"Unissued" Milsurps?

[Oatmeal Savage]

I see all over the internet folks talking about or selling unissued military surplus rifles. Are there any truely unissued rifles out there?

TIA

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[stencollector]

I have had 50s dated LB enfields in the grease. They aparently were re-imported from Greece. And of course, there were the "Irish Contract" no4mk2 rifles wrapped in newspaper with their bayonet included. Paper was usually torn open just enough to verify the serial number.
As to wartime guns, there is the occasional unfired Inglis hipower pistol out there. Lots still in the military depots too!

[Claven2]

In a word - yes. They are just FAR more uncommon than issued rifles. Also, in alot of cases, some of these arms might best be described as "unissued since refurbishment in an arsenal".

[Stevo]

Sure there are. Here's an example in the Library, and in my gun case.

Unissued Lithgow (click here)

[Six Star]

Sure there are. Here's an example in the Library, and in my gun case.

Unissued Lithgow (click here)

I can't quite get my head around your comment re: removing the forend BEFORE removing the buttstock so as not to crack the forend. What would cause the forend to crack if the buttstock was removed first?

[Cantom]

I can't quite get my head around your comment re: removing the forend BEFORE removing the buttstock so as not to crack the forend. What would cause the forend to crack if the buttstock was removed first?

On an SMLE, the stock bolt has a square nose.When you install the buttstock, you have to index the square shape such that the sides are parallel with the sides of the buttsocket. Then, the forend will install into place easily. If the screw is at an angle, the forend won't go on at all. If you try forcing the stock bolt out while the forend is still in place, you will split the forend at the rear where the square bolt fits tightly into the metal/wood socket.

[Son]

I can't quite get my head around your comment re: removing the forend BEFORE removing the buttstock so as not to crack the forend. What would cause the forend to crack if the buttstock was removed first?

If you are having trouble with what has been said on this, (I don't know how familiar you are with Lee Enfields) have a look at this from the Knowledge Library.....

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?p=1011#post1011

[stencollector]

Also, just because the rifle is sold to a collector as "unissued" doesn't mean it stays in that condition. Many guys don't think twice about being the first one to shoot a rifle in that condition, and some don't think twice about taking the hack saw to the barrel, and the wood saw to the stock.
It is actually a curse to have both a conscience and unnissued rifles. They tend to collect dust. You can't even clean them!
I have a (likely) unnissued 1945 Cno7 cadet .22 trainer in the grease. The tag is on the chest from 1948 when it was put in to long term preservation. The sling is in a wrapper, and (strangely) it also has an action cover wrapped in there too. I say strangely because the action cover does not show on the checklist (also in the crate).
I got it in a 3 way deal....the guy first in line was going to use it as a shooter. (right Craig?)

[Cantom]

Also, just because the rifle is sold to a collector as "unissued" doesn't mean it stays in that condition. Many guys don't think twice about being the first one to shoot a rifle in that condition, and some don't think twice about taking the hack saw to the barrel, and the wood saw to the stock.
It is actually a curse to have both a conscience and unnissued rifles. They tend to collect dust. You can't even clean them!
I have a (likely) unnissued 1945 Cno7 cadet .22 trainer in the grease. The tag is on the chest from 1948 when it was put in to long term preservation. The sling is in a wrapper, and (strangely) it also has an action cover wrapped in there too. I say strangely because the action cover does not show on the checklist (also in the crate).
I got it in a 3 way deal....the guy first in line was going to use it as a shooter. (right Craig?)

I hear you...I'm glad that all of my rifles are at least able to be handled...I wonder how much joy of ownership is to be found in a gun you can't even take out of the slimy cosmolene infested wrapper...
Only one of the reasons I never bought one of those NIW No 4 Mk 2 Irish guns...

[Dimitri]

Alot of FN49's that were made for the Egyptials closer to the end of the run (closer to 37,500 in serial number) were never issued judging by the condition of the rifles that came across the Atlantic.

Dimitri