Recent content by Dave_n

In my days of traveling for Uncle Sam, I had ended up on a round the world trip, starting in Egypt. Having been there many times, my "female colleagues" asked me to bring back gold cartouches for them, plus a few other "trinkets". When I landed back in Dulles, three weeks later, I declared them...

Not specifically about the the German comment, though remember USN ships had already been sunk when conducting "neutrality patrols" around UK-bound convoys in the Western Atlantic for a number of months and they had signaled when U-Boats were detected. Just read the "fun and games of sending a...

If you think the "Native Nagant" is homely looking, I'll suggest the target version of the same revolver. Unfortunately I do not have a photo but it is like using a plywood glove around the revolver. Dave_n

What is often not mentioned is that Churchill warned Stalin about the buildup on the Eastern border with Poland (Russia and Germany had subdivided Poland after their effectively joint attacks on Poland in September 1939.) Russia attacked a few days after Hitler. Stalin did not accept the UK's...

I used to do a lot of flying paid for by Uncle Sam as I had marine and plant collectors world wide. One of my best trips was flying out of Cairo on what was effectively a round the world trip. My secretary when booking the tickets then informed me that the flight from Cairo to Singapore was in...

In my case, I was born early May 1939 in the London suburbs. I still have vague memories of what must have been around early 1941 when my mother was taking me out to an "Anderson Shelter" in the back yard. Basically a metal sheet over a hole in the ground. My father at that time was helping to...

I have "fun" as i fly the Grand Union Flag which is rarely recognized and leads to some interesting "discussions" particularly when I tell them that it was the flag flown over the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia. They are usually confused due to the pre1700 Union Jack that is in the...

In my case, one of the last the commercial Webley's in 0.455 that "fell into my hands" quite a few years ago. Not altered in any way and dates from 1935 (one of the South African revolvers), so is 4 years older than me. Dave_n

Enfield ran MKVi's for roughly 6 years after WWI as the UK Gov't did not want Webley to "pocket all the loot!!". I picked up three, two shaved, one "virgin". The sale of that one paid off a few "collection debts!!" Dave_n

The Gov't employee retirement BCBS is excellent, actually usable world wide. It now has a link-in to Medicare Part D for drugs with reasonable costs. Mind you I did work for Uncle Sam for close to 25 years. Dave_n

It is about now that you discover the IRS' form that substitutes for any 1099. Since I still have an UK pension, TT takes everything until you try to skip the "Tax Number". It comes up as a Problem. I simply skip it and insert a series of "1" as I have done for years. The CD version took it, the...

Although Jet Munitions in Alberta appears to be out of business they used to sell 0.265 grain led bullets for the 0.455 so you could load Mk1 or Mk II cases as the 0.455 Mk VI would take either. I was lucky enough to pick up 500 heads and still have a few left. Dave_n

I have one of the last commercial Webley 0.455's with a serial number that puts it close to the South African shipment around 1934-5. Not totally pristine due to what might have been an un-treated blood splash on one side, so a little corrosion. This was added to my collection of shaved 1917-18...

The purchase of an Inglis Mk2 Hi Power from a shop that had no idea as to what it was, even though the book on Inglis Hi Powers was in front of the counter and had a serial number 5 different from the one I purchased and ran...having a C&R made it easy. Dave_n

Took me back quite a few years to the time when UK TV was erudite. Dave_n