MANSFIELD — A new business geared toward firearms enthusiasts and collectors has recently opened, tucked inside the eighth floor of the former Chase building in downtown Mansfield.
Wally Toward, owner of Mansfield Sporting Arms, located at 28 Park Ave No. 802, has an assortment of historical, art and active firearms for trade and for sale. Toward also buys guns.
“I’ve been collecting guns for years,” he said. “Probably, 90 percent of our oldest guns are from estate sales. They were used as art pieces and have only been test fired. That’s why our guns are so pristine.”
Mansfield Sporting Arms is a federally licensed firearm dealer, which means before a weapon can be sold, Toward completes background checks. Customers must go through background checks by the FBI as well, he said.
Toward said his operation was solely an online company, but he wanted to open a larger storefront in Mansfield. There are currently 250 firearms available for sale.
“Anything from a $100 bullpup to an antique safari gun, hand-made in Germany in 1893,” Toward said of his arsenal. “We specialize in 364 Winchester and Remingtons, which are at the lower end of collectible spectrum, but people can still be able to afford a really nice gun.”
Toward has been a businessman in Mansfield for 40 years. He said has always been a supporter of downtown Mansfield, and despite owning a building on the outskirts of the city, he wanted to be in the heart of Mansfield.
“I chose to come down here, and support the downtown Mansfield,” he said.
