Where have the good No5 rifle all gone?

[mrclark303]

Evening fellow Milsurpers,

I am just about to cast out the nets to haul in a good No5 and since I started looking here in the UK, I have noticed that they are now very few in number, some of the prices being asked for even tatty examples seem very steep

I think Roger summed it up perfectly when he said No5's and their parts have become unobtainium!

Whats the No5 situation like across the pond in North America and down there with our Antipodean brothers?

I see I'm going to have to dig in deep to find a good one guys...

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[GeeRam]

Yep......good ones have risen dramatically in the past couple of years.

I bought mine 2 years ago, very lucky to find a nice one, that also shoots very well, but was still £850 2 years ago, and that was slightly cheaper than a few others, as it had a 'short' butt, but I had a 'long' butt for a No.5 at home so wasn't worried about that issue.

I had been trying to prize the No.5 from the hands of our Club President as he was coming up for hanging up his FAC....but he was reluctant to part with it, as he's owned it since the late 1960's.
When I went to see my one, I wasn't going to pass on it. The guy who came through our club probation after me had a hankering for one as well, for the same family connection to the No.5 as me, and when he got his ticket he bought a peach of a wartime dated one with tight bore from Richard at Devizes Gunsmith, and paid a 4-figure sum for it, but I don't think it shot as well as mine, but sadly, that one is now lost forever.
We've also lost track of the one owned by our Club Pres, as at 84 he was forced on medical grounds to give up his ticket just before last xmas, and all his stuff had to go quickly into a RFD, and we suspect that No.5 has now been sold by the RFD or passed further through the trade.

I don't shoot mine too much, but, its a keeper.....especially as my late father loved the No.5 from his Army days......and I can always here his words of instruction in my head whenever I shoot mine.

[browningautorifle]

I just attended the Chilliwack gun show, several others here did too...and there was at least 12+ there. None were shabby that I say and a few bordered on as new. The prices were from $500 to $2000CDN for the as new one. (I knew that guy and it was). That one also has the bayonet... I had two there, one was scoped because the as new gun had been sporterized by grinding off the rear sight ears and mounting a scope. The other was a new barrel and all metal was excellent but all the wood had been fashioned from #4 wood. Both mine were $350CDN and not included in my count.

There's lots around these parts.

[nijalninja]

Here in Aus I don't see them for sale on the net that often on the usual sites, but went to a gun show last weekend and saw two examples if I am remember correctly. The one was complete and in typical Enfield shape and the seller was asking $1400, which I thought was reasonable. The other one was a missing its steel nosecap and I don't think I saw its price. Considering there is a shop over here charging that money for run of the mill SMLE's I don't think those prices are unreasonable.

[bigduke6]

John, I can't say I've ever been keen on them, they look nice etc and handling them it can give you flash backs of jungle warfare, (not that ever been in a jungle in a war) but you get the idea, as for shooting them ........ well anything cut down is going to give a good wallop.

[CINDERS]

2 F/Sale over East one with bayo $2500/Au the other $1400/Au as there were only 251,368 total; 81,329 (BSA Shirley), 169,807 (ROF Fazakerley) they are on the light side when you consider the production figures of the No 1 MkIII and the No.4 rifles.

[#1oilman]

Recently sold two here in Ontario both as New Fazakerly's 1946 and 1947 $1200 each

[5thBatt]

2 F/Sale over East one with bayo $2500/Au the other $1400/Au as there were only 251,368 total; 81,329 (BSA Shirley), 169,807 (ROF Fazakerley) they are on the light side when you consider the production figures of the No 1 MkIII and the No.4 rifles.

Cinders, Fazakerley production was about 250,000 alone, the often quoted number of 169,807 is only into 1945 & part way though the S prefix to which the rest of S prefix plus T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, AA, AB & AC prefixes have to be added which is about another 100,000 rifles

[CINDERS]

Thats just what wiki said for the prod's I was just too lazy to drag out either Skennertons or Strattons books just goes to show that web page sucks............

[mrclark303]

Thanks for all the feed back guys... Interesting, it appears No5's are more readily available in North America than here in the UK.

I suppose that figures, there are more collectors, therefore a greater market and the Rifles have been migrating and following the buying public since being surped back in the late 50's/ early 60's.

Most of the examples I have seen here over the last year have been freshly imported from Europe, with CIP proof marks.

Quite a few of these seem to have the bayonet boss removed, suggesting possible Police use somewhere perhaps?

The other source seems to be Indian refurbs, with typical Indian scrubbed receiver markings, Ishey screw and stamped Armoury butt Roundels.


Geoff, I have to say I rather like these handy little carbines, I don't find the recoil too excessive with factory ammo, less than my Springfield anyway mate.