johnwardle Posted November 15, 2016 Share Posted November 15, 2016 I have managed to arrange a visit to the Small Arms Collection at the Land Warfare Centre, Warminster on Saturday 10th December from 09:00 to 12:00, there are a few spaces left, if anyone is interested in visiting this superb collection of small arms (probably the best in the country) please contact me. John. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fv1609 Posted November 15, 2016 Share Posted November 15, 2016 John the last time I went there was many years ago when they had some wheeled armour outside the museum. Sadly that has long since gone, the Pig is in IoW I believe. I hope they still have a Vigilant on display, when I went they had no controller for it so I did a swap with something so they had controller for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Hall Posted November 16, 2016 Share Posted November 16, 2016 I'd like to attend if there is still space. A good friend of mine used to work there until a few years back so not been since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rnixartillery Posted November 16, 2016 Share Posted November 16, 2016 The collection has recently re-opened after a major refit and a few of the larger items have been removed from the collection as they took up too much space and the fact that the new doors were not wide enough !!! Rob....................rnixartillery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferretfixer Posted November 16, 2016 Share Posted November 16, 2016 I used to look after that collection when I was Stationed there back in the day. I had the Imense privelidge also, of being able to test fire a lot of the weapons held in the Museum as well! I can Heartily Recommend a Visit, it is indeed outstanding. They also hold a number of unique & exceedingly rare items! If you can secure a place on this visit, Go for it! You will not be disapointed! :thumbsup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnwardle Posted November 16, 2016 Author Share Posted November 16, 2016 I'd like to attend if there is still space. A good friend of mine used to work there until a few years back so not been since. Hi Chris, could you please PM your email address and I will forward the details to you. regards John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garys39 Posted December 10, 2016 Share Posted December 10, 2016 Thankyou John, for the chance to visit this collection, for those who have not seen it, here are a few photos taken today. Regards Gary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Hall Posted December 11, 2016 Share Posted December 11, 2016 Yes a big thanks to John, well worth the drive down. Who rescued that Vickers then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnwardle Posted December 11, 2016 Author Share Posted December 11, 2016 Yes a big thanks to John, well worth the drive down. Who rescued that Vickers then? I didn't see anyone walking strangely, so it could still be going for scrap, all I have to do now is find out who the scrap an is and follow him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garys39 Posted December 11, 2016 Share Posted December 11, 2016 It wasn't a Vickers, see attached photo, can anyone guess, it's rarer that an a Vickers, answers on a postcard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted December 12, 2016 Share Posted December 12, 2016 Vickers-Colt 1905 chambered for 30-06? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferretfixer Posted December 12, 2016 Share Posted December 12, 2016 Is that a wheeled cage for 'Newly Acquired' exhibits? I once owned a Fluted Vickers in 7.92mm. It was for a small contract pre war for Iraq! Serial Number: I.K 60. Even the wooden transit chest had Arabic writing stencilled on the front! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garys39 Posted December 12, 2016 Share Posted December 12, 2016 Tony Wins, see photos, just a shame these weapons are going to be cut up/scrapped. Yes it is a wheeled cage for 'Newly Acquired' exhibits, there were 2x more in another room, with items in to be evaluated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted December 12, 2016 Share Posted December 12, 2016 :tup:: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Hall Posted December 13, 2016 Share Posted December 13, 2016 I think the nearest any of us could ever hope to get to it is if we end up shaving with the razor blades made from recycled steel! a real shame, think of the revenue these things could bring in. It's purely because it's a gun. I purchased (for a museum) a drill WE177 nuke, a sea eagle missile and a JP233 for £2500 from the MODs Disposal Services Agency so it's not really about if it's worth selling. It's all public perception. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andym Posted December 13, 2016 Share Posted December 13, 2016 So why are they going to be scrapped? Am I missing something? Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enigma Posted December 13, 2016 Share Posted December 13, 2016 So why are they going to be scrapped? Am I missing something? Andy I was thinking the same. :??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnwardle Posted December 13, 2016 Author Share Posted December 13, 2016 So why are they going to be scrapped? Am I missing something? Andy Simply because they are surplus to the collections requirements, and as they are live they can't be sold. Very sad, but that's the way it is thanks to a few nutcases. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andym Posted December 13, 2016 Share Posted December 13, 2016 Can't they just find another museum? Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ww2rupert Posted December 13, 2016 Share Posted December 13, 2016 Hello Can't the weapon's be sold to people who have the relevant licence's, I have an FAC & a shotgun licence so could potentially own one of these, and there must be more like me out there who could do the same? Such a waste!!!😥 Colin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garys39 Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 The Vickers-Colt in the cage had actually had a torch cut through the underside of receiver/feed area and a torch hole through the underside of the water jacket and barrel, the PPSH looked complete, as did the rifle and pistols. Here's a few more photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Hall Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 The MOD will never sell small arms to the public, any Current British weapons on the market have been made from parts or unserviceable guns that have been repaired/rebuilt by a contractor. There's a lot more to it than that but that's the basics. most of these guns being scrapped is as a result of the new EU regs, lots of foreign guns being used as military training aids or displayed are having to be redeactivated and those that are on mess walls etc have to be done at non public expense. We had a Browning Mk2 .303 in the mess which was presented by HM the Queen. That's long gone now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andym Posted December 16, 2016 Share Posted December 16, 2016 My understanding is that the new EU regs only apply to weapons being sold or transferred so there's no need to modify weapons already in place. I'm not holding my breath but there is a good chance that weapons deactivated to the last pre-EU spec will become legal again anyway if Vicky Ford manages to get the European Parliament to see sense. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Hall Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 You are correct but the MOD being a government body don't see it that way. Most of the pre 95 old spec stuff in messes had to be brought upto post 95 spec at the cost of the mess. Nothing to do with legalities but MOD policy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andym Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 You are correct but the MOD being a government body don't see it that way. Most of the pre 95 old spec stuff in messes had to be brought upto post 95 spec at the cost of the mess. Nothing to do with legalities but MOD policy. I suppose I can see their point - it would be extremely embarrassing to have one stolen and then reactivated. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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