Seeking a helping hand in the USA

[PrinzEugen]

...on the original issue of buying from the US...
I suppose one of the frustrating things is that there are a number of very well stocked suppliers who have some items which you can't get hold of in the uk, apart from carrying out a lot of detective work, or lucking across something on ebay etc.
But you can't really blame the retailers from not wanting to go through the bother of posting overseas - especially small value items - which is where our network of helpful lee enfield enthusiasts come in (barring some parts of the 'Western US' it appears ).
To illustrate the problems, in recent personal experience I noticed Numrich appeared to deliver overseas (and blimey at $30 postage for anything from a screw upwards it costs a bit) - but I have tried to order items twice recently which never turned up - one went out of stock, so fair enough and in the other case my order has mysteriously gone on 'hold' - and I'm going to chase it up.
But it seems that the international fraternity is the only way to do it - and long may it continue!