New #4 on auction

[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