18th Battalion Posted 30 January , 2011 Share Posted 30 January , 2011 I've just come across this on ebay: Did a quick search on the forum and didn't find any results; was this one of many gadgets used to try and keep rifles clean, the seller says they are extremely rare? "Produced for a limited period in 1915". This one is currently at £205 and the reserve hasn't been met! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 30 January , 2011 Share Posted 30 January , 2011 I've just come across this on ebay: Did a quick search on the forum and didn't find any results; was this one of many gadgets used to try and keep rifles clean, the seller says they are extremely rare? "Produced for a limited period in 1915". This one is currently at £250 and the reserve hasn't been met! Yes, very scarce! Sometimes referred to as a "Flanders mud flap" I suspect it will sell for a lot more than a complete rifle would cost! Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyE Posted 30 January , 2011 Share Posted 30 January , 2011 If only I could find mine! I know I had one somewhere, but several house moves over the last forty years probably means it has been lost forever! Regards TonyE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
17107BM Posted 30 January , 2011 Share Posted 30 January , 2011 Yes. I spotted this on Ebay and took an interest. A little beyond my pocket money at the moment. Given that item is so scarce, can reproductions be found? Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rayoung74 Posted 30 January , 2011 Share Posted 30 January , 2011 Bidding just closed. Final cost £560.00!!! Ouch!! Youngie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
18th Battalion Posted 30 January , 2011 Author Share Posted 30 January , 2011 If only I could find mine! I know I had one somewhere, but several house moves over the last forty years probably means it has been lost forever! Regards TonyE You're going to kicking yourself, it just sold for £560 Good prediction Chris. Edit. You beat me to it Youngie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
17107BM Posted 30 January , 2011 Share Posted 30 January , 2011 Wow! What else can i say....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john in minnesota Posted 5 February , 2011 Share Posted 5 February , 2011 Be wary or fake Flanders Flaps from France - I've bought one on ebay for $100 and its clearly a repro. It works just fine but I was hoping it was real. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanD Posted 5 February , 2011 Share Posted 5 February , 2011 Years ago when I was living in New Zealand the NZ Army tendered off a large quantity of aiming spot lights for the Vickers, Thompson and SMLE. I got one of each type. When I checked the contents of the wooden book the SMLE spot light came in, there at the bottom of the box covered in grease and straw was one of these muzzle protectors. Thank you New Zealand Army! Regards AlanD Sydney Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
18th Battalion Posted 5 February , 2011 Author Share Posted 5 February , 2011 Be wary or fake Flanders Flaps from France - I've bought one on ebay for $100 and its clearly a repro. It works just fine but I was hoping it was real. Out of interest, never having seen one of these before, what marks your one out as a reproduction/fake presuming the ebay one in my original post is genuine? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
59165 Posted 5 February , 2011 Share Posted 5 February , 2011 Original from Monchy; Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john in minnesota Posted 5 February , 2011 Share Posted 5 February , 2011 The markings on mine were the give-away - a poorly executed broad arrow and "1917" conveniently obscured by a well placed spot of rust on perfect cold blued steel.... John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
59165 Posted 5 February , 2011 Share Posted 5 February , 2011 Missing the spring; Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
18th Battalion Posted 5 February , 2011 Author Share Posted 5 February , 2011 Good condition relic, with some of the wood work still surviving and a mudflap, it must be a fairly unique example? Any chance of seeing a picture of the complete rifle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
59165 Posted 5 February , 2011 Share Posted 5 February , 2011 I have only a couple more & not great quality; Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
59165 Posted 5 February , 2011 Share Posted 5 February , 2011 It is a rareity.The only one I've come across & I've had many relic smellys over the years; The butt was solid & there was quite a bit of the breach cover remaining. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
18th Battalion Posted 5 February , 2011 Author Share Posted 5 February , 2011 What are the soil conditions like at Monchy as the butt is remarkably well preserved, I thought wood usually only survives that well in dense clay with little oxygen present? The lower relic is cocked and loaded, are the police over there more sensible about relics like that compared to the UK? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
59165 Posted 5 February , 2011 Share Posted 5 February , 2011 Depends on the clay.If trapped in water,the wood seems to survive very well but,the regional clays can be very acidic or neutral etc.Depends on the depth,region & water table.I know that some amazing things have come out of the clay in Belgium.Wooden boxes,intact stick grenades & the ilk.Rarer around my region but,depends where. As to Police,I'd rather have a Brit copper than a French one knocking on me door,anytime.Any relics are drilled through the receiver then plugged.Takes 10 minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyE Posted 6 February , 2011 Share Posted 6 February , 2011 That top Smelly in your picture looks a bit rusty since I last saw it, Dave! You want to give it a good squirt of WD40! Cheers Uncle Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
59165 Posted 6 February , 2011 Share Posted 6 February , 2011 WD40? They were a great band Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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