SMG briefcase

[Todg]

The SMG briefcase is a discrete method of carrying an SMG in areas where the weapon itself might attract unwanted attention. It also allows a relatively large weapon to be carried in relatively formal settings.

There are two types of SMG briefcases: The first is nothing more than a carrier, essentialy a shell that disguises the outlines of the weapon. Frequently, the carry handle of the briefcase is also th carry handle for the weapon. To use the concealed SMG with this type of case, a trigger or release mechanism is pressed, which allows the briefcase shell to fall away, revealing the SMG, which is then used in the conventional manner.

A more 'advanced' version of the SMG briefcase includes a triggerlinkage and a port that allows the SMG to be fired while it is inside the briefcase. Such a case may include a laser pointer to assist in aiming as the sights of the weapon cannot be used. The weapon case be removed from the case and used normally, but this typically requires more time than the 'briefcase holster' described above.

Movie at http://www.hkpro.com/video/MP5K_case.mov
(Quicktime required)

The weapon is difficult to fire while in the case, but sometimes better than nothing. -4 to hit while cased. Otherwise, treat as SMG.

'Briefcase Holster' Cr150
"SMG Briefcase' Cr300

 

[PVernon]

Tod, Are your prices based on the current prices?

 

[Todg]

Originally posted by PVernon:
Tod, Are your prices based on the current prices?

No. Current prices reflect scaresity and collectability. I tried to approximate actual cost based on manufacture and comparing the item to other accessories (shoulder stock at Cr75 and folding stock at Cr100)

BTW, doing some research on Traveller economics and noting that CT prices come close to reflecting actual 1977 (year of publication) costs I have developed a calculator to determine CT prices based on current prices. The calculator can be found on my website http://www.travellercentral.com under 'House Rules'

Basically, adjusting for inflation current prices are 2.73 times higher than in 1977. So the basic rule (for dollars) is to divide the current price for a piece of equipment to get it's cost in Credits. This can be simplified to 'Tod's Rule of Three'. Divide current cost of gear by three to get a cost in credits.

[Rambling today, I know]

 

[kaladorn]

I had thought the conversion was about $3 US to 1 CRImp. Thus some things like the folding stock look rather insanely expensive in some ways.

Now, you can probably do a cheap holster briefcase with a modern tool carrier for about $30 US. That means about 10 CR. It might not be *quite* as fancy as the HK one, but it'll definitely work and let you drop the briefcase and draw out the SMG.

The other thing to keep in mind is some of the great 'conversion table' for currencies from JTAS. If the folding stock is made on a TL-6 world, it might cost 75 Cr local, with their currency, but that might well (if they had a C starport) amount to about 15 Cr local at a nearby type A Starport TL-12 world.

Essentially, things that can be made on lower tech worlds with lower currency values should be obtainable more cheaply.

If you need the TL-12 version of the same, it'll cost you 75 credits from the TL-12 planet (and then might well cost CR 375 or more as an import on the TL-6 planet!). But for some stuff, like the folding stock, you might not need anything more fancy.

A basic backpack from a TL-6 world (or TL-8) may be fine and serviceable, if below TL-14 standards. But if all you need is serviceable, the economies to be gained this way would be significant.

Anyway, sorry to digress on economic issues.

 

[Todg]

Your point is well taken. The prices offered merely reflect a base value derived from like items published in the CT books. The referee always has the final say and should change details to suit his own universe.

CT book 1 Lists the SMG at Cr500. I paid $1350 for my PAWS ZX-5 (which was a very good price). But that price reflects small production and a limited and regulated tool. In reality, it probably costs about $100 to make a really nice SMG nowadays, and if the market were unregulated the retail cost wouldn't be much more.

This would make the Traveller SMG about Cr35. Now consider that you can get an AK in subSaharan Africa for about $50. What does that say about Traveller prices?

The important thing is to keep ballance in the game. That's why I set the prices the way I did.

 

[kaladorn]

That's fine.

I'm just saying one way to address the difference from place to place is to assume any good that can be manufactured at the TL of the planet in question is produced for the set cost in the book, but in local credits, based on the exchange table which factors in starport and TL. The Imperial Credit, OTOH, is figured from TL 15/A starport and is the 'standard'. So the Imperial Credit is a popular currency on TL-9 worlds with Starport B ... it is common enough to be worthwhile, and strong enough to be worth multiple local credits. Think of it as the US dollar vs. the Peso or the Canadian Dollar.

Just suggesting how 'real value' of a good can be reflected.

Within the context of existing (rather exhorbant) pricing, which is doubly brutal considering pathetic pension incomes the game gives, your prices are more than fine

And I love your ideas, keep them coming. I'm gonna steal almost all of em (with permission/attribution, thus not making it really stealing...).

 

[Straybow]

Yeah, but the plane ticket for a two-way trip to sub-Saharan Africa, and the cost of bribing customs to let you bring the $50 AK back in to the USA or Canada ends up costing much more than your basic $1500 assault rifle.

 

[PVernon]

Corejob and Kaladorn,
I am using the "Consumer Price Index" for 1977 and the preliminary numbers for 2003 which gets you a factor of .33. ( <item cost 2003>*.33= <traveller cost in Cr> ) Which when all is said and done gets all 3 of us fairly close together.

And just because I did this for my Consolodated Equipment list yesterday the conversion factor for GURPS stuff is .445 and if you need GURPS prices the factor to go the other way is 2.248.

One note that the CPI people make is that when you do these types of convertions there are all sorts of inaccuracies that get introduced so they recomend that you only use the first 3 sigificant digits. I would also round any price that is less than 1000cr to the neerest 5 cr.

 

[kaladorn]

Yep.

So, for the Consolidated Equipment list, are there separate columns for GT and CT pricing? <hint>

 

[Todg]

A rather trivial addition in a spreadsheet.

 

[Todg]

Originally posted by PVernon:
Corejob and Kaladorn,
I am using the "Consumer Price Index" for 1977 and the preliminary numbers for 2003 which gets you a factor of .33.

I did my converter a couple of years ago, so I probably need to make adjustmenst. FWIW, my "How much is that in credits" calculator handles a wide variety of national currency - bearing in mind that there are many non-US players.

see http://www.travellercentral.com/rules/howmuch.html

Ot go to TravellerCentral and follow the links to "House Rules"

This is how I know that 300 Rand is about Cr10, or 2700 Icelandic krona.

It's a sickness.

 

[Straybow]

Yes, we're all lamenting the loss of flavor moving from a dozen national currencies to the Euro.

 

[PVernon]

Originally posted by kaladorn:
Yep.

So, for the Consolidated Equipment list, are there separate columns for GT and CT pricing? <hint>

Yes, in version .72. Which I intend to post after I finish going through all of the GT stuff.

By the way does anyone know if any equipment is listed in "Bounty Hunters". It is the only one I don't have.

 

[kaladorn]

Drop me an e-mail at tomb at stargrunt dot ca to remind me. I've got it on a shelf downstairs and can check.

 

[Rupert Boleyn]

Originally posted by Corejob:

This would make the Traveller SMG about Cr35. Now consider that you can get an AK in subSaharan Africa for about $50. What does that say about Traveller prices?

That they weren't written to reflect an unregulated and saturated market.

 

[Todg]

Originally posted by Straybow:
Yeah, but the plane ticket for a two-way trip to sub-Saharan Africa, and the cost of bribing customs to let you bring the $50 AK back in to the USA or Canada ends up costing much more than your basic $1500 assault rifle.

But many worlds don't have the LL of the US, and starports are effectively LL0. In a place with high supply and high demand like the Spinward Marches, I would expect weapon to not have a lot of markup. With loarge lots, I'm sure you could get jobber prices.

Right now in the US, you can buy an AK-74 (semi) for $299 US. Consider, that price includes Import duty, shipping from Russia, 11% FET wholesale and retail markup. The difference between the cost of making a semi or select fre AK is neglidgible. In Traveller terms, I should be able to by an AK for Cr100 on a TL 7.5 world.

 

[Straybow]

Yes, and that's why on some worlds I might be able to buy a ton of "Firearms" at 40-70% of the base price and sell it at another planet for 150-200%. On other worlds they will say, "I already have one."

 

[kaladorn]

Just a note, I haven't forgot to look in the GT:Bounty Hunters, but I won't get to it until the weekend.

What info is needed about any equipment there? Just cost and name? or do I need weight if they give it? Anyway, tomb at stargrunt dot ca if you want to talk to me about it. The CEL is such a good idea, I'm glad to offer my minor contribution.

Todd, where do you get the base data for your monetary converter? Is it static, or fluctuating with markets? What I was getting at is any conversion of current US (forex) to Cr Imp ought to be 'ballpark' anyway - because rates fluctuate and because the math should be reasonably easy. That's why 3:1 was a good conversion factor. Numbers like 2.2475482 might be accurate, but are a bit overkill. 2.25 would be sufficient.

And if 1 CrImp is $3 US, are there partial credits?

 

[PVernon]

Originally posted by kaladorn:
What info is needed about any equipment there? Just cost and name? or do I need weight if they give it?

Yes, name,price,weight, and tech level. Oh and the page number in the book.
Thanks for taking the time to look for me.

 

[Todg]

Originally posted by kaladorn:
Todd, where do you get the base data for your monetary converter? Is it static, or fluctuating with markets?

I found a converter somewhere on the web. Of course, since the data is static, it's out of date now. Sorry.