Graham

Thanks chaps. I can't believe how many parts are painted on an M20 and with 2 coats of primer, 3 coats of colour and 2 coats of matt lacquer, that's a lot of paint. Just the headlight, rear mudguard, seats and pannier frames to go...

 

Hi Ian, yes it's me and you're absolutely right about fasteners. I jotted down what seemed like a decent-ish list for just the engine and £20-odd arrived in a matchbox sized packet. I'm now thinking that the plating kit I bought for the studs/bolts/etc has saved a few quid.

Sorry to butt in on this topic but you write 'matt lacquer' - could you please tell me who sells this lacquer? I assume it will fuel proof the paint? Thank you.

I have always wondered if the test drivers for these prototypes were able to buy life insurance?

Get yourself to the Classic Bike Show at the Stafford Show Ground, it starts tomorrow (Saturday) and is also on Sunday29th April. There is at least one specialist dealer in old lamps, lights, horns etc.

Cheers Ron - very helpful. Stafford coming up soon - I will put it on my list !

....sorry angle! Not sure how angels fly

Just rushed out to the garage to look at mine but it is 'central' type - so I will be looking for one like this since I have fitted a sidecar to my RE WD/C replica. I assume for solo the forks are set more vertical and for sidecar at an angel?

Sorry to butt into this thread but Ron where did you get that excellent woven cable cover as shown on your photograph of the tool box? Cheers.

Lovely job and wonderful timing to get rides in now the good weather is her. Good riding.

Yes 'The Train' with Burt Lancaster. Also 'A Matter of Life and Death', 'Apocalypse Now', 'Colditz', 'All Quiet on the Western Front', plus most of those already mentioned.

Yes thanks for the advice. I am no expert but I did think there would be a problem importing these parts which could be used to assemble a gun, also I am not sure they comply with ebay rules?

Has anyone had experience of buying the sten parts for sale on ebay from someone/company based in Slovenia? There has been a wide range of parts, not just sten, for WW2 guns over the last few months. It would be interesting to hear comments from forum members.

Do 'Carol Nash' do military vehicle insurance? I have had my 'fleet' of motorcycles (well 4 really) with her for many years. I do know they have changed ownership but there are still best for bike insurance, classic and modern(ish).

And to you too. Its also my wife's birthday today - guess what she is called?

Graham, a WD/C hauling a Big 4 chair? You want be entering any speed trials then Ha Ha! Ron

Cheers Ron, at my age shouldn't go too fast - causes nose bleeds Excellent photo of a 'real one' I assume, mine is one I scratch built on an old Watsonian chassis - now if only I could getting going but that is another story for another forum.

Thank you for a very full answer - I now know that the mark I was puzzling over (I was fixated in 1914-18) is the very important deac mark dated 2011 which keeps my SMLE legal.

The sink looks handy for washing up after a session with the old frame. I think I better leave it there....

Thats a Birminham proof mark, the 2 crossed swords appear in a few of their proofs, so its a fair asumption that its the deac mark on your gun. Does it have the letters DA and 2 numbers (the year) with the swords? Letters like MR and the date would indicate a magazine restriction i.e. a smooth bored Lee Enfield on a shotgun cert.

'D' on the left side, 'A' on right side and '11' between the crosses below the centre.

Sorry to butt into this topic but my question is related would the deac mark be two crossed swords or two crosses with a long shaft and short hilt - crossed? I have looked in Ian Skennerton's book for this mark and could not find it, could this be the reason? Dohh!

The Auto .455 was actualy .456 semi rimmed round. It was also a much hotter load than the revolver round, and mixing the two could get exciting! (Graham, bet you wished you'd never asked. )

I am always amazed by the depth of knowledge on this forum and the way it starts off other conversations. It does us old 'chaps' good, male or female, to be stirred up occasionally. Thanks everyone I have a much clearer about which Webley to buy now where diid I hid the kids inheritance....

There is also a Norton Big 4 outfit. I was allowed to measure it and take photos so that I could build a replica. Later I was told that the sidecar was a poor example - even so it was very helpful when I built mine. I found the staff were very helpful.

After a lovely warm sunny Thursday and Friday and Saturday today has been wet at first but sunny most of the day but a bit colder - so much for the frozen north of england

With all that knowledgeable advice posted re my request for information about WW1 side arms, please can I also have some advice about the Mills Grenade. I have read that there was the No5 to be thrown, the No23 fitted with a rod for firing from a cup fitted to the SMLE, and the No36 with a gas check plate to be fired from No2 Mk1 discharger fitted SMLE. The body design seems to alter through this period. Now all this seems to simple so advice please for a minor collector of WW1 arms.

I would like to buy an example of the 'typical' side arm used by British troops in the Somme (or similar). I am building up a small collection of weapons in common use such as a 1907 SMLE MkIII*, a 1907 Pattern bayonet, a Mills grenade No.23, a grenade launcher so a hand gun is next on my list. You were very helpful in suggesting a SMLE which seemed right from a reputable dealer, as it proved to be, so I turned to this learned forum again. I have seen Webley revolvers for sale but which is the Mk ? that was used between 1916 - 18? Any other suggestions of other makes would be very helpful.

Does anyone know of forum that specialises in British WW1 small arms as active and knowledgeable as this one. I know there are small arms experts on this forum but since, obviously, it deals with vehicles there could be another useful and active forum. I say 'active' because I am a member of a couple of others that are, shall we say, 'quiet', and do not match the speed and wisdom of our HMVF. Anyway enough flannel, anyone any suggestions - please?

Thank you for the link - a very interesting and useful site. I now realise that although my grenade is genuine WW1 (probably) the striker is more modern (?). Thanks again.