Milsurp After Hours

I'll be in London for about a week at the end of the month. Are there any Enfield and/or Martini parts sources in the London area, preferably accessible within the radius of an all-zones tube pass? I'd appreciate any info, especially from the UK-based contributors. Thanks to all in advance.

Allen

You could possibly get a train from Waterloo to Brookwood and get a taxi to Bisley to see Fultons. http://www.fultonsofbisley.com/

Now that is an excellent idea Mick.

Bisley is always worth a visit.

Not only to see Fultons, now a classic example of blatant over pricing, but also to go to Jim Hallam's.

Jim has relocated 250yrds from Bisley front gate and is well worth speaking with, he is legend in the UK firearms world and is an historic arms guru. A founder member of HARC.

He is trading under Classic Gun Company.

Tel: 01483472718 09.00-19.00 hrs

Mob: 07753697888

They will need whatever is the appropriate international prefix if phoning from abroad.

Email: classicgunco@dial.pipex.com.

He might also still be at the NE london address so an email might prove productive.

Let us know how you get on Allen, sorry not to be more help but London is place I avoid like the plague, I'm down there three or four times a month with my work and its so awful I just get straight on a train back north even although there is lot there I'd like to see.

Thanks for the tips. Bisley might be a bit of a stretch ('ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp') for this trip, but if possible, who knows? Brother and sis-in-law will be visiting L-town and thought a London guide--from Texas!-- could show 'em around, so that will be the priority--museums, shopping, all the usual tourist traps. Maybe a short side trip somewhere Enfield/Martini/Webley-related . . . . Otherwise, there's the retirement to-do list to add to; just biding my time. But thanks again for any and all suggestions.

Allen

If your doing the museums then the Imperial War Museum in Lambeth Road has the odd Enfiel/Martini/Webley. Well worth a visit.

Thanks, Wolftam--

I've seen Lawrence's SMLE at the IWM, and the other museums (Brit, RAF, Duxford, Fleet Air Arm, Nat'l Maritime, etc) on previous ventures. This is mostly a family deal, so I'll be a tagalong, reminding them to look right before crossing the streets. But if there's an opportunity, I'll pounce on it. Thanks,

Allen

Allen,

Don't forget the National Army Museum in Chelsea (next to the Royal Hospital), they've a fair collection of firearms on display IIRC, always worth a visit.

Tom

"...parts sources..." I'd guess that Gunparts has more Enfield and Martini parts than any place in the UK.

Thanks all. Been to the Army museum and Guards museum, and drooled over the ranks of the Martinis in the depths of the White Tower. Even visited HMS Victory and the Fleet Air Arm museum--not bad for an Air Force guy. And Brecon, too, come to think of it.

Gunparts doesn't have the little obscure screws and hardware that I'm looking for, so I figured that as long as I was in the neighborhood, I might as well ask around and see what might turn up. One just never knows.

If you want anything Enfield that has any obscurity, your best bet would be to order the parts from A J Parkers in Birmingham and have them delivered to your address or that of a local. I'm not suggesting that you visit them (although it is fun going back in time when you go into the shop) as it's quite a train ride from London, but it's the best source for bits. As an example I just bought a new striker spring for my SMLE and they only charged me £1 but they apologised for having to charge me a whole £1 for postage - so I bought 2 instead....

Good Luck and have a good visit