Ever notice that the vast majority of folks (especially the media) haven't a clue regarding surplus arms? I cannot tell you how many times someone told me about their "Moozer" that upon inspection turned out to be an Arisaki, Springfield, Enfield or whatever. Moives are another source of amusement. I recall watching the "Blue Max" where WWI German infantry were carrying No. 4 Mark I Enfields from WWII.

Sometimes even the uninformed get it exactly right. I work in purchasing and a sales rep. knew that I liked guns. He asked if I wanted to buy his Uncle Joe's VZ-24. In was surprised at the designation since he is not into firearms. The next week he showed my the VZ-24 and the capture papers used to bring the rifle home from WWII. I bought the rifle and still have it and the documents signed by his company commander. All the best...
Gil

yes that is very common.

In fact just Enfield's alone get all mixed up. I recently bought an Enfield made Martini-Henry MkIV, but it had been labled an Enfield, 577 Snider. 2 very different rifles, even though they were both used by the Brit's and the colonies in the 1800's.

I think most movies are being made now trying to get those details right, I don't notice as many mix ups like that in newer films. But there certainly have been many!!!

There is a chain of pawnshops here locally that doesn't have a clue about anything other than Mausers. Any rifle they cannot ID becomes a ".303 British". Note, not a Lee-Enfield, but the cartridge name. Some Mosin-Nagant varients? .303 British. Mannlicher-Berthier? .303 British. Lebel? .303 British. Mannlicher Carcano? .303 British.
Kind of funny, and I have picked up an occasion nice rifle that was a ".303 British", but I had to shoot some other cartridge thru it!

303 British! There is a good example.

Many folks have used an old Lee-Enfield and call it that(they think it's the name of the rifle) Then show them pictures of a Martini-Enfield, Bren auto, Ballard falling block, all chambered for 303 British and they don't know what to think!

Don't think it's limited to old surpluse rifles, most owners of of guns that were passed down to them haven't a clue to what they really are.

Media, the public, and even the police tend to call any pistol with a magazine hanging down in front of the grip an "Uzi" (although I've had some memebers of the color-coordianted-youth-street-orgianizations use a generic term of "Tec" for all of them)...any hi-cap. black pistol a "Glock" (at one point, if it had a lazer sight or a flashlight attached, it's a "beamer")...can't tell an SKS from an AK...will call any other "assult" rifle an M-16...if it's got a scope on it then it's a "sniper's rifle" (even if its a .22LR).

Private owners who are not "gun people" will call the gun they got from Grandpa a "Smith and Western"

Had to help the local gunshop identify a Siamese Mauser the other day..... they thought it was a turk, which isn't a bad guess (both with 8mm bores). I bet it sits there for a good long time.

Had to help the local gunshop identify a Siamese Mauser the other day..... they thought it was a turk, which isn't a bad guess (both with 8mm bores). I bet it sits there for a good long time.

Mike,
It's too bad no ammo is available for the Siamese. I have one that I have to make cases for out of 45-70 brass. It's a tack driver tho, and besides it gives me something to do for relaxation. My other two have been converted to 444 Marlin, and 8MM/350 Rem Mag. Have to open up the feed rails for both, and shim the follower in order to get the 444 to hold the last cartridge in the mag. also needed a longer extractor hook. The 8MM/350 Rem just needed the feed rails opened. Most of them were made in the Nagoya arsenal in japan prior to WWII. No one wanted them, so I got them for $25.00 each. Oh yes, also forged the bolt handles and removed the bolt cover guide rails from the receivers. Remmington 700 scope bases fit with no modification. They can be modified to use a standard straight Mauser mag well rather than the slanted to the rear one that comes with it, and the use of the 350 Rem Mag case or 250 Rem Mag cases sized to desired caliber. also the new fat short Mag cases should do well in it as well.

Lee L.

Thought about picking it up for a .45-70 conversion, but I'm far enough behind on projects as it is (and the .458 Win Mag is currently giving me all the recoil I want, and then some).

If it's there in a year I might grab it :)

Thought about picking it up for a .45-70 conversion, but I'm far enough behind on projects as it is (and the .458 Win Mag is currently giving me all the recoil I want, and then some).

If it's there in a year I might grab it :)

Whoever gets it will have a good basis for a 45/70, probably make a real nice 348 or 33 Winchester as well.

Lee L.