WEAPONS used in Steven Spielberg's Band of Brothers TV series were stolen from a Bolton military shop during two burglaries.
Tonge Moor man David Chadwick claimed he broke into the shop trying to find money but ended up stealing realistic looking pistols and revolvers.
Following the first burglary at the Overlord Shop in Tonge Moor Road, Chadwick returned the following night and stole more weapons.
Chadwick, aged 30, of Tonge Moor Road, had previously admitted two counts of burglary, theft, attempted theft and criminal damage before Bolton Crown Court.
Chadwick took 25 guns, blank-firing ammunition and a Bowie knife and put them in haversack he also took from the shop.
The next night he took a further 17 air weapons, an antique percussion pistol, two Russian semi-automatic pistols, blank-firing ammunition and an anti-stab vest. Two guns from the first burglary and seven from the second have not been recovered.
A taxi driver reported Chadwick to the police when he saw him taking the stolen items to his girlfriend's house.
The court heard Chadwick had not intended to steal guns but was looking for money to feed his heroin habit.
Jailing Chadwick for four years Judge Philip Raynor QC said he viewed offences of stealing imitation firearms very seriously and added that highly realistic weapons were liable to end up in the hands of those who commit crimes.
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