S.M.L.E Sniper at Birmingham Arms Fair

[Beerhunter]

I dont know who they are, but I enjoyed my deacts when I had them, but mine were mainly SMG,s, LMG,s and the odd vickers, the prices back then were very reasonable, deact rifles never interested me as these could be purchased with a FAC,

Same here. I have precisely two deacts: a Bren and a Lanchester. All my other stuff, other than a few Section 58s, goes bang. I own the Bren because it is the only way that I can keep a an example of something that was such an iconic part of my early life. (And, oddly, I already had a tripod.)

I bought the Lanchester (donkeys year back) on a whim and, having seen the prices that people are asking for them these days, I wonder how much longer I shall be keeping it.

[Peter Laidler]

Just where do all these 'old spec' deacts sell at these sky high prices I've been hearing about?

[peregrinvs]

Have a browse through these for private sale prices:

Deactivated Weapons - MILWEB Classifieds

Deactivated guns for sale | GunStar


Dealers usually charge more.

[gsimmons]

Wow! A Universal M1 carbine for 750 quid! You can a non-deac for less than $300 here.

[peregrinvs]

Wow! A Universal M1 carbine for 750 quid! You can a non-deac for less than $300 here.

Perhaps so, but the two markets aren't comparable. In itself a live M1 Carbine in the UK has only a limited value as only a small number of people (mostly firearms dealers) have the authorisation to hold them. An illegally held one is worth five years in prison.

[gsimmons]

I see your point. I just found it ironic that a commercial carbine which is not very collectable here would bring so much.

[PrinzEugen]

I dont know who they are, but I enjoyed my deacts when I had them, but mine were mainly SMG,s, LMG,s and the odd vickers, the prices back then were very reasonable, deact rifles never interested me as these could be purchased with a FAC, and for £5000 (if I had that to spend) I,d be taking a trip to the midlands and haggle over a live L42 with all its bits

I often go to the International - not normally a great deal of interest to the discerning shooter - the odd sight/scope - not normally many 'live ones' although the last time I went (the last time but one I think) there was a nice looking L42 with bits - no doubt the one you mention bigduke!
Never seen a smle sniper there tho - even a blocked up one, so it would have been interesting to see, esp the scope.
Re deacts - I'd love a bren, but with regards to buying them, it does seem a bit pointless as I usually feel - what would I do with it? In my job/social circle/general environment (this isn't unusual at all in the UK) anyone owning a gun is regarded as being unhinged/strange/potentially about to go 'postal' (as the septics have it) so sticking even a deac on the wall probably isn't a good idea... Sad but true.

[peregrinvs]

Looking at it another way: What would a UK deact MG - which has the receiver intact - be legally worth in the USA? Anything?

[Peter Laidler]

Mmmmmmmmmm........ just looked on that site Peregrine. The man with the SA80 A2 seems to be telling a few porky pies if I'm not mistaken. Especially as I see the real McCoy most days........ hundreds of em!

[bigduke6]

Re deacts - I'd love a bren, but with regards to buying them, it does seem a bit pointless as I usually feel - what would I do with it? In my job/social circle/general environment (this isn't unusual at all in the UK) anyone owning a gun is regarded as being unhinged/strange/potentially about to go 'postal' (as the septics have it) so sticking even a deac on the wall probably isn't a good idea... Sad but true.

When I had mine I was single, living the goodlife, with a gun room well stocked, a large garage complete with pit, 5 motorbikes and a well stocked fridge with a fine selection of beer..............