Fazakerly No 8 MK I question

Gents,

I have a chance to buy a Fazakerly 1951 No 8MK I. The rifle is used with what appears to be a very nice bore and crown. The only real defect is the buttplate which was so deteriorated that it was replaced with a non military type, with no alteration the the buttstock. It of course has some wear on the suncorite so the park is showing on places on the barrel and the action body.

Here is the kicker, I guy is a fellow rifle competitor and so I am compelled to make sure he gets the full worth. He asked me how much it was worth and I told him I thought he would get about 800 dollars for it on gunbroker. He then offered it to me for that sum or whatever I though I would be willing to pay. I was thinking more like 750 straight up.

So does anyone here have a clue as to how much one of these rifles would go for on gunbroker? Is 750~800 fair? I have never seen a Fazakerly No 8, only the NZ contract No 8 rifles here in the US of A. On the other hand I have a BSA NZ No 8MKI I bought on Gunbroker ~6 years ago but it only cost me 350, ~410 after dealer charges shipping and transfer so perhaps the goign price is less. I am inclined tell him that he should put it on Gunbroker with no reserves and he will find the real price. He seems a little scared of this, but it seems to me if the rifle is uncommon that is the best way for him to get the real price. Does anyone heree have a feel for what he might expect to get for one of these?


Any insights will be of aid.

There is one for sale now with 5 days to go and it is at almost $450. It has a mismatched forend. I picked up one last year through a private party for $425 which I thought was a good deal. I think $600 would be a fair price.

Just my two cents.

Good luck,

Brian

I bought 2 for less than you are being asked for 1. OK, it was euros and I am very, very patient when I am looking for something special.

I have collected a lot of Egun sales results for No. 8s, over years, especially where the number of the rifle could be read off the receiver, and I have a very good idea of what is achievable over here. The answer is 400 (grab it and run) to 600 (look at it very, very carefully) euros. The price you mention is, literally "top dollar", and for that I would expect the rifle to be well-nigh perfect for shooting and collecting.

My first No. 8 was correct, but with a No. 4 butt. Peter Laidler wrote a couple of years ago that that's OK, they were sometimes set up like that to increase the "No. 4 feeling". It shoots better than some modern match rifles, and targets have been posted on the forum to demnostrate the fact.

The other had been "sporterized". Yeuch, yeuch, yeuch! I cleaned out EFD to get it back into original configuration. You are going to have to be extraordinarily lucky to find the proper butt pad.

Both rifles produce first-class performance. Do not even consider the price you mentioned unless it will put ten shots in one ragged hole at 50 yards. Mine do that. A normal life will not wear out a 22 bore shooting lead bullets, so the only real risk it that it has been neglected or the crown has been dinged. And forget the tatty suncorite. Strip it off and you will probably find perfectly serviceable parkerizing underneath.

But the No. 8 is the best trainer ever. They are sought after, so be prepared for a bit of pain in the wallet.

Brian Dick used to carry repro butt plates and floor plates. Very nice quality repros.

Brian B

I bought a few for my Enforcer clone and my BSA No 8 which aslo had a worn out buttplate.

Looks like my estimate was low!!

British Lee Enfield BSA No.8 MK1 .22 cal Trainer : Curios & Relics at GunBroker.com


Brian B

One just closed on NZ's TradeMe, had an opening price with no reserve of NZ$650 & no bids.
But of course thats New Zealand, not the the US

Most if not all No.8 butt plates will turn to caca over time.
You can get a hard resin replacement at Vintage Grips in FL or I believe Brian Dick also has/had some.
The repro's are a good copy and worth the money. If you store your No.8 rifles vertical on the butt plate most will break up over time

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Warren

Most if not all No.8 butt plates will turn to caca over time.
You can get a hard resin replacement at Vintage Grips in FL or I believe Brian Dick also has/had some.
The repro's are a good copy and worth the money. If you store your No.8 rifles vertical on the butt plate most will break up over time

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Good point Warren, i store my No8s & No5s muzzle down for that reason.