Still wrapped 1955 No.4 Mk2 Enfield Rifle (Mfg by Fazakerley)

[Badger]

With thanks to Gunboards member Rob "Trebor" Reed, we've added a new entry to the England - Milsurp Knowledge Library (click here)

Still wrapped 1955 No.4 Mk2 Enfield Rifle (Mfg by Fazakerley) (click here) .....

Regards,
Badger

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Badger]

I've added the following information to this MKL entry:

Collector's Comments and Feedback:

1. Trebor's No.4 Mk2 is a fine example of mid 50's Fazakerley plant Enfield Rifle production. Often these unwrapped rifles are mistakenly referred to as "Irish Contract Rifles" (contract was for 50,000 rifles). Here's some feedback about these "Irish Contract Rifles" that I've archived from various boards over the years. .......... (Feedback by "Badger")

Posted By: kraut/Michigan
Date: Wednesday, 3 April 2002, at 4:46 p.m.

The No4 Mk2 rifles commonly referred to as Irish contract rifles were made at Royal Ordnance Factory Fazakerley, near Liverpool, England. They were never delivered to Ireland due to political problems and remained in war reserve in England until being released on the milsurp market in the 90s. The serial number range for these Irish contract rifles is PF 309348 - PF 359347. Simply put, there is nothing 'Irish' about these rifles. They were made for Ireland but never got there.


Posted By: JB White NE / Illinois
Date: Wed 7 Feb 2007 9:41 pm

If it's a blonde, beechwood stocked, No4 Mk2 and dated 1955 (UF 55 + serial number) it's from the British war reserve which was released as surplus in the early 90's. Mistakenly called "Irish Contract" since the IC was actually part of a much earlier run with a PF prefix. (Very, very few ever found their way to Ireland BTW)

They are common enough, but the debate still continues as to whether or not they should be fired. The majority of us have used ours since we feel a rifle is to be used. Fantastic shooters they are too!

[Badger]

With thanks to member sniperlite for sending along his pics, I've added the following additional comment #2 to this MKL entry:


1955 No.4 Mk2 Enfield Rifle (Still Wrapped)

Collector's Comments and Feedback:

2. Here's a photo montage of member sniper-lite's No.4 Mk2 Fazakerley. Pics were taken as he went though the unwrapping process. He commented when sending us the pics, "On a side note.When I had finished opening the wrapper on the No.4 I noticed that the package has a string running through it along the under side of the rifle. I believe that once the outer paper was removed you could pull this string to open it in one fell swoop. .......... (Feedback by "Badger")

Regards,
Doug

[Peter Laidler]

The more people that open these wrapped rifles, the better.............! Better that is, for those that have left them wrapped because it immediately means that there is one less and therefore more demand on those that remain. More demand = more valuable.

If you need to shoot a No4, go and but another. They all feel the same........

[milprileb]

Respectfully disagree Peter. If one is a collector and investor perhaps that makes sense. To a shooter, I would rather have the
experience of shooting a brand new out of the wrap No.4 in my life time. In my case, I will let my son have that thrill as I have another
No.4 which has diverted my attention due to its extreme accuracy.

[newcastle]

have two - one unwrapped and seeing how long I can resist for before shooting and one still in wrap and seeing how long I can resist before unwrapping. A supreme test of willpower they are too.

[enfield303t]

I'm with Peter Laidler on this one as if you hunt you can find a near perfect No4 that will be a great shooter and already out of the wrap. Have to buy a wrapped one of these days but just have a difficult time thinking of having to part with so much money.

I do know if I hesitate too long the price will be higher but for now I am going to take that chance. Hope someday to come across a wrapped for less than $1,000.00 but starting to realize my chances are slim and fat.

[dieppe42]

What are these wrapped MkII's going for now ? It grieves me to think I had 6 of them plus 2 Savages and 3 consecutively serial numbered 1950 Longbranches (all unfired) about 10 years back that have since found homes in a couple of collectors rooms in Alberta.

[enfieldhope]

I have seen them with the wrap (opened) plus the bayonet numbered to the rifle for $600.00-$800.00. I purchased one almost two years ago taken out of the wrap, fired a little bit, a few minor scratches on the stock, and without the bayonet for $450.00

[dieppe42]

I can see how the price would be floating around there. In the mid nineties, I paid 250.00 for a complete wrapped issue (matching bayonet included), 225.00 for the Savage (including bayonet) and 1000.00 for the 3 consecutively serialled Longbranches. I've NEVER encountered such beautiful figured black walnut on a rifle as I did those 1950's ...... the hunting rifles of the day just couldn't compare. Back then, most of our local gunshows had at least 2 or 3 of the MkII's available for purchase.