• 1955 No.4 Mk2 Enfield Rifle (Still Wrapped)

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



    (Click PIC to Enlarge)


    Observations:
    Note: Observations and pics provided courtesy of Gunboards member Rob "Trebor" Reed.

    This is a New in Wrap Lee Enfield #4 Mk. 2 in .303 Brit. I bought this rifle from a local gunshop in October of '05. This gun was part of a large collection sold on consignment for the estate of a collector who had died. I also got a Daewoo K2/AR 100 from the same estate.

    This gun was manufactured in 1955 and was immediately placed in long term "mummy wrap." It was in war reserve storage until it was sold as surplus somewhere around 1994. The previous owner never unwraped it.

    The serial # is " UF55 A101xx" (with numbers replacing the x's)

    The rifle is still in the wrap. Enough was pulled away to read the serial number on the left side of the receiver. There are two tags on the wrap. One on the left side of the buttstock and one on the handguard.

    Buttstock tag reads:

    RIFLE No. 4 MK 2
    CR. 18 GA
    NORMAL BUTT
    FAZ MAY 1955
    NEW

    Handguard tag reads:

    SERIAL No. (handwritten) A 101xx (with handwritten below) UF 55

    I took these pics when I first got the gun. Nothing has changed since then. I do plan on unwrapping the gun and shooting it and documenting the whole process with pictures. It's just going to be a bit of an involved project and I haven't had the time to devote to do it right yet.

    A detail of the mummy wrap on the receiver. I'm torn between looking forward to unwrapping it, like a kid on Christmass morning, and dreading cleaning all the cosmo out. They were serious about preserving this thing.



    (Click PIC to Enlarge)


    This tag is on the buttsock:


    (Click PIC to Enlarge)


    This one is on the handguard:


    (Click PIC to Enlarge)


    And finally, here's a close up of the receiver markings.


    (Click PIC to Enlarge)


    I paid $250 for this gun. Right after I bought it, Dennis Kroh from Empire Arms sold two identical guns from the same 1994 import lot for $550 apiece. Those had both been unwrapped already.

    I am still a little torn between keeping the gun in the wrap and unwrapping it and shooting it. It is more valuable as-is and I could make a decent profit by keeping it in the wrap and selling it eventually. Everytime I think about leaving it in the wrap though, I remember that the previous owner died without ever unwrapping and fully enjoying this gun. I think I'm going to shoot it.

    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!

    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")




























    This article was originally published in forum thread: 1955 No.4 Mk2 Enfield Rifle (Still Wrapped) started by Badger View original post
    Comments 10 Comments
    1. Charon's Avatar
      I want one.
      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.
    1. Basharnets's Avatar
      Do u consider selling this baby? I will pay u good money
    1. rrengineer's Avatar
      I have one of these I bought back in 1998. I too had a hard time deciding to leave it in the wrapping to preserve the value or shoot it. In the end I unwrapped it and shot it. They are absolutely beautiful rifles when new like this. If you have shot older Enfields that have been around and much used, it is a completely different experience shooting a brand new gun. My gun is dead nuts accurate at almost any distance. If you can see it, you can hit it. The blond wood contrasted against the black parkerizing and accented with the almost chrome like metal "in the white" makes this the prettiest gun I have by far. By the way, I paid $169 for mine back then here in Southern California. There has been less than 100 rounds through it and it still looks like I just unwrapped it.
      Mike
    1. WooDoggie's Avatar
      Quote Originally Posted by Charon View Post
      I want one.
      Have one!
      I have the Long Butt version C.R. 17 GA. Manufactured in June 1955. Mine also came in the "onion paper" and cosmoline. Took awhile to clean, but the gun is a real beauty! I've shot 21 rounds thru it. I debated about keeping it without firing it, but come on..... who buys a toy and doesn't use it?? It came with a really cool bayonet. I believe I paid $200 for it back in 1995.

      Badger- what is the overall length of your rifle? Mine is 44 7/8". I'm wondering what the length difference is between the two.
    1. Gaffee's Avatar
      Looking for one
    1. mikero's Avatar
      I bought one earlier this year, already opened but not cleaned. I shot it because I believe that its disrespectful to the craftsmen who built it to leave it unfired. Anyone who wants to shoot a new Lee Enfield is welcome, I'm in SLC Utah, drop me a line, Mike
    1. cheddarbob's Avatar
      Mine is still wrapped and I've been considering the unwrap process. The stamp on it says CR. 18GA, Normal Butt, FAZ June 1955, NEW. Would there be a difference physically or any other, in the May or June editions?
    1. Woogyeman's Avatar
      I remember when I got mine home. I looked at the packaging, Thought about other items I got that were sealed in Cosmo, carefully slid it onto the bed thought about it for the night and when I woke up in the morning started picking cosmo lol. By noon I was home with my deer, and it is the only shot ever been fired with it. I wound up paying $115.00 for mine in '95. Got plenty of Ammo for it, just felt it needed to be shot at least once to honour those craftsmen that built it as Mikero said.
    1. ssgross's Avatar
      I know it's been 6 years since the last comment...but I just one. They are way more expensive now that $115 in 1995, especially in todays pandemic market. I did at least pay far less than pandemic price. I am debating unwrapping as well, and my gut agrees with Badger - do I want to die like the last guy, never having enjoyed this rifle, or ever really seeing or handling it? It's like buying a new car...I know the value drops as soon as I drive it off the lot, but that is not why we buy new cars. Single owner cars are likely to fetch higher prices on the used market than multiple owner. If I unwrap it, I will put a letter in the buttstock "I am the original owner...my kids are...and they are the next owners. I don't yet know who my grandkids are, but they will hopefully be next..."
      Besides, how many of these are sitting in somebody's safe or closet and already turned into rust buckets? The wrapper on mine was torn enough to get confirm serial no. at some point, and the the muzzle wore the paper at that end. My scope shows light surface rust (distinct from cosmoline) forming at the crown. I'm leaning towards unwrapping. I've done my due diligence, reading all sides of the argument for and against...there are many threads. I'm only posting here because I don't really want to relive all those arguments or discussions. I've decided to sleep on it a week, shoot my other well worn enfield, then make a decisive decision allowing my kids to weigh in.
      Yes, Woogyeman, there is honor in sitting in a chair made a hundred years ago too. There is honor in yelling at your kids to not rock in it so hard. We honor these rifles by using and preserving, as well as by leaving some of them wrapped up. To each their own, no no fault or ill feelings from me either way towards anyone who decides for themselves what to do.
    1. General Automag's Avatar
      Hey guys: I'm new to the forum. I have one of these mint, unissued, unfired Enfield No4 Mk2 rifles sn UF 55 2***. It's a gorgeous rifle and even has the bayonet and scabbard. I bought it in the early 90s and have had it in the vault ever since. We're moving, so I'm having to reduce the number of freedom sticks we own. What do you think would be the best place to market it? Thanks
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