[Charlie the sniper]

This is from my gun clubs website/forum.........may be of interest ?


BUYER BEWARE!


This little ditty is a follow on from rhodris posts.
Rhodri saw a nice looking 7.62 Enfield,and having talked to the dealer (in Devon) had said item transfered (at a cost) to a local dealer for examination re purchase.The gun was advertised as Unissued, Fazakerly made in 1956,super condition, all matching etc etc and priced accordingly ,over £400 with shipping costs.He was lead to believe it was factory built 7.62 etc.
The gun duly arrived and was examined
WHAT A F----------NG LYING bar steward.
It was not Fazackerly made nor in 1956
It was FTR'd in 1956 at Fazackerly.FTR means completely rebuilt,WHO would rebuild an unissued rifle?
It had 99% of its markings removed or overstamped to hide its identity
1941 Maltby is the considered true ID from slightly visible markings
It had an Enfield conversion kit fitted,not a factory job the kits were commercially available in the 1960s
The bolt head was incorect
The (mis)matching woodwork had been heavily refinished,of course most of the identifying marks sanded (ground?) off
In simple terms it was NOT what was advertised (sale of goods act,trading standards anyone)
It was a run of the mill unknown gunsmith £200 tops enfield conversion.Or what is technically known as a bitza
When informed of this the dealer said "I dont know I just sell guns".So boys check before you buy,go to a reputable dealer (rhodri can tell you WHO TO AVOID) and dont believe until you see.
PS I was awfully generous in my words above you can probably guess what I really mean and £100,not £200 in my book