Somewhat confused no4 irish contract rifle still in the wrapper serial number A15222

[ssj]

Cant find my book but that serial number should be a PF?

Information

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[Frederick303]

Go back and check out the following post, it will give you some idea of the data on this topic. Bear in mind Capt Laidler disagrees.

Fritz's FF marked Enfield sticky - Page 2

Check out post #57 the data is there

Frederick303/Fritz

[ssj]

The last one an actual irish contract rifle I saw was sold here in NZ still in wrapper for >$2kNZ, one not in the wrapper but unused about $1800NZ. My issue is that when I see a error in the description having seen so many other misleading "mistakes" that I become very careful. Honesty it seems is at a premium, eg In the last auction there was supposedly a P14, in very good condition and Fulton marked owned by a Ballinger belt winner. I cant challenge the last but the gun was a) with a worn out barrel, b) badly split wood and a generally abused stock and metal and c) not fultons regulated stamped. On top of that Ive been to enough auctions now to know who ever looks down the barrel of the No4s is blind.

In any event the Axxxx serial number is a mystery still it seems.

@baal , l did it have sold out of UK service marks?

[bigduke6]

Honesty it seems is at a premium

I,m afraid that's the the sign of the times ssj, regarding auctions I,ve only come away with one melon but thats down to me, from dealers themselves probably a few (No one on this forum).

Some of the auction descriptions I know of in the UK have been a bit dubious at times .... but sometimes it can be in your favour especially when it comes to mistakes on there behalf .......

A regular auction here does list whats in the up and coming one, so its just a case of a study and do your home work then decide is it worth me travelling from A to B for X .....

[ssj]

I have a bad gateway error, will try later. I am getting a bit concerned on some of the stuff I see here in NZ, I really wonder on some of the claims I am seeing on guns "still in wrapper" Some seem to be coming from WW2 guns that I find hard to believe.

[Baal]

I used to have A15419 in the wrap.

[Alan de Enfield]

What makes you think it is an 'Irish Contract' rifle ?

[nzl1a1collector]

You'll have to come to the auction and check out the rifle, its in its original wrapping as per the photo in the catalogue. I believe the 'Irish Contract' statement will of come from the vendor. At the moment the rifle is most likely buried and won't be available to look at till the items are all put out on the tables for the auction.

[ssj]

The auction catalouge states it is Irish contract, yet the records I have say a Mk2 should be a PF or UF number and the Irish contract was "PF 309348 to PF 359347 Irish Republic (50,000 rifles)". In terms of checking it out it is why I asked here as I have seen several Axxxxx mk2's in NZ but I dont know where they came from, I'd like to know. I have also seen several other claims of WW2 LB rifles etc "still in their wrap", "still in grease" etc which I was and am dubious about. Rifles of all sorts being sold "in the wrap"s is getting a bit frequent to my mind and of course cannot be easily checked.

If anyone wants to look the catalouge is at Militaria Auction

@Baal any idea where it originated from?

[nzl1a1collector]

Here's the rifle, the wrapping still has its original Fazakerley labels. Like I said the 'Irish Contract' is probably what the seller stated it was. Regardless, you won't get a better New/'unissued' No. 4 Rifle. I think it will end up going to Australia.