New #4 on auction

[me2]

UNISSUED Enfield No.4 Mk2 wrapped in COSMOLINE___________
Just noticed this on gunbroker. I have no affiliation with this auction, just posted it for your interest. Noticed it does have a reserve so anybody's guess what he really wants.

UNISSUED Enfield No.4 Mk2 wrapped in cosmoline : Bolt Action at GunBroker.com

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[Badger]

How be you post a link?

Thanks ...

Regards,
Doug

[drweiler]

It's Auction # 227684189, a Faz UF 55 A8612 with matching bayo. I have unfired but unwrapped A14963, sadly without bayo. Cheers, Don

[Peter Laidler]

As a matter of interest, the UF55 series Mk2 rifles were UK Military contract rifles and didn't come with bayonets as there were already zillions in stock and we (in the UK Military never numbered our bayonets because they were all interchangeable. So don't fall for it if you're offered one with a matching NUMBERED bayonet because this means that as the bayonet was numbered afterwards in order to command a higher 'all matching numbers' price.

Just an observation for what it's worth. With matching bayonet is OK but even this will have been added later. With matching numbered bayonet I'd be asking what else the little rascal had been doing.............................

[Bearclaw]

Brian Dick has one on his website too.

[drweiler]

Thank you Peter for the correction, I'm guilty of assuming it was a matching bayonet, as my MK2 (F) 12/54 P.F.333083 in the wrap came with a matching s.n. # bayonet. Were those 'Irish Contract' No.4's not stored with matching # bayonets either? Perhaps a Century Arms enhancement? Thanks again for the education. Cheers, Don

[Demo]

Thank you Peter for the correction, I'm guilty of assuming it was a matching bayonet, as my MK2 (F) 12/54 P.F.333083 in the wrap came with a matching s.n. # bayonet. Were those 'Irish Contract' No.4's not stored with matching # bayonets either? Perhaps a Century Arms enhancement? Thanks again for the education. Cheers, Don

Maybe the Irish numbered them???

[drweiler]

Demo, I don't think the 'Irish Contract' ever got to Ireland, some 50,000 No.4's CAI imported in the wrap with matching bayos to the States. More knowledgeable members may comment. Cheers, Don

[Brian Dick]

I think the Irish thing was a marketing tool used by Century Arms when the rifles were imported to the USA in the early 1990's. Don't ask me why because I haven't a clue. As far as I know they came directly from the MoD disposals unit much the same as most other surplus military firearms from the UK in those days. I was buying them a dozen at a time and there was a mixture of PF and A prefix serial numbers included, some with consecutive numbers, all new in the wrap. ALL of the No.4 Mk.2 rifles I purchased from Century Arms had new in the wrap No.9Mk.1 bayonets and new in the wrap No.5Mk.1 scabbards included. NONE were serial numbered to the rifles. I imported a dozen or so used but nice condition No.4Mk.2 rifles from Canada in the late 90's that all had serial number ranges in the Irish purchase block according to Stratton's book. They all had No.9 bayonets complete with scabbards and numbered to each rifle. That tells me that the bayonets and scabbards were numbered to the rifles after they were supplied to the Irish Army. Just my 2 cents from my observations over the years.

Don, if you had a new in the wrap No.4Mk.2 with a No.9Mk.1 bayonet and scabbard serial numbered to match. That would be the exception, not the rule from the quantity I've seen over the past several years since they were imported.

I've got a pending sale for the two on my website. They're going to Australia. I know they'll get good homes with our friends down under and it does my heart good. I've got to come and have a pint with you guys one day soon. ATB, Brian

[Peter Laidler]

I agree with Brian about 'the Irish connection' No4 rifles. But it did make a good starry eyed selling point though.................... Don't bother going to Australia for a beer with them Brian. When I was there in the Army during the late 60's, they only drank orange juice. and maybe a Pimms and lemonade ..............just joking. There was one beer that was labelled, with good reason, The Devils Broth!