Picture of the day

I've seen piles of rifles, etc just like that, usually on some sort of pallet, sometimes on shelves. Many in worse condition than those in the pics and some, depending on the storage facility, in close to excellent condition.

Those rifles were obviously ridden hard and poorly maintained before being put into storage. That doesn't mean they weren't properly cleaned and kept up in the field, but likely many were unserviceable before going into storage and there either wasn't anyone available to repair them or the nation's procurers, didn't feel they were worth the cost or effort, or parts just weren't available.

The exteriors on those are covered in dust an until random sampling can be done to assess overall condition (even then, it's a crap shoot) real value, after all the hoops of regulation/backsheesh are overcome, can be assessed.

Even 40-60 years ago it was a roll of the dice, unless you got lucky and came across a batch of NOS war stores or FTRs.

Dust isn't a big issue and if the rifles had some sort of protection sprayed or dipped on them before going to that facility, they should be in close to the condition they were just before going into the facility.

Many of those were in use right up to the last day as they are still wearing slings, so I would be very hesitant before bidding on any of that pile, unless I could do a very thorough evaluation. If that wasn't going to be allowed, offer scrap metal price for all of it and walk away if it wasn't accepted.

I saw one warehouse in Mexico, just like that in the pic, half cave and half Quonset, with parts of the roof panels missing. It was full of rifles, of every sort used in Mexico. Muzzle loaders, from France, Spain, England and home produced Mondragons, Mausers and US made types.

All of them were in FAIR ONLY condition, barely functional, if at all. Everything was worn to the point of useless and suitable only as wall hangers or conversation pieces. All were covered in grime from outside and Guano from the droppings of rodents/birds/insects.

I don't know the fellow in the pic, but hopefully he got those rifles cheap enough to turn a profit after all the trouble and expense of getting them out of the country to a place he could evaluate, categorize them. A daunting task.

Sell them on the market as "relic quality" or a nice name for FAIR.
 
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HMS Argonaut F56 after her attack by Argentina's Air Force.

She was hit with two bombs and yet neither exploded so she was towed out of range and then had to have the bombs diffused.
Yes, possibly the most outstanding ship and crew of her class. Our DDE's & DDH's were inspired by the Whitby class, which came earlier.
 
RHODESIA late 1970's Browning .303 (notice the madala down range LOL) Convoy duty....IIRC the Brownings were taken out of WWII aircraft.
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How can you tell the person is "old"

Likely as not in those nasty days, maybe just very careful. Depending on the area, moving people were considered "suspect" and shot.
1st person account....
How can you tell the person is "old"

Likely as not in those nasty days, maybe just very careful. Depending on the area, moving people were considered "suspect" and shot.
It's not a random picture off the internet.

I never heard of 'moving people' being shot especially when unarmed.
 
1st person account....

It's not a random picture off the internet.

I never heard of 'moving people' being shot especially when unarmed.
Seemed to be something the Rhodesians picked up from the Americans in Viet Nam.

Never saw it happen, but I did hear about such goings on, when passing through after my escapades in Angola in 69.

I still don't see how you can tell the person sitting down is "old" ? I saw a lot of people at bus stops in Africa, ranging in age from babies in their mother's arms, to very old, it depended on the individual whether they sat down or not.

Just thought I missed something, no diss intended.
 
Seemed to be something the Rhodesians picked up from the Americans in Viet Nam.

Never saw it happen, but I did hear about such goings on, when passing through after my escapades in Angola in 69.

I still don't see how you can tell the person sitting down is "old" ? I saw a lot of people at bus stops in Africa, ranging in age from babies in their mother's arms, to very old, it depended on the individual whether they sat down or not.

Just thought I missed something, no diss intended.
The person who took the picture and was manning the Browning is a relative..... that's how I know.......
 
A legionnaire of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment armed with MAT-49 submachine gun kicks open a door during combat and rescue operation in Kolwezi, Zaire, May 1978. The operation resulted in the liberation of 3,000 Zairean and 2,200 European hostages.CC French in Africa.jpg
 
Where do you stand on the relative uselessness of military headgear? Which is the more worthless, non-functional hat? The beret or the fez?

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Looking sharp, Lt. Cyclops.

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There's no way to wear one of these and not look like you lost your smoking jacket somewhere.
 
I would way rather wear a fez for a long period than a beret. The beret doesn't even provide 360 degree protection from the sun. The fez, at least, functions somewhat like a hat.
 
Some north african campaign photos taken for Life Magazine.

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Bespattered with blood and oil after a strafing attack by nine Messerschmitts on first day of battle, a wounded half-track gunner vainly tried to swallow a sulfa tablet. The attending officer subsequently flushed it down his throat with water.

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Italian prisoners playing cards, Tunisia, 1943.

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These Axis prisoners were taken during the Allied assault on German positions near Sened, Tunisia, 1943.

To my eye, the Germans look upset at their circumstances, while the Italians on the right look considerably less so.

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A cactus-camouflaged half-track guarded an armored division command post in North Africa.

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An American M3 tank was disabled in Tunisia, 1943. I guess tank ditches work sometimes.
 
RHODESIA late 1970's Browning .303 (notice the madala down range LOL) Convoy duty....IIRC the Brownings were taken out of WWII aircraft.
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Friend of mine had one of those oit of an aircraft, years back. Had it mounted on a plywood platform and rigged up a control yoke and switch to fire it. Haven't seen it since our last FA shoot out at Tomahawk. Good times. - dan
 
Really???? Any Browning 1919 machine guns I've come across have always been around half that. Were the aircraft types different? or do you have it mixed up with the rate of fire on the MG42?

The 30 in M2/AN Browning machine guns used in aircraft were lightened significantly and as such had a lighter mechanism made it faster firing. About 1000-1200 rpm
 
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