Prices Only Going one Way !

[Kiwi]

In the last couple of years things have gone up a bit here in NZ, but with a little bit of resolve and patience I can generally find what I'm looking for at a price that doesn't break the bank or alert the wife! Picked up a nice all matching 1918 Enfield Sht Le III* last month for just over NZ$600 which wasn't too bad I thought considering is condition. Have also manged to pick up a 1941 Lithgow No.1 MkIII* Australian Cadet rifle (green paint on butt stock) for $450. Cut down SMLE's range between $100 - $250 here depending on condition and useable parts. I tend to restore most of my rifles rather than buy in full wood mil spec condition, but when a nice matching rifle comes along I'll but it.

Did anyone follow the Alex Martin Galilean sight set on ebay.co.uk which sold last weekend? It sold for £2,055.00!!!! Suppose the 100th anniversay of WW1 is going to bump up the price of things as interest in the anniversary increases.

[Gil Boyd]

So me asking £4900 with the full CES, compass/binos/faceveil/scout telescope all in leather in immaculate condition/cleaning kit, case etc, and all matching numbers for my 1945 BSA Shirley 4T is to cheap then on that basis?????

[Brit plumber]

We used to see a lot of RAF issue No4T's in the Far East (look......., don't ask me why the RAF need snipers or even AFV's, but they had 'em.......)

RAF Reg use/used them or should I say have/had them but didn't know how to use them (Waiting to be shot down in flames by a Ex Rock Ape now).

RAF Bomb Disposal also use them for airfield clearence work, we had the Barrett 50 Scimitar and Spartan for mine and bomblet clearance in Iraq. Now we have the AWM50 but no more Scimitar and Spartan.

[flying pig]

Glad I bought as many Lee-Enfields as I could quickly. Still want an all original not messed with No1 MkIII though.

Just bought a nice sporter with beautiful aftermarket stock for $75 yesterday.

[Craig Eberhardt]

So me asking £4900 with the full CES, compass/binos/faceveil/scout telescope all in leather in immaculate condition/cleaning kit, case etc, and all matching numbers for my 1945 BSA Shirley 4T is to cheap then on that basis?????

Are you serious?

[Gil Boyd]

Craig,
Yes..........interested its a beauty?

[Craig Eberhardt]

Craig,
Yes..........interested its a beauty?

Yes...where do I find it?

[Gil Boyd]

Craig,
Its on page two of Gunstar link below and being sold on my behalf by a friend who is an RFD contact him through Gunstar or email Dave on: djc6319@gmail.com It is logged on that site as BSA NO4T £4900

View Rifles for sale :: GunStar

I put my name and integrity to the rifle and can tell you it is a very reluctant sale, but I want to settle in 7.62, and therefore has to go to make room. It is without doubt a brilliant example. Everything is there including the sight key which I bought and placed in the tin, which as you know I am sure doesn't need to be in the kit for the last 32 scope made
Gil

[RobD]

Here's my long-term forecast:
I think that the high-end stuff like 4Ts and L42A1s will continue to appreciate in value. Things with scarcity and provenance. The ordinary stuff like infantry rifles will fall in value. The reason is demographics: we al all baby-boomers, and we grew up with Meccano and fixing Morris Minors with a socket set, right? Yet our kids have no interest in fixing things, collecting things, history, or militaria, having grown up with computers etc. It's just not in their blood. Thus I predict the mass produced things will stay where they are or even fall in value, while the scarce objects will rise. Similarly, ordinary classic cars like VW Bettles, Minis, Morris Minors etc have almost completely vanished from our roads as their owners find it un-economic to keep them going; while high-end classics like Aston Martins, E-type jags, etc will always find a home.

[flying pig]

RobD, no offense but that's a bit of a generalization. I do agree that a lot of the people in my generation aren't interested in those things but there are a few who definitely are. I'm a perfect example. I'm 27. I only own one rifle newer than 1955. I collect rifles, webbing, bayonets and helmets. I'm very mechanically inclined, I run a repair shop in a division of a fairly large construction company base out of northern BC and Alberta and handle the majority of the repairs on our side of the border myself (there are only so many hours in the day, 3500 man hours a year seems to be about normal for me). I've learned everything through hands on experience, last time I sat in a classroom was in grade 12. I love restoring rifles, and am getting more and more into restoring Rosses, so my determination to build replica parts by hand is pretty strong and getting better all the time. I've learned everything I know through the help of sites like this as working that kind of hours means I don't have a lot of time to socialize outside of home. We are out there, and trust me I would love it if you were right and the run of the mill infantry rifle's worth plummeted, that means I can hoard way more of them and enjoy their beauty even more. But the truth is that in my short time in this game I've seen nothing but the total opposite happen. Long Branch rifles could be had in VG condition here two years ago for $350. Now a beat to rat p*ss example seems to hold an asking price of $600+ and they are moving at that. $1200 for an as new example here, and those are moving at that. Ross military rifles don't last a week advertised in fair condition at $1400. Rebuilt Garands that hold no history and are valued only as shooters are pulling $1600 and up over 2 grand! I don't think the trend is going to reverse, no matter how much we all wish it would. They just quit making the damned things for some reason, and I don't think we'll be getting any more anytime soon!