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Posted: 3/11/2013 11:20:34 AM EDT
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Decided to hit up the Niles Ohio gunshow this past Saturday. I thought while everyone was scrambling to pay too much for ARs and AKs with UTG rails and Truglow red dots slapped on them, I might get lucky and find some retro goodness in someone's junk box.
Unfortunately this was the only retro find of the day. 
The story behind it is probably more interesting than the object itself... I had scanned the entire show and having found no retro bits, I was quite disappointed. I had gone through every junk box at every table, all but one. See, in the very back corner of the building there was one large table consisting of reloads, old VHS tapes, mismatch revolver grips, etc. It was quite literally a junk table (and that got me pretty excited). After sifting through old survival books, "tactical training" VHS tapes, and dismembered doll heads I spied a case of 1950s Civil Defense emergency drinking water cans, for $1 each. I grabbed the least dented can and made my way to the table's owner, who was dressed head-to-toe in MARPAT, and as I got to the front of the table where he was seated, I noticed what is quite possibly the oddest thing I've ever seen for sale at a gun show... A handful of various, amateur nudie Polaroids from the 70s (I guess that's pretty retro, right?  ). Mind you, these weren't professionals or playmates or anything, just Polaroids of random naked chicks. I think the most interesting was the one that was framed, and on the frame someone had Sharpie'd her name as well as some swastikas. I was so intrigued that I considered asking the guy what the story with the pictures was, but I handed him the dollar for the water and kept walking. 
We're all familiar with the infamous Beef Jerky Vendor, but now I guess we've got a new Gunshow character. "Nudie Polaroids Guy"... |
I have seen some of those at my local surplus store, but they were only for display. 
EDIT: water cans, not Polaroids of gun show man! I did find this today for a few buck at Habitat for Humanity, It's where people donate used building supplies and furniture. Cap, Field, Cotton M-1951, marked 16 NOV 1951 It has the ear flaps and C-7347 stamped on the headband, i'm guessing part of the service number back then? I had to stamp my last name on everything. I wasn't in the army, and don't know much about these. I always look for Marine Corps stuff.I figured I'd better buy it before some hipster does. 
I also got an M-60 black sling and some UZI magazines this weekend at Old Grouch's Surplus. He's a site vendor, and actually has real surplus. I try to stop there on my mountain trips. |
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I also got an M-60 black sling and some UZI magazines this weekend at Old Grouch's Surplus. He's a site vendor, and actually has real surplus. I try to stop there on my mountain trips. I like to use the padded M60 slings for backpack straps. One time the CMP had a whole crate of them in the south store for a steal. I should have picked more up.. That is how that kind of deal goes. Its a good thing you saved the hat from the hipsters.. That is just something they would wear. |
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Quoted:
I know the guy of whom you speak. Stand around for awhile until he gets going into a conversation with someone, it makes the hour I drive each way to Niles well worth the trip! Care to elaborate? He was talking to some older guy who was there with who I'm assuming was his daughter, trying to buy reloads for her revolver. I didn't really stick around to hear much of what he said. |
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