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  • 1911 fact

    Did you know that colt, Ithaca and Remington Rand made 1.9 million 1911A1s with Remington Rand making the most at around 800,000. And all production stopped 1945. And that was enough to supply all US military up until 1985 when the Beretta M9 was made standard

  • My Gibbs 1903A4

    The rifle shown here is a replica of the famous American WW2 sniper rifle: The M1903A4. While it is not an original A4, it is built on a genuine M1903A3 action, which gives it real historical credibility. That said, the markings and serial numbers differ from those found on original A4 rifles. World War II…

  • The Lee Enfield No1 Mk3 (SMLE)

    Its time to talk about the weapon of the ANZAC’s! Up until recently I thought that this rifle was only used in WW1. As I have always been well aware of the Lee Enfield No.4 which was the upgraded model. I thought that all commonwealth forces went into WW2 carrying No4’s but actually it turns…

  • M1917: the American Enfield.

    I enjoyed writing about the pattern 1914 Enfield so much I must talk about US adaptation of that very rifle. From a collector’s point of view, the M1917 Enfield is one of those rifles that quietly did the hard work of history, yet never quite got the credit it deserved. Officially known as the United…

  • The Pattern 1914 Enfield, A Collector’s Favourite

    The .303 Pattern 1914 Rifle, better known simply as the P14, is one of those rifles that just looks right. Big, purposeful, and unapologetically overbuilt, it has a presence that immediately sets it apart from other First World War service rifles. With its distinctive dog leg bolt handle, massive receiver, and unmistakable protective sight ears,…

  • The Lee Enfield by Ian Skennerton – Quick book review.

    Bought this book recently as I have enjoyed researching the rare New Zealand carbine in my possession. It really does have it all. Everything you need to know about anything to do with the production and many variations of Lee Enfield rifles is in this book. This is an impressive book. It weighs 2kg and…

  • Show and Tell: The Rare Chilean 1912 Contract Steyr-Hahn M1911 Service Pistol

    For this show and tell, I am presenting a fascinating piece of military history: the Chilean 1912 Contract Steyr-Hahn M1911 Service Pistol. This semi-automatic sidearm boasts a unique heritage and engineering, making it a rare and sought-after collector’s item. The Steyr-Hahn M1911 is chambered in 9mm Steyr and utilises an 8-shot magazine, which is loaded…

  • Remington 1863 rifle and my Armi Jager replica

    I have been researching the American civil war and some of the Defining Battles also infantry rifle used in the conflict. It’s Over a hundred 160 years since the American civil war started, and raged for (4 long years, 1 month and 2 weeks) what a hell of a thing it must have been, so many casualties and…

  • 1 in 1500: The New Zealand Carbine.

    Researched and written by Cory Baker Have you ever had one of those moments when you suddenly realise you’re in possession of something truly rare and special? It’s an incredible feeling — one that doesn’t happen every day, but when it does, it’s unforgettable. One such moment happened for my family back in 2011, when…

  • 1911A1 Remington Rand

    Our 1911A1 Remington Rand .45ACP pistol has a unique history. During an auction in Auckland, my uncle intended to bid on a BAR, but my grandmother was drawn to the pristine 1911A1 on display. She successfully bid for it, adding it to our collection since Australian gun laws were stricter than New Zealand’s. The pistol…