To unpack or not to unpack ... that is the question

[Mike Cecil]

Went to the local gun show and saw this: an ROF(F) No.4 Mk.2, December 1954 manufacture, still in the original cosmoline and brown paper wrapping. This one is in a private collection. Not sure when the Brits ceased production of No.4 rifles, but this must be close to the last, as the L1A1 came into service about this time.

IMG_7462C.jpg IMG_7464c.jpg

[rob love]

That is one of the so called "Irish contract" rifles. But further research over the years has shown that only a certain range of the serials were supposed to go to the irish, but many were made for UK service. These used to show up everywhere in Canada for around $150 back around 2000. Now they will show up over the $2K mark.

No question on that one: Do not unwrap.

In the wrap adds a high premium to the price. I have seen posts on the gunnutz site where someone paid the premium price, degreased it, and shot it. I congrstulate them, as they just flushed $1500 down the toilet.

There will be a matching numbered bayonet in the wrap as well.

I have a couple of unfired Enfields in the safe. The next owner can do what he wants, but I can guarantee I won't be firing tham.

Stolen from the web:

An incomplete list:

PF301548-PF304047 Anglo-Egyptian Sudan
PF309348-PF359347 Irish Republic
PF359748-PF359817 Zambia
PF359818-PF359952 Singapore
PF359953-PF360052 Jamaica
PF360053-PF360202 Trinidad
PF360203-PF360238 St. Vincent
PF360239-PF360258 St. Kitts
PF360259-PF360459 War Office
PF360460-PF381159 Uganda
PF361160-PF361259 Parker Hale
PF361260-PF401086 Burma
PF401087-PF401459 Allocated for T conversion
PF404157-PF404206 Parker Hale
PF405393-PF405412 St. Vincent
PF405513-PF405712 Admiralty contract
PF405813-PF405848 Fulton
PF407649-PF407648 Trinidad
PF407649-PF407728 Zanzibar
PF411229-PF411264 Fulton
PF411265-PF411461 Kenya
PF411462-PF411471 Hong Kong

Some of these contracts were not delivered. A case in point being the "Irish Contract". Daft spams pay a premium for these because they think they're getting a piece of Oirish history. In fact most of the rifles never left UK warehouse until they were sold as surplus.

[Mike Cecil]

Hi Rob,

Thanks for the information - much appreciated.

Mike

[Lionelgee]

Hello All,

I suppose it travels along the line of collectable scale model cars. Or any other 'classic' child's toy. Those toys that are still in the original packaging - the more pristine condition the better - will attract more money during a sale. A car or other classic child's toy that is taken out of the box; even if the toy itself is still in mint condition, will sell for much less than its boxed comparison.

Kind regards
Lionel