New in the grease No4, anyone interested?

[Four Fingers of Death]

I saw this in a gunshop in Sydney yesterday. $AU1000!!!! Bit dear, but I thought I'd better mention it in case someone was interested. Canadian made apparently, last of the No4s it would seem. If anyone is interested I willget full details. Mick.

[newfoundlander]

If it's indeed a Longbranch the price is a bargain! However there are a number or so-called "Irish Contract" #4 mkIIs out there that have Canadian Century International stamps on the wrap and/or hang tag. I've seen a few or these incorrectly identified rifles go up for sale over the years and most dropped in price once the sellers were informed of their mistake. I purchased a consecutively numbered "Irish" rifles with matching bayonets back in '93 for $225.00 a piece. The most I've seen an unwrapped Iriish MkII go for was $675.00 Canadian ($4275.00 US with today's exchange rate:kidding:).

[Hip's Ax]

I paid $460 US for my No4Mk2 back in 2001 and was glad to get it. Mine isn't Irish Contract, its a UF serial number and was merely English War Reserve. 1955 dated and pretty and perfect as a new penny. Mine is Faz manufacture.

I unwrapped her and cleaned all the Cosmo off. Broke her in like a match rifle and worked up a nice shooting 4064 load with 174 gr Sierra Match Kings.

She shoots ~2 1/2" groups at 200 yards. I use her for Mil Surp Bolt Rifle matches.

Glad I got her when I did! $1000AU=$936US !!!! The again an unissued Longbranch, man, there is chicken lips if I've ever heard of them.

[armoredman]

$936 FOR AN ENFIELD??? Oh, my, Lord. I paid $50 for my No4Mk1* Longbranch, with ammo, still cosmoed inside from factory total repair in Faz. Holy garbage. Emigrate, AZ has similar weather, but no kangas.
BTW, I haven't managed to get out to the range with the cast 303 boolits I was graciously donated to try out, but I will say my old British warhorse has done MOA with on j-word load. I am hoping to do the same with cast!

[Scrounger]

What do you think this one is going to end up going for???
http://www.auctionarms.com/Search/DisplayItem.cfm?ItemNum=8335771

[newfoundlander]

You got a great deal on your LB. However unfired non-FTR'd pieces do of course get a premium. A non-fired LB, especially a MkI/2 or MkII are VERY, VERY, VERY rare!

$936 FOR AN ENFIELD??? Oh, my, Lord. I paid $50 for my No4Mk1* Longbranch, with ammo, still cosmoed inside from factory total repair in Faz. Holy garbage. Emigrate, AZ has similar weather, but no kangas.
BTW, I haven't managed to get out to the range with the cast 303 boolits I was graciously donated to try out, but I will say my old British warhorse has done MOA with on j-word load. I am hoping to do the same with cast!

[armoredman]

Oh, I didn't realize you meant it was unfired. That does change things. Still, that's a pile of change!
I need a No1Mk3 someday.

[JeffinNZ]

Guys, I have a FAZ No4. Mk2 same as Hip's Ax and it shoots REALLY well but it is just a Lee Enfield. I picked up a brand new barrel for it recently and fitted it. I shoot and enjoy it but as I say, it's just a Lee Enfield.

It will be a cold day in hell that I pay THAT much for one. New/in the grease or not they are still just a battle rifle.

Still, whatever rings your bell. If you want one and have the money go for it.

[robertbank]

There are two Irish Contract #4's presently for sale on canadiangunutz forum. One is listed for $750Cdn and the other $900Cdn. Both are new unfired. Neither have sold...but will. Unfired Longbranch - $1,000A is a steal! Haven't seen one of those since I was a kid in the 50's.

Take Care

Bob

[Four Fingers of Death]

Serious dollars, but probably well worth it to a dedicated dealer. How would you tell if it hadn't been fired exactly?

I shoot mine and if it's that rare or that fragile or historically important, I'll pass it on to someone who'll get their jollies from it. I paid serious dollars for a mint savage and a rare Lithgow No4 Longbranch 7.62 conversion with 200 documented rounds fired through it. Both awesome rifles, paid too much, but they will see me through for a long time.

[Maven]

4finger, I was in that gun shop (in Sydney) last January and found his prices to be outrageously high even factoring in the exchange rate.

[beemer]

Back in the mid 90's I bought a Faz No4 unfired, unwrapped but still in grease for $150.At that time decent No4s were going for $80-$90 at the most. At the last gunshow I attended a beat up No 4 was priced $250-$275. A local shop had a Faz still wrapped on consinment for $700. The owner would not unwrap it and I can't say that I blame him but I just ain't gonna pay that much for one I can't see first. It might be new but it has been in that wrapping for a long time. If I have one to valuable to shoot it's going down the road.

I ruined any collector value of that unfired No 4, it is still in military dress but had been D&T for a scope. To make matters worse it was a very early MK2 being made in 9-49. Knowing what I know now I would probably have choosen another rifle but it's done. I still don't have any regrets for it is a very accurate rifle with J-word or boolits and is one of my favorites.

Last summer my cousin bought the nicest LB I have ever seen, it looked 100% till I saw the bore. Someone had shot corrosive ammo in it and set it in the corner for 9 or 10 years. There was almost no rifling left, I almost cried. Maybe I should have bought anyway but I have never seen a new barrel around here.

beemer

[floodgate]

Then there's the pristine No. 1 Mk. V I had years ago that I swapped to a friend to sporterize for his son, for a beat-up old shotgun I thought I wanted. ARRRGGGGHHHH!!

I understand the majority of these were lost in the Dunkirk evacuation, having been issued from storage to new troops when the No. 4 supplies ran short. I've always admired the look of the old "bulldog" muzzle of the No. 1 Mk. III, with the adjustable receiver sight, but never found another Mk. V I could afford.

floodgate

[Four Fingers of Death]

Then there's the pristine No. 1 Mk. V I had years ago that I swapped to a friend to sporterize for his son, for a beat-up old shotgun I thought I wanted. ARRRGGGGHHHH!!

I understand the majority of these were lost in the Dunkirk evacuation, having been issued from storage to new troops when the No. 4 supplies ran short. I've always admired the look of the old "bulldog" muzzle of the No. 1 Mk. III, with the adjustable receiver sight, but never found another Mk. V I could afford.

floodgate

That's interesting, I have never studied the years of manafacture, etc, but I thought that the Mk5s came out a lot later.

I also have an excellent Lithgow made SMLE which was made in 1924. Apparently, they didn't make many at all that year, just enough to keep the factory open with a skeleton staff. I paid $AU300 for it, which is a bit dear, but ones with excellent barrels command a good price here. there is a pic of it on my photobucket link along with the savage and the 7.62 conversion (blond wood). I must update my account with some new pics.

[floodgate]

Mick:

Working from memory (I know, I should check my references, but I spent the day pretending to be a Navajo Indian spinner and weaver for a bunch of people attending an international mushroom dyeing symposium today - No!, you REALLY DON'T want to hear that story!) - but as I recall, the No. 1 Mk. Vs were made up around 1929, but they suffered from the "whippy barrel" syndrome of the Mk. III's, and were put into storage, virtually unused, when the stiffer-barrelled No. 4's came out a few years later; they were issued only in the emergency movement of hastily-recruited British troops to the mainland after the Germans invaded Poland and WW-Twice was offcially "ON",

I really need to get Ian Skennerton's books on the Lee-Enfields and check that story. Someone (anyone!) PUHLEEZE correct me if I'm off-base!

BTW, has the ,45-70 "Collar Button" GB mould arrived yet? I'm still awaiting the "fattest of all .30's" ordered from Catshooter about the same time.

Best for the New Year (somewhat belatedly - I'm so ding-y YOU can probably hear the chimes all the way to OZ).

Doug

[unclebill]

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l272/billhedges/davesdrive126.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l272/billhedges/davesdrive122-2.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l272/billhedges/zpowder013.jpg

[45nut]

drool

[robertbank]

You got to tell us where you got that lovely piece. That is n unfired Longbranch isn't it? I thought I saw a Broad Arrow stamp on the stock.

Take Care

Bob

[unclebill]

i bought it from my buddy for $300.
he bought it about 11 years ago and it spent all that time in his closet.
he called me and asked me if i still wanted it.
and it came with herters dies,cleaning stand,sling ,bayo,300 rnds. of greek ammo.
and 80+ stripper clips as well as bandoliers.
yes i have fired it.
i had to.
it has been fired 130 times.

[unclebill]

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l272/billhedges/zpowder015.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l272/billhedges/zpowder010.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l272/billhedges/zpowder009.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l272/billhedges/zpowder006.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l272/billhedges/davesdrive116.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l272/billhedges/davesdrive117.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l272/billhedges/feb4136.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l272/billhedges/feb4131-12.jpg

[unclebill]

i have never mounted the bayo or used a stripper clip in this one because i dont want to harm the finish

[rvpilot76]

Unclebill, the Lord says, "Thou Shalt Not Covet Thy Neighbors Wife". Do you think that pertains to your Enfield? I've got two Savage #4's now, which I suppose makes me polygamous, but your Enfield makes me go weak in the knees. Surely, the most beautiful #4 I've ever seen!

Well done Sir,

Kevin

[unclebill]

thank you.
it was a stroke of dumb luck that i was able to own it.
the other one in the last pic is a savage.
and i like that one too!

[MtGun44]

Gee, they look a lot nicer if they haven't been dropped into a tank of
locomotive paint ! :drinks:

Beautiful rifle.

Bill

[unclebill]

Gee, they look a lot nicer if they haven't been dropped into a tank of
locomotive paint ! :drinks:

Beautiful rifle.

Bill

thats funny!:drinks:

[Four Fingers of Death]

I just checked the link, that rifle went for $455. Not bad, there's a lifetime of cast boolit shooting in one of those.

[unclebill]

Guys, I have a FAZ No4. Mk2 same as Hip's Ax and it shoots REALLY well but it is just a Lee Enfield. I picked up a brand new barrel for it recently and fitted it. I shoot and enjoy it but as I say, it's just a Lee Enfield.

It will be a cold day in hell that I pay THAT much for one. New/in the grease or not they are still just a battle rifle.

Still, whatever rings your bell. If you want one and have the money go for it.

thats how i feel about garands