Original or reproduction accessories for WWII guns?

[cluttonfred]

OK, I am thinking about getting some accessories to go with my WWII rifle collection: M1 Garand, M1 Carbine, M1917 Enfield (WWII refurb) & Lee Enfield No. 4 Mk. 1*. I am not planning to be a reenactor or anything, I'd just like to have the right stuff to go with the guns.

For the leather or canvas bits (slings, stock mag pouch for carbine, stripper clip/en bloc clip pouches, etc.) I will probably go with reproduction stuff: most 70-year-old leather and canvas will be pretty grungy and fragile and not really look like it did when issued in any case.

On the other stuff (oilers, cleaning kits, etc.) it's a toss up. If I can find original stuff in good condition and at decent prices, great, but I will probably go with reproductions if I can't.

Bayonets and scabbards are the hardest, as those I would really like to be original. The spike for the No. 4 is easy but the rest are hard to find at good prices and I am leery of being fooled by a reproduction but charged for an original.

What are other folks doing? Thoughts on good sources for authentic WWII accessories at reasonable prices? Please don't say eBay, not my thing and I don't trust what I would get.

Cheers,

Matthew

 

[bannockburn]

Owlnmole

I think you've got it pretty well planned out. I would look first at some of the major surplus dealers online and see if I could find original equipment that was still in decent shape. After that I would go with reproductions for everything else. Definitely can save some money that way by not having to pay collector's prices for the original gear.

 

[Willie Sutton]

"the rest are hard to find at good prices"


Change that to: "The rest sell for what they are worth as collectors items, while the inferior reproduction items sell for what they are worth without any historical value at all". What represents a better *value*? It's your choice and your money.


The originals are collectors items that sell for more now, and which will appreciate in value in the future. They will always be of higher quality than any replica as well, never mind their own history.

The reproduction stuff is cheap now and will be worth less next year.


Bottom line: Are you collecting for real, or do you just want to play army? It really comes down to that choice. If you start buying only original stuff, you'll end up with a collection of significance. If you buy replicas, you'll end up with a pile of junk that nobody else wants.


Willie

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[cluttonfred]

Thanks, guys. On that last point, WS, I would say that I am collecting, not playing army, but I would want to use these items to actually carry the gun when necessary, transport clips to the range, etc. so neither do I want museum-quality heirloom gear that I will worry about. Admittedly, the bayonets will not likely see any practical use, but you never know, those darn Canadians could feisty!

 

[Robert]

E Bay has a ton of good original gear and many times you can find screaming deals, but that's not your thing.

Bayonets are easy, but if you want original you will have to pay. Then there is the question of which variant of the bayonet do you want for each rifle. Some are easier to find and healer than others.

The 1917 is really a WWI rifle so original kit for it is all but gone. Reproduction is about your only choice. But that is not a bad thing. There are a number of good reproduction companies out there. Heck I have a complete WWI Australian uniform, to include webgear, that is all Repo and looks fine.

 

[White Walker]

I purchase nothing but original stuff and I don't pay very much. I buy my stuff on ebay. Canvass WW II web gear is there, plentiful and it's cheap enough. Non of what I buy is ragged. I collect all WW I stuff and it's in mint condition for the most part. Unissued. What have you been looking at?

 

[Reloadron]

Before you even embark on this endeavor I suggest you start doing some serious reading. Bayonets and scabbards alone become a science unto themselves as well as who made them and when and if they were made a specific length or arsenal cut down.

I fondly remember trips to the Army / Navy store with my dad during the 50s and early 60s and this "junk" was piled floor to ceiling. Literally ton after endless ton. Parachutes made for dropping heavy equipment were ten bucks and pure silk. I still have a WWII Rifle Grenade (but a cluster flare) somewhere I think. While the stuff is out there today and can be had you need to educate yourself on what is real and what is fake and what the real stuff should sell for.

Just My Take
Ron

 

[cluttonfred]

Thanks, all. I will certainly have to do my homework and may have to bite the bullet and actually use eBay (ugh!). Likely I will take each rifle in turn and build up the accessories to complement my collection over time. I would still welcome any links to non-eBay suppliers and any first-hand experience anyone would like to share on accessories for these four rifles in particular. Also, if anyone knows of any good sites or books that might be useful for narrowing down the choices of accessories, that would be a big help. Cheers, Matthew

 

[Sunray]

A lot depends on what you call 'reasonable'. The issue kit I have, American and Canadian with some Brit made stuff, has skyrocketed in value in the last 20 years. I have 2, mint, receiver covers for No. 1 and No. 4 Lee-Enfields, I acquired somewhere and recently discovered are worth about $50Cdn each. Bayonets are insane. Paid $20Cdn., about 40 years ago, for an M1905E1 bayonet that's worth well over $100US. One of 'em in poor condition runs $50US.
The major surplus dealers are mostly selling re-pro stuff at high prices to re-enactors. Collectable stuff has gone through the roof pricewise.
"...actually use eBay..." Finances the people who want to take your firearms away from you. There are other options. Anyway, if it's inexpensive on the evil anti-firearm ownership empire that is E-Bay, it's a repro. Or in poor condition.

 

[bonza]

Have you looked at International Military Antiques (IMA)?
http://www.ima-usa.com/
They carry a wide range of gear, both original & reproduction. I've bought a few items from them & have been pleased.

 

[bainter1212]

Try Liberty Tree collectors. That site has a lot of nice original stuff on it. Bayos and frogs, bandoleers and stripper clips, and everything else under the sun. I purchased some "new old stock" genuine British .303 bandoleers from them awhile back and was very satisfied.

 

[Ignition Override]

Owlnmole: The CMP might still have the short bayonets for the Garand.
I bought a pair last September in the Anniston store for approx. $35-40 each.

They are not as impressive as the longer $100+ versions, but at least these are much easier to justify, and are authentic.
Liberty Tree Collectors has had a very unique selection of bayonets etc plus guns.

 

[cluttonfred]

Thanks, all. Liberty Tree does seem to have nice stuff and reasonable prices, thanks. The CMP does have Garand bayonets and prices are good, just $65 including a scabbard, but that's actually the one bayonet I already have. The long 1917 Enfield is going to be the priciest one to find original, I think. I'll keep looking.

 

[rondog]

There's a lot of businesses on the web selling good surplus. Google Bill Ricca for one and another is War Dog Militaria, Apex Gun Parts, Liberty Tree, Springfield Sporters, etc. There's tons of 'em, Google is your friend.

 

[cluttonfred]

OK, I've started with something easy. I just ordered an original Savage-made WWII spike bayonet, frog and scabbard to go with my Lee-Enfield. Anybody know where I can get a nice Savage-made web sling (the one with the blued steel, not brass end clips)? Cheers, Matthew