles! I have a '91 Argentine and was bummed when I couldn't find many detailed videos on them. I love the thing to death and I'm really glad my favorite living gun encyclopedia did a video for it!

I'd almost be tempted to have it "restored" to close to original condition by having everything rechromed.

Fascinating! Awful bling rifle turns out to be a rarity.

Thank you for not shutting down the channel!

The wear pattern on the magazine is from the inspection performance of drill in revue. With the left hand, grasp the magazine so the fingers are front, thumb is rear, muzzle is to the left. The right hand strokes the bolt open, hence the wear on the ball of the bolt handle.

Had to chuckle on this one. When I watched the Rock Island video, and Ian showed this rifle, my 1st thought was "drill team rifle." I am ex-Navy, and the Flying Rifles drill team had M1's that were chromed up. I don't remember the barrel being chrome as Ian mentioned...but it has been a few decades since I saw them. Good video as usual Ian!

He is so happy when he says 'adventures in surplus' it makes me feel lofty inside

Argentina really loved military parades, up untill 37 years ago

Some old decorative rifles are pretty cool. I served on an Honor guard with 1903A3 Springfield rifles. We fired blanks for services, but the rifles had great 4 groove rifling. We cleaned and maintained the rifles perfectly. I remember another young man who wanted to take his rifle deer hunting. He said he just wanted to get a deer with a rifle that old! He never did and the rifles were only about 70 years old back then. Rifles that have been delegated to drill or Honor guard use are obsolete for military purposes but often the best of the period. They were usually, long ago obsolete so the only reason they were still in inventory was because they were like new! Great video! Take Care, John

Imagine actually parading with these, everyone would be blind by so many sunlight reflections cast off the magazines!

Argentine here, Ian, theres an story that a container of Manlincher 1901 pistols from the army were trown to the ocean after they were decomissioned. But the task was made by civilians, a lot of them well.... were saved from the ocean. I had the chance to shoot one of those in 2002. Also an Fg-42 (yeah you can imagine how reach my country ejeje). We have a lot unique weaponry still going around in our land, also you should check on what wonderful surplus of weapons we used against the british in the Falkland Conflict.

IMO if the small bits were chromed and the rest blued and oil polished to the nines it would be stunning

I just love your dissections of your new-found treasure.

Such a great series. Ian, I'd love to see more of these Adventures in Surplus videos. Right up my alley!

I have been collecting surplus military rifles for over 20 years. I am very happy you are making this new surplus review series. Thanks Ian . I enjoy your content very much.

thanks for taking the time to find out about this rifle i think it looks great

back in '59, I bought a mint '91 Argentine, with cleaning rod, for $10 out of a barrel at a 5c & 10c store, and shot it some when I was a kid with my dad. It is at my son's place now, so I can't check the gun for its serial bomber and such. Mine has the crest removed, but is otherwise a mint, unmarred rifle. I bought other guns too, for ten bucks of my lawn mowing money, including MKlll Enfield's and others. I shoot the latter guns. I haven't gotten around to reloading the 7.65 rifle. found a matching bayonets for it at a thrift shop not long ago. NV, in UpState SC

"Nobody's collection contains only good stuff." Back in the golden age, when Kenneth Bound edited Mayfair Magazine and the tobacco industry was allowed to subsidise his efforts, my collection of gentleman's literature consisted solely of items I could not bear to throw away. Once Mr Bound retired and the tobacco adverts (I have never smoked and do not intend to start) were replaced by "personal services" and "premium phoneline" adverts, there was nothing that I really wanted to buy in the first place. Not sure how this relates to gun collections, but it might.

Ian- thanks for putting out such interesting and unique content. Great to escape with your channel during current times.

good morning and greetings from Argentina. most likely, this rifle has been commissioned in the navy and the chrome work has been commissioned to the workshops of this branch. they have a habit of using this type of weapons. especially since the letters are painted white, the army would not have spent on that type of stere, but rather would have chosen better quality leather straps and wooden butts

I remember parade drilling (with a #4) was fun. We had this thing, four of us, done around an unmarked square, no verbals, the butt was tapped on tarmac, bounced on wood, lasting about 10 minutes. When I joined the RAF the corporal sent me off to drill fellow recruits who were getting it while he tried to teach remedials- highly unorthodox.

Keep up the good work Gun Jesus, I'm totally digging the new series!

You did it again! That's two in a row! :-) got to say, I'm liking the history and I like this series! Well done, Ian!

I'm really enjoying this videos of looking at surplus / C&R guns with a perspective of buying/collecting them today.

This may be one of my favorite videos you’ve ever done.

My late father had a sporterized one - someone had turned down the bolt. Crests were ground off the receiver, and gouged out of the stock. It had the short handguard. I got to fire it once as a teen, and it was actually a very nice rifle.

This kind of stuff is why I love this channel, you're doing the lords work and we thank you for it.

I'd really like to see more of these videos. Its exciting to see what surprises these guns hold.

It's beautiful in its own way, just like any other weapon

Damn I love these style of videos! Keep this style for some future videos!! Stay safe and keep it up!

This surplus rifle series is awesome, love the random history.

Ludwig Lowe and Mauser were interconnected quite early, and eventually both merged into DWM control. The Mauser brothers and the Lowe brothers had a business relationship from the start of Mauser's operations, with Lowe initially supplying the machine tools.

Thank you, Ian!

Thank you , Ian .

I love your series titling. I often find myself in unexpected situations and tend to describe them affectionately as "adventures".

Love this series

We had chrome plated WW1 era Springfields with chrome bayonets up to the 1980s as well. The bayonets actually helped balance the rifle while spinning...yeah spinning. Ours did fire blank rounds so I'm force remembering they were not chromed in the action. Surprised at how good it looks as we often broke stocks and forehand guards through aggressive precision.

I am definitely loving this new (mini?)series a lot. Hoping we get some.more of these videos.

Very interesting. Can't wait to hear about the other 2 guns from your lot...

As a side note, I can recommend the Museo De Las Armas next to Plaza San Martin in Buenos Aires. Superb selection of weapons and armours, crammed into a place that should be much bigger (plus, the old chap who was doing the admissions when I visited in 2016 has a fine singing voice and almost charmed my argentinian novia :) )

Ah, yes, the classic gun look of "Power Rangers toy with paint wearing off"

Always and thank you, Young Son!

Really cool video! I have an argentine mauser cavalry carbine that has regrettably been sporterized, but since it's not all original, I don't have to worry about keeping it original.

Really digging this series.

This is why surplus is fun and not dead. So many different cool niches to dive into.

One of your longer videos and only the briefest mention of the rather nice 7.65x53mm Belgian cartridge. I had an '09 Argentine Mauser (poorly sporterized) for many year and only sold it when ammo reached the $2.00 per round level. Ballistically it seemed to fall right in between the .308 Winchester and the venerable .30-06 even though it isn't a true .30 caliber (0.313 inches). It never failed to drop a whitetail as long as I did my part.

wonderful find, history and all with the artifact, it gets no better! my grandfather was Argentinian. mille merci, Ian

I'm very much enjoying this little series. It would be cool to re-visit this type of content occasionally. I think it's also great content for people just beginning their collections.

Long time viewer, infrequent commenter here. Just wanted to say I'm a huge fan of the "Adventures in surplus" series. Please make it a regular feature.

I love that you give us a video in this style from all 4 guns of this lot! Thx!

The little presentation of the title "now you know" style really made this video amazing

Hopefully this is enough of a success he gets invited to do promos for other auction houses. This was quite the Adventure in Surplus!

I collect Argentine firearms. My 1891 is a tack driver. I took my 1879 Remington Rolling Block to the range today and shot .43 Spanish reloads. I had a blast.

Really like this type of content Ian. Keep it up please.

I'm enjoying this format of videos, I hope it stays!

Thanks, I'm enjoying it this series.

Thank you Ian! 👍

I'm really enjoying this mini series; if you want to call it that; I'd love to see more of these videos.

Just think of the value of all the videos and info that Ian has put together since starting Forgotten Weapons. Documenting, preserving, disseminating and improving knowledge and understanding of history of any kind is the work of truly great people. Mankind is indebted to people like Ian.

It's great this one turned out to be more interesting upon closer inspection.

Excellent vid Ian.

The chrome on the right side looks heavily used because Argentinia used the Prussian Drill exerx8, the right hand grab below the bolt, while the left hand grab on the top of the rifle. So the handball is on the right side of the magazine, while the fingertips are on the left side. The left hand grabs just on the wood, so there is almost no indication of use on the top of the rifle.

I humbly request 1 video a month in this fashion.

I SWEAR I was just thinking about the few argentinian weapons reviews you have, and THIS pops up! Nice

My LGS that just went out of business had two chrome rolling blocks, but I don't think they were worth anything.

The idea of it being a parade rifle makes a lot of sense, given the wear patterns. As a kid I was part of the Air Training Corps (AIRTC) in South Australia (Now the Air Cadets) in the early to mid 1990s, we did a lot of drill with SLR rifles (even well after the introduction of the F88 Austeyr), and boy did those thinge get beaten up. They were dropped, banged together and thoroughly abused during drill and parade training (as you'd expect when you hand a bunch to 12-19 year old kids a 5kg battle rifle). When it was time to do the proper parade, we'd put on white slings (and often bayonets) and clean them up a bit. The higher ranked cadets would often be issued one of the ceremonial swords that the AIRTC had as well. I remember we had a bunch of swords that were Queen Elizabeth era (gold plated brass hilt) and one older King George era sword (solid gold hilt) One of the cadets got into a lot of trouble for over-enthusiastically cleaning one of the gold plated swords, to the extent that a lot of the gold plating was actually removed. I still have a soft spot for the SLR, the drill with it looked a lot more elegant than with the austeyr (particularly rest on arms reversed, section 2.35 in the following document: 131acu.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/cadet-instructors-handbook-drill-303-and-slr.pdf). The Army cadets still (I think) often use the SMLE for their drill and parade displays.

As always I'm loving your videos. Keep up the great work.

I hope you get some of these out to the range. Love to see them shoot.

I really like this little series. Keep up the good work!👍

I have a very low numbered G prefix Model 1891 which still has the shorter handguard and brass tipped cleaning rod. It is in almost pristine condition other than a ding in the stock. How it survived 125 years of military service, surplus, shipping, and shooting in such amazing condition is a wonder unto itself. Collectors often find the national crest ground off of Argentine 1891 Mausers. This was done in the aftermath of the Chaco War of 1935, which pitted Bolivia and Paraguay against one another in a vicious albeit brief struggle for control of South America’s resource-rich Chaco Boreal. Argentina provided Paraguay with a large number of Model 1891 Mausers during the conflict in a move that jeopardized its relationship with Bolivia. The presence of unground national crests made it impossible to deny Argentina’s direct support for Paraguay, so after the war Argentina instituted a law requiring the removal of the national crest from any gun leaving the country. Although the government in Buenos Aires later dropped this requirement, by then most of the Argentine 1891 Mausers had been ground, and this accounts for why it is rare to find one with the crest intact. The Falklands War remains a sore subject in a country that is respectful of the men who survived the war and reverent of the men who did not. Their reverence is such that, on most days, an honor guard is posted at the Memorial to the Fallen at Plaza San Martín. Sometimes the members of this honor guard are from the Argentine Army and are armed with 19th Century Rolling Block rifles, but sometimes the members of the honor guard are from the Argentine Navy and they carry the rifle that transitioned the country from the 19th Century to the 20th-the Model 1891 Argentine Mauser which are chromed as the one in this video.

Cool stuff. Thanks for another of these.

This is a great series of videos!

It's funny to imagine junk guns endlessly cycling through collectors and auctions. You got the junk gun because it was bundled with the gun you wanted. You die, and your whole collection goes to an auction. Your junk gun is now bundled with a gun somebody actually wants… Repeat.

Really enjoying these. 1891 is my favorite rifle. Keep them up!