Club Obi Wan

Alan Eardley

I mentioned that the archives of Webley and Scott were disposed of when the company went into receivership in December 2005. I have news that the they have been split up, but are intact. I'm going to see a part of them next Monday. I think the owners of this part know where the remainder of them is...

Alan Eardley

The 1911,created in that year was undergoing mass production in 1936, over 5 million made between the the great wars. It was chosen by the military to phase out the british 38 which has poor stopping power. I don't understand. Are you saying that the M1911 auto was chosen by the US military to phas...

Alan Eardley

I mentioned that the archives of Webley and Scott were disposed of when the company went into receivership in December 2005. I have news that the they have been split up, but are intact. I'm going to see a part of them next Monday. I think the owners of this part know where the remainder of them is....

Alan Eardley

IndyParise, I think you could be right, although the left side of the mag. housing looks more like a later model FAL. Maybe it's a later model with the prototype forestock. We need to see more of it to be sure. I'd forgotten that Canada was involved in the .280/7.00 fiasco - in fact it was in the fo...

Alan Eardley

Right, RC. All Webleys revolvers except the Fosbery and the Mk IV were single action. The trigger comes forward when you cock the hammer, but it doesn't usually go that far back! Coincidentally, I am involved in some research into the war-time manufacture of the 100 round magazine. It was used on th...

Alan Eardley

Matthew, I agree. There are clear signs of the influence of the BAR on most modern heavy barrelled ARs. Even as early as WW1, of course, the 20 round mag. capacity of the BAR was being criticised. The WW2 Bren gun also had a 20 round mag. too of course, but the moer modern L4 LMG version had a 30 ro...

Alan Eardley

It uses the standard 20 round magazine (which makes the use of the term 'sustained fire' a bit questionable). I have often wondered why the carying handle wasn't fitted, as that would be more usual for a section support weapon. Many of these were captured from Argentine forces during the Falklands c...

Alan Eardley

The FAL in the photo is the heavy barrelled sustained fire version. Note the ramp sight. Just out of the frame, the fluted forestock ends (it's about half the length of the 'normal' version) and the upper gas cylinder is exposed. It will have a bipod.

Alan

Alan Eardley

Guys It's a privately produced 1916 Pritchard pistol bayonet. They were manufactured by WW Greener, utilising a cut-down French Gras bayonet blade and were meant to attach to the Webley Mark IV - the only weapon ever carried by British Army officers in WW1. Think of it as being like a fighting knife...

Alan Eardley

Mine? No. It belongs to a noted Webley collector in the US.

Hang on...looking at the barrel...it may be an eight inch...

Regards

Alan

Alan Eardley

FINALLY!!! I start a contraversial thread on COW!!! :twisted: Gentlemen, your expertese on the subject amazes me. I am astounded!! :shock: :D Canyon, Nothing controversial here! Just two middle aged dudes having a discussion... Michaelson is correct - Mr. Barrowman is sporting a Mk IV Webley in the...

Alan Eardley

What''s the going rate on that Darra Webley? :D Given the level of craftsmanship I've seen on pics of copied AK's it would only be the steel quality I'd be afraid of, not the workmanship. Their AKSU and AK copies are generally very good. If it's good enough for Mr. Bin Laden... However, a US collec...

Alan Eardley

Yes, the Webley and Scott company just down the road from me closed its doors for the last time in December 2005. I suppose it is some good news that its airgun and shotgun concerns were taken over by local companies that had been its customers. More important, perhaps, is the news that that the Web...

Alan Eardley

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so here a some pictures. First an Enfield Pistol, Revolver No 2 from 1936. Note the hammer spur. http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a317/dralaneardley/arm291.jpg And a Webley Mk lV from the same period. Note the different foresight and barrel support and ...

Alan Eardley

Enfield hammers didn't have a hammer spur for single action cocking, but were double action only. I can see a hammer spur in that photo, but also think it's a Mk IV .38 instead of a Webley .455. Regards! Michaelson Michaelson, Hello! You are correct about the pistol in the photograph of the young a...

Alan Eardley

Torchwood for those of you who don't know, is a spin off from Dr. Who and was lauched here in the UK a few weeks ago. During last week's episode, I noticed that the main character, Captain Jack Harkness, was sporting an old style holster and whilst I was watching last nights episode (Episode 4/13 -...

Alan Eardley

Not that it matters now, but I understand that Italian 6.5mm will chamber and fire. The Arisaka Type 38 was developed from the Mannlicher Modelli 1895 action. The Mannlicher has a bit of cult following in Europe and I understand there are quite a few in the States.

Alan Eardley

I love to look at photographs of ordinary people taken in the 1930s. As well as the trim fit of the clothing - look at the fit of the hats. Compare it with the way 'Indy' hats are worn in most of the pictures on the forum. In the majority of 1930s photographs the hats are smaller and they are not pu...

Alan Eardley

There is no difference between the size of a typical Mark Vl and a typical Mark Vll gas mask bag. There is often more variance between two Mark Vlls then between a typical Mark Vll and a Mark Vl. See thread: http://www.indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?t=18494 The Mark Vl is typically 10 inches wide x ...

Alan Eardley

I have just been looking at a HJ that Indiana Texas Girl has (or had) for sale in the classifieds. The hat band clearly has the address '30 New Bond Street'. I have a HJ that also has this address on both band and 'coat of arms' label (I can't read ITG's hat's label). Now, in a previous thread it wa...

Alan Eardley

Sorry for resurecting an old thread, has anyone (probably in the UK) tried using Nikwax Cotton Proof on their MkVII? I picked up a can the other day, but thought I'd check in advance of sticking it through the wash!! I've used other versions of this product before (Polar Proof on a fleece, which wo...

Alan Eardley

TR, I especially like the W&G Mark Vl - not at all common! Is the very light Mark Vl a Maple, by the way? A general note, I have had recent PMs from members asking if I can still get them bags. The answer is in the affirmative but, with repect, not while Kevin Endicott has them for sale. Kevin h...

Alan Eardley

It's amazing what you can turn up. I was in my favourite local surplus store the other day and found a box of NOS strap clips for the Mark 6 bag. In good condition, shiney brass though probably 66 years old and certainly never installed on a strap. Here's a photo. http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a...

Alan Eardley

I can confirm that an Eco-drive movement will continue to power a watch for a considerable period of time without light. My wife has a dress watch with an Eco-drive movement that she wears for our too-infrequent 'posh' events. It will run for at least a month in the dark in a box and seems to charge...

Alan Eardley

Guys, Anyone wishing to 'uprate' a replica MkVll bag or repair an original with original type Newey snaps may be interested to know that near-perfect reproductions are available from Soldier of Fortune in the UK. Also, an identical spool (metal disc) was used on post-war bags up to the 1958 pattern,...

Alan Eardley

Look at this as evidence - a W&G with the mask and can for $27.50 recently finished on EBay. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1940-Dated-Gas-Mask-With-Bag-and-Filter-by-W-G-Ltd_W0QQitemZ160012333059QQihZ006QQcategoryZ104004QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem EDIT BY MOD: eBay auction is ended, so this is okay. Otherwise ...

Alan Eardley

Webhead,

I wouldn't bet on it. Never underestimate Kevin's resourcefulness...

Alan

Alan Eardley

Guys, Relax! There is no shortage of original Mk Vll bags here in the UK and prices are stable. You can still get a good, clean, unissued bag without a makers stamp or with an indistinct stamp for $18 - $20 and one with a clear, collectable stamp for $25 - $28. Don't pay inflated prices - Kevin Endi...

Alan Eardley

[quote="Baggers The fabric color looks like the darker "British" version of khaki. Almost identical to the shade being used today by manufacturers like Bill's Khakis for their trousers. Their version is called "British Khaki" (oddly enough) and can found in twill and poplin ...

Alan Eardley

It's interesting (to me anyway) that the shirt has British Army style buttons.

Alan Eardley

I called in to see Kevin Endicott this morning and he passes on his good wishes to all users of the COW forum and thanks all of those who have bought bags from him for their business. It really is a delight to visit Endicott's, and I was only sorry that I couldn't stay longer. It's an old-fashioned ...

Alan Eardley

I own several types myself, but also have a Tapco on my bag. I was told years ago (1985 to be exact) by one of the prop masters that when they were rounding up 'stuff' for the film, most of it came from a military surplus store in London. The bag was an old gas mask bag, and they just grabbed a bun...

Alan Eardley

A guy I meet occasionally who is one of the leading collectors (in the World) of Brtish and Commonwealth WW2 clothing and gear has opined that more MKVII bags were made and not issued than were made and issued. I have no reason to doubt his judgement. Consider this - the respirator case used before ...

Alan Eardley

Gobler wrote:Are there any unissued MKVII's left??

Cheers,
Jeff

You mean in the world? Yes, lots of them.

Alan

Alan Eardley

Swindiana Bright brass wrinkled snaps are common on item of '37 Pattern webbing, of course. Come to think about it, I thinkthe only dull wrinked snaps I've seen are on respirator cases. i wonder why that is? Were then once bright and have dulled through corrosion? It doesn't look like it. More likel...

Alan Eardley

Swindiana The green caps (intended for Denison smock replcement) are just the same as the smooth brass type, but painted. I spot of Nitromors will do the job. If you want a wrinkled replacement, in the past I have combined the cap from a Bundeswehr parka with a Newey base. OK, one's metric and the o...

Alan Eardley

The specified internal size is 10" x 10" by 3" (not taking into account the internal dividers) but they often don't conform to the specified size. I have ten original bags on hand at the moment (two W&G and eight from various other manufacturers) and a quick whip around with the t...

Alan Eardley

In the UK the government surplus Mark VII bag was used to carry food to work every day by miners and foundry workers (REAL men, y'know?) for decades after WW2. They were called 'snapping bags' (snapping = food). Mine will always be a 'snapping bag' to me.

Alan Eardley

[quote =] Quite a few people on this forum, actually.[/quote]

Very true, Tone.

It's like 'shareware' or 'open source' software - if everybody shares, everybody benefits.

Alan

Alan Eardley

Guys Everyone for whom I obtained original unissued Mark VII bags should now have recieved them. I hope you are all happy with them and that you will enjoy them. Having met my commitments I'll now 'hand back' to the professionals. If and when their supplies run out I just may 'kick in' again. Alan

Alan Eardley

Replacement Newey snaps to the original specifications are available from www.1944airbornecom. You can easily fit them yourself.

Alan Eardley

I think I have bags set aside for everyone that asked me to get them (those who insisted on an original but couldn't get one from Endicott's) but I'm afraid my source has now dried up. I had been calling in and buying them singly according to demand, but this depletion was apparently noticed by anot...

Alan Eardley

Yes, that's my problem. Tapco have a policy of not supplying anything outside the US.

Rick is getting me a strap and Jerry is trying to get me a spare clip - I want a clip at each end of the strap for a project I'm working on.

Thanks guys.

Alan Eardley

Does anyone have a spare clip from a H&K/CETME rifle sling that they'd sell me?

Alan

Alan Eardley

After World War 2 tens of thousands of these box respirator cases (Mk Vl and Vll) were used by workmen (in the days when Britain had a number of heavy industries such as coal mining, ship building and steel making) to take their lunch ('snapping') to work. So they are still called 'snapping bags' by...

Alan Eardley

It's about 12" long and 4" wide. Too small for a tent. Comes into its own in the jungle...

Alan Eardley

Here's a pic of a couple of guys who've just received their MKVl bags. You know what it's like - open the packet, try it one and get on the phone right away to tell your mates...

Alan Eardley

Here's another wartime issue product by W&G - with the full company name on the stamp. It's a Millbank bag and 'Indy' would probably have carried one on his expeditions in the late 1930s. A quiz - any of you outdoor types know what it's used for? http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a317/dralaneard...

Alan Eardley

Guys I have been PMed by a well respected member of the forum with a suggestion, that I would like to run by you. I have mentioned that original MKVll bags in unissued condition are cheap and plentiful in the UK (compared to reproductions or eBay). I have a local source of such bags which is current...

Alan Eardley

Alan; I forgot to check the other thread and now I've lost it. Do you happen to have a copy of an instruction booklet for the Smallbox Resp. or the Mk III through V versions? Puretha, Baxter, or C1 civil versions would do too. :) I've looked around and haven't found them anywhere and thought it wou...

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