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

[Norton1]

We're working on it here - that bum we currently have is horrible. And our Secy of State is worse. I'd vote for me before I voted for our current president - grrrrrrrr

I'm still curious though - do you have a place to shoot all those beautiful rifles?

[PrinzEugen]

I think we should leave the politics to one side chaps... but, on the other question, in the Uk there are many (well some) ranges available to enfield lovers such as myself. Generally, aside from collector's firearms certificates, to own a firearm in the UK one must be a member of a shooting club and attend fairly regularly, using all owned firearms (we have to justify each weapon). For me this means a local Ministry of Defence range - which is used by many clubs as well as my own.

[Roger Payne]

Steve,
Yes, here in the UK it's pretty much as Prinz Eugen says. There are some privately owned & run ranges but most people have to use Ministry of Defence ranges; & bookings are usually shared between several clubs. However, we do at least get to shoot our SMLE's, No4's, Mausers, Springfields etc. Although getting a fireams certificate is not that difficult in principle (so long as you have a reasonably clean record & medical history), it is protracted & tedious, so many people tend to go for deactivated weapons. Indeed, if I had a pound for every rifle I've nearly got sold at an arms fair....until the prospective purchasor realises it is functional....... I'd be a millionaire.......

ATB

[enfield303t]

Slightly off the subject but many years ago I was in Reno NV for the Air Races and there were a few Mig's sitting on the tarmac. When imported they came with operable machine guns (12.7's ?). Bought surplus and I was told that ATF just about crapped their La Senza's when they were discovered.

[Brit plumber]

That SMLE sniper was for sale a number of months back on a well known site for a lot less than £5000.

The 2 L4 guns are (As most will know) the South African conversion. The dealer knows exactly what they are as so many people have told him, but he keeps his prices high in the hope he will get the full amount. The Mk3 conversion was sold to him at less than half the price he asking, I know as I was offered it first.

Its really irritating me the way dealers in the UK are trying to pull the wool over our eyes, and becoming overly greedy. For example, this Boys AT rifle spanner sold on ebay recently, I was thinking of placing a bid as it would make a nice addition to my boys. I didn't bid and it sold for £23

World War 11 RIFLE , BOYS MK 1 ANTI-TANK RIFLE SPANNER | eBay

A week later it appeared on this site at for £125

http://wdmilitaria.co.uk/viewphoto.p...h=15844&phqu=3

I know dealers need a profit to survive but isn't £100 for one item and no hasslea little bit of a **** take?