Ciney show, Belgium 25 april 2004

[Vlim]

Hi,

As most of you know, European gun laws are a bit stricter and as a result many collector's shows only cater for non-firing militaria material.

The Ciney show is nice, as it is one of the largest shows and is one of the rare opportunities to examine stuff that (once) fired bullets.

Lugers are still very, very rare on these shows. Did spot a number of P38's, P1's (including the French Manhurin-versions), all in 700 - 800 EUR ranges. A couple of C96 broomhandles, 2 of them in the white (blueing removed).

Lots of 1860's colts and pocket colts. A nice cased Paterson Colt with accessories. A fair share of Remingtons. As these percussion type revolvers can be traded without gun permits, they are quite popular here. Prices are generally well into the 1500+ EUR range for pockets and well over 2000+ EUR for the full-size ones.

Top of the line was a 160,000 EUR engraved colt.

Luger mags: Quite rare and most are priced quite heavily. Spotted 02/1001 mags for 60+ EUR. MecGars went for 45 - 50 EUR.

Repro artillery holster rigs were present in surprising amounts. All in the 200EUR range, complete with holser, stock and mag-pouches.

Repro holsters were plenty, in different 'aged' conditions.

Original holsters in the 150 - 250 EUR range.

One stand with gun parts had it's Luger parts priced in the 'rediculous' range. An S/42 toggle link (mid-section with S/42 and rear section) had a whopping 250EUR price-tag! This seller was obviously aiming for people who wanted to 'restore' deactivated guns.

Some deactivated goodies (not legal everywhere):
A 1900's Vickers/Maxim machinegun.
Some MG42's and heavy machine guns.
MAG's / AK47's / K98's.

All in all still peanuts as opposed to the US shows, but hey, it's all we got

[John Sabato]

thanks for the report Gerben... very interesting to hear about a European gunshow... Save your pfennig and visit my nation's capital someday and I will take you to an American show.