Personally, nice shiny new rifles hold no charms for me. No mystery. No wondering " Where have you been? What have you done?"The finish worn but still mechanically excellent, aka gray rats, ooze history and provoke curiosity and wonder.
I once held an original London Armoury P53 Enfield rifle musket. 1862 production, with the proper markings for Confederate issue. My reenactment group, E Co. 1st Texas Volunteer Infantry, was issued such rifle muskets. When I saw the markings, well, I could've grabbed a live power line and got less of a jolt. Oh DARLIN'! Where have you been? What have you seen and done?!
This is why I keep a notebook for all my rifles. Their history will be known.
