If you owned a Mk4No2 NIW

[breakeyp]

There are plenty of unwrapped guns out there to shoot. Unwrapping a gov't preserved gun is destroying a piece of history--a snapshot in time. Do as you will--it's your toy. The more opened up and played with, it makes the remainder more valuable. If you don't get it--you don't get it. Apparently there is no difference between an issue rifle and one that's been sporterized. The same argument applies.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Lee Enfield]

There are plenty of unwrapped guns out there to shoot. Unwrapping a gov't preserved gun is destroying a piece of history--a snapshot in time. Do as you will--it's your toy. The more opened up and played with, it makes the remainder more valuable. If you don't get it--you don't get it. Apparently there is no difference between an issue rifle and one that's been sporterized. The same argument applies.

Exactly, there are still many near new No4 rifles around; why change the main collectibility factor??

If you want a new "un-wrapped" No4Mk2, you can easily find them, as the cachet seems to quickly wear off after they are unwrapped.

I've had No4Mk2s "in the wrap", "unwrapped but still in cosmolene", "cleaned and unfired", and "lightly fired" condition.

The only one with any legitimate "cachet" is the one still "in the wrap", all the others are just another (used) rifle.

[Embalmer]

I inherited one from my uncle years ago, being as young as I was opened, cleaned, and shot it. was by far the nicest original rifle I ever owned, and was a tack driver at 200 yards

[Alan de Enfield]

If you are going to buy a 'new' rifle then why not buy a Remington or a Winchester ?
If you are going to buy a 'new' rifle why not use it ?
Why would you want to buy a 'new' historical rifle with no history ?

Part of the interest in Enfields is thinking / investigating where they've been, what they've done and who used them.

Personally I wouldn't thank you for a New In the Wrap - no character.

Example : Is the patch in my No1 (just in front of the magazine) as a result of stopping a bullet and hence saving the soldier's life ?
Maybe I'm just too romantic !!