Civil War themed Xmas gift for 11 Year old Boy

[XeVfTEUtaAqJHTqq]

I have an 11 year old Nephew that is really into the US Civil War (which is a little ironic considering he is Canadian and his parents are uber-liberal lefty Canadian environmentalist tree huggers).

Anyone have any good recommendations for an xmas gift (ideally in the $50 range)?

I have to be able to smuggle it into Canada so the authentic black powder rifle is out of the question!

He is really smart and probably knows more about US Civil war history than my American wife so it can be an intellectually challenging gift. This is what is making it difficult for me - I'd prefer to get him something that he would enjoy.

 

[Melensdad]

Why not an actual artifact?

You can buy musket balls and bullets that have been pulled out of trees from around several battle sites. Then you could follow it up with a PBS or Discovery Channel type historical DVD of some aspect of "the war of northern aggression," which is what the lovely Mrs_B corrects people is the true name of that war.

Real Civil War Bullets
http://www.relicman.com/bullets.htm


Replica Civil War Bullets
http://www.eparks.com/eparks/product.asp?id=122919


Real Civil War Relics of all sorts
http://www.forttumbleweed.com/civilwar.html

http://www.shilohrelics.com/

http://www.cwrelics.com/

 

[XeVfTEUtaAqJHTqq]

Bob, Bob, Bob . . .

You obviously have no idea just how P.C. (Positively Crappy) things are in Canada.

1. I probably can't legally bring anything even weapon related (other than a book and even some of those may be censored) across the border. Not too say that I couldn't smuggle it across but read on for more logic.

2. If I gave him the bullet and he took it to school (which he probably would) he would probably get in big trouble and for all I know his parents would get a visit from some government agency for some stupid reason.

I like the DVD idea. I'll check into what PBS has.

Thanks,

Paul

 

[Melensdad]

. . . his parents would get a visit from some government agency for some stupid reason.

Do you actually like his parents? Seems to me you referred to them as uber-liberal lefties. Might be a fun lesson in civics for them to learn.

And the beauty is you will be chuckling the whole way home as you cross back into the relative sanity of the good old US of A where such silliness is not considered subversive.

 

[bczoom]

PB

Check with Pineridge.
He might have what you're looking for (or can direct you).
http://www.pineridge7.com/

Brian

 

[XeVfTEUtaAqJHTqq]

Do you actually like his parents? Seems to me you referred to them as uber-liberal lefties. Might be a fun lesson in civics for them to learn.

And the beauty is you will be chuckling the whole way home as you cross back into the relative sanity of the good old US of A where such silliness is not considered subversive.

Yeah, I guess I like this sister. She is at least reasonable and tolerates her son's fascination.

But I do like the way think Bob!

As I like to say: all Canadian red-blooded gun owning men with any b rains lost their guns overboard while duck hunting about two years ago.

 

[Melensdad]

Yeah, I guess I like this sister. She is at least reasonable and tolerates her son's fascination.

But I do like the way think Bob!

As I like to say: all Canadian red-blooded gun owning men with any b rains lost their guns overboard while duck hunting about two years ago.

OK well seems to me that here in the US we had a little Tea Party over the authority the King imposed on us via his taxation/repression/free will/free trade/representation. I'm thinking that your gift of Civil War bullets, while it could teach your nephew about our American history, could also teach your left leaning sister about the repressive nature of a government that places itself above its citizens. Sort of an interesting way for your nephew to view American history as your gift, if explained properly, would tie 2 wars into the history lesson and give your lefty relatives an 'insider's view' of the socialist leaning strong central government form of authority

 

[XeVfTEUtaAqJHTqq]

You're good Bob!

Don't worry, I load him up on guns, tractors, and testosterone every time he comes to visit!

I have a Merrill Carbine from the US Civil War and many other classic guns that I inherited from my Dad that he may inherit some day (no boys for me - thank god). But that will all depend on what the state of the Canadian gun laws are at the time. Otherwise, I guess they will go to someone else that can take care of them.

 

[bczoom]

Otherwise, I guess they will go to someone else that can take care of them.

Oh Oh!!! Me first??!!

 

[Melensdad]

You're good Bob!

I have never been accused of that before!

 

[XeVfTEUtaAqJHTqq]

Oh Oh!!! Me first??!!

Ha! We have about 20 years before that decision has to be made. How old are you?

According to my Flayderman's its only worth around $3000 so it's not that much of a collectable. My Dad got it from a long deceased second Uncle - apparently it was the worst civil war rifle in his collection. It would have been nice to see the rest of the collection.

I'm just glad I got them out of Canada (legally too).

 

[bczoom]

Ha! We have about 20 years before that decision has to be made. How old are you?

Unfortunately... maybe too old.