Pete

I've had a word with the H&S lads on site. And from now on, all scaffolding/ drainpipes / and plumbers tube, will be up to deac' spec' (Just in case.).

Good point Andy.

Really? Jeez, even with my Blond Bird who cooks and does the washing up in tow, it can't be worth that?

Sorry lads, what I know about Vickers guns you could write on a postage stamp in crayon. My mates one is far prettier than the blond bird in the pic' tho', lol!

Sorry all, I'm on a roll here (And I'm signed up for the British Whinging Team at the next Olympics, lol.) . Now, I've only been playing this game for a couple of years. Me and the Mrs ended up helping out at several Bunker Bashes (Most of you probably tried to run me over as I was waving my arms around like a mad thing trying to direct traffic, and then swore at my Mrs as she booked you in, because I wouldn't stand still, lol!). In that short amount of time, the Mil' hobby sparked my interest. So, as you do, you start buying stuff. Not being that into it all, I tended to wander around the stalls thinking "Ooo, that's nice." but just walking away as a £250 Bren in it's box wouldn't be something that would be of any use to me. An old spec wood furnished SLR for about the same sort of price almost tempted me to get my wallet out, but the wood had teethmarks in it, so just keep on walking Pete. A handfull of years later, and I'm paying silly money for a SPAS 12 with a folding stock. Again, sorry all, I'm probably the mug that has pushed all the prices up! :-D

Point taken Bob. Nobody minds a steady price rise as things get older and rarer. But on the deac' side of things, it's gone barmy of late. Earlier in this thread, it was mentioned about certain dealers with plenty of buying power pushing the prices up. I tend to agree with that. Lets face it, we all want to make a few quid if we can, but there's taking the mick and not. (Just my idle ramblings. Take no notice of me, lol.) Tony, my point entirely. Well said!

I was chatting to a mate of mine last night. 11 months ago he bought himself a nice tidy Vickers for £1500. Judging by the prices mentioned earlier in this thread, he's doubled his money in less than a year. Supply and demand is one thing, but Double Bubble in the space of a year is just plain silly.

On a another note (Probably worthy of a new thread, Admins.), how do you all display your deac's at shows? (Pic' is of My Kim in her element.)

Again, well said!

That about sums it up Stefano, well said! (Oh, I forgot to say about how the prices of Proper Biker jackets went into overdrive in the mid to late 80's in my last post. With the Yuppie Harley rider buyers wanting to be what they wern't, I got wads of money waved at me in the "City" boozers by those types. Probably the only time that money types didn't get one over on me. "I'll give you a grand for your jacket mate. Sorry 'erbert, this jacket is infected with Real Biker Germs, you really don't want it. Oh go on 1200!. Nah mate, you couldn't look after it, and it wouldn't come to you when you whistled. 1500! You do realise that my jacket has leprosy for a reason? Sorry mate? It hates Tupperware bikers and will grab you by the throat if you keep talking about it. Silence! :-D ")

We had the same thing with Brit' Bikes. In the early 80's you couldn't give them away just to get rid of them. By 1985, they had become an "Investment" by the "I take it out once a year for it's ticket." brigade. I got a good deal on a mint A10 Flash (In Road Rocket red trim.). I used to ride her to work every day, fully loaded with my building tools, come rain, snow, 1987 hurricane, etc. I put over 100k Miles on her, and sold her for twice what I'd paid (Divorce, and I wanted a long legged Chopper (Which is still sitting in my garage.) ).

And there you go. My car cost me £590 with 11 months T&T on it, and I suspect that a lot of people would rather have a car than a deac'.

Here's how the prices are climbing. I bought my SLR on 5/11/2012 for £995. At Muckleburgh this year, a dealer offered me £1500 on the spot (Probably as he almost gave birth, when I showed him that it also cycles rounds, lol.). Add the dealers profit margin on, and a lowly SLR has doubled in price in less than a year.

I'd add DWSUK to the trusted list. I've never had any problems with them.

I wasn't having a dig at anyone. What I was trying to say was, the use of the word "investment" is used far too often to bung up the price of something. Yes, if the market will stand the inflated prices, fair play. But I think that things have gone way over the top in the last few years as far as anything military goes. Thus putting stuff out of the reach of your average bod. (I'll be putting my grotty Fiesta in to cold storage for the next 30 years, so that I can retire a wealthy man, lol.)

Ah, the dreaded "I" word rears it's ugly head. How to add lots of money on to the price. I've lost track of how many times that I've heard the "I" word used as a selling point on over priced items.

I also wonder if the surge in Military Vehicle prices and running costs has added to the price of deac's. Gone are the days of buying a cheap ex MOD Landy, and being able to afford to put a tank of fuel in it, for a quick day out with the kids. Reenacting was and still is the cheaper option to restoring and running a vehicle. So, with that in mind, other than the obvious greed of some sellers, it's still within the budget of the average bod (Who wants to do some form of military based hobby.) to dress up, and wander around with a gun. But here's where the greed kicks in. If you look at the most common reenacting groups, their guns command the highest prices (And/or, the most rapid rise in prices.). I could understand it if these guns were rare, but they're not. Over £1000 for an Old Spec' SLR (And rising by the day.), someone is rubbing their hands together with glee!

Yes, and for a small Victorian Gun Battery, it's well worth a look. http://s320.photobucket.com/user/outdug/library/Heugh%20Battery%207-10-11?sort=9&page=1

Spanter, don't get me wrong. I really do hope that things work out for you at Shuttleworth.

I tend to agree with Gas 44. No vehicles/reenactors, no show. As it is, it costs us £ just to get to the shows, let alone being charged to help out. As times are hard all round this year, it'll be interesting to see how well the "Pay For The Privilege" shows do with their turnouts. I can only hope that you get a good display at Shuttleworth this year. All the best!

I must admit, I have little sympathy. Too much greed involved. Shame about the jobs at the bottom end tho'.

Now, I'm not biased or anything but, several of the best weekends in my life were spent with the PI lads. Don't be shy, have a go with us :cool2: (Do I get an extra stripe for being The Recruiting Sergeant Tony? :-D ). Jesting aside, a top notch do, pay your £20, get fed (By Chef Ives and his cookhouse crew.) and camped, then buy your own beer. It could be worse! ...

Some of the FN FAL variants had bipods, which helped out when using full auto (3/5 round bursts.). Also Google L2A1, for Commonwealth variants with full auto and bipods.

Jak. It's worth keeping an eye on Lidl's website (http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/lidl_uk), as every now and then they have rechargeable C cells for £3 (2 pack), on their special offers. £21 for kitting out a 350 with reliable batteries isn't bad.