19 replies to this topic

[Johnny.45]

Greetings,

FWIW
There is a Guide Lamp M3 Grease Gun listed @ gunbroker.com, GB AD# 35844176.
If the Gun is all original, correct and not a rewat/reweld it might be a good buy?
I'm not familiar with M3 Grease Guns, but it might be worth a look.

Thanks,

Johnny

[Remo Williams]

First off, let me say that I have seen this smg in person and it is the nicest M3 I have seen. This guy is local to me. He is the same guy that is selling the $40,000 Colt Thompson. There is another thread down the line in ref to him and his Thompson. I have no desire to do any business with him.

[Johnny.45]

Hi Remo,

I have read the thread on the seller, and it seems less than complimentary.
$40K for that Colt seems excessive.
But
Do you feel the asking price on this M3 SMG is fair though?
Or
Is it just better to stay clear of this seller at any price?

Thanks,

Johnny

[Remo Williams]

For what M3's have been selling for, the starting bid price is fair(some have sold for $17K-$18K). But, I wouldn't be surprised if he had a friend try to raise the bidding once the starting bid is made.

[Johnny.45]

Remo,

Thanks for the reply.
The starting bid does seem fair.
But it's a shame that some of these sellers like to play games.
I appreciate the info.

Take Care,

Johnny

[philasteen]

I disclaim expertise but that doesn't look like the original finish to me.

[Johnny.45]

Hi philasteen,

I have no expertise at all re: G.G.s.
Is there any chance that the choice black spray paint look is a British finish?
I have no idea, but I completely agree that it is not the original U.S. finish.
I posted in the M3-M3A1 forum, but there is very little action there.

Thanks,

Johnny

[Remo Williams]

The black paint does match the black that British guns had, but I do not recall seeing any British proof marks on the gun. Also, there is no scratch on the receiver from the cocking handle, which is almost always present.

[Johnny.45]

Hi Remo,

Do you have any idea if the gun is a rewat/reweld?

Thanks Again,

Johnny

[Remo Williams]

No. I think it is original. I did not see the papers though. The guy that he bought the M3,Thompson and BAR from was a well known gunsmith who could have rewatted it,but I did not see any mystery welds.

[Johnny.45]

Remo,

Thanks for all your help on the M3.
I really appreciate it.
Gonna watch the auction and see what transpires.

Take Care,

Johnny

[guy sajer]

It's British Lend Lease . imo
Looks like the same heavy black enamel I've seen on several Inglis Hi Powers and Enfields I've owned . In theory , it could have been painted a number of times . If it took a beating in service , the armorer gave it another coat of paint .

If you look at the last photo , it shows the barrel proof . I make it out " Saber in hand over /NP - .45 - 900 & 7 tons " .

Saber over NP is London Nitro Proof , of course .45 is the caliber , I don't know the "900" ?and 7 tons is their pressure measurement .

[Johnny.45]

Hi Mitch,

Thanks for the info re: British Lend-Lease guns.
Thought that the M3 could be a British gun.
But
Sounds as though the seller is not very reputable so it might be difficult getting history on it.
I appreciate all the help though.

Thanks Again,

Johnny

[guy sajer]

Often the history of an individual mg is limited to knowing only the previous owner

If he's got a rep , I'd avoid it no matter the history . Too many good dealer's & individuals out there . Sadly , the M3's just don't come up for sale too often . I lucked into mine earlier this year . Still waiting on the transfer though

Good luck on your quest .

... Just to keep this "on topic" , I have a Savage M1 as well .

[Mk VII]

don't think we ever had any M3s - no use for them

[Hawkeye_Joe]

Ummmm.. I thought that Lend-lease was over by the time the M3 was put into service, after we entered the war Lend-lease was over and we could sell out right to the UK.......and anything that was purchased by a Foreign Govt. could not be imported back into the country..

[guy sajer]

Not trying to mislead . Whether Lend Lease or direct sale , they're British proofs . That was my point .

Edited by guy sajer, 13 August 2005 - 03:27 PM.

[leid]

Hi Mitch,
The .900" is chamber depth of .45 ACP. .30 cal. BARs were British Proof marked 2 1/2" or 2.494"
Carey

[ODS9091]

leid is correct the .900 is chanber depth....I also have one like this and the story behind it (w/o anything on paper, word of mouth only) is that it belonged to an Australian coast watcher, but all I have seen is British proof marks on it

[guy sajer]

Thanks for the lesson . Learn something new every day if you pay attention .