Italy
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Small side note since I didn't notice it at the beginning ... the chest is marked "CORPO DELLE GUARDIE DI P.S.", whereas P.S. is an abbreviation of "Pubblica Sicurezza". According to Wikipedia the "Corpo delle Guardie di Pubblica Sicurezza" was formed on 18th July 1852 in the Kingdom Sardinia-Piemont. During Facism this police organization was militarized and got additional tasks. This was taken back in 1981 where also the name changed to "Polizia di Stato" ("State Police" - they are responsible for towns, contrary to the Carabinieri). Hence these markings need to pre-date 1981.
What amazes me Georg, is the fact that the Italians kept all this gear until very recently!
Most over European countries got rid of surplus WW2 equipment years ago...
Why on earth would they keep hundreds of Enfields until a few years ago, they must have more storage space than they know what to do with....
Maybe they were all stored in Southern of Italy what guaranteed dry conditions and jobs to those that would otherwise be jobless ... no clue. Well, the Italians updated quite a few of these items over the years, caliber-wise. Plus some appear to be of post WWII production but based on WWII designs as well. Good for us that they now come to the market when we are collecting, aren't we?
Absolutely, I certainly wouldn't have got my M1A1 Carbine if the Italians hadn't stored it...
The only live examples here (excluding the handful imported in 2018) are the small number in certain reference collections. The 1988 UK ban put paid to any survivors, with any not going into the mangle being deactivated....
Well, you have a point. To me the gun, which I've never seen even pictures of before, is by far the most interesting part.
I suspect the lopsided interest in the chest from most viewers here comes from the fact that the chest the only element -- given the legal restrictions-- that they have even the remotest hope of owning or reproducing.
Even here in the USA where I am, importation of the gun would be severely restricted. The number of legally-owned Bren guns is very small.
M
There’s a deactivated one for sale in the UK for £795:
Deactivated Matching BMB Bren LMG
Sadly the current UK deactivation specifications mean that they cannot be cocked or field stripped.
So what country will these be sold in? I hate and resent the fact U.S. officials no longer let barrels into the country. Absolutely arbitrary rulings. Otherwise, we might very well have some semi auto 30.06 Bren guns.
Who in the U.S. may be selling any kits?
Thanks!
Bowman Arms is importing some of them.
Will .303 magazines fit in the Italian .30-06 magazine transit box?