Inglis-made Bren gun

For some reason $1000 comes to mind. The deactivated price includes the cost of the firearm (which is almost un-sellable these days) and the labour to deactivate it. If a guy can make a bit more along the way he is happier.
 
Forgive the hijack, but I still scream out loud when I think of the mint C/A Inglis Bren I turned down for $600. I was 21 and shot at a pistol only range.
 
I can remember an Inglis in 7.92mm, with a case of magazines, and a case of ammunition for $400. All as issued. Of course this was nigh on 40 years ago, when Canadians could still be trusted by the government.
I imagine Mr Clark would be able to give a considered opinion.
 
tiriaq said:
I can remember an Inglis in 7.92mm, with a case of magazines, and a case of ammunition for $400. All as issued. Of course this was nigh on 40 years ago, when Canadians could still be trusted by the government.
I imagine Mr Clark would be able to give a considered opinion.

40 years ago that was about the same as $4000 in purchasing power.
 
tiriaq said:
I can remember an Inglis in 7.92mm, with a case of magazines, and a case of ammunition for $400. All as issued. Of course this was nigh on 40 years ago, when Canadians could still be trusted by the government.
I imagine Mr Clark would be able to give a considered opinion.

Wow, that would have been a huge chunk of cash in the mid sixties. When I bought my CA 7.92 Bren in '86, it was only $800 incl. 4 mags. Of course, it doesn't have the happy switch the mid-sixties one would have had:( .
 
In the early 60s, one shop had 2 MP18s with their drums, one was $125, the other $135. Mk. III Stens were $35, IIs a bit more. A brand new M1A1 Thompson retailed for $135, wholesale from Interarms was US$35; I saw the paperwork. AS new MP44, the same. A '28 in its chest with parts, drum and 5 sticks was about $275. If you wanted Madsen guns, factory refurbished M1950 lmgs, with accessories were US$75, brand new M1950 smgs US$40, these prices FOB Madsen. A Sterling Police Carbine was 24 pounds. You could buy an UZI imported by Browning Canada from FN; I forget the price, they weren't all that much. That 7.92 Bren was a nice gun. For me at the time $400 was more than I could spend on a gun. Minimum wage was $1.25/hr. I bought a new Toyota Corolla station wagon in '69 for $2100.
 
Mauserman said:
Generally a dewat now costs more than the real thing, which is a sad statement in my view.

The price actually makes sense now that no more dewat can enter into Canada. The only way to get hold of a new dewat is to buy a CA from a collector and spend an additional $100-$200 to convert it into a dewat before taking ownership. You can do the math.
 
OK but never say never Klunk. With the latest gun bust in BC on reworked dewats, I won't be suprised if the antis are now going after dewats like what the govt is doing in UK.
 
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Klunk said:
Interestingly...

I would rather sell a CA gun to a CA owner for LESS money than DEWAT it and get more.

Breaking a gun is just wrong, somehow

My feelings as well. Dewating is letting the gov't win.
 
Stevo said:
My feelings as well. Dewating is letting the gov't in.

If you ask me, saying "the gov't doesn't want me to own it so I won't try" sounds more like "giving up" and "letting the antis win" than exploring the legally permissible alternatives. Converted Autos were originally a compromise: where are the "all or nothing" folk who turned up their noses at CA now?

As for dewatting, feeding a gun to the foundry's melting pot just because another 'qualified' owner couldn't be found (as happens far too often: we here are well-connected but a lot of vets, non 'net savvy' and/or inactive owners aren't) is worse in my opinion than turning it into a display piece.

I'm not going to talk pipe dreams and wild flights of fancy: yes, we all know laws suck; yes, we're aware it's unfair, etc. I both respect and encourage those with special status who maintain their status - keep it up! - but even these few who are 'in the club' can't show their guns except in pictures (again: yes, I know we should be allowed to ... etcetc ... but I'm sticking to 'dealing with the current situation').

There are those who are seriously out of pocket investing in dewats, carting them to miltiaria shows, re-enactments, and other exhibits, and doing their best to educate non-RFC folks about our past and install a sense of pride in our country's history. These people also do the collecting community a favour by showing non-RFC people the positive side of collecting and researching militaria.

In short: if you've got it (ie. FA, CA, 12:x, etc.) keep it! I agree all current grandfathered folks should stick with at least 'one of each' (at worst) to keep their numbers from dwindling prematurely. Feel free to buy up grandfathered stuff to keep it from being turned in for destruction.

If you 'don't got it' (ie. FA, CA, 12:x, etc.) don't be shy! Collect what you want and don't be dissuaded: it ain't doing anyone any good if it can't be owned, it'll make the antis rejoice if it's turned in, destroyed, and forever lost, and if you'll promote the positive side of our collecting community so much the better. Most old timers are understanding folk: I'll bet most CA owners once heard stuff like "WHAT?! You chopped up, welded, and ground up the action of a perfectly good machine gun just to own it?! You should be ashamed of yourself!" when they were new to the game in the old days. :rolleyes:

I hope the laws will someday change or that someone will lend me a time machine so I can go back and warn myself to buy a few things while I still could. If and when that happens I'll never allow any of what I then acquire anywhere near a welder, grinder, or torch while the law still says I can keep it. Until any of the preceding miracles come to pass I'll hang onto my dewats and remain unashamed to own and display them.

P.S.: if you can't stand the sight of dewat WWII MGs and don't want a chance to acquire a piece of history that doesn't require grandfathering, don't look at this thread.
 
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Peter,
There is more difference between a CA and a Dewat, than between a FA and a a CA.

One is still a firearm, the other is inert object.

I'll bet most CA owners once heard stuff like "WHAT?! You chopped up, welded, and ground up the action of a perfectly good machine gun just to own it?! You should be ashamed of yourself!"

Nope, not ever.

If you ask me, saying "the gov't doesn't want me to own it so I won't try" sounds more like "giving up" and "letting the antis win" than exploring the legally permissible alternatives. Converted Autos were originally a compromise: where are the "all or nothing" folk who turned up their noses at CA now?

You must dewat a lot of guns and have guilty conscience or something. Buying a dewat makes you a superior citizen because you're "exploring legally permissable alternatives?" Give me a break.

I've got nothing against dewats or their owners. Whatever floats your boat. Like you said, it's the only way you can own one. I stated my opinion on dewatting current CA's and you ran with it.

Here's another opinion, I would rather own an airsoft G3 than a dewat G3. The airsoft will at least do something other that sit there.
 
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Stevo said:
You must dewat a lot of guns and have guilty conscience or something.

Nope! I don't dewat guns nor do I have a guilty conscience. I own a couple dewat MGs and see no harm in doing so (though I bet 'Miz Cooky' thinks otherwise).

Stevo said:
Buying a dewat makes you a superior citizen because you're "exploring legally permissable alternatives?" Give me a break.

I never said buying a dewat makes anyone a 'superior citizen.' Owning an item is just that: it's what one does with it that determines what sort of person you are (if only our government would grasp that logic ...).

Stevo said:
I stated my opinion on dewatting current CA's and you ran with it.

You didn't say or infer an opinion contrary to the following either but by the same token buying a dewat doesn't make anyone an inferior citizen, just a less fortunate one than the owner of one that still goes 'bang.' My outlining some of the reasons behind collecting "inert items" and some of the purposes they serve is just that. My expanding upon dewat ownership in general and addressing some points I've heard elsewhere is not meant to infer anything further your opinions than what you've said and I apologize for having inadvertently left any impression of putting words in your mouth.

I'd rather see an old MG deactivated and on display than fed into the government's gun-hungry furnace especially if those are the only two remaining options for it. By the same token there are also non-grandfathered folks who wouldn't want to own anything that can't go 'bang.' That's not in dispute.

Stevo said:
Here's another opinion, I would rather own an airsoft G3 than a dewat G3. The airsoft will at least do something other that sit there.

Had something similar once upon a time. The FA electric ones are a riot to shoot up pop cans with ... but getting back on topic ... ;)

Dewat Bren guns? I've seen them range up to $1,200.00 in decent condition. I saw one advertised on a shop's site in G-VG condition for $1,200.00 and would personally want one in better condition for that kind of money. As with anything modded, firing or not, it also depends upon whether and how much the gun's appearance has been altered.
 
tiriaq said:
In the early 60s, one shop had 2 MP18s with their drums, one was $125, the other $135. Mk. III Stens were $35, IIs a bit more. A brand new M1A1 Thompson retailed for $135, wholesale from Interarms was US$35; I saw the paperwork. AS new MP44, the same. A '28 in its chest with parts, drum and 5 sticks was about $275. If you wanted Madsen guns, factory refurbished M1950 lmgs, with accessories were US$75, brand new M1950 smgs US$40, these prices FOB Madsen. A Sterling Police Carbine was 24 pounds. You could buy an UZI imported by Browning Canada from FN; I forget the price, they weren't all that much. That 7.92 Bren was a nice gun. For me at the time $400 was more than I could spend on a gun. Minimum wage was $1.25/hr. I bought a new Toyota Corolla station wagon in '69 for $2100.

And No1Mk111's were $9.95, No4's were $12.95, A Cadet Martini was $9.95, and $11.95 if the chamber was reamed to 32 Win Spl (lots of folks regretted buying one ot those.);) A Colt New Service in .45ACP was $35. while you could buy a Mk6 Webley for less than $25 with a quick draw holster and belt!!!!
I bought my first Lewis gun for $35 with the transit case. (dewat)
 
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