A mate and I went to a militaria and firearms show (gun show) yesterday morning here in Brisbane. It was very disappointing. It was maybe half the size of previous shows with no new firearms and only a smattering of used guns, and most of those were old and of questionable value. It seems old or antique means high value regardless of its heritage. I looked at a couple then didn’t waste my time looking at any more.

There was one guy who makes new woodwork for SMLE rifles (he was the only producer of new items), but he is using a very light in colour walnut with no real character, but the original woodwork was made from coachwood, a stronger and heavier timber.

Apart from that, there was a proliferation of guys selling milsurp/disposal store rubbish (used current model uniforms and rank badges etc) and a few selling oddball knives of questionable value/manufacture…at ludicrous prices.

The one stand that did catch my eye was a guy selling bayonets from WW I and WW II. He had a bayonet I’ve been looking for for awhile…a bayonet for my SMLE #5 Jungle Carbine. It was in quite reasonable condition, but he had a $400 price tag on it, putting it well out of my reach. Something else I was looking for, I didn’t see…a .308 and a .303 ruptured cartridge case extractor…no joy.

My mate picked up some 303 ammo, with spoiled packaging at very close to retail prices (as was most of the ammo), saving in total about $50 over 15 packs, and he beat me to a couple of boxes of Hornady .30 cal gas checks at $64 a box (about $25 below retail… if you can find them).

So, all in all, a disappointing morning all things considered.

from all accounts the greek .303 brit amunition doing the rounds here,has been around the world a couple of times,the USA picked out the best,we got what was left,some has been tumbled in concrete mixer to remove tarnish...most goes bang,some goes click and occasionally one goes boom.... buyer beware.

Vince,
I can feel your pain regarding the visit to the recent gunshow. I hate it when that happens. The same thing happens around here. The area gunshows are usually well attended and then all tends to go downhill. The newer firearms are often available and ammo at inflated prices. The older used and military arms are often priced right off the charts. Those prices would give me chest pains. Reloading supplies are hit or miss when available. Primers are very hard to find and quite expensive. Power can be a real crap shoot and one never knows what is available.

The folks at my gun club offer to share and help other members when they can. Somehow we will get through this. All the best...
Gil

Yes, agree totally Gil…gunshow pickings are not worth the trouble these days. I get the impression that the promoter is only really interested in making money from the entry fees.

Funny, but from what I saw, too many of the sellers looked like little, short, creepy looking guys with big beer bellies.

Hey!!! Vince!!! That's not nice describing me to all the folks on here.

Bushmaster wrote:

Hey!!! Vince!!! That's not nice describing me to all the folks on here.

Yeah…but you’re not creepy mate, not like these guys. I wouldn’t turn my back on them.

I hit the local gun show weekend before last. Prices still kind of crazy. The same gun was $650 at some tables and $850 at others (MRSP was $860). Mosin Nagant M91/30s and K31s were $800-900. Garands were $1500+. Primers were still too high (over $100/k) but I did see powder for $37/lb.

One dealer was talking about selling a gun with a $700 MSRP for $1100. Guess I'll skip his table from now on.