For Immediate Release

Contact: Andrew Turner

alturner@manions.com

866.626.4661 – ext. 1018

US has history producing arms of foreign nations

US weapons manufacturers have long profited from warring nations; several early WWI examples up for bid on www.manions.com

Kansas City, Kan. (April 6, 2010) – One of the most notable “shots heard around the world” assassinated heir to the throne Austro-Hungarian Arch Duke Ferdinand, effectively beginning WWI.

Although the US would remain neutral in the war for some time to come, the nation’s manufacturers would not ignore the potential for profit war would bring. Before long, US arms makers were cranking out regulation weapons of foreign design for several nations.

Several early examples of US manufactured rifles for use by armies of foreign nations are currently up for bid on the Manion’s International online auction website: www.manions.com. They are set to close April 27, 2010 at 8:30 p.m. CST and the subject of their production covered more extensively in an upcoming issue of Military Trader magazine.

“War usually involves nationalistic pride, but when it comes to procurement of arms, practicality or expedience often wins out,” said Manion’s firearms expert Patrick McWilliams. “Just ask any of our soldiers in Iraq or Afghanistan, who may have been issued the US M9 pistol, designed in Italy.”

Examples of these early WWI rifles are featured in Manion’s Military Trader Special Auction closing April 27: Remington Rolling Block single shot rifle, manufactured for the French in 8mm Lebel caliber; Model 1907/15 Mannlicher Berthier bolt action rifle – also produced by Remington; Westinghouse and Remington Model 1891 examples of the Mosin-Nagant Russian rifle; Winchester 1895 lever action chambered for the Russian 7.62 rimmed cartridge; Hopkins Allen Belgian 1889 in 7.65mm; Remington made British Lee-Enfield Pattern 13; and the Savage No. 4 Mk I variant of the Lee-Enfield, a “Lend-Lease” rifle of WWII. Conversely, a US marked Canadian Ross Model 1905 is also included.

To view all items available in the Manion’s International Military Trader Magazine Special Auction, visit www.manions.com and click the “Military Trader” banner in the center of the page. Free registration is required to bid. Visit www.manions.com for more information or call 866.626.4661.

###