Your Letters
Let us know what you think of your favourite militaria magazine or ask other readers a question
Your comments on what you’ve been reading and doing. This month we’re discussing firearm rule changes, an antique rifle and a reader
wants help with some Army mittens.
FIREARMS LAWS
Excellent mag as ever. Did you see the announcement of yet another change in the law last Tuesday
(10 Nov 20)? Did you notice the lack of fanfare? I'm not saying that the police will be looking for soft or easy targets, but you have to wonder why (yet again) there has been absolutely NO consultation with collectors or dealers.
It is all over six fatalities. I'm sure we are all very sad for the victims but if you are going to change the law for a tiny percentage of victims, when are we going to ban cyclists, motor vehicles, alcohol, tobacco etc that kill more people in a single day than antique firearms? It seems that yet again we are all being demonised as gun nuts and irresponsible.
David G Cleghorn by email
Ed replies: I’m obliged to you for spotting this David. We have a news story on the issue on page 7. It is yet another example of knee-jerk reaction and political posturing. Using the case of six deaths in 13 years to justify this policy is as
laughable as it ludicrous.
ANTIQUE RIFLE
Hoping you may be able to assist. I believe I own an antique rifle made by WM Heptinstall. His shop was 18 Swan St, Minories, London in the mid 19th century. I cannot find any information on the internet about him. Can you assist?
Richard Smith by email
Ed says: I have asked Richard for some images to help with identification, but in the meantime, if anyone has any information on this gunmaker, please let us know at the usual addresses.
MILITARY GAUNTLETS
I am in possession of a pair of old stock military gauntlets. They are unusual n a variety of ways and despite much investigation I cannot identify their purpose. They are made of good quality leather and are not heavy or course. They are light blue in colour and have, on both left and right gloves, a large patch of close clipped wool, stitched on to the back. Also with them are a pair of good quality inner mitts made of wool. They came in a waxed paper outer. On the inside cuff of the leather mitts is a stamp showing the name ‘J. HANLON 1971’. Below a stamp ‘LARGE’ is a War Department arrow and the number ‘1888’ or ‘1885’, the last digit being difficult to decipher.
I have traced J Hanlon back to WWII as a glove manufacturer, but have been unable to find anything after that. I am the Secretary of the Winchester Militaria Society (new members always welcome!) and before lockdown presented them to the club for comment but no-one there could identify them either. Any help you or the readers could give in identifying the purpose of these gauntlets would be very much appreciated.
Michael Cokes-Davier,
Winchester
Ed says: We are printing some of the monochrome prints that Michael supplied, though obviously colour images would have been better. Still, if anyone can shed light on this, please write in.