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Old May 27, 1999, 11:33 PM   #1
Dennis
Staff Emeritus
 
Join Date: November 23, 1998
Location: a small forest in Texas
Posts: 7,079
Some of you may remember that my best friend, Carl Davis, passed away this last
February.
(obit: http://www.thefiringline.com:8080/forums/showthread.php?threadid=31223 )

He owned quite a few firearms that are “shootin’ guns” rather than pretty collector
items. Some were fairly new - some were nearly 100 years old. Some are truly
expensive custom guns - some are (dare I say it) what certain folks could call
“Saturday Night Specials”.

Carl’s widow, Marty Davis, needs to sell at least some of these guns (for financial
reasons) and plans to give some guns to various family members. Marty asked me
to “find out what all these guns are worth”. I promised to try.

There were so many guns I felt it inappropriate to impose upon Harley Nolden,
our resident expert on such matters. “How hard can it be?” I thought.
(Oh, how pride goeth before a fall....)

Let’s see... What the heck is a Whitney or a Liberty? Hmm, these two custom
guns are .22-250s - first I’ve ever seen. Hmm, so THIS is what a “Birds-eye
maple" stock looks like! Hmm, what’s all this Spanish crap? Hmm after hmm,
etc....

Well, after forty-some hours on the internet I found the value of one gun. Just
one. I was stumped and running out of time. Marty needs to sell some of these
items.

So, I swallowed my pride and turned to Harley, “Could you help me?” I sent him
the list of firearms. Friends, once Harley Nolden heard the full story of Carl Davis
and Marty’s need for help, I couldn’t have held him back if I had wanted to!

In EIGHT HOURS he identified, described, and put a range of values on each gun!

Harley Nolden is incredible! What held him up (if eight hours can be called a
“delay”) was my inability to answer his questions quickly and accurately!

I put this post in the General Discussion Forum because everyone on TFL needs to
know about Harley Nolden. His expertise is incredible. He is an indescribably valuable resource! His *willingness* to help is an example for us to aspire to.

I want to publicly thank Harley for helping me out when I was in way over my
head. More importantly, I want to thank him for helping Marty Davis.

If you have a firearms question, ask Harley. He is the “Mr. Wizard” of firearms
research. And you won’t find a finer gentleman.

Thanks again, Harley, from me and for Marty.

Dennis
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Old May 28, 1999, 10:23 AM   #2
longhair
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 20, 1998
Location: CSA
Posts: 632
I would have to agree w/ you all the way

------------------
fiat justitia

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Old May 28, 1999, 08:57 PM   #3
4V50 Gary
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Join Date: November 2, 1998
Location: Colorado
Posts: 21,824
Attaboy Harley!
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Old May 29, 1999, 07:35 AM   #4
Harley Nolden
Staff In Memoriam
 
Join Date: January 8, 1999
Location: Brunswick,GA USA
Posts: 1,884
DENNIS, MARTY and All
You are most welcome. It was a sincere pleasure to do the research. As I am sure it has enlightned your knowledge, it has definetly enlightned mine.

You have also enriched my self esteem (sp) and enabled me to return to the world of firearms. Being retired, this forum has put new purpose to an "ole" duffer.

Thanks for all the attaboys. Had a lot of Ahhhhhhhhhh S---'s in my day.

Harley
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Old May 29, 1999, 08:05 AM   #5
Rich Lucibella
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Join Date: October 6, 1998
Location: South Florida
Posts: 10,229
Dennis-
I monitor this Forum, but he's so far beyond me, the best I can hope for is to pick up scraps of info....and I've picked up many! He's really been a star here.

Class Act, Harley.
Thanks
Rich
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