In our ever-present chase for things newer and better, are we replacing the quality of old with the technology of new? Does “replaced” necessarily mean “replaceable”?
The year: 2016
The place: Johannesburg
The timing: Perfect
Cases: None available
Standing in a queue at a well-known Johannesburg gun shop, I caught sight of a gentleman in his mid-eighties who stood behind me awaiting service. With him were two rifle bags. As we waited, my curiosity was piqued. Being a rifle enthusiast, I enjoy viewing well-crafted pieces. So, I dared to ask, but nothing prepared me for what he was about to reveal.
“What do you have there?” I asked. “Old rifles. As no one in my family hunts, I have no use for them,” he replied.
The words “old” and “rifles” grabbed my attention. I tried to play it cool. With a nonchalant attitude, I asked if I could have a peek. Placing the rifle bag on the counter, I held my breath as he unzipped its
