The civilian model I bought. In 1960 in Manchester UK, at the Gun Shop in Withy Grove. Was in the window, with a price tab of twenty pounds! $40.00.
I went in, "Whats that, a deposit?" There was only me and the young sales man
in the shop! He pulled me over, closer to the counter.
"It's on consighnment, the owner was an A-ole! He was a civian contractor, on a 2 year contract. To Malta. Bought it from a Browning and Sterling sub gun dealer in London. Just to export. You could not buy to keep in England.
His first day on the job, he put a shoulder holster on, complete with his new pistol. First MP that saw him, confiscated it for the two years he was there.
Arrived back in Manchester, the Police confiscated it. He tried to get it back, he stated he would be joining a gun club? They said it did not work that way.
Marched him off to the gun shop. Apprently he was just as popular with the Cops as he was with everyone else he dealt with. I was a Gun Club member since I was 18, and owned 2 pistols already, just needed to enter it into my local Police data, and write it on my Permit. "Is this a target pistol?" I was asked "I can shoot targets with, can I not?" I said. "Fair enough" the reply.
Not a bad price for a gleaming spotless new Civilian finish BHP. Walnut Grips, two 13 round magazines. And a shoulder holster. I had Harry Hickys Gun shop in Toronto, smooth the trigger down to 4lbs, and remove the magazine disconnect!
Prior to leaving England, I was shooting on a Military Range I had permission to shoot on? Dont ask! When a Secend Lt. With a squad of 4 Sqdys challenged me to a shooting match, at 20M, me with my BHP, him with his Sten Gun, a Sub Gun set on Semi. I beat him, the "Box" turned out to be a case of NATO Mil Spec 9mm. What a deal, I still paid for a round of pints of Guinness!
On closing, a story about (W.H.B Smith's Small Arms of the World) I was in the Ontario Supreme Court in Toronto. Waiting to give evidence in an expert witness Capacity. When I bumped into Johnny Sombrero, I biker who I knew.
As I had a lot of time before I was set to testify, I went to see his case (To do with the Police trying to confiscate his collection of converted from Full Auto FN 762 Rifles) Johnnys Expert in the witness stand. Big book open in font of the Crowns Expert. Bunch of little yellow stickly markers protruding.
"Do you mind me asking whose book you're referring to?" W.H.B Smith's Small Arms of the World" "I am that Auther" Was the reply! Pricless.
Yes He did get his Guns back. But never fully recovered from the beating he got during his arrest!