7 Interesting and Historical Firearms for History Buffs

If you are a firearms enthusiast, chances are you are interested in the history of guns. From the Wonder Nines like the CZ 75, to the rifles of the World Wars, to cowboy six-shooters, here are some historical firearms that are worth adding to your gun collection.

The Wild West: Colt Single Action Army

When you think of the quintessential cowboy six-shooter, chances are you are thinking of the Colt Single Action Army. While originals are now quite expensive, there have been plenty of reproductions and updated versions of the SSA since its debut in 1873. Known as the Peacemaker or M1873, this is what you want if you want a revolver from the Wild West.

Turn of the Century: Colt 1911

The first wildly popular semi-automatic handgun following the end of the Wild West, the Colt 1911 needs no introduction. While there have been updates, such as the 2011, the 1911 is still sold in a remarkably similar format for more than a century, and for a good reason.

WWI: The SMLE Mk III

The Small Magazine Lee Enfield Mk III and later Mk III* were the preferred rifles of the British during the Great War. Also known as the “three-oh-three” for using the British 303 cartridge, the Mk III* saw use from the first World War through the Korean War from various countries.

WWII: Mauser Karabiner 98

It is generally agreed that the German rifles of World War I had a much better bolt mechanism than any other rifles used in the war, and the Kar98K continues this trend. The Mauser Karabiner 98 kurz saw wide use by the Germans in every theater of war during WWII and was the successor to the Gewehr 98 from WWI.

WWII and Korea: M1 Garand

The M1 Garand, not to be confused with the M1, is famous for two things: the “ping” sound it makes when it ejects an empty clip, and the Garand Thumb, a condition in which the receiver slams into the user’s thumb when proper precautions are not taken when inserting a clip.

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Vietnam: M16/AR 15

While modern AR 15s are sleek, nothing compares to the historic look of a AR 15 modeled after the M16 used widely in Vietnam, complete with a carry handle. If you are going with a AR 15, look for the historical old-school-cool look.

The Wonder Nine Years: CZ 75

The 1980s and ‘90s handguns were dominated by the “Wonder Nines,” 9mm handguns with a staggered column magazine and a double-action trigger on at least the first shot. Popular examples include the Beretta 92 and Glock 17, but the CZ 75 also deserves recognition. A common handgun in Europe today, it is the basis for many other handguns, including fellow Wonder Nine, the IWI Jericho 941. Today, it has been updated, such as the popular CZ 75 SP 01.

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