E-Bay item 320501657564

[Peter Wells]

This is supposedly a WW1 Australian Vickers Cover. I have queried it's origins with the seller but would like to read any comments from this band as I have never heard or seen of such an item - nor does GOL mention it.

Secondly, I a bidding on it (falnut) and don't want to bid against anyone else on this forum so I will be happy to back off if I am bidding against one of our members.

Let me know.

[tom]

Nah, it's a 2nd pattern Bren cover, 1941-44 most probably. The British and Canadians made them, not sure about the Australians.

ATB

Tom

[Peter Wells]

Thanks Tom.

I knew somebody here would be able to help.

Cheers

[Peter Wells]

I hope it's what the "lucky" buyer wanted as he paid Au$140 for it!

[captain]

I was the first bidder, but I did not insist as I saw the price going up. Was not sure about item.
Luc

[303mal]

The high final price is because us locals in Oz are so desperate we pay stupid money for the odd item that does very occasionally turn up.

With half a dozen deacs in the country and stupid import laws it's full of desperado's here.

[Peter Wells]

I got a reply from the seller saying that he had"figured out" that it must be Vickers kit - so I backed out. Well done to you too Luc.

Mal, I really feel for you over there. When they rehashed our legislation a few years ago 'they' didn't know what to do about de-acs so I offered to draft that section. I did so and presented it to a small committee representing collectors, police and defence and they accepted it virtually as drafted - much to my suprise as I thought I was pushing my luck on many points . Our law now respects previous specs (they actually don't exist but a particular letter written by a senior police officer is often used as a spec - basically saying "if the barrel is blocked, plugged, cross pinned etc. then the whole firearm is de-ac"), a new non defacing spec as well as UK and EU specs. Works for us and there is now a thriving trade importing Vickers, Brens, MgG34s and 42s etc. etc. ex UK - no problem.

Cheers

[303mal]

Hi Pete,

The strange thing here is that it's OK to own a deac here in Oz and in some cases even a working example if you have the right license etc but there are very few deacs on the market. Most guns were sent O/S or destroyed outright. Also we cannot in any way shape or form import deacs as they are treated as working firearms even if welded solid. Now where's the logic to that!

So hence the few that are around demand high prices to say the least.

Anyways good luck to all who can buy them for a few hundred quid. And look after all the Lithgow examples as they are much longed for here in their country of birth.

All the best.

[horsa (David Gordon)]

Most of your Vickers and Bren guns came into the USA via vendors like IMA since they had a bigger market here for parts kits than they did in the UK with their parent company. But they are starting to dry up somewhat here now which is causing prices to creep up.

Talking crazy prices, a Bren bipod sold today on eBay for almost $800AU.

cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180487439844&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

[303mal]

Well I'm just glad that at least most of the Bren's and Vickers we made didn't end up as scrap metal like a large amount of SLR's and F1's did later on. You guys are lucky to have access to them Most of here would give up their left nut for one!

That Bi-pod price is crazy even for here!
I know where I can pick them up for just over $100 but $800 that's beyond all comprehension but also shows how desperate we are here.

Sad but true I'm afraid.