I meet Mark Christian yesterday
I had a lunch time meeting with former GB member Mark Christian in order to discuss the possible purchase of an M1 rifle. For those who don't recall, Mark was a very popular GB member (even more popular after he gave a way an M1 rifle [:p]) who ran afoul of a small group of folks here who decided to make his life miserable and caused him to leave and go elsewhere. This meeting proved to be so entertaining that I invited Mark to my home for dinner and the two of us chatted well into the evening about firearms and travel. I was surprised that Mark had visited Krakow a few times (where my mother was born) and spoke some fair Polish. He'd also been to Croatia (where my dad was born) as well as many other countries which I had also visited. I found Mark to be rather soft spoken but willing, if allowed, to go into the details of a subject he was familiar with to any length the listener desired and I learned PLENTY about the M1 Rifle in just an hour of listening to Mark. I decided to make the purchase, but with the stupid gun laws here in California it will be a ten day wait for my new toy, a nice H&R M1.
Here is information that Mark told me it was okay to pass along to his friends who are here on Gun Broker: He has pretty much retired from being a firearms dealer after taking a position with an international arms brokerage firm a couple of years back. He spends one third of his time here in the States, one third in Eastern Europe and the remaining time in Central America. Man, that sounds like a rough life to me! He purchased a home in Sofia Bulgaria as well as having a place in Panama City which is under construction and he plans to retire and split his time between Panama and Bulgaria around 2010. This is the same time I'll be retired in Italy so I hope to see a lot of him at my home on Lake Como in a few more years. Mark has been selling off a large portion of his firearms collection and much of it has been sold right here on Gun Broker. Not that he needs a plug, but I suppose if you want to buy any of his guns you may want to look around for his listings on the auction site. On the whole this was a very nice meeting and I can see why those who have met the man face to face have left impressed with Mark. For those here who continue to dislike the man you are only punishing the rest of us by keeping him and his knowledge away from our site.
Here is information that Mark told me it was okay to pass along to his friends who are here on Gun Broker: He has pretty much retired from being a firearms dealer after taking a position with an international arms brokerage firm a couple of years back. He spends one third of his time here in the States, one third in Eastern Europe and the remaining time in Central America. Man, that sounds like a rough life to me! He purchased a home in Sofia Bulgaria as well as having a place in Panama City which is under construction and he plans to retire and split his time between Panama and Bulgaria around 2010. This is the same time I'll be retired in Italy so I hope to see a lot of him at my home on Lake Como in a few more years. Mark has been selling off a large portion of his firearms collection and much of it has been sold right here on Gun Broker. Not that he needs a plug, but I suppose if you want to buy any of his guns you may want to look around for his listings on the auction site. On the whole this was a very nice meeting and I can see why those who have met the man face to face have left impressed with Mark. For those here who continue to dislike the man you are only punishing the rest of us by keeping him and his knowledge away from our site.
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Even Economics?[;)] 0 -
quote:Originally posted by chuck
Mark was one of the good guy's here on GB when their was a lot of good people here.
It's kinda sad really. So often times here I see such hate and anger directed at each other. I doubt it would be any worse if it was a anti-gunner arguing with a pro-gunner.
Hell, we're all gun guys (well, I think). Why can't we be polite to each other?0 -
SaxonPig, I think there is a possibility you misread Clouder's post. The way I read it, he is just saying he will be ready to bail too when the Wicked Witch is president.
No, he highlighted the ignorant part. He was calling me stupid like he always does.0 -
Ive had my disagreements with Clouder a good many times, but Sax you wouldn't make a pimple on his butt!!!
Clouder called it as he and most of us see it!!!
Your out of your league on this one Frank!!! I'll stick up for Mark any day!!! He may have been arrogant at times, but he has the knowledge and expertise to back it up!!! Not just a piece of paper like some!!!![:p]
Also Mark is not a Hypocrite like some!!! [:p][:p][:D]0 -
my how a positive discussion can go so wrong, i wonder why anyone would want to leave here 0 -
Beats the hell out of me!!!!!!!!![:0]
I think it's for the entertainment!!!![:D]0 -
Pa- HERE is how a positive discussion can go wrong. Please note that it wasn't ME who did it.
" Quote:Originally posted by SaxonPig
Panama and Bulgaria? Maybe my ignorance is showing but these don't sound like nice places to visit let alone retire there. What do I not know about Panama and Bulgaria that makes them attractive retirement locations?
I have been to Italy and it was beautiful to visit but I can't think of anyplace other than the U.S. where I would want to live.
Of course, ask me again after the Wicked Witch of the East becomes president. I may be ready to move to any third-world Hell hole by then.
No maybe about it.
Clouder.."
It was Whiteclouder who injected the sarcastic personal dig. Don't blame me.
And who attacked Mark Christian? I didn't say anything about Mark. All I did was ask why Panama and Bulgaria would be attractive retirement spots. I never said anything insulting to anyone until Whiteclouder felt the need to tee off on me.
As for your opinion, it's worth zero in my book but thanks for offering it.0 -
quote:Maybe my ignorance is showing but
ig?no?rance
n. The condition of being uneducated, unaware, or uninformed.
Ignorance is not knowing.
I don't know much about retiring in Bulgaria, but check the stats on the number of Americans retiring in Panama, Costa Rica, and Belize......you'll be surprised.
I have a friend that retired in Belize, a huge hacienda on the beach, maid service, utilities, and food, cost him $500 a month. Try doing that on a coast anywhere in America.0 -
quote:dheffley
Moderator
11188 Posts
Posted - 10/14/2007 : 1:51:11 PM
Kristov,
Next time you speak to Mark, please tell him the MAJORITY of us wish he would come back and we think the world of him both as a person and as a gun (especially M1) expert.
I personally wish him well, but I do wish he would grace us with his presence again. If nothing else, just to stop in and say hello.
God bless Mark and his family.
I'll second that. I miss Mark. He was always very helpful to everyone and very polite. Two things you don't don't see near as much of around here anymore.
I took sveral months off from GB. When i returned I noticed the general attitude was not near as friendly as it once was, I noticed several people not posting anymore, good people, Mark being one of them. I have no idea why all of them left but this place is certainly lacking without them. I was also shocked to see Pig was a moderator??? "Go figure" I said.
Anyway, Mark and many others are missed.0 -
Know you, O wicked men, that disgust may be hidden from yourselves, but not from those who have left you. 
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quote:Originally posted by SaxonPig
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Man, that Whiteclouder just cracks me up! How about the rest of you? Are you as overwhelmed with his towering wit as I am?
Jeez, what a brainy guy he is! I feel so lucky to just be around such a clever guy. Really, I don't know how he does it. The utter magnitude of his intelligence... and the way he is so giving to share it with us... even when we don't ask him to do it.
What a pleasure it is to read his words of pure wisdom! What a benefit it is to have on the forum. What would we do without him?
Everybody should join me in giving him a standing ovation for his intellectual and griping contributions.
Seriously Whiteclouder, I used to respect you and enjoy your posts. But now you sound bitter and sarcastic. You seem to just lurk looking for an opportunity to insult and belittle. I asked a serious question and your response was a personal dig... and a pretty lame one, at that. You can't even muster an intelligent insult, any more.
Now, do you want to explain to me why Panama and Bulgaria are attractive retirement locations or is dimwitted sarcasm all you have to offer?
I offer what I think might be readily understood. Looks like I was right on again. [:D]
Now, go wipe your chin.
Clouder..0 -
quote:Originally posted by buschmaster
Know you, O wicked men, that disgust may be hidden from yourselves, but not from those who have left you.
I thought you left too?0 -
feh! I am in Valhalla. I look upon your earthly squabbles when it amuses me. 0 -
I found no fault with mark! It is a shame he got ran off. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by buschmaster
feh! I am in Valhalla.
Say hi to Odin.0 -
Saxon, he's obvoiusly running weapons In'n'Out'a Eastern Europe and Latin America.
Hence, a home close to work makes sense.0 -
He had a good reference library but that beats a lot of guessers wasting space in the expert's column. Empirically, he was a little light.
I've read recently, Prague sounds very appealing to move to in eastern Europe.
Bulgaria and Panama sound like good places for international arms dealers and easy regulations if you have the right connections.0 -
....but its not america.[;)] 0 -
My take on Mark has always been a positive one. Lots of expertise with Garands and other issues.
Always seemed to be a level headed guy. Never met him even though he lives or (lived) in the same county as me. I dont know all the details of why he left and its none of my business, but its to bad he left the forums.0 -
Glad to hear Mark is leaving Kalifornia.
Even happier to hear all those registered assault weapons he had are being sold. In the State of Kalifornistan those weapons can't be willed or passed after he passes on. The State confiscates them and melts them down.
Glad to hear both they and he are now free.
Best wishes Mark.....Panama would be a BLAST.0 -
Mark, we barely knew ye... 0 -
Mark has forgotton more about guns then most of us know.
We had a few disagreements..I expect that from a man. We got by them..(he figured me out)..and those responsible for his absence need their tails kicked soundly up around their ears..as a starter.
This forum is diminished, by his departure.
You met a gentleman, Kristov..and I am envious. I will never go to the West Coast ever again..once was enough..and shaking the hand of a man with that much knowlege is priceless.0 -
It is just amazing that a thread about a former member can turn into a pissing match in half a page. It is no wonder Mark left. 0 -
Indeed.
He Dog..some of this is sorta like if I started telling YOU all about this or that animal..and the crack earler about 'good reference library' is particularly amusing.
Books are superfluous to those unable to read, after all..0 -
I certainly do not know all there is to know about reptiles, biology guns or much else. I do know enough to have a good idea of how little I know. I also think Mark was/is not a perfect guy, but mostly a decent guy and certainly knowledgeable about firearms, or really good at using that reference library. I have probably $20,000 in reptile books, and could wish I had that much in gun books, at least then I would probably have the answer somewhere if I could find it. 0 -
Mark's reference library on Garands is in his head. Sit between him and BertH at dinner and your head will hurt from the information overload on M-1 Garands and 1885 Winchesters! 0 -
Mark.....WAS the single most valuable contributor to this forum in my tenure (IMO). Thankfully, I know where to find him when needed. [;)][^] 0 -
I don't place Mark on a pedestal, at all.
I do respect ability and knowledge.
I certainly come nearer allowing lapses in personal conduct from those demonstrating some ability to think, then merely responding with emotion.
He Dog; That crack about librarys wasn't directed at you..I would have been amazed if you DIDN'T have extensive information at your fingertips..as I would expect of ANYONE interested in whatever subject.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Highball
Books are superfluous to those unable to read, after all..
True wisdom there. I do a lot of reading. I learn a lot from the research of others who have been kind enough to document it in the written word so I don't have to repeat their research to have access to the same facts. Obviously can't remember it at the same level as the man who did the research, but at least I have access to the knowledge base.0 -
quote:Originally posted by TRAP55
Mark's reference library on Garands is in his head. Sit between him and BertH at dinner and your head will hurt from the information overload on M-1 Garands and 1885 Winchesters!
I did and Mark ate my salad while Bert distracted me with some cock-a-mammy tale about an 1885 and a half hybrid single-shot automatic.
Still had a great time and will again.
Clouder..0
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