John- can you tell us about the challenges in acquiring and importing milsurps?

nntw

nntw

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Hi John:

In the enfield wood thread, you made the comment:

"The last 1903 rifles I saw was in Greece a few months ago, on the way to the foundry, brand new, still in the original shipping crates...."

That's really got me wondering (not to mention weeping).

I guess it means that some stuff is still out there? And with all respect to the SKS's you're able to find, am thinking more in terms of Lee Enfields, Garands, M1 Carbines, 1903s, Mausers, etc.

To educate us, what would the issues be about Marstar trying to get this stuff when it comes up-?

Take the 1903s as an example.

Can appreciate there's got to be enough product to make it worthwhile. Are there 'political' issues, even about obsolete firearms like 1903's? But what are the other challenges?

Your perspective would be interesting, because this is a world that the average consumer knows nothing about, and it would be interesting to understand a bit more about the obstacles you face.


Thanks!
 
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NNTW;
"I guess it means that some stuff is still out there? And with all respect to the SKS's you're able to find, am thinking more in terms of Lee Enfields, Garands, M1 Carbines, 1903s, Mausers, etc."

Oh yes, there is stuff out there, tracking it down is one thing, trying to purchase it is something quite different....All of the above are out there, but many countries come under the influence of the USA for one reason or another and agree to destroy obsolete weaponry in exchange for American aid.... Such was the case in Greece....
You must also consider the fact that the EU is pressuring both the old and new members to destroy all their obsolete weapons of war rather than sell them off....
Add to the equation the the officials that want to look good on the world stage by making a very public display of destroying all their evil weapons of war....

"Take the 1903s as an example."
By the time we found out about the 1903s the orders had been given to destroy them with BARs, 1917 Water cooled MGs, 1919a4s, .50BMGs, Mp-38s, Mp-40s, Thompsons, Berettas, etc, etc....
You must understand that it is much easier for a functionary to simply order goods destroyed rather than go through the long and complicated process of selling them, with one stroke of the pen the problem is solved....

We have seen the same scenario repeated time and time again all over the world....

On the other hand we are always looking, searching, etc.... If its out there we will try and find it....

John
 
Since we are on the topic of importing I was looking at the ima site the other day, going through their flint and percussion nepalese cache guns and equpiment they aquired. great deals and alot of history if you like projects on some.

Have you ever looked into finding any things like this ?

McLean
 
i can imagine the day where a mil surplus m1 garand is for sale by the crate like sks......i know i would prob buy a crate if it was available..and was cheap....to bad a BAR would be a nice piece of history to own as well. and Thomson.....and all firearms mentioned above.....:(
 
You'd think Greece would do everything in their power to make money. It should be their responsibility to the taxpayer.

I agree, a compilation of Johns tales would be awesome!
 
CanadianAR said:
You'd think Greece would do everything in their power to make money. It should be their responsibility to the taxpayer.
Click to expand...

You may find that part of the problem with Greece is that the politicians have already done everything in their power to make money... for themselves. Now they've figured out all they have to do to get out of this mess is to look like they're listening to what the IMF/EU is saying. Melting guns makes them look like little saints.
 
AMET said:
i can imagine the day where a mil surplus m1 garand is for sale by the crate like sks......i know i would prob buy a crate if it was available..and was cheap....to bad a BAR would be a nice piece of history to own as well. and Thomson.....and all firearms mentioned above.....:(
Click to expand...

That day was about 15 years ago.
Lever Arms brought in a container or two from Denmark. I bought two for $150 each, in damn good condition.
 
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