The Territory Arms Collector
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ARMS COLLECTORS’ ASSOCIATION OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY INC. (ACANT) The EXECUTIVE & COMMITTEE: 20082009 President – Tony Orr Vice President – Brian Dudley Secretary – Ellen Pitts Treasurer – Michael Pitts Territory Public Officer – Ron James Committee –Don Davie, Craig Wharton, Ann Wharton ACANT Alice Springs Branch PO Box 189 PO Box 4108 Arms Palmerston NT 0821 Alice Springs NT 0870 Telephone (Secretary) Col Jarrett (08) 8932 1759 (08) 8952 6261 Collector Email: [email protected] ACANT general meetings are held at the SSAA Club House at the Mickett Creek Shooting Complex at 7.30 pm on the second Thursday of each month. Approval is sought from the Commissioner of Police for every second meeting, commencing with the January meeting, to be preceded by an authorised collectors’ shoot. Under current arrangements, firearms held on a NEWSLETTER OF THE collector’s licence, including H Class firearms but excluding proscribed ARMS COLLECTORS’ ASSOCIATION items, may be discharged at approved shoots, which are conducted at SSAA Range 2 commencing at 4.30 pm. Meals are provided at moderate cost after OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY the shoots, and access to SSAA bar facilities is then available. Both the SSAA and ACANT attendance registers must be signed. ACANT CALENDAR 2009 08 Jan Colts & Webleys Shoot 09 Jul Mauser v Lee Enfield Shoot DECEMBER 2008 12 Feb Percussion & Flint 13 Aug Military & Police Handguns 12 Mar Martinis & Sniders Shoot 10 Sep European Sporters Shoot 09 Apr Edged Weapons 08 Oct Artillery, Mortars, Mines 14 May Big Game Rifles Shoot 12 Nov Smith & Wessons Shoot 11 Jun Rimfire, Rook & Parlor 10 Dec Cased Shotguns Xmas Party 1 WANTED John Wilkes featured bold scroll engraving. A ‘modern’ double rifle Anything to do with artillery or other ordnance: shell cases, projectiles, in the form of a .577 Light Nitro fuzes, fuze setters, tools, inert training rounds, sights etc. Have you got was built on a Greener ‘Empire’ something lying around that you might like to part with? Please give me a shotgun action. Chambered for the call. I have a particular interest in tank and antitank guns, but am keen on 8 x 57 JR cartridge, a Westley anything to do with artillery of all eras. Richards side by side double rifle Jared Archibald (w) 89998292; (h) 89884562; [email protected] had a tangent rear sight graduated If you happen to have something that you are not quite sure of I should be from 100 to 600 yards and was No. 2 of a pair. A fine Holland & Holland able to identify it. If you have an item that you think might be “live”, let me cased side by side, nonejector sidelock rifle in .500/450 Magnum Nitro know as I have contacts with the Explosive Ordnance Disposal people in Express was of 1905 manufacture. Defence. They can make sure an item is safe, and if it is not, can deal with it in a professional and safe manner. OCTOBER, NOVEMBER & DECEMBER MEETINGS October: Double Rifles The ‘Double Rifles’ theme produced a display of nine British double rifles. The oldest was a .450 calibre side by side hammer rifle manufactured by E.M. Reilly & Co. of London. A The other long arms on display Tolley toplever hammer were an interesting drilling with rifle was a close second with two 16 bore barrels over an 8 x 57 its antiquated .500/.450 x 3½ JR barrel manufactured by Stahl & chambering, and patent ‘Giant Grip’ third bite. Bridging the gap between Berger of Hamburg, and a pristine the black powder and nitro express eras, a Rodda crystalindicator sidelock example of Ruger’s magnum bolt was marked ‘CO EX’ indicating action rifle chambered for Holland proof for the cordite equivalent of & Holland’s classic .375 Belted the .577/.500 No.2 cartridge. Magnum cartridge. A .450/.400 double rifle by Army The only pistol displayed was a and Navy C. S. Ltd. with one wellused Mauser C96 in 7.63 mm standing and two folding rear sights and notable for its unusual safety was typical of the plain but catch. An item giving rise to much serviceable rifles and shotguns speculation as to its identity was a purveyed by the company and Wrench, breech piece, 3 inch found in large numbers throughout mortar, 1944. The wrench was used the British Empire. A cased Jeffery on the Ordnance, ML, 3inch boxlock double chambered for the Mortar, a most effective Infantry 3inch version of that cartridge was battalion weapon in British and engraved with prowling tigers, and Commonwealth service from a cased Manton .470 NE built by between the wars to the late 1960s. 2 3 Again, a relic of the 19391945 War was tabled. Several .303 rounds in a disintegrating belt were found at the wartime Sattler Air Strip running parallel to the Stuart Highway at about the 20 Mile. An unusual collection of survival equip ment issued to United States air crews in the 1980s included weapons and a wide range of items from de hydrated food to communications equipment and other gear designed to assist downed airmen. Two uniforms were of particular interest. One was the camouflage uniform of a lance corporal paratrooper in the former Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN). The other was the flying suit, helmet and associated in the late 19 th Century and the first model was designed by Charles equipment issued to Lieutenant Colonel J. C. Pross, Francois Galand. They were carried by cyclists and the idea was that a United States Marine Corps (USMC), Commanding cyclist menaced by a dog could fire a warning shot, and if that had no effect, Officer of VMFA 212 ‘Lancers’. This excellent presentation was judged to could then take more drastic measures. Imagine that on your local street be the most interesting or unusual item on display, earning its owner the today! monthly $25 award. The other European revolver was a Nagant Model 1895 produced in 1912. November: European Handguns While the Nagant was the principal Russian sidearm for a considerable There was a fine response to the theme of ‘European Handguns’ and a good period and was well made, it utilized a loading gate and was already behind display of a range of other items. While it is pleasing that some members are the times when introduced into service. The Nagant was also used in committed to bringing items for display, it is known that other members military and/or police service in Sweden, Norway, Poland and France but have items that would be of considerable interest that have never been only the Russian model had the gas check feature whereby the cylinder presented. Members are urged to share items in their collections with their moved forward on cocking to form a seal with the barrel. fellowmembers at meetings. Bill Ruger was responsible for two moremodern revolvers on display, a The oldest pistols tabled stainless steel, black powder ‘Old Army’ model and a centrefire ‘Security were two Velo Dog revol Six’ chambered for the .357 Magnum cartridge. vers. The smaller was cham German handgun manufacturers were represented by models ranging from bered for the 5.5 mm Velo the late 19 th Century to the later years of the 20th century. Early models Dog cartridge (slightly less were two Mauser C96s – a ‘Bolo’ and a ‘Broom Handle’ – and an Artillery powerful than the .22 LR) Luger P08 engraved ‘Erfurt 1917’. The Luger had a replacement rear sight and the other was in .32 of unknown provenance located on the barrel and graduated to a particularly calibre. Both lacked a trigger ambitious 600 metres. The barrel was engraved HALLARMS on the right guard but had a folding trig side and ADELAIDE on the left. This firm is not known to the editors and ger and a safety catch. Neither had any indication of maker or place and year any information on the company would be appreciated. of manufacture. The Velo Dog revolvers were produced, mainly in Belgium, 4 5 Produced in more recent times and of a novel design, a Heckler & Koch – a MannlicherSchönauer carbine in 8 x 57S with fulllength stock and Model HK4 came in a box complete with barrels chambered for .22, 6.35 fitted with a Zeiss DiavariZ telescopic sight in 1.5–6 x 42 and a CZ 550 mm, 7.65 mm and 9 mm Kurz cartridges and appropriate magazines. ‘Safari Magnum’ made in the United States and chambered for the .458 Lott wildcat cartridge. A freelanced .41 calibre, breechloading, blackpowder cannon gave evidence of considerable skill in metalworking and no lack of ingenuity. A .44 Magnum case was used but ignition was by percussion cap. A bomb for the British 3inch mortar manufactured in 1945 was complete with a transit plug. Also in the ordnance line were a fired 105 mm shell and two igniters for the current Army 155 mm Howitzer artillery piece. Two pistol holsters, one of leather and the other synthetic, rounded off the display. The $25 award for the most Other European semiautomatic pistols included two Berettas, one interesting or unusual display went chambered for the .22 LR cartridge and the other, a Model 1934, for the 9 to the Heckler & Koch HK4 pistol mm Corto cartridge, a Star pistol in for its choice of four calibres. 7.63 mm Mauser fitted with a wooden stockholster, a Unique in December: Sniper Rifles .22 LR and a Margolin .22 LR in a The theme of ‘Sniper Rifles’ produced an excellent display of four examples case with accessories.