Just curious how rare a matching No1 MkI, MkI*, MkI*** or MkI*** is that is not an Irish Contract CR or ER marked in America? If super rare in America what about elsewhere in the world that isn't a deactivated rifle?
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Just curious how rare a matching No1 MkI, MkI*, MkI*** or MkI*** is that is not an Irish Contract CR or ER marked in America? If super rare in America what about elsewhere in the world that isn't a deactivated rifle?
Most of the Mark 1*** rifles in the USA are Irish contact, the CR rifles are mixed parts, the ER are mostly original and the G series are not as common.
Years ago I found an all matching BSA 1906 Mark 1*** s/n s over 87176 and without any Irish markings, not common to find and never found another.
Also found a Enfield 1907 ConD 11* still with the early Mark V1 sights and still in 303 cal
To find anything without the Irish Contract is not commonAttachment 108545Attachment 108546
I have an unfortunate (for my wallet) tendency to pick up poor wandering Mk I's whenever they cross my path at a reasonable price. I've yet to come across a non-Irish example.
Does the "Irish contract" prefix make them more or less valuable in the US?
My friend found this at a remote gun show in Wisconsin and bought it, later sold it to me.
I did find a Mark 1 front hand guard and early magazine. the late Skip Stratton told me some left over Mark 1 actions were also used besides conversions to build the Mark 1 rifles. I have never seen another in the USA in 303 cal.
Any Mark 1 variation without Irish stamps is not at all common in the USAttachment 108548Attachment 108549Attachment 108550Attachment 108551Attachment 108552
Thank you for confirming my observations that most MkI** and variants are Irish Contract in the States. How about in places like South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand?
These are rare in the USA without a doubt. The majority were converted into different configurations or chewed up in WWI. Collectors have imported a few from NZ and Australia (i.e. Queensland Police examples). I’ve seen a few in many years of collecting L.E.s.
In the past year or so one sold on GB for $3K+. Irish guns are not hard to find, though condition usually isn’t the best.
In answer to the question, I would say that the Irish Contract rifles do have a soft spot in the United States and well worth seeking out, because of the sheer heritage of many U.S families with that Irish family connection who emigrated there years before any rebellion or struggle by the Irish Republican Army in 1916. Ireland has struggled against British rule in 1691/1798 and the Easter Rising on 1916. Many of these rifles were in existance then.
IMHO of course I would definately be buying one if I had the heritage, and if I was an American, as they speak history out loud if you find one over there, it would have certainly done the rounds !