World War II Replica Guns

World War II is the largest period section in the catalog, with rifles, submachine guns and pistols from every major combatant: the Garand and Carbine, the Lee-Enfield, the Mauser, the Mosin, the Thompson, the MP40, the Sten and the Luger. The range is built so a collection can follow one army or one theatre.

Mixing nationalities on one shelf is the most common mistake in a first display. A German MP40 next to an American Garand can look like a museum exhibit, but only if the pieces are labelled and grouped; without that it reads as a random collection. Group by country, then by year, and the display tells a story.

Choosing a Replica Rifle

Rifles are the hardest replicas to display well because of their length. A Garand or Lee-Enfield runs close to a metre and needs either a long wall or a horizontal rack; the Kentucky flintlock is longer still. Measure the wall before ordering, and remember that a rifle hung above a door is usually too high for anyone to read the detail you paid for.

The second consideration is the action. Lever action and bolt action replicas are built with working bolts and levers so they can be cycled for photographs. That is a nice detail for film work but it also means more small parts, so these models should be handled at the receiver rather than swung by the barrel.

Common questions

Can the bolt or lever be cycled?
Yes. The bolt, lever and magazine follower operate like the original on most models, which makes them useful for close-up film work, but the chamber is blocked and cannot accept a cartridge.

Is the stock real wood?
Yes, the stocks and forends are hardwood, stained and lacquered. Colour varies slightly from one rifle to the next because it is a natural material.

How do I hang a rifle on the wall?
Use two concealed brackets under the stock and barrel, not one hook in the middle. A long replica is front heavy and will rotate on a single fixing.

World War II Replica Guns