The ‘boutique’ market for 'old' vehicle spares – military or otherwise – has contracted in this country. Several players have disappeared in recent years. Falling demand is a problem. Matching price with demand is a significant issue. And, as you point out, there is a continual loss of supply to the scrappy, or supply becomes so scattered as to be ‘unfindable’. This is my problem with 1911 Leyland spares! I know there are parts out there but can I find them?
My feeling is that enthusiast-cooperatives may be the answer. Aim – to acquire, store, and on-sell parts to cover costs, including the cost of warehousing. I ran a sporting club on this basis for years; and it survived! Robert