Last updated with new information ... 19th September 2007                          
... Many Files & notes are from our Bulletin Board at www.skennerton.com
Copyright © 2000-2005     All rights reserved      Ian D. Skennerton

AT RANDOM...

 Thought you may like this snippet of information about 1914-1918 War bayonet production.
When Wilkinsons closed swordmaking, there was a mass of papers &c. that did not go to the Royal Armouries Library, considered junk! Amongst them were Sword production records of Robert Mole from 1865 to 1877 and 1890 to 1919. It shows Mole's 1907 bayonet production. They made the Patt '07 bayonet from 1908 to 1911 and then in 1914 and 1915 only, all their efforts being transferred to 1908 Pattern cavalry swords which they made every year from 1908 until 1919 with the exception of 1913.
They made 1888 until 1901 and in 1901 and 1902 made 1888 Mk III (Browned bayonets.
In 1903-04 they converted 1888 to pattern 1903, made new 1903s in 1903-04.
In 1916 they produced screws and nuts for 'Sword Bayonet Wire Breaker' @ 5/9 per dozen.
They also made spare components for RSAF Sparkbrook such as Bolts, malleable with edged trimmed only at 2 1/2 pennies each.
Mole's prices:
1888: 11/-              1888 Mk III: 9/6              1888 converted to 1903: 9/6
1903: 10/-
1907: 10/- reducing to 9/- and then in 1914-15, price rose to 11/-
Not earth shattering but part of the picture and explains Mole's low production figures for 1907 as quoted in your SUPERB book!
Kindest regards,
Robert Wilkinson-Latham

 Used & collector guns on the internet. Export/import problem,\? For Aussies, check out http://usedguns.com.au 

 Remington Arms bought Marlin Firearms. Marlin owns H&R and LC Smith. In this corporate world, S&W now owns Thompson Center Arms and manufactures Walther firearms in the USA. Remington is owned by Chrysler Corporation, who also bought Bushmaster. Winchester Repeating now belongs to Browning Arms (Morgan, UT) which is owned by FN Herstal, Belgium. Given the Royal Ordnance and H&K ownership, the French ownership of ADI Lithgow, and France's government GIAT and FN Browning's affiliation, so many traditional gunmakers are now more corporate conglomerates.
   Another firearms icon disappeared from America's heartland, Winchester. The Model 94 is discontinued, the US plant closed.
A few Winchester sporters will be made overseas, but Winchester joins Enfield, Wilkinson and Webley as ghosts of the past.

 SMLE Mk I charger guide repros available in the USA from Don Voigt in Charlotte NC. Price $90; e-mail photos look good. Limited run, so if you need one to complete Mk I, Mk I*, Mk I*** rifles, don't delay! E-mail Don at donvoigt@hotmail.com for details.

 Ammunition website worthy of paying regular visits... www.ammunitionpages.com

 Vote for the Lee-Enfield Rifle as a British Icon, register your vote at... http://www.icons.org.uk/nom/nominations/lee-enfield-rifle 

 'Old Guns & Whispering Ghosts', Jesse Hardin's new title. Jesse is a contributor to 'Collector' with articles on the Old west. New book can be ordered from http://www.oldgunsbook.com 

 Nobel 'Peace Prize' winners...
In 2007 ex-US Vice President Al Gore now joins this renowned group!
2002 winner, ex-US President Jimmy Carter, for what?
2001 winner, ex-UN Kofi Annan, for Iraq efforts, along with his son?
1994 winner, ex-PLO leader Arafat, terrorist, stole millions in aid to his Palestinian brothers?
1993 winner, Nelson Mandela, a South African terrorist?
What is the Nobel Peace Prize? Gifted funds of US$1.5 million each year from the inventor/maker of high explosives, truly a contributor to world peace... in reality, this is only an exercise in left-wing political farce.

 Jane 'Hanoi' Fonda nominated as 'One of the Hundred Women of the Century' !! This traitor passed on prisoners' notes for help to their NVA captors. Some POWs died from beatings, others maimed. Fonda is one of the most reviled women of the century.

 Richard & Molly Milner's arms research: www.armsresearch.co.uk site is prime for their preservation of these important records, particularly of Webleys and Wilkinson sword.

 Arms Collectors Guild of Qld. website is up again at www.acgq.org.au

 Belgian contract Patt. 1853 rifles; we've wondered who made them there. Apparently, a consortium, 'Societe de Anglais' comprising of Ancion, Renkit, Pitlot & Francotte who produced nearly 150,000 of the 3-band and 2-band Enfield .577 Rifle Muskets.

  New Signals Museum at Fort Lytton at the mouth of the Brisbane River... or if you are not in the neighbourhood, go to www.connectqld.org.au/lytton Phone contact can be made with organiser Jim Meehan on 07 3890 1379 or cell 0406 005 920. Interested groups can be taken through on weekdays or the usual Sunday opening around noon.

  Big Sandy Shoots - North Arizona MG Shooters. E-mail webmaster@mgshooters.com or fax 1 480 990 0189.

  Netherlands Army Museum new website. Check out http://collectie.legermuseum.nl/ and go under the chapter 'Thems's' and sub-chapter 'wapens'. We hope you can read Dutch!

 Ever wondered what 'F.E.H.' and crossed rifles mark on Lithgow SMLEs of 1916-post war mean, stamped prominently on the butt stock and sometimes in other areas? Comprising of a crown, crossed rifles, usually with a 'P' in one quadrant and 'F.E.H.' in opposite quadrant. Frederick Edward Hart was Staff Sergeant-Major Instructor from Randwick School of Musketry, promoted to Lieut. in August 1916 when he led the first team of Army Inspectors resident at SAF Lithgow. It is said that the team brought deliveries to a halt within days! Following the set-up of the Army Inspectorate at SAF Lithgow, their production became even finer.

 Webley Mk IV .38 revolvers supplied by Webley & Scott from 1939 to 1945 amounted to about 120,000 pistols. Serial numbers from May 14th 1947 were 'A' prefixed and ran A8 to A100599 by 26 March 1957. From 4th June 1957 to 7 Sept. 1979 when the last Webley revolver was made, serials were 'B' prefixed and ran B0 to B88165. Not all serials were used as blocks were assigned for specific calibres. The .380 Webleys were used by the Edmonton Alberta police until circa 1978.
   The revolver business was sold to a Pakistan company which acquired all tooling, work in progress and spare parts, although were not permitted to use the name 'Webley' in items. This info from Ted Simmermon from Edmonton, Alberta.

 Two new British sword books are a very welcome addition to the library. These are 'British Military Swords - 1786-1912' by Harvey J.S. Withers (2003) which has a listing of Wilkinson serial numbers and years of production. So useful! Harvey's site is www.britishmilitaryswordsbook.com The other new title is 'Swords & Swordmakers of England and Scotland' by Richard H. Bezdek published by Paladin in the U.S. of A. (2003) with lots of b&w photos and sells for US$70.
   Another sword revelation... After Colloden (1746), many captured and battlefield retrieved Scottish swords were used by Cumberland's forces, as the steel was better than in most English blades. Subsequently, the Scottish basket hilt was cut away on one side in English service; this has been the subject of debate by English & Scottish blade enthusiasts with theories of fitting a sword loop to retain the blade in use from horseback, et cetera. The new sword book reveals the reason... The Duke of Cumberland (the Prince Regent) required officers and men saluting him (bringing the upturned hilt to the lips) to have part of the basket hilt cut away, so that this could be performed per the Drill Regulations. So simple when you know!

 Royal Armouries also exhibit in the US in Louisville KY. Check www.royalarmouries.org

 Check Lee-Enfield slings... a little longer (57-in. vs 46-in.) is the SMG model for Sten, Thompson, Austen, Owen; more suitable for firing from the hip, later issued for .303 Bren and 7.62mm L4A4. The same applies to pull-throughs... about 30-in. long (vs 53-in. for rifles) with steel weight is for SMGs. We observe different length steel and brass weights on Aussie SMG pull-throughs too.

 Re: Lithgow 'Heavy' rifles...
    Rifles were sent in by Military Districts for fitting with 'short heavy' barrels at S.A.F. from 1932. Lithgow started making re-placement 30.2" barrels in the early 1920's for Rifle Clubs and Military District rifle teams. The short heavy is a 30.2" brl. cut down 5 inches. A '2 '27' dated barrel is likely a Lithgow MLE 30.2" cut down, MD markings confirm it as a factory job and dates tally. I have factory files here now, internal correspondence on Heavy barrels and production changes in components.
    Letters and orders confirm 1932 as the Heavy barrel designation beginning, but earlier barrels were cut down by 5" too. There are details on conversions to 25.2" of the MLE rifles using methods proposed by A.S. Taylor gunsmith of 80 Bathurst St., Sydney and by H.J. Motton of 482 Pitt St., Sydney. Sketches show these to be types 1. & 2. as described and shown on page 395 of LES. Many such rifles were turned in during WW2, hence the double dose.
    Orders for Lithgow converted ‘H’ marksman rifles carried through until as late as 1955 with the last batch of 100. Reason for the variety of British and Lithgow Mk III SMLE’s converted to sniper HT’s is that turned in ‘H’ target rifles were the prime source for sniper conversions, generally with no back sight as competition sights were used; Central, Mues, Motty, Rawson, Taylor, Austral, &c. When there were none on hand, new rifles were selected from store, so early 1940's Lithgows was included near the end. 
    The target shooting fraternity preferred early Lithgow actions as until 1916, the tolerances for bolt-way and bolt diameters were done at maximum bolt and minimum bolt-way clearances, making for a tight fit, and better accuracy. 1916 telexes from Egypt reported rifle bolts seizing from sand and grit, so tolerances were altered to the minimum bolt and maximum bolt-way tolerances, making more for clearance in early in 1916. And not as accurate!

  Site http://www.303british.com has a link http://www.paypalsucks.com that internet users should read and consider. Along with e-bay, they now are the predominant business in the internet market place. E-bay is anti-gun... no firearms are allowed on there.

  S.M.L.E. muzzle protectors have recently been the subject of an inquiry. Internet chatroom references to the 'Flanders flap' muzzle covers relate to the sheet steel cover with hinged flap and coil spring to retain the flap in the closed or open positions.
    Great war makers are listed as being J. Purdey & Sons, A. Purdey, M. Myers & Son Ltd. and C. Brandauer & Co. Ltd. during 1915. There is no doubt that orders continued during 1916-1918 with the distinct possibility of other new suppliers as well.
    Not all these muzzle protectors were the sheet steel type as unit prices ranged from tuppence ha'penny (2.5 pence) for 10,000 from A. Purdey, to 1/3d on 50,000 from J. Purdey & Sons, to 10/- on 100,000 from Brandauer and 8/- each on 100,000 from Myers. It would seem that the Brandauer and Myers manufactured protectors were 'Flanders flap' types while the less expensive models from A. Purdey and J. Purdey & Sons were also different to each other.
    At 2.5 pennies each, the A. Purdey protectors were likely canvas covers and Purdey & Son's offering at 1/3d would also have been quite basic affairs. The sheet steel models have also been noted in brass. War Office purchases were marked with the broad arrow upon acceptance along with the contractor's name, initials or logo.

  Facts & Figures... Check out statistics at www.nationmaster.com for an enlightening record.
Our 'Collector' #15 put some perspective on loss of life, battle casualties, &c. But this site compares homicides, militarism, armed forces, economies, tax & education in countries all around the world. Did you know the USA ranks 3rd in Military Expenditure per capita behind Israel and Singapore, with Australia at 14th, UK at 16th, Canada at 30th and New Zealand at 39th with China at 79th? Or that for Murders per capita, South Africa comes in 2nd behind Columbia, with the USA at only 24th. For murders with firearms, South Africa is 1st, the United States at 8th, Canada at 20th, Australia at 27th, New Zealand at 31st and the UK at 32nd.
    For longevity, the best is Andorra at 83.49 years, followed by Macau, San Marino, Japan and Singapore with Australia 6th at 80.13 years. Canada is 11th at 79.83 years, NZ 32nd at 78.32 years with Britain 36th at 78.16 years, the USA 48th at 77.14 years. Africa is worst; South Africa 202nd at 46.56 years and Mozambique last, 224th at only 31.3 years average life expectancy.
    And most taxed? The Vatican City comes 1st by a long shot, the Falklands 2nd, Sweden 7th, Gibraltar 12th, Belgium 13th, Germany 17th, Great Britain 19th, NZ 24th, United States 27th, Canada 38th and Australia 42nd. For civil liberties, Canada comes in 4th behind Netherlands, Switzerland and Sweden, then Australia rated 6th, NZ 7th and the US 8th with the United Kingdom a poor 20th. Russia is 96th, Malaysia at 98th, China at 125th, Vietnam at 128th, Laos at 130th and Burma at 135th with North Korea at 138th. Bottom of the freedom list is Turkmenistan at 140th. So much for Socialist 'Democratic People's Republic' hogwash!

Action continues for us in Afghanistan and Iraq. 'LEST WE FORGET' ...  Never forget the sacrifices of our countrymen and allies. My father, in 'Sparrow' force to Timor in 1942, then as a POW on the Burma-Siam Railway and on to Nagasaki... finally went to meet his maker in October 1996. With peace and prosperity, friends are aplenty. When you need help, friends are few. Who stand shoulder to shoulder to this day? America, Britain and Australia. And Kiwis and some others are helping in Afghanistan too.

 New records discovered at the S.A.F. Lithgow Museum...
The Australian machete bayonet was originally intended for the new No.1 Mk III* H.T. sniper rifle! Probably as a tool rather than to bayonet charging Japs with a sniper rifle.
Notes on conversation with Lieut. Pyke, 24th Nov. 1943...
Regarding the inquiry for 3,000 short heavy barrels for sniper rifle conversion. A firm in Melbourne is making the mount to hold the telescope, Lithgow will assemble them to the rifle. The M.G.O. is having Machetes made for use with these rifles, they require pommel and crosspiece fittings assembled to them similar to the operations on our present bayonet. To see if this work can be performed by us, they are forwarding a sample Blade very shortly. We are to then see whether we can assemble the Pommel and modified Crosspiece and finish machine similar to the Bayonet. We will need to supply wooden grips, screws and nuts for securing same to Machete'. 
    Early machete bayonets were profiled on Bren equipment at Lithgow; bayonet production was at Orange by this stage. The run of Machete bayonets, approved in April 1944 for Airborne troops and re-designated Bayonet 'Parachutist' in 1946, was probably at Orange. Many were destroyed although some sold surplus in the 1960's. A.I.A. had produced a new model as well.

Herb Woodend passed away at the QE2 Hospital in Welwyn Garden City, Herts. on 29th July 2003, finally succumbing to cancer, worsened during initial 'National Health' operations in England. Herb later went to the Anderson Clinic in Houston, Texas for more successful treatment. See our Herb page, his funeral was 13th August at Enfield Crematorium. To help meet his huge cancer treatment expenses, many collectors contributed to 'The Herb Fund' through John Wallace, 1296 Worthington La., Greenville NC 27858. wallacej@geeksnet.com  or via Dolf Goldsmith/Greg Souchik Mg34@mg34.com  or to www.303British.com 
We have also suffered the losses from our ranks of J. Anthony Carter, Ian Hogg and Peter Labbett in England. These gentlemen added significantly to our record of military arms, Herb Woodend M.B.E. as Curator of the M.O.D. Pattern Room and confidant to so many authors and researchers, Tony Carter as a British and German bayonet specialist and publisher, Ian Hogg as an author for his many books on British service firearms, ammunition, artillery and armoured vehicles and Peter Labbett published detailed work on British service ammunition. Then not long afterwards, Glenn De Ruiter, a well-known resident expert at Sarco in Stirling, New Jersey, was killed in an accident at the range at Easton Fish & Game in Pennsylvania shooting a 6mm Lee straight-pull. Valmore Forgett II of Navy Arms finally succumbed to a rare cancerous blood disease. These friends will be sorely missed... unfortunately there are fewer younger enthusiasts to take their places today.
   Mick Smith of Smiths Sports Store in George St. Sydney, along with Mike Long of Trident Arms in Nottingham, England, have both passed on. Skip Stratton too, died in late 2006.

Chat rooms can be fun; you can spend lots of time if you've nothing better to do. Our 2004 run-in with Vulch resulted in posts removed from the sniper forum ...  ... on entering US customs next day, Ian was detained, an internet tip-off from 'Vulch'?
    Some excerpts from moderator vulture's (Vulch) ramblings... quote:
    'You would probably be returning to the US or Thailand, or maybe Vientian perhaps?'
    'OK, I don't know where that was going or TOTALLY misconstrued, but, ya get that I guess. ..what rocks I was throwing, ..quiping on Kingaroy Firearms?????? I know you were there recently.
    I have been to 1 (one) Weston gunshow in my whole life... walked out after 1 hour in disgust. Millions of people read these pages, being this forums MODERATOR... Point the finger at me???????????????????????????????????? Sheesh! Me thinks you may be a touch on the paranoid side of paranoid! Would you like me to print the "hit log" for this forum for the last 24 hours? Would you like to see addresses of those that visited (including BATF and treasury.gov hits). I can simply turn on ISP logging and can see everyones address! (BTW, yours is 144.138.96.67, which is a Telstra ISP domain grouping)... I should delete the whole damned reply!!!! Come on, use some grey matter please! ... differ to what I said?????????????
    "gay porn" stuff... penis enlargement, viagra, sidenfil citrate - WHATEVER! most are porn generated - all it takes is 1, just ONE, visit to a porn site.....on the spammers lists! And, with the nude content to be found on YOUR Women at Arms web page, I am sure they sourced that too! Don't immediately jump to irrational decisions!!!!!!!    YAKKITY YAK, WANK, WANK, WANK.
    Was it such a coincidence that US Customs investigators referred to... girls 'n' guns and the internet? Can we suppose that Vulch is an expert on gay porn and penis enlargement too!
    For sniper rifle fans, we've posted the H.T. details Vulch removed in here in the Archives. Even his forum name is wrong... 'No.1 Mk III H.T.'. Should be 'No.1 Mk III* H.T.'. But for some self-proclaimed experts, near enough is good enough; that is the issue really. Vulch's quote supposedly from Winston Churchill of '‘A fanatic is one that can’t change his mind and won’t change the subject’ is misquoted like many other things on 'his' page. It should read "A fanatic is one WHO..." Enough said... this self-appointed Enfield guru apparently can't even read or copy properly. Empty vessels make the most sound.

Cartridge Charger Clips have devoted collectors. .303 clips went through a number of marks (illust. List of Changes) made in Britain, Australia, Canada, South Africa and non-Commonwealth countries that made the .303 round. The steel chargers (not to be confused with the Americanised 'clips' as used for 'magazines') have makers marks indicating origin, generally initials or codes.
    This list of British Great War contractors should help to realise a few more...
Bulpitt & Son, W.W. Greener, Kynoch Ltd., C. Mitchell, King's Norton, Perry & Co., M. Myers & Sons Ltd., W. Mitchell (pens) Ltd., Gramophone Co. Ltd., J. Mitchell, Brandauer & Co. Ltd., British Stamped Metal Ceiling Co., Perry & Co. Ltd., S. Thomas & Sons Ltd., Cook & Co., Baker & Finnemore Ltd., Rudge Whitworth Ltd., Bibb Edwards & Sons, H.W. Taylor, Parkinson & W.B. Cowan Ltd., Crane's Screw & Colgryp Castor Co. Ltd., Hancock & Corfield Ltd., H & T Vaughan.
Contract prices per 100 are listed at around 4/- (shillings) or L2 (pounds) per 1,000 so it is considered that all the above were for .303 cartridge chargers. 
    Kynoch made 6.5 Jap rounds and likely their clips too (brass?). Arisaka rifles were acquired from Japan and mostly issued to Naval and reserve forces. Great War contracts list 16 million 6.5mm rounds acquired from the Japanese government in 1915 'with clip' and 1,315,000 of 7.9mm cartridges from C. Osborne & Co. (likely an importer) in June of 1915.

  S.M.L.E. oil bottles have dedicated collectors and researchers too. Great War makers were: Gabriel & Co., Vickers Ltd., Nobel's Explosive Co. Ltd., Lightwood & Son Ltd., Thomas Bland & Sons, J. & J. Bent, King's Norton Metal Co., E. Showell & Sons, May & Padmore, H. Jenkins & Sons Ltd., Marris's Ltd., S. Heath & Sons Ltd., M. Halliday & Co. and W.H. Briscoe & Co. Ltd. Those specified as Mk IV oil bottle contract suppliers were listed as: W.H. Briscoe & Co. Ltd., Henry Jenkins & Sons Ltd., and J. & J. Bent again, as well as Nicole, Nielsen & Co. Ltd., Harcourts Ltd., Sperryn & Co. Ltd., and S. Hall & Sons Ltd. 

A new site by Kevin Adams of N.Z., on 7.62 x 51mm NATO stripper clips, chargers, &c. Check out Kevin's pages at http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~kevin_a/  And maybe Kevin will venture into 7.62mm ammo in the near future too.

Home storage is subject to strict rules in all Australian States. Only the licensee to have access to firearms, stored dismantled in a safe. A local 'copper' rocks around when the man of the house is not at home and asks his wife or kids to check a licensed firearm (air rifles and many antiques are licensed too). When they hand the policeman a key to the safe, he promptly takes all the guns away and the guy loses his licence for inadequate security. Along with a hefty fine! Advise your family accordingly.

 Political variation...
Socialism:  You have 2 cows; give one to your neighbour.
Communism:  You have 2 cows; government takes both and gives you the milk.
Fascism:  You have 2 cows; government takes both and sells you the milk.
Nazism:  You have 2 cows; the government takes both and shoots you.
Bureaucracy:  You have 2 cows; the government takes both then shoots one, milks the other and throws away the milk.
Capitalism:  You have 2 cows; you sell one and buy a bull.

New computer lists from National Archives of Australia... a database of almost one million Australian servicemen garnered from hundreds of thousands of ageing paper records: www.ww2roll.gov.au  Records can also be printed out from WW2 Nominal Roll.

 Southern Africa Arms and Ammunition Collectors Association, (Johannesburg, South Africa) has started a Web Page recording all currently known and possible South Africa and other African, Manufacturer, Ownership, Unit and Proof markings generally found on military equipment of all periods. It would be greatly appreciated if readers would visit the Page at; http://www.saaaca.org.za/links/markings.htm and see if they could perhaps help identify any of the markings shown or perhaps contribute new markings not recorded. Thanks in anticipation ... Chris D Baragwanath (Webmaster) cbara@global.co.za   

 Colonel Boys, Asst. Supt. Design, RSAF Enfield, is best remembered as designer of the .55" Boys Anti-Tank Rifle, first known as the Staunchion Gun. Nomenclature was changed in recognition of his contribution. 
     He was also involved in .380 Enfield No.2 revolver design just before the war and a sub-calibre version planned as the .22 No.3 Revolver. Only samples were produced of the rim-fire trainer although the .380 No.2 pistol went on to be manufactured in Mark I, I* & I** variants at Enfield and Albion Motors in Britain. And Howard Auto Cultivators in Sydney which was then taken over by Hastings Deering at the very end. Only 355 Australian pistols were made so if you come across a .380 No.2 revolver with HAC marked on the frame, it is very desirable Aussie military and manufacturing history.

Left-hand action Lee-Enfields? Mostly where an editor has the photo back to front! But a few were converted by field armourers, in Anzac service at least. Not a factory left-hand action, but a converted bolt with handle cut off and replaced in a left hand position (on top at 90 degrees). One was spotted in the ABC's 'Fortress Australia, True Stories' series, c.20 minutes into the wartime film.

The .303 cartridge is becoming more popular as many collectors shoot their Lee-Enfields. 'Textbook of Small Arms - 1929'  contains a sizeable section on .303 ammunition manufacture, ballistics and theory. The Mark VII ball round has a 174 grain bullet.
     With a muzzle velocity of 2,440 feet per second, the length of time for it to 'arrive' is...
   100 yards       .2 second        c. 2,200 fps. velocity
   600 yards     1.0 second
1,000 yards     2.1 seconds
1,300 yards     3.1 seconds       880 fps. velocity   maximum range on No.4 sight
1,750 yards     5.1 seconds                                 close enough to one mile
2,000 yards     6.4 seconds       600 fps. velocity   maximum range on SMLE leaf sight
2,600 yards   10.8 seconds                                 maximum range on volley dial sight
2,800 yards   12.8 seconds       340 fps. velocity   maximum range on volley dial sight
3,000 yards   15.1 seconds       300 fps. velocity   that is nearly 2 miles away!
     The 'crack - thump' method was used to gauge the distance from which one was being fired upon. When you heard the 'crack' of the bullet passing by, upon burrowing into the turf or desert sand, one started counting the seconds until the 'thump' or rifle muzzle report was heard, giving a reasonable estimate of just how far away the firer was.

Original service finish on Lee-Enfield rifles... 'browning'. Armourer's Instructions for the browning mixture for 50 rifles was:
   Rain or soft water ... 12 oz.                 Blue stone      ...    1.0625 oz.                Nitric acid       ...     1.25 oz.
   Tincture of steel   ...  3.5 oz.               Spirits of wine  ...    2 oz.                       Spirits of nitre  ...     3 oz.
For the first coat only, take 2 oz. of the mixture and add .25 oz. of nitric acid. 
The above-mentioned ingredients will be mixed by the armourer in the order shown, directly they are received. They must not be kept in separate bottles as danger from fire is likely to arise from nitric acid if spilt before being mixed with the other ingredients.
Process: 1st day... Boil components in strong soda water for half-hour, (1.5 lb. of soda to one gallon of water) to remove the grease. Wipe down with clean wet cloths to remove soda (inside of barrels to be wiped out with rod and wet jute). When barrels and components are cold, coat with the mixture, rubbing the first coat well in. Stand in a dry place for 3 to 4 hours, then again coat with the mixture, and stand in the drying room for the night.
             2nd day... Boil components in clean water for 20 minutes and, when cold, scratch off. Coat cold with the mixture and stand them in a dry place for 3 to 4 hours. Then again coat cold and stand them in the drying room for the night.
             3rd day...  Repeat as for the 2nd day.
             4th day...  Boil in clean water for 20 minutes. When cold, scratch off and oil.
This 4 day process is obviously more permanent than modern 'cold blue' or painted finish.   'Instructions for Armourers - 1931'.

 Great tip from Brian Labudda for getting rid of surplus store oil and grease on old bayonets & scabbards and other surplus stores. Using solvents and modern-day commercial cleaners is likely to damage leather and wood finish. Realize that Great War items are now approaching 100 years of age, so extra care is warranted. Leather and wood does not have the longevity of metal. 
    A short-term remedy costs nothing! Wait for a hot and sunny day, then lay out the scabbards or rifle parts in the sun, or on a bare cement or stone gravel area. Spread out some old newspapers to absorb oil and the grease that leeches out from leather too. You'll be surprised at how effective nature can be, with no damage to the surface, the wood or leather parts or their original finish. 
One day is sufficient. We acquired a bundle of greasy Patt. 1907 scabbards on which markings were not visible, only a few teardrop or small frog studs seen on lockets peeking out from globs of black surplus grease. Hours in the sun revealed a few prizes and leathers came up sharp and crisp, leaving enough oil for long term preservation and in a condition so much more desirable.
    Old leather had a Shellac finish which also stiffened the leather. You don't want to remove this. Chemical treatments (especially gasoline or spirit based) will likely render your scabbards limp and discoloured. Certainly not the go! For old or deteriorating leather, saddle soap is reasonable for cleaning but commercial leather dressings are the best, from saddle or equestrian shops. Not only leather scabbards, but this also applies to frogs and leather carrying equipment. If the solution is too strong, stitching may rot, so make inquiries first of other collectors. 'Boot goo' beeswax finish is great, likely marketed under different names in different places.
    A warning... Neatsfoot Oil will darken leather and rot stitching. This old-time treatment is not advisable, leather is not easy to restore. While stitching can be replaced with new waxed thread, cracked, chipped or damaged leather is not readily restored.  

 It is over fifty years now since the huge wartime production finished. This period has seen the passing of most employees of the great ordnance factories; it is interesting how many 'lunchbox' guns and other firearms and weapons have come onto the market over the past decade from 'house clearances' and relatives finding items tucked away.
    Some interesting rifles have surfaced which are now being touted as factory prototypes and experimental models. However, many of these are best described as having been assembled from available parts as a 'no-cost' hunting rifle. Such an example is a Long Branch No.4 lightweight fitted with Lyman Alaskan telescopic sight, assembled from parts misappropriated from the factory toolroom. And some .303 No.4 Savage rifles fitted with heavy barrels and scope mounts, ex-Chicopee Falls employees.
    Factory toolroom, test and prototype rifles almost inevitably have numbers, markings and indicators from their work and test record. On occasions, paperwork is available which helps to authenticate pieces but in many cases, the 'rare factory prototype' is really a management or worker's personal freebie lunchbox gun. Why 'lunchbox'? Because that's how most components were smuggled out through factory security.

New books... When Duty Calls - A History of the Tasmanian Rangers 1886-1945. Available soon, pre-publication offer $30 plus a PowerPoint presentation in pdf format for $15; $5 post in Oz. By Lt.-Col. Douglas Morris Wyatt RFD (ret.), comprises 82 pages text, photos, maps, &c. Also Tasmanian Colonial Artillery 1803-1903 by D.M. Wyatt, with book, CD & post, same prices.
Order or enquiries from D.M. Wyatt, 9 Morris Ave., Taroona, Tasmania 7053.

Wilkinson Sword has closed its factory doors at Acton in West London, according to their website posting recently. A sign of the times, and certainly the end of a traditional and renowned blade maker. As a result of falling demand over many years, they have announced that there is little option but to cease production of high quality specialist swords and knife products. RIP.

 A good understanding of firearms is a distinct advantage for serious bayonet collectors as well as relevant ammunition and webbing or load carrying equipment collectors. And vice versa. The fields are closely related and knowledge of the firearm muzzle, sword bar form & position helps a bayonet collector determine what the bayonet was made to fit. And thus, what it actually is.
    An good example of applies to socket bayonets. For nearly two centuries, there was such an array of different socket bayonets that they can all look so much the same. Starting with manufacture, proof, inspection or issue marks to help ascertain the national origin of the item, one then needs to work out what it fixed onto, to know what it actually is. With flint and percussion arms, the form of the foresight is relative to the dimensions (two different channel widths) of the zig-zag slot as well as the shape of the loop at the muzzle end of the slot. The length of the socket is also relative to the position of the end of the fore-end and the firearm muzzle, because the socket end likely fitted flush with the barrel muzzle. If there was some form of catch on the musket or rifle, there would be a corresponding notch or catch on the socket bayonet rim. Some scabbards had provision for retaining catches too.
    Which all goes to make collecting of otherwise boring old socket bayonets so fascinating. AND the knowledge of what it really is makes for great finds at guns shows or antique shops, especially at peanut prices. Knowledge of magazines, scabbard fittings, accessories, &c. will likely determine what that odd piece of webbing or leather equipment was for, for load carrying equipment and uniform buffs or scroungers looking for bargains.

 Correct nomenclature of British and Empire service firearms and edged weapons is taking higher ground as they become more popular with US collectors now. While we are witnessing less general Americanization of some terms (e.g. 'armory' instead of 'small arms factory' or 'Royal Ordnance Factory' and 'Pattern 1917' or P17 rather than the correct 'Model 1917' of M17), we still note widespread reference to .577/450 instead of .450 M-H, 297/230 instead of .230CF (commercial rather than the service nomenclature) and Schneider instead of Snider, as well as confusion over Lee-Enfield rifles Mark and No. designations. 
    My pet peeve is when the typical commercial American 'type' or 'model' is improperly applied to British military service production. For example— recent US booklets describing Lee-Enfield contractor production alternatives as being 1st pattern, 2nd pattern, 3rd pattern or model, &c. This wrongly infers a chronological or manufacturing procedure progression. Differences were only production concessions and alternatives by different makers. Most variations were concurrent production so cannot be '1st pattern', '1st type', '2nd model', &c. Rather the 'Singer' or 'Lines Bros.' model or a 'waisted', 'hinged' or 'fabricated' definition. An appellant '1st type', '2nd model' author's perception is rarely in any true chronological order anyway.
    Fazakerley and BSA Shirley (M47C) No.4 rifles are usually found with fewer alterative production parts as both these factories manufactured all the No.4 parts at the time. Maltby ROF however was locally referred to as 'The Tower' as they assembled rifles using components from the sub-contractors. So alternative production parts are more often encountered on Maltby rifles as well as certain other arms refitted by armourers. FTR (Factory Thorough Repair) programs usually replaced such parts with better made Fazakerley components; generally effected at ROF Fazakerley.