Where have the good No5 rifle all gone?

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Here is what happened to one very nice 47.

[GeeRam]

That looked like it was a peach as well

I can't be too critical, as I bought this 02/46 dated de-act No.5 about 20 years ago for my late father to refurb and wall mount, as the No.5 was his favourite of the 3 x Lee's from his wartime/post-war Army service.

I inherited it back after he passed away, and luckily still had it when I finally acquired my live No.5 a couple of years ago, which was very fortunate, as the live one had a rare 'S' short butt fitted, which wasn't that great for me, having long arms etc., but, the de-act was fitted with an equally rare 'L' long butt, so was able to swap the butts over, making mine a lot more comfortable to fire
I was able to sell the de-act a few months later.

[IanS]

My brother bought a No5 recently, along with two other old rifles. It was an elderly neighbour of his in BC, who asked my brother if he would take the rifles off his hands for $150 Can. The No5 needed original wood as it had been "sporterised", he got the original wood from Numrich and finally a front band. Divide 150 by 3 and it cost $50 Can, lucky so and so.

My dad thought they were a great little rifle, but he did say they had a bit more recoil than the No4.

[GeeRam]

My dad thought they were a great little rifle, but he did say they had a bit more recoil than the No4.

They do indeed bite quite a bit more than a No.4, and they bark a lot more as well..........

[IanS]

My dad sold his in the 60's I think, for $24 Can. My brother has dad's No4 Mk1 which was bought unused for $25 Can, back in the 50's, the dealer in Calgary had bought a large consignment. Aren't the No 5's currently around £800 in the UK?

[GeeRam]

Aren't the No 5's currently around £800 in the UK?

As an average price, yes, anything between £700-£1000 for a decent one from a dealer, when you can find them. A mate in my club bought a mint one off of Richard at Devizes around this time last year, and paid over a £1000 for it. I paid £850 for mine over 2 years ago from C&G.

[Promo]

A mate in my club bought a mint one off of Richard at Devizes around this time last year, and paid over a £1000 for it.

Do you know if this was rifle serial A124?

Well, I still have a second one for sale, not as nice as the one that John bought from me, but still...

[GeeRam]

Do you know if this was rifle serial A124?

I couldn't say, I know it was a wartime date, but can't remember if it was a '44 or early '45 dated rifle.

[IanS]

Just found a No5 at Donaldsons, converted to 308, looks very tidy and priced at £799. Sorry, a converted No 4, trust me to get it wrong.

Here is the link. S/H .308 Enfield, Lee No.4 Jungle Carbine Rifle - All Rifles For Sale - Donaldson Guns, Gunsmiths and shooting Sports in Buckinghamshire

Ian

[philb]

being deactivated as worth more