Graham

Thanks for the pictures - I like the pink slippers May be a stupid question but what are :- "1907 bayonet Scabbard Laces One 4 ounce box of 1907 long scabbard laces, original military surplus. Part number BB1213" currently on sale on eBay?

Just bought a Pattern 1907 dated 1918 by Sanderson in good condition including 'matching' leather scabbard for £80 incl postage from a reliable dealer, if that helps?

Hi from another Chorley bloke - be patient - it will happen. I am also into bikes and did the traditional thing - bike, bike + sidecar as first transport, marriage, kids, car (bike sold off), work, bit of spare cash, 'mid-life crisis' need a bike and military stuff so built a WW2 style military bike! You will get there.

What a mad country - dangerous and wonderful - I am very jealous!!!

Coincidently I have just bought one like this for £80 from MDW - a good chap to talk to. I suspect that all this will lead me to wanting equivalent rifles used by the Germans, French, Italians, Russians, Austrians..... what have I started!!!

Thanks Tony, I was wanting one but was not sure which was the correct one - the details you gave me are in my note book, together with my wish list, an oil bottle, pull through, stripper clip and slings. I am on a steep learning curve but very enjoyable. Thanks again. Graham

Thank you all for your very helpful advice. Perhaps being a bit impatient instead of waiting for Militaria 2012, I bought one on line. Thank you Chris Hall, I followed your suggestions and bought from MDWsupplies' a 1917 SMLE and I am very pleased with it. All the numbers seem to match and it has that well worn and used feel of a rifle which is over 70 years old. I am looking forward to getting to know the rifle, typical of all those SMLEs used during WW1 and later. Thanks again, Graham

I agree with all that has been said - are 'we' sure we should dispose of this fine ship before 'we' find another us here. In NewYork harbour I visited their huge carrier then used to display aircraft - a wonderful place to visit. I would have though 'heritage GB' would want another tourist attraction such as this, after all 'we' don't seem to build them any more.

I have huge respect for anyone restoring a vehicle with so much light weight (relatively) sheet metal = rust. I have enough trouble with my motorbikes. Good luck to you.

Thank you for the advice - I will do as you say and research more about SMLEs - I hope to go to Militaria 2012 at the end of next month - perhaps there will be suitable dealers there? Thanks again, Graham

Hi Seasons greetings to you all. Advice please about a suitable seller of a deactivated WW1 vintage SMLE MkIII (?) I am not an expert in this area but I have been visiting and walking over the battlefields around Mametz Wood/Flers and think it is time I owned an example of the typical infantry weapon used in 1916 onwards. Thanks you in anticipation. Graham, Lancashire

Sorry for the slow reply - yes mine is missing but don't know when. A friend showed my a catalogue of deac guns which reminded me of my sten languishing in the boot of my military sidecar. So I would like to replace it - any ideas? Cheers.

Anyone know a supplier of the pressed steel (I assume) trigger mechanism cover? BE9951? Thank you.

Just an idle thought - no Royal Enfields in these lists - must have been really unpopular with the military. Cheers, Graham (who has a Royal Enfield WD/C)

Thank you for the advice - that's a no then? Cheers, Graham

I would like to buy a return spring / receiver spring for my sten, does anyone know a supplier in the UK? Thanks, Graham

wdbikemad Thank you for a very helpful reply. Now how can I get a BSI kite mark on mine so that I can wear it on my bike? Cheers, Graham

Hi Basic question : were the British Army helmets issued to troops in WW1 and WW2 (the Brodie type/shape) the metal part all one size? I ask because I bought a liner to suit my big head for my WW2(?) helmet - it seems to stick out below the rim and I cannot make the 'P' shaped rubber spacers fit with the thick part towards the interior of the helmet. Hope this makes sense - I look forward to your replies, thanks. Graham

Re Paul Darke's thoughtful comments. I agree we must not bury history - this is my point, I want to stop the people dressing in SS and WW2 Japanese uniforms at events like War & Peace because to the young and uninformed 'they' seem to be like everyone else, a sanitised version of history. As an extension of Paul's thoughts let us tell the true story of SS and Japanese genocide and atrocities.

I do not know the official answer, but I do know you can ride a sidecar outfit on a motorcycle licence. Re three wheeler - the MoT may cause problems with some MoT centres - you need a MoT centre that does outfits/combinations/motorcycle & sidecar, applying for a three wheeler MoT is a whole different matter. Also have you built the outfit - restored one or bought a working example - I would be interested in knowing more about it. Attached is my replica I scratch built. Graham

I am very pleased that I started this topic this year and thank most of you for your views. It may be a well exercised topic but it still needs airing. I do support the statement that wearing SS and WW2 Japanese military uniform 'sanitises' the image for those too young to remember the horrors perpetrated by the Nazis and Japanese and their allies. We must never forget what these monsters did in the name of Germany and Japan - perhaps many troops from all the armies carried out criminal acts BUT it was not their nation's policy. Nazi German policy was to exterminate people they despised, and the Japanese WW2 military's attitude to prisoners was appalling and inhuman. Please let us never forget these atrocities and continue to campaign against our fellow men and women who like to dress up in uniforms representing these despicable regimes.

I visited the excellent War & Peace Show for the first time this year. An amazing wide range of equipment, weapons and people dressing up in army clothes. BUT I was disgusted to see for sale and people dressed up in German SS uniform and WW2 Japanese Army uniform. The horrors perpetrated by the SS and Japanese Army are so awful that I am appalled that people wish to dress up in representation of these troops. We must never forget what these people did to our forbears. I overheard a couple challenge a man dressed in German uniform - I hope more will do this and hopefully the organisers of the next 'War & Peace' Show, and similar shows, will ban all representations of the SS and Japanese military. Graham

You were correct - I went on Wednesday and Thursday arrived about 9.30 ish on both days and drove straight in without any hold up. Great show - glad I went BUT I did find the German SS, Hitler Youth and the Japanese soldier and stalls selling Japanese WW2 items totally unacceptable. Graham

Hi All As this will be my first visit, and seems it will be wet one, I am a bit surprised that there are so many people on the site already - it does open officially on Wednesday and I haven't missed it? Also a bit of advice please - are there huge long queues and any way of avoiding them for the ordinary visitor? Thanks, really looking forward to the show - can't wait. Graham

Hi Thanks for the advice although it did seem to wander off discussing biscuits? I did email the organisers and was told that there are no multi visit tickets. So I have bought my tickets and look forward to visiting the show. I take it there are long traffic q's - I plan to take my small trail motorbike. Cheers, Graham