UK Armourer

Guys, are Sarco's BM59 barrels genuine or new manufacture? Vic

Guys, I just got to know that the Italian Ministry of Defense has now decided to allow the sale of BM-59's and Tipo (Type) 1 & 2 M1 Garand rifles to the general public (if licenced). The BM-59's have the full auto trip and selector removed and the pivot ground off to allow the sale. Have a look at the hundreds ready to be sold at a dealer in Italy I know... There are US Springfield & Winchester M1's converted to BM-59's as well as Beretta M1's converted and new build Beretta BM-59's! If only ;-) ciao Vic

Guys, although I live in the UK I have four rifles stored with a buddy (a registered FFL) in the US. I have recently sourced a 'DEWAT' BM-59 here which will fill a missing 'hole' in my collection here in the UK. As I don't get to visit my rifles in the US too often I'm thinking of selling them, see details below: 1. BM-59 - a genuine converted Springfield with electro pencil markings (turns out this was a batch of 20 sold to a distributor in the US PRE-Beretta and Berben Corp)! Quite a rare beast! 2. BM-59 - a standard Ital Reese Surplus/Springfield rifle 3. BM-62 - (Top) a Berben Corp import almost unfired, out of the box with correct stock (missing sights) 4. BM-62 - (Bottom) another Berben Corp import with sporter stock (cracked) Contact 'Off list' me if interested. Cheers, Vic

The BM62 was also made for the (then) heavily restricted Italian market but in 270 calibre and nicely polished and blued. Interestingly the Italian authorities have just (and I mean just) allowed the release of genuine BM-59's converted to semi auto only! I have seen pallets of them and a lot are almost new and unused!! BTW, I have two BM-59's and two BM-62's in storeage with a buddy in the USA that I'm thinking of selling, any idea of the market value these days? Cheers, Vic

Well the firearms belong to the country and are a reference collection so should be safe. The EU rules are just that 'EU' and we Brits are only token members of the EU ;-) Cheers, Vic

Guys, I am setting up a video channel on-line, along the lines of Ian McCollum's www.forgottenweapons.com The videos will be produced at the Royal Armories site in Leeds, UK using the former RSAF Pattern Room collection there. I will have exclusive access to over 14,000 firearms stored there, do you think there would be any interest 'Stateside' in the project? Cheers, Vic

Guys, I recently obtained an original copy of this manual...Give me a little time and I will make a PDF copy of it for distribution (NOT RESALE) within the forum membership. Cheers, Vic

Guys, thanks for the information. I will post some photos later so you can see what it is like condition wise. Many years ago (early 1980's) I was a firearms dealer here in the UK and I used to import Israeli Dhor machine guns and convert them to semi auto only for the UK market. They were poor sellers as no one knew the history behind them! There were two types, the Model 1 in .303" and the Model 2 in 7.92 mm. Most were in almost unused condition, they sold for around the equivalent of $200 each back then! Cheers, Vic

Gentlemen, I have costed out the magazines and I would offer them at the following prices if any one is interested: 10 off 'New old stock' magazines at $650 30 off 'New old stock' magazines at $1,700 (this is a full box of 30 mags as delivered from the factory) Larger numbers by negotiation.... All prices plus shipping (I can get the shipping costs quite low, let me quote you). Cheers, Vic

Hi David, yes, my buddy has it in Indiana. Vic

Guys, I just acquired a 'nice' M1941 Johnson Rifle receiver (stripped).... any idea of its value Cheers, Vic

Gentlemen, through one of my many European contacts I just acquired a box of... wait for it! ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY 'Brand New' BM-59 Magzines (clips to you colonial types... just joshing guys)..... This was such a find, that I was grinning from ear to ear for over an hour!!! My contacts are turning up some more parts as they 'filter' out of Italy... The large surplus that was available about 2 years ago has dwindled as I suspect the destruction of BM59's and M1 Garands by the Italian Military has slowed. I currently have leads on 'used' Para folding stocks too! Here are some photographs of the magazines: http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn152/UK_Armourer/BM59magazinec.jpg http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn152/UK_Armourer/BM59magazineb.jpg http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn152/UK_Armourer/BM59magazinea.jpg If there is any interest in any magazines or stocks I am willing to discuss prices and/or trades. The magazines will be sub $100... Remember, the parts are located in the UK but are not restricted here (they don't go 'bang')... Cheers, Vic

Hi Jim, email address sent direct... Vic

OK, well I guess if Sarco doesn't make a good copy of the original drawings then the issue of getting a set from them is a little academic! I have a number of 'cut' genuine BM-59 receivers and complete M1 Garand receivers so I think I will backwards engineer the drawings myself... Cheers, Vic

Hi Jim, OK, thanks for the info. It gives me some confidence that the drawings should be of such a quality that I may buy a set! Cheers, Vic