We all know that everyone and their grandpa knows where to get enfields and mosins, but I was wondering if anyone knew of suppliers or vendors that sold some of the more rarer milsurps. In particular, Arisaka type 38 and 99 as well as a french MAS 36 would be nice. Please let me know if this breaks any of the forum rules as I'm new here. Thanks for the help and Happy New Year everyone!
Any idea for the more "rare" rifles?
- Thread starter Lennox67
- Start date
- Location
- West coast of Vancouver Island
P&S Militaria may have some stuff that you may find interesting, check out one of our sponsors Trade Ex Canada and there is The Collector's Source.
As they're not being imported anymore you pretty much just have to keep an eye out for them being sold anywhere used guns are sold, although you will stand a better chance with a business that specializes in military guns. Just have to catch them before someone else does.
Gun shows are a good bet to find some more rare milsurps. There are always vendors selling guns bought from estates and the such. Every now and then I will pull out a copy of a Century Arms catalogue from about 1990, when they had their big warehouse in Montreal. A lot of the "rare" stuff today was sold pretty cheap then. I should upload a copy to here sometime so the people that were too young then could see what was available. Finnish M27's @$70.00, P-14's@$90.00, mausers under $100. those were the days.
Eaglelord17
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Sault Ste. Marie
The ones I filter through on a regular basis are the EE, Ellwood Epps, Joe Salter, P&S Militaria, Tradeex, and Collectors Source. I also sometimes look at general guns used section hoping they have something new and interesting (at a reasonable price).
Also if you call the ammo source and ask them what milsurps they have in stock they sometimes have odd stuff in they don't list on there site, like last time I was there they had two long lee enfields and a lee enfield carbine.
Also if you call the ammo source and ask them what milsurps they have in stock they sometimes have odd stuff in they don't list on there site, like last time I was there they had two long lee enfields and a lee enfield carbine.
- Location
- On a resonably direct route in NS
[Those aren't *rare* rifles you mentioned…]
Few stores in Canada were given. GunBroker and import.
Otherwise, network. Go to shows, go to shoots, join a military historical society or something. When the time comes to sell something rare, it's usually ‘Oh I remember Lennox said he wanted my rifle if it ever came time to sell. Guess I should give him a call.’ The EE may be full of usual No. 4s and re-furb Mosins, but aside from that it's a secret fraternity and to gain entry requires that you put in some time to meet people and ‘prove’ you appreciate the history and you're not just in it for quick cash.
Careful with auctions, as many have found it's where problem guns get sold: the owner is insulated from criticism by not having their name attached, and of course all lots sold as-is. Another trick is at a gun show table, guy says it's not his; he's selling it on behalf of an acquaintance, or he just took it on trade. (He's basically trying to dis-avow any problems from the get-go.)
Few stores in Canada were given. GunBroker and import.
Otherwise, network. Go to shows, go to shoots, join a military historical society or something. When the time comes to sell something rare, it's usually ‘Oh I remember Lennox said he wanted my rifle if it ever came time to sell. Guess I should give him a call.’ The EE may be full of usual No. 4s and re-furb Mosins, but aside from that it's a secret fraternity and to gain entry requires that you put in some time to meet people and ‘prove’ you appreciate the history and you're not just in it for quick cash.
Careful with auctions, as many have found it's where problem guns get sold: the owner is insulated from criticism by not having their name attached, and of course all lots sold as-is. Another trick is at a gun show table, guy says it's not his; he's selling it on behalf of an acquaintance, or he just took it on trade. (He's basically trying to dis-avow any problems from the get-go.)
I picked up a lot of those firearms offered by International (Century) out of Montreal and started back in the sixties. I even had the chance to go through their warehouse on a few occasions and get the pick of the best they had unpacked. I can honestly say a lot of those firearms were just OK. Most were well worn and poorly maintained. They were safe to shoot but only in Fair to Good condition. Century had a habit of showing the best of what they had to offer in their catalogues. You needed to be very careful when ordering. They also had an option to purchase hand selected for quality at a cost of course. As often as not there was little or no difference between the pick and what was on the racks. The dealers had first pick of everything Century had to offer. That's how I got to go through their warehouse. I would add my picks to my employers order. The dealer discount was nice as well.
Some surplus firearms are completely refurbished. Most aren't. They are surplussed for a reason. Mostly they are just to far gone to maintain to a serviceable standard. We have been and still are extremely lucky with the recent Com Bloc imports. The first stuff that came in were Fair to Good only. Finding any Mosin including the Finn imports with a decent bore was a rare occasion. Most of the best stuff went to the US. Back in those days it was easier to bring them into Canada first then send them to the US as we were then considered to be a trusted friendly nation.
I have never heard of PSMilitaria, what sort of firearms do they? I am looking for some more places to find stuff as I have a liking for the less than common mil-surp rifles. Do they have a good reputation for selling what they advertise things to be?
Eaglelord17
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Sault Ste. Marie
They mostly deal with Milsurps usually from the used market (as all are at this point). There descriptions are extremely accurate (and favour the lower grade, I just bought a VG+ rifle from them and it was EXC+ in my opinion).
Biggest issue with dealing with them is the extremely long turn around time. First you have to email them with the items you want and ask what the price will be with shipping and taxes. Then you have to mail the order page with the cheque for that amount. Then they send the firearm to you. I have had nothing but good experiences with them, and highly recommend them. The advantage about there long turn around time is that they sometimes have some really rare and unique items on there, as they might sit for a while (for example I just bought a 1889 Swiss straight pull rifle off there).
Yeh rare rifles is a wired market. Right now I'm trying to sell my Arisaka collection. Most people are asking for the type 38, but not the type 2 paratrooper which is really rare. I find it interesting that rifles that I would consider common are going for higher prices and rarer ones lower. I guess it's what the market can bare I guess.
R711 OUT
R711 OUT
The advantage about there long turn around time is that they sometimes have some really rare and unique items on there, as they might sit for a while (for example I just bought a 1889 Swiss straight pull rifle off there).[/QUOTE]
That is what I look for, I would love a swiss 1889, I have a 96/11 and a k31 and am looking for a k11 at the moment. Where do you find 7.5x53.5 for your 1889?
That is what I look for, I would love a swiss 1889, I have a 96/11 and a k31 and am looking for a k11 at the moment. Where do you find 7.5x53.5 for your 1889?
Eaglelord17
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Sault Ste. Marie
Reloading is basically the only option. I should have mine up and running by the end of the month.
When you figure out a powder and what dies to use for it could you please pm me, I am currently getting set up to reload. I am going to be reloading for my 7.5x55 rifles so I hope I can make the jump to 7.5x53.5.
