Charlton Machinegun

[Peter Laidler]

Just as a matter of interest, has anyone ever made a non working replica of one of these MG/rifles. Just for show or as part of a collection. Good to see if you have. Or better still (or worst still, depending on your engineering point of view!), what about a WORKING replica?

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[Woodsy]

Just as a matter of interest, has anyone ever made a non working replica of one of these MG/rifles. Just for show or as part of a collection. Good to see if you have. Or better still (or worst still, depending on your engineering point of view!), what about a WORKING replica?

Peter, it would be fair to say that there are more replicas than originals. Copies of the original patent drawings have been available here for 40 years to my knowledge. All of the replicas however, suffer the same fault in that they are made to the drawings which are not the same as the production models. These differences are largely cosmetic and the shape of the rear grip is the give-away. The drawings show the grip as leaning forward at the bottom (a la Boys A/T rifle) and of an odd shape, but the production guns had a rearward leaning grip that was straight. Most of the replicas are semi-auto only to avoid Police complications, and many do not function at all. Gun City Ltd of Christchurch had a replica for sale but I am not sure if it is still on their website. I will post some pictures of one of my originals that I am rebuilding (in the distant future!).

[Woodsy]

I have finally got around to rebuilding my Charlton. I had to use a good MLE barrelled action that I machined to the original specs, and with the exception of a couple of nuts, 6 screws, two spacers, a flat spring, and a plunger, all of the other parts are original. The actual restoration took me two weeks (lots of hand-fitting), but it has taken me 30 years to gather up the parts. It is a fully working, select-fire gun and I will video the test firing.Attachment 84689

[mrclark303]

I have finally got around to rebuilding my Charlton. I had to use a good MLE barrelled action that I machined to the original specs, and with the exception of a couple of nuts, 6 screws, two spacers, a flat spring, and a plunger, all of the other parts are original. The actual restoration took me two weeks (lots of hand-fitting), but it has taken me 30 years to gather up the parts. It is a fully working, select-fire gun and I will video the test firing.Attachment 84689

That looks superb, what an amazing piece of work, please do share the test fire with us!

[browningautorifle]

It is a fully working, select-fire gun and I will video the test firing.

And we're waiting to see...