Has a New Bar Been Set for No4 Mk2 Wrapped Rifles?

[Brian Dick]

I worked the Reno Big Show in August 2007. It was exactly as Newcastle describes. In fact, I think I met him there for the first time as well as a few other of my Western clients which made it quite worthwhile. I didn't have a good show from the selling standpoint but bought a few great items that did well for me later. From my standpoint; as far as C&R military firearms go, it was a buying not selling show. I sure enjoyed it and would like to work it more often if it wasn't on the other side of the country!

[newcastle]

You should come visit more often, spesh if you can bring that vickers again

[spinecracker]

The Big Reno Show is on my doorstep, and I go there early on Friday morning when it opens, but I swear you lot beat me to the Lee Enfields lol.

As for the wrapped No.4 Mk.2s, I picked 1 up in March of this year for $475 off of gunbroker. I think the seller had the "buy it now" price lower than he realised, and I sprang into action. I will never see one that cheap again.

[Buccaneer]

That's not quite correct Taff. I have one still wrapped up and sealed in the wrapping. Never been to the proof house in its life. So it can be done and lawfully owned.

You are quite correct Peter you can own and even shoot an unproved firearm in the UK, what you can't do is sell it. "The proof acts lay down that no small arm may be sold, exchanged or exported, exposed or kept for sale or exchange or pawned unless and until it has been fully proved and duly marked" Offence is commited by the seller not the buyer (Source, Notes on the proof of shotguns and other small arms, issued by the British Proof Authorities.)
I assume that you hold yours on your personal F.A.C. which is legal and complies with the proof laws but as Simon P stated at the start of all of this when the two he knew about came to be sold they had to be unwrapped for proof testing which turned them into just another pristine No4 Mk2 rifle with a pile of sticky paper and grease. No matter how you look at it in the UK a wrapped rifle can't increase in value as in other parts of the world because it HASto unwrapped before it can be sold

[bigduke6]

You beat me to it there Buccaneer, as for the ones SimonP pointed out, I cant understand anyone paying £1200 for one that has been unwrapped gone to proof and re-wrapped, just trying to figure the cost of the wrapper, what would the going price be of a No4 Mk2 in mint condition?

[Roger Payne]

I can't understand anyone paying 1200 for a No4, period (well, unless it's a T!). I could certainly do with some of these people as customers......!

[Simon P]

There are some No4 mk2s being advertised at ridiculous prices, one is at £700 and is in what i would call good to very good condition, it doesnt state if it is all matching but it does have a few handling marks.

The trouble is when I get enquiries to buy in rifles from FAC holders they think their Mk2s are worth a fortune, it is also the same for L39s & Envoys, I had one this week who thought his Envoy was worth £800 trade becasue he saw one advertised for £1000.

This is just artificially inflating the market, and I beleive stifling trade.

[Simon]

I know exactly what you mean!!!

Seems to me lately that if punters are buying from you they expect to pay trade prices, however if they're selling they want full retail.

Cheers,

Simon.

[PrinzEugen]

Yes indeed - if every 4t sold at the prices in Fultons...
It's like quoting the highest ever seen ebay sale figure for, say a no32 scope or parker hale vernier sight. Yes, one may have sold once for that price, but it's hardly reflective of the average sum you're likely to get.
We all like to look at our collections and fantasize - but the true reality of prices is somewhat different.

On the issues of 'wrapped' No4 mk2s, I would have thought in the UK that justification would be the hardest issue, unless it's on a 'collecting' ticket. Current police firearms officers are being quite hot on justifying every gun you hold - ie what specifically do you need that specific gun for - ie a different discipline to the other ones.

[tlvaughn]

There are some No4 mk2s being advertised at ridiculous prices, one is at £700 and is in what i would call good to very good condition, it doesnt state if it is all matching but it does have a few handling marks.

The trouble is when I get enquiries to buy in rifles from FAC holders they think their Mk2s are worth a fortune, it is also the same for L39s & Envoys, I had one this week who thought his Envoy was worth £800 trade becasue he saw one advertised for £1000.

This is just artificially inflating the market, and I beleive stifling trade.

Speaking of L39's and inflated prices, one sold over here on-line in November for.............wait for it.............$2,206.00!!!

The other thing I have noticed is months could go by and I will not see a wrapped No4 Mk2, an L39, or even a Savage or Long Branch MkI Back sight, but as soon as one sells at a ridiculously high price, there are suddenly two or three or more for sale. The Seller is usually asking higher than market value but lower than the ridiculously high one sold for and at the end of the auction, the rifle has no bids!!

You have to catch the right buyer (or is it wrong buyer) at the right time!!