Quote Originally Posted by breakeyp View Post
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.