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Having read about people going to the scottarms auction in Newark I'm keen to take a look at one as I'm struggling to find the enfield rifle's I'd like - I live in the midlands so that's a bit far - do any take place in B'ham, Staffs and the surrounding areas?
Thanks
To be honest the Enfields are not normally up to much but quality stuff (like the No8 at the recent auction) always fetch top dollar.Quote:
Originally Posted by PrinzEugen
My own feeling is that most of the guns tend to end up there as they are not up to scratch to sell privately. (Always the odd exception of course)
You can pick up any one of dozens of 12 bores for £2.00 (example Coey or tatty, loose actioned Spanish)), .22rf for £20 but quality does fetch money.
Sorry - dont know of any 'Midlands' auction houses - try a google search ?
Yeah been doing the old google to not much effect I'm afraid.
Not aware of any regular auctions, other than Holts, Southams, Scottarms. Things occasionally turn up at the other "general" auctions - but they seldom have online catalogues, and it is practically impossible to find out about rifles amongst the other lots.
The Holts "sealed bid" normally has few Enfields, including some decent No4s from South Africa, but other than that the auction stuff is mostly scrap (if the rifle not a complete bitsa, then it generally hasn't been cleaned after proof and the barrel is rusted...) - and way overpriced because of punters failing to factor in the commission and tax....
The only way to find decent Enfields in UK is to scour all the remaining gun shops in your area, and also put the word around the clubs. Most dealer prices are plain silly, considering the quality of the rifles they have. The best way to "shop around" is to attend the arms fairs at Bisley, where at least you'll see 50-100 Enfields in one location (I confess that I normally have a large Enfield stand as these shows...).
You are too modest. Thunderbox is a top bloke (for the antipodeans). An enthusiast selling to enthusiasts at reasonable prices.Quote:
Originally Posted by Thunderbox
I would have to agree; he's also a font of knowledge built on good honest research and not "popular" Enfield heresay.Quote:
Originally Posted by Beerhunter
Right, I think that's enough brown nosing for one night! ;)
To illustrate my slight disillusionment with dealers allow me to recount a couple of explanations I've been given in person after making long trips to see enforcers and 4ts.
For an enforcer (in good condition but missing its numbered magazine, and no repeat no scope or rings (but with a 5e4) with a price of £1,500 (!) - asked what on earth the great long brass thing screwed into the fore stock was "It's the utility rail - they're on every enforcer." ( I might add that it required a cut of several (7+) inches being made into the said forend.
For a pretty rough enforcer with a numbered mag, dirty wood (not a massive problem) seemingly ok but very well used. Looked to me like it had been used for a target rifle by a club and with the rise of value they'd sourced a scope and rings. Anyway the reticule on the scope was upside down (post pointing towards the ground). Gunshop man said: "I've had loads of enforcers and they've all been the same it helps see the fall of shot better").
On asking about an 'l42' asked if it had the markings on the side of the receiver - no they'd been 'milled off' for the fitting of a new scope rail - but it definitely was an L42...
Getting a bit disillusioned with the whole thing to be honest and might buy a more modern remington 700 police or ssg 69 police. If the dealers are full of it then where can one look?
Try Bob Burbage at Arundel Classic Guns in West Sussex, 01903 776121. He'll be set up at the Trafalgar show with his current inventory of rifles and accessories.
There's also EFD Rifles, Kent, England "The Enfield Specialists" , very friendly chaps :)