So my father's fully retiring in a few weeks, and I figured I should get him something. This is a man without any real big hobbies or vices, so this was tough.
I got to thinking, and with all the gun threads abound I struck and idea. My dad owns a real-deal WWI Mauser 98, it was sold to him by an old friend who knew someone who brought it back from the war as a keepsake. Thing is old as dirt. It has been sitting in his basement since the late 70's. I recently got it out in the light and looked it over and it is in remarkably good condition- no rust, seemingly true and very smooth actuation. Obviously a well built rifle. It's stock has some marks on it, and it was definitely used in battle. All original parts from what I could tell. I dropped some oil in it and cycled it a few times and boy it felt solid.
My father's never fired it. He bought it (For $25 I think) from his friend 35 years ago and never got around to using it. I offered to buy it from him once and he said no way, he wouldn't ever sell it, but I could have it after he was in the ground.
So as a retirement gift, I let my mother know that I'm going to take it and have it restored. It's currently in a case in his basement and he won't notice it gone for a month or so- right about the time he retires.
His first indication of his present is going to be a tin of this showing up in the mail:
That is, if the gun is still chambered original. A lot of them were re-chambered for 308 here in the US, so I have to check that first. I sure hope it hasn't been re chambered... those old romanian surplus 8mm mauser rounds are so neat, and you can't beat a tin of 340 rds for $100.