No32 Mk3 in hand baggage..

[villiers]

Was it loaded? (a loaded 32 scope can be lethal!)

[ArtioZen]

Its going on my 1945 No4T which I had featured in a restoration thread around 2 years ago - per the advise given then, save the pennies get a real one! Pictures will be up of the pair when I get some bench time

Not so much luck on the import to USA Brian - I was an ITAR officer for one of my previous companies and am still fairly well informed. I am am open mouthed at the reinterpretation and enforcement for small time and private operations and to cover anything but current controlled technology.. I do think that it could be stop laundered flow of equipment around the globe to be potentially used against UN troops etc - this one is going to a farm in PA though.

We must be becoming more of a risk / irresponsible if we cant even say "rifle" when prompted by an authority. Then again the average British public has not had the ability to even hunt for 600 years so firearms are only really in the news.

Like BARs SMLE it was not loaded - its currently struggling to focus its grat with its ageing grease..

Now a full jar of marmalade would pose a significant head trauma, better be digested by the security team.

Having been stateside for 16 years, my brother and I have added all kinds of interesting items to our baggage going back and forth over the years....rare antique engine parts, empty dry gas cans, headlight glass, a kitchen pot rack - were also always just within our duty free limits each time - I have some nice whiskey to last another while now

[Flying10uk]

When the marmalade was taken off me the lady said that "It Will Now Be Destroyed" as if it was something highly dangerous and likely to cause something catastrophic to happen. She then said that I may, if I wish, retain the tissue paper in which it was wrapped- I nearly told her where to stick it! It's funny how times have changed; I remember flying back from Dubia in the late 1970s and bringing back a Kukuri type Knife in my hand luggage which I had purchased as a souvenir. Security saw it when my bag was searched but were not in any way concerned about it going into the cabin.

[villiers]

Well, times really HAVE changed. Whenever I take a peek at the other passengers and see burkas and blokes in oriental garb, I´m reassured at the thought that everything that could possibly be dangerous has been taken away. If the b*ggers left their own countries to avoid civil war etc, why can´t they be grateful for the peace and security provided by civilised countries.

[Beerhunter]

Then again the average British public has not had the ability to even hunt for 600 years

Having lived in the states on assignment from time to time, I really should not be surprised by rubbish like this.

[mike webb]

A friend of mine had to return a Leupold scope to the U.S. from Canada for repair last year and he made the mistake of writing RIFLE SCOPE on the package. It was returned to him unsent as security wouldn't allow it to be sent airmail. He repackaged it and marked it optical device and it went no problem. If the OP had said his scope was a surveying instrument or telescope the know nothings at security would never have known it was for an "evil" rifle. Seems to me with all the hysteria about security and the Gestapo tactics used at the airports the terrorists have already won. My wife has a pair of 1.5 inch long(including the handles) pair of cuticle scissors seized before a domestic flight here in Canada. You might have been able to poke someone in the eye with them but you can do that with a finger as well.

[MJ1]

A hint for next time use the term Wildlife Observation Device. I came out of London with several pounds of Enfield gear, L42 magazines from a Bisley fair and a Signals scope that drew some attention just after 9/11. Getting in was no problem and I had a few bits of hardware to trade. There was just a phone at the customs counter and a sign stating the if I had contraband I was to pick up the receive and someone would assist me.

WOD if you prefer.

[Peter Laidler]

Can you give us a closer look at the wildlife in the second pic MJI. My WOD won't quite focus clearly in on the remarkable specimen

[MJ1]

Sure

[gsimmons]

There were TWO birds in that photo? Every day a school day.