e-gazette # 112 may 2020 - wellingtonantiquearms.org.nz

May 2020 Newsletter of the New Zealand Antique & Historical Arms Association Inc. No 112

E-GAZETTE MK II*

EDITORIAL

As we enter a second year of confusion and disruption for the firearm collecting community, caused by mass confiscations, draconian and complex new gun laws and now a viral pandemic, it is good to see that collectors around the country are using their ingenuity to overcome the difficulties.

Just as ANZAC day commemorations have been replaced by the call to “stand alone at dawn” so our Branches are thinking of new ways to hold meetings and auctions and keep us all interested.

As Covid -19 keeps many of us in personal isolation, more frequent newsletters help keep members connected, postal auctions help members buy and sell. Virtual Branch or committee meetings can be held online using ZOOM.

Instead of putting on displays at Branch meetings members could photograph or video their display and post it online or in a newsletter.

With courier companies refusing to carry firearms could NZAHAA members not transport them through a Branch network?

The important thing is not to give up, we must find new ways to do things in this brave new world.

Keep Safe Phil

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The e-Gazette Mk II* is a monthly news-letter circulated free to members of the NZAHAA and their friends by e-mail only. It may be copied and forwarded to fellow collectors, we ask that any material used by others is acknowledge to this publication. Copyright where indicated remains with the contributor of the item. Views expressed here are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of the NZAHAA or its Branches. All correspondence relating to the e-Gazette should be addressed to: The Editor, Phil Cregeen at: [email protected] To unsubscribe e-mail the Editor. All correspondence relating to NZAHAA membership should be addressed to the National Secretary:PO Box 694, Rangiora 7440 e-mail: [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]





https://medium.com/@nzdefenceforce/stand-at-dawn-anzac-day-2020-b5270082c0e6

LEST WE FORGET

UP COMING EVENTS

2020 DUE TO COVID - 19 ALL EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

23 May Ruahine Arms Fair, Palmerston North POSTPONED to 31 July

6 June Northland Branch Gun Show, Barge Park, Whangarei CANCELLED

5 July Auckland Branch Gun Show ?????????

11 & 12 July Wellington Branch Auction ??????????

17 &18 July Mainland Arms Gun Show, Riccarton Raceway, Christchurch ?????????

15 & 16 August Tauranga Militaria Show ??????????

3 October HYGM & Hawkes Bay Branch Auction ???????????

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https://medium.com/@nzdefenceforce/stand-at-dawn-anzac-day-2020-b5270082c0e6


120 bore (.338cal) Beaumont Adams Revolver By John Carter

Beaumont Adams and Adams revolvers are all five shot and were manufactured in three calibres .479 (38 bore), .442 (54 bore) & .338 (120 bore) about 19000 Beaumont Adams revolvers were manufactured at London between 1855 and 1867, of a total of 25000.

Recently I acquired a cased Beaumont Adams revolver in 120 bore, nothing too unusual about it except the serial number, has another number above it, prefixed by the letter ‘B’. So I asked some collectors if they knew what the second one meant, without success. Then I discovered on Wikimedia/Nouvelle O the answer. So I’ll share it with you.

On my Robert Adams revolver the serial number is on the right side of the frame under the cylinder preceded by “Adams Patent 28576 R” The ‘R’ confirms that the weapon was manufactured in the L.A.C. (London Armoury Company) shops. Those manufactured by “Pryse & Redman of Birmingham have a suffix ‘P’ those produced by “Callisher & Terry” bear the suffix ‘C’

Above my serial number is another “B 12855”, this additional number was used for the control of payment of royalties to Fredric Beaumont. Since the Beaumont patent expired on February 20th 1862, one can conclude that all weapons showing twin serial numbers were manufactured before that date.

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SSANZ News April 2020 www.sportingshooters.nz SSANZ, PO Box 275, Whangarei 0140 Follow us on Facebook

Arms Legislation Bill - On Hold

Just like everything else in New Zealand the Bill is on hold as our country grapples with the threat of Covid - 19. It is stuck at the stage of a “committee of the whole house” where MPs and parties seek to introduce their own amendments to the Bill, and we know that NZ First have raised concerns over certain aspects, however with parliament in recess until the end of April there will be no progress until the current lock down is lifted.

State of Emergency

As you should know a “State of Emergency” has been declared to assist in the enforcement of measures to control Covid - 19, which we agree are necessary. However, this includes additional discretionary powers given to police officers. In SSANZ view it is important that police staff are given clear guidance on how these powers may be used and that the guidance is made public so that we all know where we stand. Already the parliamentary Covid Emergency Response Committee lead by opposition leader Simon Bridges has raised this issue with the Commissioner of Police.

Added to these emergency powers is the alarming addition of a website where Kiwis can dob in their neighbours for breaking the lock down rules, another tool used by police states to engender fear and mistrust among the citizenry and keep them under state control. Perhaps now the general public will begin to understand the concerns of LFOs over addition powers granted to police.

Spare a thought for those less fortunate

If the “experts” are to be believed, when the Covid - 19 lock down is finally lifted the New Zealand economy will be in very poor shape and many people will be unemployed and facing financial ruin.

Here is a suggestion from one of our members; if you are a hunter or fisherman, when the current ban is lifted, please be kind to your neighbours in difficulty, and share part of your bag/catch with those less fortunate. You could even take a neighbour with you and teach them how to gather their own food. This would have the duel effect of showing the public that LFOs are decent caring people and also help increase our numbers.

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http://www.sportingshooters.nz


Where next for SSANZ - our plan for the future

Our constitution requires us among other matters to “uphold the rights and privileges of New Zealand firearm owners who are lawfully engaged in the shooting or collecting pastime of their choice” and also “to promote or oppose as may be deemed necessary all legislative and other measures which shall or might affect the interests of the members of the Association”. As you will know from our regular newsletters we have been vigorously opposing what Parliament is doing to us and your Committee has collectively sent hundreds of emails to all parliamentarians and filed individual and official SSANZ submissions on all new legislation.

However, along with the work of fighting against new law your Committee has invested a huge amount of time developing a long term plan to get back what has been so shamefully, disgracefully and undemocratically taken away from us. We will not rest until we have achieved that goal.

Our plan is divided into three stages; short, medium and long term. For the short term we will be focused primarily on building our membership. As we said in a recent newsletter a massive 87% of firearms owners are not members of the SSANZ/COLFO consortium and that is disgraceful. Worse it is known and relentlessly exploited to Government by the anti gun movement. We ask that you line up your mates who are not members and give them a push in the right direction. We need them and they need us. You will know some of these 87%. Remind them of the old adage “united we stand divided we fall”. Which is why it is important we LFOs support each other, whatever our shooting interest may be and not condemn those who hold a differing opinion as this will be exploited by our opponents and the media.

In addition we will be looking to coordinate the voting at the next election to ensure that the incoming Government has more respect for firearms owners. On that point we are talking to politicians of all flavours and will closer to the time brief you on our analysis and recommendations. We also intend in the short term to increase our brand identification, through the sale of merchandise, and a closer liaison with otherwise unaffiliated clubs.

In the medium and longer term you can expect to see a number of other initiatives introduced.

Stay at home and stay safe.

You can still

Join SSANZ today www.sportingshooters.nz

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http://www.sportingshooters.nz/


OMAKA WW II AIRCRAFT MUSEUM By Phil Cregeen

While holidaying in the South Island I took the opportunity to visit the Omaka WW II Aircraft Museum which depicts fighter aircraft of the major combatants. Certainly a not to be missed experience if you are in Blenheim.

The audio visual display recreating the battle of Stalingrad towards the end of the tour is particularly impressive and the casualty figures displayed at the end of the show are staggering

Supermarine Spitfire

Messerscmitt BF 108 Taifun

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Focke Wulf FW 190

Stuka

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Yak 3

Lockheed Hudson

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Boer War Prayer Book By Major (Retd) Noel W Taylor ED** RNZIR

For many years I have had a red Prayer Book noted inside in indelible pencil ‘Trooper Richardson’ and no other details as to who he was etc.

During this current period of Lockdown on CB (Confined to Barracks) due to the Chinese Virus I decided it was time to do some research to try and establish Trooper Richardson’s true ID. First stop was Cenotaph that gave me a list of eight Kiwi Richardson’s who served in the Boer War. I then used the link at the bottom of the page to their NZDF Personnel File at Archives NZ where I closely studied their individual handwriting and signatures and by a process of elimination was able to confirm the original owner was 814 Trooper R Richardson of the 3rd (Rough Riders) Contingent from Gisborne – see

https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-c e n o t a p h / r e c o r d / C 1 2 6 2 4 3 ?n=814&w=South%20African%20War%2C%201899-1902&ordinal=4&from=%2Fwar-memorial%2Fonline-cenotaph%2Fsearch

He was one of 3 Richardson’s to serve with the 3rd Contingent but only his had matching writing. Another confirmation is that I got this in Gisborne as a young collector 50+ years ago and he came from Gisborne.

Nice to have something positive for posterity whilst on CB!

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https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C126243?n=814&w=South%2520African%2520War%252C%25201899-1902&ordinal=4&from=%252Fwar-memorial%252Fonline-cenotaph%252Fsearch





Anglesea Barracks, Hobart, Tasmania By Kevin Arlidge

In January 2020 I had the opportunity to visit Tasmania and sample some of its military history. While in Hobart I visited Anglesea Barracks which is also home to the Military Museum of Tasmania. To my surprise I found that there is a link between Anglesea Barracks and New Zealand.

Anglesea Barracks was built in 1814 only eight years after Hobart was settled and is the oldest continually occupied Defence establishment in Australia. The barracks are named after the Marquis of Anglesea who commanded allied cavalry at the Battle of Waterloo. The Military Museum of Tasmania volunteer staff conduct daily tours of the barracks and provide a good brief on its history and development. The barracks currently house 12/40th Battalion, Royal Tasmanian Regiment, 2nd Field Supply Company, 16th Field Battery, Adelaide University Regiment (Tasmania Company) and other Australian Defence Force elements.

The Military Museum of Tasmania covers the military history of Tasmania and the history of Anglesea Barracks. From 1814 to 1870 the barracks were the headquarters of the military in Tasmania and the base for British Forces stationed in Tasmania. From 1870 to 1901 the barracks were used for various educational, social welfare and recreational functions. With the outbreak of the Boer War the barracks passed back to the military. Tasmania, like New Zealand provided contingents to the Imperial Forces in the Boer War. Since 1901 the barracks have remained under the control of the Australian Defence Force.

During a tour of the Anglesea Barracks the guide provided a brief on a monument dedicated to the officers and soldiers of the British 99th Regiment of Foot who had been killed in the New Zealand Wars. The 99th Regiment of Foot was raised in 1824 in Glasgow by Major General Gage John Hall. The regiment deployed to Sydney, Australia in 1842. The term, “dressed to the nines” is said to originate from the high standard of dress displayed by the 99th Regiment of Foot.

Two companies of the 99th Regiment were deployed to New Zealand in 1845 under the command of Colonel Despard. The 99th Regiment fought in the Ohaeawai Battle, capture of Ruapekapeka Pa in 1845 and then was deployed to the Hutt Valley in 1846 and fought in the Battle Hill attack. The regiment then returned to Tasmania and Anglesea Barracks until 1856. During this time the regiment erected the memorial to the men who had been killed in New Zealand. The presence of this memorial provides a significant military link between Tasmania and New Zealand.

See also: www.armymuseumtasmania.org.au/ The Army Museum of Tasmania is located at Anglesea Barracks, in Davey Street, Hobart. The barracks is recognised as one of Australia's most significant historical military precincts, and its appearance today is much as it was when the first buildings were constructed in 1814.

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http://www.armymuseumtasmania.org.au/


FROM THE GUN ROOM By Andrew Edgcombe

Some Easter Eggs for you this time, The WW1 German Model 1917 Eierhandgranate or simply Egg grenade. This type of grenade was a fairly late war development and gave the troops a grenade that could be thrown up to 40 meters and the size gave them the ability to carry more grenades being significantly smaller and lighter than previous models.

The body was cast iron with the filling generally being black powder. These grenades were transported un-fuzed in crates and for last minute demonstration purposes an inert training dummy would be included. These are identified by their red paint. Fuses were fitted prior to use and a number of pre existing fuse arrangements were used. The 5 second delay Model 1915 with its zinc body and wire loop seems to be the most common type, the more elaborate Model 1917 with pull string and bead under a metal cap is a hard one to find complete, the cap being easily lost and prone to rust.

Both of these igniters are friction type igniters. Most commonly these grenades are found with the zinc transit plug in place.

They seem to have been a popular souvenir and they are not uncommon. Many variants exist with differing grip rings and some ear ly examples wi thou t the g r ip

incorporated in the casting. Some have maker’s markings on the base of the casting and others are devoid of markings.

They are an interesting little piece of history with a lot of research potential.

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BOOK REVIEW By Simon West

On a recent visit to the 'Kelham Island Museum' Sheffield England I spent a very pleasant and enlightening day in the 'Ken Hawley Collection' archive. The collection is comprised of about 100,000 items, including edged tools, tools, measuring devices, silver smithing, old trade catalogues and just about everything else to do with manufacturing and cutlery trades in Sheffield. Whilst there a helpful staff member, responding to my various questions regarding Victorian knife makers suggested we refer to a book they call 'the Bible’. 'Tweedale's Directory of Sheffield Cutlery Manufacturers 1740 - 2018' is the most definitive work on the subject there is. It is no coffee table book nor does it try to be. The 740 page tome, weighing in at 1.97kg, is a reference book, a directory of over 1,600 makers, their histories and trademarks.

It is available only from 'lulu.com' a print on demand business who's ordering and payment systems are user friendly (great for Luddites like me).

So if you are seriously interested in knifes, bayonets and the cutlery industry of Sheffield, then this book will be one of the best additions you could make to your library, I'm pleased I invested in it for ours.

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http://lulu.com/


A Chronology of Firearm History contributed by Neville Dodd

http://www.americanfirearms.org/gun-history/

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http://www.americanfirearms.org/gun-history/


MY M 8 By Paul Dawson.

Here is a bit of info about the 1 to 1 scale scratch built M8 kit set!

I bought a 1984 1600cc petrol 5 speed 4WD Delica van from Trade me for $500, and cut it down nearly to the full chassis. All the surplus parts like doors, glass, bull bars, tow bar etc I sold on trade me and this paid entirely for the van.

I found some cheap 22 gauge sheet steel once again on trade me, and built a folder using the side of my trailer that could take a 2400mm long sheet, and made templates out of cardboard that I could cut and fold easily until the profile looked right, then lay it on the sheet metal and used a thin cutting blade on an angle grinder. This was attached to ply over a welded steel box section frame to give rigidity and a solid sound when Armoured vehicle "experts" rap their knuckles on it!

I bought some 16 inch Toyota Hi Lux wheels, that are the same stud pattern and built a lazy axle that I can lift up when A frame towing it, these also serve as 2 spare wheels if required.

I initially made a replica top that was a M20 type, and have recently built and fitted a turret to make it based on a M8, this has a slightly bigger main gun, 40mm compared

to the original 37mm, this su i ted my avai lab le 40mm inert shell collection.

All replica weaponry is handmade and is inert, mainly aluminium construction.

I have towed this vehicle on a car trailer to War Birds over Wanaka, and Omaka Air shows for ground theatre re-enactments,

which are a great fun! And look forward to more in the future when things return to normality.

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HENRY NOCK 1741 – 1840 By David Jackson

Henry Nock was a maker of fine bespoke firearms mainly to order, The first known shop was in S Andrews Parish, London in 1774 where he gained his first patent for an enclosed lock.

At the outbreak of the American Revolution, he came into close contact with the Board of Ordnance which set him off on a programme of improving military arms for the rest of his life. In 1789 he was appointed Gunsmith Ordinary to King George 111 which would have certainly helped his bespoke business. At first, he contracted only for existing arms then in 1780 he started manufacture of the ubiquitous 7- barrel volley gun that he is famous for.

While he did not invent this arm as it was already on issue to the English army, he was by far the most prolific maker, so much so that his name became synonymous with the gun.

Nock tried to interest the Board with his improved lock which had no screws instead used pins and hooks. However, the Board did not take kindly to anything new. Also the beginning of the Napoleonic Wars meant that it was necessary to obtain vast quantities of standard arms as rapidly as possible, leaving no time to test anything new.

A little known fact is he was the founder of Wilkinson Sword which is still in business today, manufacturing, among other things, Schick shaving gear. They continued to manufacture ceremonial swords for the British Army until 2005 when that factory was closed.

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NEC face recognition puts names to diggers' photos By Stephen Withers

https://itwire.com/business-software/nec-face-recognition-puts-names-to-diggers-photos.html

! Australian War Memorial NEC technology has identified some "lost diggers" from World War I. The Australian War Memorial invited NEC to test images "unknown" soldiers photographed in 1916 by a husband and wife named Thuillier in their home village of Vignacourt, just behind the Western Front in Northern France.

Almost 4000 glass negatives were found a few years ago in the attic of the Thuillier's former farmhouse and became known as the "Vignacourt" or "Thuillier" Collection. A significant proportion were purchased by a Australian philanthropist and donated to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, but at the time none of the people in the photos could be identified.

But a two-day project carried out by NEC Australia used the company's NeoFace Reveal face recognition technology to compare images from the Vignacourt collection with identified images from the Museum's "Darge" and "E Series" collections. Scores of potential matches with at least 80% certainty were found.

The first was Private Robert Deegan (pictured above), photographed by the Thuilliers in Vignacourt in 1916 and a year earlier at a recruitment station in country Victoria. He was killed in action on 25 September 1917 at Polygon Wood, Belgium, aged just 21.

"NEC was honoured to be invited to join the AWM in this really worthwhile project," said NEC brand and customer experience executive general manager David Borean. "All Australians are aware of our nation's proud military past, in particular our service in World War I and to be able to successfully uncover diggers whose identities remained a mystery for almost a century was not only exciting, but a great privilege.

"The dedicated research team at the AWM has spent many hours working to manually identify diggers from the Vignacourt collection over almost a decade against other collections it had in its archives.

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https://itwire.com/journalist/stephen-withers.html

https://itwire.com/business-software/nec-face-recognition-puts-names-to-diggers-photos.html

https://www.nec.com.au/


"So to be able to help them identify previously unknown soldiers in a matter of hours was a thrill for us as an organisation and a testament to what NEC's modern solutions can do, potentially in the national interest."

Private Fitch, photographed at the time of recruitment and again in Vignacourt. Australian War Memorial.

See also: https://sjmc.gov.au/lost-diggers-vignacourt/

https://www.awm.gov.au/visit/exhibitions/remember-me Has a video clip

https://www.awm.gov.au/about/our-work/projects/vignacourt

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https://sjmc.gov.au/lost-diggers-vignacourt/

https://www.awm.gov.au/visit/exhibitions/remember-me

https://www.awm.gov.au/about/our-work/projects/vignacourt


CAN YOU HELP?

Dear sir, My name is Marko Weckx. I'm member of the Belgian Gun Collectors Association. www.bvvw.be I'm a licensed gun collector and I collect Israeli weapons and weapon systems. I've got your e-mail address from the owner of Stirlingsports in Matueka He said that you perhaps can help me with my quest. I'm looking for a magazine for a DROR LMG pattern 1 in .303British, it's a single stack 20 rounds (curved) magazine. In the addition I've put some photo's. The DROR Pattern 1 is a close (Israeli) copy of the Johnson LMG, in .303B instead of the original .30-06. Do you have yourself such magazine for sale or know people who wants to sale one or more? The paperwork for transport and owning on my side of the globe should be no problem. Thank you in advance.

Kind regards, Marko Weckx. [email protected]

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http://www.bvvw.be/



MYSTERY OBJECT (below right), answer please to [email protected] Last months (below left ), first correct answer was provided by Rod Woods who said it was the threaded fore- end insert to secure the clearing rod for a Martini Enfield, Lee Metford or Lee Enfield Rifle prior to the abolition of clearing rods in 1899.

BUY SELL OR SWAP List items free for two issues (* indicates final listing) TradeMe refuses to list .22 semi autos, but if they are legal you can list them here.

*WANTED: Japanese Arisaka type 38 6.5 cal Carbine in good condition, preferably with cleaning rod & bolt dust cover". Contact: Ross, E-Mail: [email protected] , Mob: 0211472549.

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*WANTED: for two Snider Rifle restorations please? Spring, Ram Rod as per photos below to complete projects. Note whilst Skennerton, S.A.I.S. No. 20 page 35 call it a Ram Rod by the time of the Snider, Rod has become a Clearing Rod. Any help contact Noel Taylor 09 478 3892 or [email protected]

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WANTED: Magazine for the 9mm Largo Model 400 (1921) Spanish Astra pistol. Contact Graeme Ph 06 769 9608. [email protected]

WANTED: .303 Martini Enfield long rifle Must be NZ Marked. In good condition overall with good bore for shooting. Top price will be paid Contact, Phil Moore, [email protected] or 0273412657

FOR SALE: New Made .303 MkVI Ammunition Once fired CAC cases, 54-56, Woodleigh 215gr, .312 projectiles with No126 Kynoc non corrosive primers. $3.00 per round, $60.00 pkt/20 Contact, Phil Moore, [email protected] or 0273412657

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Graeme Champion Handguns for sale [email protected]

I have recently purchased a small collection of handguns as well as receiving a shipment from overseas

NN means near new but may have very minor blemishes. If you have an interest, please contact me for more information. I am unable to receive visitors at this time and cannot send guns at present.

1. .22 Hi Standard Model 107- Military pistol with 6 inch barrel EXC $750 2. .22 Sig Sauer Model 1911-22 pistol with 5 inch barrel EXC $1300 3. .22 Beretta Model 89 target pistol with 6 inch barrel NN $950 4. .22 Walther model Olympia target pistol with 8 inch barrel EXC $1500 5. .22 S&W Model 422 pistol with 6 inch barrel NN $800 6. .22 Walther/Manhurin Model PP pistol in original box $900 7. .22 S&W Model 17-2 revolver in original box NN $1200 8. .22 Colt Frontier Scout revolver NN $1400 9. 6.35 German Mann pocket pistol. Rare EXC $1200 10. 6.35 German Stock Model 1293 pocket pistol EXC $1100 11. 7.65mm Beretta Model 1934 post war EXC $800 12. 7.65 FN Model 1900 pistol EXC $900 13. 7.65 FN Model 1910 pistol EXC $800 14. .30 Cal DWM Luger Model 1920 Commercial with 120cm barrel. EXC $2500 15. 9mm Luger by Mauser manufactured in1940. EXC $3000 16. 9mm FN Model 1903 pistol with Holster spare mags and acc. NN $1100 17. 9mm Husqvarna Model 1907 with holster, spare mags and acc EXC $925 18. 9mm Grand Power Model K100. Early model EXC $1200 19. 9mm H&K Model P9S pistol with 6 inch sport barrel and weights EXC $1500 20. 9mm Beretta model 92 F3 pistol in case. EXC $1300 21. 9mm S&W Model 459 pistol NN $1600 22. 9mm S&W Model 39-2 pistol in original box. NN $1600 23. 38Spl S&W Model 52-2 with 5 inch barrel in original box. This is a scarce gun. NN $2200 24. .38Spl S&W Model 37 Air Weight revolver with 3 inch barrel in original box. NN $1500 25. .38Spl S&W Model M&P revolver. VGC $900 26. .38Spl S&W Model 64 revolver. EXC $1200 27. .38Spl S&W Model 14-3 revolver in original box. EXC $1200 28. .357 S&W Model 19-2 revolver with 4 inch barrel. EXC $1400 29. .357 S&W Model 586-1 with 4 inch barrel. EXC $1600 30. .45 S&W Model 645 pistol with 5 inch barrel. EXC $1600 31. .357 Dan Wesson Model 12 revolver with 4 inch barrel in original box. EXC $1000 32. 7.5mm Husqvarna Model 1887 Military revolver with original holster. VGC $900 33. .44 Magnum Uberti Model American Match revolver with massive 18 inch barrel. NN

$1000 34. .36 Hi Standard copy of a Griswold and Gunnison brass framed percussion revolver.

Griswold and Gunnison manufactured revolvers for the US Government during the Civil War copying the Colt Navy. These are made in the US by Hi Standard not Uberti. NN in box. $500

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e-gazette # 112 may 2020 - wellingtonantiquearms.org.nz

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