I want to buy my husband a gun he will really appreciate. He's an avid collector of old and new but I think I would prefer to buy him something old. If you have any suggestions on which direction to go I would appreciate it!

Hows about a sweet 16. That would make me happy

How much money are you looking to spend ?

I'd like a Sharps rifle myself (like on Quigly Down Under)
$1,500 to $2,500 .....

We really need to know more about him, does he hunt? what does he hunt? will this gun be used or just displayed?

find out what he prefers: handgun, rifle, shotgun or maybe military.

I prefer to get him a shotgun and he hunts and loves history. He loves to have a story behind a gun! Under $2000 for sure. Thanks guys!

DeHaan will build him a totally custom over/under for right around the $2000 mark. It will be a fun process for him to go get fitted and make all the little decisions he'll need to make about the gun. At the end, he'll have a VERY high quality gun that will feel like an extension of his body. It will be an heirloom piece he'll have forever. And I guarantee you that NO ONE he shoots with will have one.

http://www.dhshotguns.com/

Forget, your husband! Will you marry me?
Haha, just kidding. I think i hope my girlfriend eventually understands me enough to not only get me a gun, but go through the effort of finding one I would appreciate.

+1 for the De Haan.
If ytou want a great collector's type shotgun that can actually be used, i would suggest a side-by-side as well.

Good luck. I'm sure he will love whatever you get him as long as it goes bang bang.

YOU ARE A GOOD WIFE!!!!!!!

Nah...just trying to repay him for teaching me the love of bow hunting! I tried to get him interested in golf but in the end his hobbies won me over instead!

So you hunt and golf......wow. Your husband better not let you go.

You bow hunt, BlondeHuntress?!?!?
Now I am really in love!
Got any sisters?

Bucks and Ducks...if he let me go I would beat him with my golf clubs and then shoot him with my bow. See, it may be a little scary to have a wife that golfs and hunts!

Korean Redneck...I don't have any sisters that bowhunt, sorry!

It's probably not all that great having a wife that hunts! I want to tag along to the deer lease...he has to haul me around on his four wheeler...and I'm always asking if my layers and layers of camo makes by butt look big!

the custom shotgun is a great idea - but of coarse you could get a nice new ruger red label, browning citori or top notch benelli vinci too.

The is a store in Houston called Collectors Firemarms that has some pretty interesting old guns for sale. Also, Gander Mountain has some nice collector guns in thier display cases.

I'll be your huckleberry. But really, check out the old 1873 Winchesters at the Gun Library in Cabelas. And then go tell my wife about it.

The safe route is new vs. old.

My wife is an antique nut. About twenty years ago I barely let it out that I had an antique china cabinet bought for Christmas, her birthday, anniversary, Mothers Day, Valentines Day, Veteran’s Day, Ground Hog Day, etc, ----- anyway one of the many stressful gift purchasing days of the year that we husbands go through. Anyway, my purchase was somehow a success.

She later let me know that in order to not hurt my feelings that she stressed over liking the china cabinet as much or more than I did buying the china cabinet. I just got lucky. That china cabinet is still here. However, I don’t have the confidence to buy old antique stuff anymore.

The message here is that based on your posted budget, go and buy your husband the top of the line Benelli shotgun. You will be the best wife on Earth!!!!

Anybody here want to argue that message?????

Not argueing with Danny but if you are set on an older one with history I'd get an old Fox 16 ga like this.
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=135621167

Do you have any sisters?

I appreciate all the suggestions and I'm looking in to everything ya'll are telling me. Thank you so much!

Brother-in-law...none that like to hunt or golf!

A CZ Woodcock 28 gauge! Awsome shotgun for 879.99

M1 Garand

If he doesnt have them already I would get him some Swavorski EL binoculars. Sounds cheesy but they will be much appreciated.