There was one cat who was rebuilding semi- MP44's and I believe he also test fired one of the SMG early "loaner" FG's at a reenact event (with blanks) - "MP43" I think was his avatar - is he any this forum? He was a like-minded individual - enjoyed talking MP44 building with him.
There was a relaxed attitude on that forum which was fun - but also indicative of the pre-fearful days of posting images of your collection - it was a fairly difficult forum for Joe-public to find, which had it's benefits -
A lot of them get fowled up by too many weirdos, too, MG42 was a good forum for a while, too - then, a lot of oddballs, PM's about illegal transfers and I'm history, adios, I spent way too much every years on licenses, permits and lawyers already.
I think it was MP43sniper, a fellow called Craig. He welded up a demilled parts kit.
Ahh yes, Now it all comes back to me. It had been so long that I had forgotten about all of that BS!
Oh well, guess all I had remembered was the "good times."
Sarge
Well I remember it simply as a good place to exchange information on G/K 43's, PTR44's and SMG FG42's. I never gave them a dime. I never got involved in any of the political drama nor was I even aware of it.
My opinions all: Of course, we could have all done nothing, because "it is just a hobby" and allowed them to continue what they were doing, exploiting, censoring, etc. I well remember the few toadies whining, bitching, and moaning that all of this was being called out. They were the last ones there to turn out the lights Had these people prevailed in their views the G/K43 forum and hobby would have been controlled by censoring toadies and you would have been free to "exchange information" that they approved of and did not censor. My experience with various internet forums is that you then get "big shots", humpers and their toadies controlling the information you see. Humped stuff is then "wow", "one looker!" and " " Then, the hobby we spend so much time enjoying becomes a fraud filled joke controlled by strutting self-important abusive klowns.
Of course, there is much public happiness and blessings all around, and mutual taffy pulling and back patting by sycophants, trinket whores, and those profiting from them who are gleeful that they are making bank, can't get called out, and are in control of authentication and information. That was what G/K43 Forum had become, IMHO. Those who like that type of forum and site really don't fit in here because they value pig lipstick, taffy pulls, sycophancy, and appearances over facts, truth, and level playing fields. Those people should resurrect G/K43 Forum, which would not be as much of a threat to the knowledge base because we have this site.
Hambone obviously your involvement with the G/K43 Forum was at a different level than my casual user experience. I think I speak for 90% of the former users of that forum who like myself simply enjoyed the free flow of information on German Firearms of the Second World War that site had to offer. I'm not here to defend the people who ran the G/K43 forum. Hell I don't know any of them unlike yourself and others who have a bone to pick with them. Yes I'm glad this site offers an alternative to that old not so forgotten forum. Anyhow time moves on and all things must pass.
Indeed. But remember too that those who do not learn from and remember the misconduct of the past are doomed to suffer from it in the future. Model, you weren't getting a "free flow of information" there. You were getting the information they decided you needed to see. There are many people in North Korea who believe they are living in paradise.
If the majority of the hobby, or even 25% of it, believed that G/K43 had integrity as a site and was of benefit to the hobby it would still be around, censoring, with "da Bookie", asking for donations, etc. Time does move on but you better take your experiences and lessons with you as you traipse through it or you'll be poorer, more ignorant, and likely missing fingers
Well I don't live in N Korea, still have all my fingers and read from many books. I guess I (like many others) survived my time at the G/K43 forum.
Mel Smith a.k.a. qualityBC a.k.a. Uncle Mel has recently been selling some of his possessions on the usual auction sites.There was another member there, whom I bought some very hard-to-find items from, including an original G41(m) stock set - Mel Smith - "qualityBC" - I think was his avatar. Had some very impressive items - when he shared images. Anyone know if he is still kicking.