At the risk of being obvious, men respond well to sex, especially unexpected exuberant sex.

Make it up to him.

I guess the one....... "at least I didn't spend the money at titty bars"...... won't work as well for you......

How about: "I felt we needed to invest in stocks"
"It will shoot better than a new diamond"
"Since I've been bad you can spank me"
"It's not a gun it's a peice of art"
"You can enjoy it too"
"Remember that there's more types of cutoffs than magazine cutoffs!"

Good luck, let me know which one works.........DJ

Pat McManus had the answer: Have a very trusted friend pick up the gun, and bring it to your house. The friend then thanks you profusely in front of your spouse for the loan of this fine firearm, which is now being returned.

Of course, as Pat pointed out, it has to be someone you can really trust, else you may not see them, or your gun, again.

It's not just a rifle or just an M1, it's an investment. If he can't see that... well, let's just say I'd appreciate a wife with good gun savy, and I can appreciate such an investment.
Honestly, don't let any gun break up a good relationship.
Good luck.
Bill

Hubby should know that he is fortunate in having a wife whom likes rifles, and should therefore forgive any such "badness". If I were he, I would only ask for the chance to shoot them, heck I would volunteer to do the load developement. And of course my wife gets the opportunity to shoot any of my acquisitions.

Let's spin Denton's suggestion a bit further: Have a trusted friend bring the rifle over, explain that he/she had bought it and was afraid to take it home right then because of possible repercussions and would you "keep" it for a while for him/her. Some time after your husband has seen and admired the rifle, have the friend come over and say there is no way he can take the rifle home without a divorce ensuing and make a "deal" with you husband to buy it. That way, you get the rifle and your money back. Kewl, huh.
On a sneakier, more feminine note, since your spending total, without discussion, is $1000.00, have the gunsmith sell it to you in pieces and hunks. You will be observing the letter of the law if not the spirit.

Try This
Drum roll please..............................
..............................................
THE TRUTH.

This is the website with a description of the M1.
http://www.springfield-armory.com/prod-rifles-m1-special.shtml

Isn't it gorgeous!!!!

Well, last year I bought a new handgun (a cheapy), but justified it to my girlfriend by telling her it was her anniversary present for our sixth month together.

(Doesn't matter that she's only been shooting a couple of times and doesn't have a handgun licence.)

She was good with that, particularly since it was accompanied by dinner, a dozen roses and sex.

You might try; "Look what I got to suprise you honey."!!! It has never worked on my wife other then on our African trip but it might be worth a try.

Tell him you ordered his special Xmas present and it'll be here soon. You still have it unless divorced (and a good lawyer can get it for you anyway) and he will feel guilty and buy you flowers and jewlery all next year.

The last 3 guys have said the same thing I was going to say. It's a gift for a dear husband! And that would be the truth as well, No? derf

Oh, come on guys, this one is SOOOO easy. Come home, tell hubby "look what you bought me for Christmas". If the chap is anything like me, it's worth whatever amount of money not to have to go Christmas shopping.

This year, that trick cost me something with 15 saffires. Heck of a deal.... LOL! Dutch.

I like the exhuberant (sp?) part. That works on me everytime and usually for amounts much larger than a meesily (sp?) $1000 USD.

The key here is the 2 week rule. Sneek them into the house and hide them for 2 weeks. Then bring them out of hiding and just start to clean them as you would clean any firearm. When he asks if they are new you can honestly answer in the negative. "What, these old things?"

Hey sis, got any single sisters that think like you?