Machodoc
Old Guy
A couple of recent posts, such as Mawkie's posting about cobbled-together Lithgow trainers, really call out for a thread to be dedicated to just this sort of firearm. For this one, I propose that we keep random discussion to a minimum and restrict comments to additional information about firearm fakes.
Here are some recent threads that anyone here should find useful:
Jovino No2 MK4 SMLE trainers - http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=151199
German issued Astra 400s - http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=151030
Here are some recent threads that anyone here should find useful:
Jovino No2 MK4 SMLE trainers - http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=151199
You see these pop up on a regular basis so I thought I'd post for the new collectors so they know what to look for. John Jovino purchased a large number of SMLEs and spares from the Australian gov't some years ago (my hazy memory wants to say late 80s or early 90s). What he had in the spares lots were some NOS No2 MK4 barreled receivers and bolts along with furniture and hardware. JJ's staff assembled a number of "new" No2s from these parts and then assigned them new SNs that used a "T" prefix.
So when looking for one of these the two things that instantly jump at me are the T prefix (genuine Australian No2s used A-F suffix in their SNs) and the brand new furniture. Here's a GB auction with a JJ No2 MK4 to illustrate. The seller has a BIN of $800 which is a good $250 or more too high as I would value it in the $450-550 range. Its value is purely as a shooter as it would have little to no value to a collector at this time. Perhaps in the future it would gain interest and value (I don't forget that Sedgley built rifles were pure poison to collectors when I was young, my how time has turned that around!).
German issued Astra 400s - http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=151030
The last couple of years I've been on the lookout for a German issued Astra 400 but haven't had any luck yet. Then I ran across this Gun Broker listing for a German 400 but instantly knew it was bogus. German Astras never had Waffenampt markings, you can only ID them by the serial number range which was from 92851 to 98850. So when I see the seller proclaim that it was German marked I was suspicious.
Then a check of the SN showed it was close, 87,000 range, but definitely outside the range of German use. Then when you look at the right rear side of the slide you can see where someone tried to stamp a fake Waffenampt on the curved surface. German inspectors weren't so stupid, they always marked on the flat rear surface of the frame.
So always be vigilant and ya gotta be cautious when it comes to certain items. Luckily this one was easy to spot.
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