All of the Irish contracts I have seen have light (blonde) wood stocks. The one I own has a darker stock. Stock is matched to the rifle. Were there different stocks used for this run of Enfields?
Printable View
All of the Irish contracts I have seen have light (blonde) wood stocks. The one I own has a darker stock. Stock is matched to the rifle. Were there different stocks used for this run of Enfields?
Your rifle certainly suggests they there were.
The possibility exists that a previous owner may have stained the stock. Can you tell what type of wood it is?Quote:
Originally Posted by Transitsc
Steve;
I've attached a picture of it. It's the bottom rifle. Not sure of the wood, but it looks to be birch, the rifle above it might be elm?? not sure if they used that wood on an enfield. Bottom enfield is a 54 top is a 53.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...DSC00023-1.jpg
Wood identification has never been my strong point.:(
2nd from the bottom looks like beech from the bright spots in the grain. If the bottom one is birch, it looks to have been stained, unless there's a dark variety of that wood.
If you take the handguard off, you might find a different colours under it or on the ends if it's been stained on the exterior only.
I have the same problem as Stevo .... :madsmile:
Everything to me looks like "walbut"... :lol:
I'm sure someone here is a wood expert.... :thup:
Regards,
Badger
Bottom rifle is either stained maple or birch - hard to tell without a closeup. 2nd up is 100% certainly Beech.
The centre swivel in the bottom rifle is an addition. Usually installed for target shooting, with a 2 point sling. This suggests that the rifle may have been worked on. Does the forend serial stamped in the wood match? Any marks elsewhere on the stocks?
I should also mention that in about 30 years, the very blonde No.4 Faz "irish contract" rifles we see today will be darker brown from aged linseed oil, handling, and exposure to sunlight.
shes a looker , but i concur may have had switching done or stained by someone
BTW the 'irish' contract falls from SN #PF309348-#PF359747 there were other contracts , mine is #PF372692 and is burma contract rifle , some mistake all of the later mk2s for 'irish rifles' - they werent delivered so in a way they arent
My guess would be a Mahogany stained maple, it's a kissing cousin to a desk I made for my wife a few years ago. Best bet is to remove the top wood and give it a real small scratch. If by chance the gun was stored in direct light for awhile it would indeed darken an oil finish, but, it would be a different shade, HTH-SDH
can someone guess the value of an unissued "Irish" MK2?
Depends which country you are in.Quote:
Originally Posted by scanursector
Back to the wood question---
It's going to be dyed Beech, dollars to donuts. The Brits were dying Beech and sapwood Walnut in WW2 and kept up the dying practice* in postwar production.
Dye instead of stain, because Beech, like Birch, will not absorb the pigment in stain very well at all.
The photos below are of an issued Irish Contract rifle of 11/54 vintage. (I have another, dated 1/55 that's a blonde as a Swedish Cheesemonger.)
The Macro shot of the grain shows typical European Beech flecking, or "rays" in the quartergrain. Something like this form should show up on your rifle, too.
So why is this one Brown?
Would you want to be hiding in the bushes, waiting to ambush the Red Menace, clutching a Blonde that fairly glows in the dark?
-----krinko
*"How could it be a 'dying practice' if they kept at it?" I hear you ask. Well I would do, if I hadn't got my fingers in my earholes.
oh yea, that certainly clears that up. once again, anyone else have a guess?Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan de Enfield
There are so many factors involved in pricing. Country is definitely a consideration. Other things that will effect pricing are the accessories that accompany the rifle. The last batch of unissued "Irish Contract" MkII rifles came in a waxed paper money wrap in the grease. They also had new in grease, paper wrapped no9 bayonets and scabbards along with a new sling in a plastic bag. In Canada, one of these complete sets will sell as high as a $1000. The price will drop $250 if the rifle is unwrapped and knock off another $150-$250, if the accessories are missing. If the rifle has been degreased and fired, knock off another $100. An obviously used rifle sell in the $400 to $500 range, depending on circumstances and buyers interest.
This board is manned by members from all over the world, unless you put your country of origin in your profile how do we know where you are from ?Quote:
Originally Posted by scanursector
Unfortunately you are not going to make many friends here with that sort of attitude, we do try and help but there could be as much as 100% difference in prices from one country to the next.
As Bear hunter says - the detail counts, is it in the wrap,has it been used etc.
There isnt such a furory over the "Irish Rifles" in England, maybe as they never went to Ireland anyway and just stayed in a big warehouse.
UK price would be in the order of £600 (used) to maybe £1000 still sealed up in the mummy
As you obviousy dont wish to reveal where you are in the world I'll make a guess at Australia - there are AUS$ 1.64 to the GB £1 if you want to convert it
Hey Scanursector. A dealer at a Richmond Va. gun show, had a few of these in the wrap no.4 mkII Irish contract Enfields with bayonet. I think it was about six months ago and he was asking around $650, if memory serves.
In the wrap 01/55 Irish with No9 bayonet $650. I have seen asking prices as high as 1k, no buyers.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../irish01-1.jpg
Unwrapped 1955 UF series $400 w/No7 bayonet
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...webley01-1.jpg
I found this 11/54 Irish contract that was been in service for $250.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...2irish01-1.jpg
This 09/53 Burma contract for $160
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../no4lb02-1.jpg
All four appear to be Beech wood.
The 'Irish Contract' was the largest of all the 'contract' rifles. You would think there would be more interest in the small number contracts, like Kenya, Zambia or Hong Kong.