Latest additions including M1903A4

[Milsurp Collector]

Latest additions from local (Oregon) shows.



The SMLE is somewhat unusual. It is a "peddled scheme" SMLE made under the direction of the Standard Small Arms (SSA) company.



Britain needed more rifles during World War I but the government factories were already working at full capacity. To boost production manufacturing of the parts was subcontracted to a number of private companies and then the rifles were assembled at one of the government armories. Unlike most SMLEs there is no manufacturer marked in the usual location and the crown has a unique design



The SSA marking is on the rear of the receiver.



Out of the millions of SMLEs made only around 200,000 were marked SSA.

I got this M7A1 practice bazooka round and M87 container at a gun show a couple of weekends ago.



Last Saturday I went to a militaria show and someone had a real (demilled) M9A1 bazooka made in 1944 for sale. It would have been perfect to display with my bazooka round but he wanted $2750 for it and I couldn't bring myself to pay that much for something that couldn't be used.

At the same militaria show I got a M11 practice rifle grenade. Here it is mounted on a M1 Rifle with the M7 grenade launcher.

[Milsurp Collector]

At the same militaria show last Saturday I got this World War I German belt and bayonet set.




The tassel is called a troddel. It indicates the unit the soldier was assigned to, in this case



6th company, 2nd battalion.

[Milsurp Collector]

The next day, Sunday, I went to the monthly Oregon Arms Collectors show and met a guy who had this M1903A4 for sale.







Here are the M1903s together:

Springfield Armory M1903 made in 1906, with a Numrich .22LR conversion kit installed
Springfield Armory NRA Sporter
Remington M1903A3
Remington M1903A4

[CC Gunsmithing]

[kwansao]

Drool

[smle-man]

Very nice. You have good taste.

[TheExpertish]

Nice additions. I can't wait to make my own haul threads.

[bruceflinch]

Very nice. You have good taste.

Feel a little green?

Great finds! The history on this stuff is intriguing.

[Paulie Lugnuts]

That bazooka round looks like it stainless steel, cool.

[renardsubtil]

you have some awesome gun shows...

[Milsurp Collector]

I found this picture of a World War I German soldier. You can see the troddel below his left forearm attached to the bayonet frog.

[mosinnagantm9130]

You guys must have some good shows!

[Milsurp Collector]

you have some awesome gun shows...

You guys must have some good shows!

What is the situation in California? In the Pacific Northwest not only do we have regular gun shows frequently

http://www.collectorswest.com/Portals/CollectorsWest/docs/2011_sched_flyer.pdf

http://wesknodelgunshows.com/

but there are several arms and militaria collectors' societies,

http://oregonarmscollectors.tripod.com/

http://www.washingtonarmscollectors.org/

and military vehicle collectors organizations

http://www.mvcco.net/

that have shows that often have militaria and milsurp firearms.

It's at those shows that I have found the best stuff. If there aren't similar organizations in California you guys should really start some. With California's population there are probably thousands of people with great items that they want to sell or trade but they have no place to do so.

When I lived in northern California I was into British cars and there were a lot of small shows and swap meets where you could get rare parts (I even bought my 1965 Jaguar E-Type Coupe at a small swap meet). It's at small shows like that where you see the good stuff that comes out of garages, closets, and attics. If you don't have say a Northern California Arms Collectors society or a Southern California Militaria Collectors Society you guys should really start one.

[mosinnagantm9130]

The best I've managed at a CA show is my 43 M44.

The best chances for some good stuff around here is the big reno show.

[Bhobbs]

Nice 03a4. Is it a safe queen or a shooter?