Jolly Green
Well-Known Member
When the Royal Mail confiscates an item does it just disappear or do they notify either the seller or buyer also?
Last edited:
British Ordnance Collectors Network
This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
With regard to possible traces of explosives in deactivated items, I remember 30 years ago having to use acetone to clean some of the items I had to inspect. This also took explosive traces off the surfaces I cleaned. So, to anyone who thinks they might have items that still have traces of explosive in them, get some nail varnish remover and scrub the suspected item with a tissue dipped in nail varnish remover. I guess final disposal of the tissue would be to burn it, ok so long as the item you were cleaning had only barely visible traces of explosive on it. I hope this helps.
hicky1300
Well-Known Member
@ smle2009 - Yes I think we are on about the same chap Tony - you probably know more than me but sounded like someone got all bitter & twisted/mean??
@Dronic 69 - Funny rattles is fairly common in UK & even more so here in the EU. About 50% of what i get in the UK & 95% in EU. I use spare aircraft rivets (`cos they`re free)!!
@Dronic 69 - Funny rattles is fairly common in UK & even more so here in the EU. About 50% of what i get in the UK & 95% in EU. I use spare aircraft rivets (`cos they`re free)!!
ken68
Well-Known Member
Ive just had the police at the door , as a parcel i sent yesterday Standard delivery got scanned ? 5 INERT 20mm cannon shells,
The Police were really nice about the whole thing and said the guy should still get the parcel, but how stressful is this for the buyer and sender having to explaind INERT collectors kit .
What can you do? , how can you post ?
I told the policeman i have more parcels to post , but he cant think of anyway to stop whats happened already , he says all we can do is log you as a collector and if the same thing happens again just call you via phone.?
He also said not to worry i am not in the wrong and the chap should get his parcel as it was not opened , he is going to let them know its collectors kit ?
My real question is .......How do i mark up my parcels .Ie .....collectors kit , inert goods . DO NOT FLY. ? SOD OFF !.
KEN
The Police were really nice about the whole thing and said the guy should still get the parcel, but how stressful is this for the buyer and sender having to explaind INERT collectors kit .
What can you do? , how can you post ?
I told the policeman i have more parcels to post , but he cant think of anyway to stop whats happened already , he says all we can do is log you as a collector and if the same thing happens again just call you via phone.?
He also said not to worry i am not in the wrong and the chap should get his parcel as it was not opened , he is going to let them know its collectors kit ?
My real question is .......How do i mark up my parcels .Ie .....collectors kit , inert goods . DO NOT FLY. ? SOD OFF !.
KEN
Grenademan2005
Well-Known Member
But your "collectors kit" was shipped inside the UK? Or overseas?
ken68
Well-Known Member
Grenademan2005
Well-Known Member
Ok, thank you.
smle2009
Well-Known Member
Hi Ken,
personally I wouldn't mark the parcels up with anything mate,tends to point out all is not well with it,but put a covering note explaining that all items are inert,FFE ect and only for collectors purposes only inside and where possible send in a stripped down state ie projectile out of the case ect.
On a personal observation I have noted that second class postage does not seem to attract as much of this sort of attention for some reason???
Cheers
Tony
personally I wouldn't mark the parcels up with anything mate,tends to point out all is not well with it,but put a covering note explaining that all items are inert,FFE ect and only for collectors purposes only inside and where possible send in a stripped down state ie projectile out of the case ect.
On a personal observation I have noted that second class postage does not seem to attract as much of this sort of attention for some reason???
Cheers
Tony
Yes - this & similar subjects have been topics on a number of occassions before.
[url]http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/80890-A-Question-on-the-legality-of-FFE-Inerting-Ammunition[/URL]
http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/75039-Inert-ordnance-data-sheet
http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/74825-Police-raid-collector/page9
I think for the UK ordnance collector, the best medium seems to be to buy/swap/sell/etc at the key militaria fairs & specialist meetings that we all know in the UK.
Personally, I have stopped buying anything other than from these sources. This is largely driven by moving my collecting into documentation rather than ordnance now, but I wouldnt even think of either sending or receiving any items of ordnance in the post.
I think the best way is always to do things legitimately and been within the system rather than outside.
As an ordnance collector the onus has to be on us to prove a legitimate reason - I think this is sensible for practical reasons as well as ethical reasons.
There are many legitimate reasons to have a healthy interest in ordnance and many of the members on this forum actually prove that!
It is an area that rightly attracts attention from those agencies that seek to protect our security - so the answer is to operate within the law
and be mindful of the grey areas! As legitimate collectors - we ought to set the standard!
I'll shut-up & stop preaching now!
[url]http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/80890-A-Question-on-the-legality-of-FFE-Inerting-Ammunition[/URL]
http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/75039-Inert-ordnance-data-sheet
http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/74825-Police-raid-collector/page9
I think for the UK ordnance collector, the best medium seems to be to buy/swap/sell/etc at the key militaria fairs & specialist meetings that we all know in the UK.
Personally, I have stopped buying anything other than from these sources. This is largely driven by moving my collecting into documentation rather than ordnance now, but I wouldnt even think of either sending or receiving any items of ordnance in the post.
I think the best way is always to do things legitimately and been within the system rather than outside.
As an ordnance collector the onus has to be on us to prove a legitimate reason - I think this is sensible for practical reasons as well as ethical reasons.
There are many legitimate reasons to have a healthy interest in ordnance and many of the members on this forum actually prove that!
It is an area that rightly attracts attention from those agencies that seek to protect our security - so the answer is to operate within the law
and be mindful of the grey areas! As legitimate collectors - we ought to set the standard!
I'll shut-up & stop preaching now!
ken68
Well-Known Member
Problem with this is i dont have the abillity to attend fairs etc , so internet is my only chance of buying in the uk , i am working within the system also i dont feel i have done anything wrong here , i am not quite sure what you are meaning , ? but it almost feels like i /we should just give up a legal right to collect or sell .
my question was whats the best way to post .
by the sounds of it none its hit and miss , its not illegal . but it can cause problems .
my question was whats the best way to post .
by the sounds of it none its hit and miss , its not illegal . but it can cause problems .
smle2009
Well-Known Member
Hi Ken,
well mate you have just about hit the nail on the head with what you have made of this........................As an ordnance collector the onus has to be on us to prove a legitimate reason - I think this is sensible for practical reasons as well as ethical reasons.
There are many legitimate reasons to have a healthy interest in ordnance and many of the members on this forum actually prove that!.....well this part of Khanmaks post I totally disagree with I'm afraid as we do not in this country,YET, have to prove a legitimate reason to carry out a legal and lawful past time,it is in fact against the law to interfere with anyone doing so
Cheers
Tony
well mate you have just about hit the nail on the head with what you have made of this........................As an ordnance collector the onus has to be on us to prove a legitimate reason - I think this is sensible for practical reasons as well as ethical reasons.
There are many legitimate reasons to have a healthy interest in ordnance and many of the members on this forum actually prove that!.....well this part of Khanmaks post I totally disagree with I'm afraid as we do not in this country,YET, have to prove a legitimate reason to carry out a legal and lawful past time,it is in fact against the law to interfere with anyone doing so
Cheers
Tony
You could always use a courier, that's what i used to do for sending large inert bombs, it bypasses all the government security measures and services in one go........ Dave
jiipee76
Well-Known Member
I lost 3 different handgrenades,sent with airmail from UK to Finland.But,same time i received SD-bomblet from UK(also originally sent with airmail) with Royal Mail yellow sticker on it: ONLY USE SURFACE MAIL FOR THIS KIND OF ITEMS.
Airmail thing is not only about UK,it is worldwide passanger plane/aircargo agreement which prohibit ordnance items on airmail.Lots of normail airmail travel with passanger planes nowdays and that is why they check every package.
Same thing if i try to send any ordnance items with normal mail from here to UK,they come back with SECURITY SCREENED sticker.And that check is done here in Finland before they are even near airplane.
So ordnance items sometime get out of UK and sometimes NOT.
Airmail thing is not only about UK,it is worldwide passanger plane/aircargo agreement which prohibit ordnance items on airmail.Lots of normail airmail travel with passanger planes nowdays and that is why they check every package.
Same thing if i try to send any ordnance items with normal mail from here to UK,they come back with SECURITY SCREENED sticker.And that check is done here in Finland before they are even near airplane.
So ordnance items sometime get out of UK and sometimes NOT.
I had a visit from Strathclyde's finest about 18 months ago. A rather annoying experience. I had ordered, from New York, a set of repro grips for a Mauser C-96, a barrel catch spring for a Webley MKIV and a stripper clip for the Mauser. All weapons are deactivated with Proof House papers. The items took 12 weeks to arive, and that moning I had contacted the vendor who agreed to replace my order. While at work, the Police arrived, with the package, then decided to remove every piece of Inert ordnance they could see, over 100 rounds and all my De-Ac weapons. They asked me to call them, and when I did, the office in charge repeatedly asked me if I wished to surrender the items. All of them. I informed him I did not, and they came round 15 minutes later with my items. They said that the parcel peaked HMRC's interest as it had the word "GunParts" on it. Their Fireams Office stated that all items were inert and incapable of firing. They removed, then returned a Dopp HZ 14 battlefield relic and several Matini-Henry coiled cases! Again I was asked If I wished to surrender my possessions. I said I had done nothing wrong, my Ordnance/De-Ac weapons were out of sight and stored safely. He said that I should take care because there had been a lot of break in lately (incorrect), and that my de-Ac weapons might fall into the wrong hands. I understand they have to monitor suspect packages, but my goods posed no poblem in transit, and were not pressure parts. All a bit much if you ask me.
And make a lovely display for them Tony to release to there propergander press about all the illegal guns thy have seized.
I was visited 2 weeks ago by the police, i was questioned about the Canterbury Bomb hoax back in August, apparently some one reported i fitted the description, any way i was on holiday at the time and thy know that because i have to report to my probation if im not staying at my address, stating times and dates i will be away for and where i am, its all very worrying and burying our heads in the sand will be no good....... Dave
I was visited 2 weeks ago by the police, i was questioned about the Canterbury Bomb hoax back in August, apparently some one reported i fitted the description, any way i was on holiday at the time and thy know that because i have to report to my probation if im not staying at my address, stating times and dates i will be away for and where i am, its all very worrying and burying our heads in the sand will be no good....... Dave
hicky1300
Well-Known Member
Interesting this thread has cropped up again!!
I had a call from UK to me in Belgium last night from my wife who then put one of Suffolks finest on the phone!!
A seller had posted a parcel of 5 fully inert & legal to own KAA linked rounds.
The post office decided to Xray the parcel & then called in the police.
As I ahve `previous` for a minor misunderstanding a few years ago my local force had me on the system so did not arrive at my house mob handed.
The officer was very good & whilst he knew nothing about ordnance listened to me & seemed to understand my explanation of inert, sect 5 etc.
I have since heard from the seller who has been in touch with his local force & the police do not understand why the PO xrayed parcel & the police state there is not a problem & will endeavour to get my goods to me. (not holding breath).
I agree with SMLE`s earlier comments & fail to see how we should feel under any obligation to anyone!!
We know (or should know) the laws of our respective lands - if we fail to abide by them then we suffer the conscequences - unfortunately this usually means other sensible & law abiding collectors suffer as well.
Whilst many may not understand my hobby & think me a bit wierd that should not stop me or deter me from responsibly & safely continuing.
I fail to see what `ethics` are involved apart from the safety & legal ones. It`s legal to buy a porn mag over a certain age for private use, does that mean all my mates & I in the Forces were ethically lacking personally just because of the mags in barracks/crewroom? Is the newsagent ethically lacking by selling it/them?
I think the lack of understanding & knee jerk reactions by the authorities, media & the public is due to lack of knowledge, imagination (maybe too much?) & dis-information.
By the way the police told me FFE statements in parcels are a waste of time & paper. Personally never bothered.
Last night worried me & that annoys me when I haven`t done anything wrong.
Just hope wifey is not too miffed as on ferry home for weekend - could be sleeping with my collection!! (would doing that be ethically or morally wrong??)
I had a call from UK to me in Belgium last night from my wife who then put one of Suffolks finest on the phone!!
A seller had posted a parcel of 5 fully inert & legal to own KAA linked rounds.
The post office decided to Xray the parcel & then called in the police.
As I ahve `previous` for a minor misunderstanding a few years ago my local force had me on the system so did not arrive at my house mob handed.
The officer was very good & whilst he knew nothing about ordnance listened to me & seemed to understand my explanation of inert, sect 5 etc.
I have since heard from the seller who has been in touch with his local force & the police do not understand why the PO xrayed parcel & the police state there is not a problem & will endeavour to get my goods to me. (not holding breath).
I agree with SMLE`s earlier comments & fail to see how we should feel under any obligation to anyone!!
We know (or should know) the laws of our respective lands - if we fail to abide by them then we suffer the conscequences - unfortunately this usually means other sensible & law abiding collectors suffer as well.
Whilst many may not understand my hobby & think me a bit wierd that should not stop me or deter me from responsibly & safely continuing.
I fail to see what `ethics` are involved apart from the safety & legal ones. It`s legal to buy a porn mag over a certain age for private use, does that mean all my mates & I in the Forces were ethically lacking personally just because of the mags in barracks/crewroom? Is the newsagent ethically lacking by selling it/them?
I think the lack of understanding & knee jerk reactions by the authorities, media & the public is due to lack of knowledge, imagination (maybe too much?) & dis-information.
By the way the police told me FFE statements in parcels are a waste of time & paper. Personally never bothered.
Last night worried me & that annoys me when I haven`t done anything wrong.
Just hope wifey is not too miffed as on ferry home for weekend - could be sleeping with my collection!! (would doing that be ethically or morally wrong??)