Advice on no8 22s

[ssj]

Well winter is coming here in NZ and I'd like to shoot 22LR over the winter. So there is an auction early may that has 3 x No8s for sale and something listed as a 22LR with Crown GR BSA SHT 11 IV* on it, I have no picture. What are the catches with the No8s? I assume hard to get parts? What wears on them?

Information

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[Peter Laidler]

What wears on them............. Nothing! Just the face of the triggers and bolt handles where they get so much wear........... Make sure that you get a copy of the parts list from Brian at BDL if you acquire one

[5thBatt]

.22 Calibre No.8 Mk I Training Rifle. 23 3/8"
barrel. Bore good. Receiver wall marked "No.8 Mk
I A15199". Front barrel band marked "1951" and
"W/M74C". Stock marked "CR513 M470 1951",
and "^ CR573 M47C". Metalwork with most finish.
Good woodwork with blank brass disc. Minor
bruising. Marked on left side of butt "A15409" and
"85" within a circle in felt pen. Rubber butt plate
marked "D.R. CO CR1194". Sling swivels. S/N
A15409 matching bolt and stock. G+WO&C.
Estimate $400 - $500. #

.22 Calibre No.8 MK I Training Rifle. 23 3/8"
barrel. Bore needs cleaning. Receiver marked ".22
No.8 Mk I DA 764". Receiver strap marked "CR
324 M/47C 1952 N^Z 373". Metalwork with a little
finish. Quite good woodwork with usual age
bruising. Oversize rubber butt pad. S/N DA764.
GWO&C. Estimate $450 - $550. #

.22 Calibre No.8 Mk I Training Rifle. 21¾" barrel.
Bore good. Receiver wall marked "22 No.8 Mk I
DA 615". Receiver strap marked "CR 32 M/47C
1952 N^Z 843". Metalwork with approximately
60% finish. Good woodwork with usual age
bruising. Oversized rubber butt pad fitted. S/N DA
615. GWO&C. Estimate $400 - $500.

.22 Calibre Training Rifle. 25 3/8" barrel. Knox
form marked "N^Z 1094" and ordnance marks.
Receiver strap marked "Crown GR B.S.A. Co SHT
22 IV*". Bore good. Late S.M.L.E. rear sight.
Metalwork with some finish. Good woodwork.
Dark butt stock with heavy bruising. Brass butt plate
with trap. Khaki web sling. S/N E15839. Bolt
820. GWO&C.

The DA prefix No8s are from the NZ contract of 2000 by BSA, expect more like $600 to $900

Sht.22 MkIV is a MkIII or MkIII* SMLE converted to .22, not enough info for a guestimate

[Peter Laidler]

Oh, yes...... the rubber butt plates wear away with age but replacements are plentiful and better than the original rubber things

[5thBatt]

SSJ, A15409 & DA764 were both in the NZDF Cadet rifle auction in 2009, all rifles at that auction were inspected prior to sale, the conditions/tolerances set for the Armourer who did it were very tight, a few that only had small problems were scrapped, Mark had to "fight" just to be able to cannibalize parts from other rifles to save as many as he could, knowing Mark & knowing he is into Lee Enfields, you can be sure that the rifles were in VG serviceable condition at the time of sale.

Of the rifles scrapped, only the woodwork & bands were released for sale, all other parts were destroyed.

[ssj]

Pricing, well Ive seen a few on TM not reach the $900 mark I think. I have a feeling they went for about $500.

Where do you get the info from the cadet sales? ie is it public somewhere? I will possibly sit out this auction as my finances are a bit limited at the moment, but I'd like to pick up a no8 as soon as I can afford it. June / July probably, there should be an auction in July I think. Though I'll certianly go along for a look on the Friday evening.

[5thBatt]

There was one that sold for around $500 on TM but it was not that good, d & t & missing the rear sight iirc, the No8s i have seen sell at auction over the last couple of years have sold between $550 & $800ish but on the day anything could happen, could be as cheap as $350 or over $900.
I have the details of the Cadet auction as i went, paid less than $800 otd for both my No8s & just to add insult to those out there who have to pay a lot more for a No8, the NZ$ was worth US$0.50 on the day, the lowest i have ever known.

[Steve H. in N.Y.]

Though I'll certianly go along for a look on the Friday evening.

Bring money. Sell the car. Walking is good exercise.

[5thBatt]

Just had a call from Aus (no-one on the forums) about the No8s, somehow i think you're going to have some competition for them so sell mums car as well & if you have no need for your first born...........

[Buccaneer]

The No8 Rifles are as rare as rocking horse poo here in the UK, the one I own was imported from NZ a few years ago but now it has become virtually impossible with the huge transport costs and other charges to bring them over. All No8 rifles that are currently held by the cadets ect will be scrapped when no longer required, none of them will be released to the civilian shooting market, such a waste.