A mint unfired 42 Maltby, Trying to value it

[rayg]

Unfired except for proofing. Just trying to just set a sale price for it. I can't find another one like it for price comparison.
I've had this rifle for many years but as I've hit my 80th birthday, it's time to move it on as I am selling off most of my collection. Problem is, it may be the only one, or at least one of a very few like it, that are still around in the condition it's in, being still mint and un fired, except for proofing, and it still has it's originally made disposable parts. Because of this I'm not sure what price to put on it and I'm just asking for a "general" ball park value from knowledgeable folks here so I can advertise it for sale. I know what used Maltby's generally sell for, but this one is like a museum piece and I can't find another one in the same condition for price comparison. Here are the photos and description, I would appreciate any value suggestions.
I know it's not worth big bucks but it is unique and should be worth more then just an average Enfield. Thanks. Ray

This is my inventory listing have I have of it.

1942 dated unfired except for proofing, Maltby #16968 rifle with traces of cosmoline in it . The rifle has no US import stamps and no British added export stamps, (tons, England, etc). Besides it's mint condition, it is probably one of a very few, and even could be the only one still in existence that remains in the condition it is as it just it came off the assembly line in 1942 with the exception of the stock letters. In addition to it's rare condition, it was one that was made with the very early war expedient parts having the solid bolt handle, no grove striker knob, no half cock striker, altered safety, noticable by the open area behind the safety lever. As production caught up, these parts were removed and/or replaced. The stock has large FNR letters stamped on it. Unknown what those FNR letters stamps represent. The stock has large FNR letters stamped on it. Unknown what those FNR letters stamps represent. One suggestion it stands for Felixstowe Naval Reserve. Felixstowe is a port town on the East coast of England in the county of Suffolk. Or an arsenal inventory file. These are just guesses though. This is a fairly rare and colletable Enfield Rifle as it just may be the only one like it around still in mint/unfired except for proofing condition and with the expedient parts.
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Information

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[GeeRam]

I know it's not worth big bucks

It would be several thousand pounds here in the UK, considering I've seen the odd unfired '55 dated Mk2 selling for £1500+ in the UK.

[rayg]

Thanks much but I need a US price, Ray

[Badger]

Nice piece Ray.

Do you have any pics showing the front sight type and configuration?

Thanks

Regards
Doug

[rayg]

It's the later front sight protector not the waisted one, Here's the photo, Ray
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[CINDERS]

People are asking 2-3K for their special No.4 rifle but they stay on the site for ever its the old addage I am afraid what someone is willing to pay there is a T on used guns here asking 8.5K not sure if its sold but if it does then thats good because I paid way less than that for mine, not as miserly figures some have paid here but still cheaper than 8.5K.
Hope you get a sale......nice looking rifle.

[Hambone]

I'll add my comments on it: Since it lacks an "England" or BNP, and was not updated with the replacement of the solid wartime production expedient cocking piece (these are about $20-30 on epay) and sight to a Mk.I, and given that the "FNR" stock stamping cannot be found anywhere in any British listing of such abbreviations in any of the books or site forums and references I have, then my guess is that it was surplussed in the 1960s (as many were with countries going to 7.62 NATO) from Pakistan, India, Greece, Indonesia, Austria, etc., etc. when these came in by the thousands in conex containers, pallet loads, etc. The "FNR" stamp is for one of these reserve units, governmental entities, finance, or police or security of some kind. There are many unissued condition "mint" No.4s that came in like, this, overwhelmingly Savage and LB. If it came in from England, it avoided postwar upgrades, BNP, and "ENGLAND" export stamps, which is unlikely to me. I have a Maltby that is close in condition, but with a grooved cocking piece that is likely original because my Maltby 42 is earlier. I won it at auction about 6 years ago for $350 IIRC. I think the Gunboards Enfield forum was spot on it valuing at exactly what I valued it at last year, $600-1000 in the US. You may get some bidding insanity on Gunbonker, but I believe at least some of the ridiculous prices you see there can be attributed to shill bidding, which distorts the actual market. The US Enfield market is not like the Enfield market in Australia or the UK where highly restrictive gun control and supply is more limited than the US or even Canada. I think the condition is very nice, exceptional, and a bonus. I think the "FNR" stamp is not a bonus and if it was mine it would be worth a little more not being on there. If someone wants a solid cocking piece they can replace that and I don't think one could tell if done properly. I welcome critique, correction, and such.

[Roy W]

It would be several thousand pounds here in the UK, considering I've seen the odd unfired '55 dated Mk2 selling for £1500+ in the UK.

I don't think it would to be honest. The website 'By Sword by Musket' has a Savage Lend Lease, mint unused condition for £965

The Irish Contract No.4 Mk2's go for £1000. Those sat on dealers racks for £1500 don't sell.

I would say max value of this rifle is £1k in the UK. Why would anyone spend several thousand pounds on it, when they could get a No.4 T (Less Telescope) Rifle for less, or a No.4T for £3500 upwards/

[GeeRam]

I would say max value of this rifle is £1k in the UK. Why would anyone spend several thousand pounds on it, when they could get a No.4 T (Less Telescope) Rifle for less, or a No.4T for £3500 upwards/

If a reputed proof fired only Savage (the least sought after in UK by a collector) is £1k then a similar condition Maltby (quite high sought after by collectors) has to min £1.5k, surely?
(I do agree with the other poster that the unknown FNR stamped stock could be a turn off to a serious collector)

And the few mint 'less telescope' 4T's I've seen have been way over £2k........and a collector won't be going anywhere near a £3.5k 4T, which at that price range that I've looked at are all mongrels or faked.

[Roy W]

If a reputed proof fired only Savage (the least sought after in UK by a collector) is £1k then a similar condition Maltby (quite high sought after by collectors) has to min £1.5k, surely?

Perhaps, but still less than the 'several thousands of pounds' the first suggestion was