Where have the good No5 rifle all gone?

[AradoAR234]

Sure was, got my first, a matching numbers gun in mint shape for $125 in about 1975. Even the mag...matched.

Not sure what Canadian dollars were worth back then, but that sounds like a really good price for an all-matching mint rifle. For all my fond memories, they have always been overpriced by comparison. I also had an FN Cavalry Carbine in 30-06 that served me very well, and it was in very good shape, for only $75.00. Same length barrel as the No.5, and with a turned down bolt, but nowhere near as slick. Still a great little rifle all the same.

I see Jungle Carbines advertised fairly frequently on sites like Ozgunsales etc, but all the collectables are at least $2,000.00 plus, and the rough or non-matching ones are still fetching @$1400, plus the fakes that have a habit of continually showing up.

I'd have another one tomorrow, but like a 70's Colt Python, I just can't justify the price on something I'll probably never use again. Only Fallow deer in Tasmania, and I don't need another .303 for them.

[GeeRam]

I see Jungle Carbines advertised fairly frequently on sites like Ozgunsales etc, but all the collectables are at least $2,000.00 plus, and the rough or non-matching ones are still fetching @$1400, plus the fakes that have a habit of continually showing up.

That's about the going rate for them over here, when they come up for sale. Most I've seen one for sale was £1400 (AUS$2500) and that was a couple of years ago. Whether it sold for that or not is another matter. I've not seen one listed for sale in the usual known UK L-E dealers for a good while now.....

My good friend and fellow rifle club member lucked into an absolute peach of a No.5 last summer. By shear chance he had just popped into his old country sports gun shop as he was passing by, and they had just got back from being called out to clear the gun cabinet of a just deceased licence holder, and they were booking his stuff in.....and there on the counter was a mint No.5......and so, he was able to put his name down for first in the queue for it once they and the solicitors had agreed the value.
Once that had been done, he effectively got it for about £600.....and its utterly mint, almost unissued I'd say. Its like looking at a brand new No.5. Matched and numbered mag, spotless and unmarked in the mag well, bore like new.....amazing thing. Its also a M47C No.5 as well, and from what I can find out looks to be in the last known block of M47C serial numbers so one of the very last lot made. If that had been for sale at a couple of well known L-E RFD's in the UK, I'm sure it would have been £1500+.
Right place right time lottery win for him.

[browningautorifle]

Not sure what Canadian dollars were worth back then, but that sounds like a really good price for an all-matching mint rifle.

It was all I wanted to pay for sure...prices, a new full size car cost $3000CDN, I was making $330 gross a month and taking home two pays of $90... A new built three bedroom house was $25,000. A Corvette Stingray by Chev cost $5000.

I see Jungle Carbines advertised fairly frequently on sites like Ozgunsales etc, but all the collectables are at least $2,000.00 plus, and the rough or non-matching ones are still fetching @$1400,

Here they seem to be about $1000+ CDN for near new and a bit lesser condition are about $800CDN.

[mrclark303]

I bought mine from Georg (Promo) of this parish a couple of years ago for very reasonable money, Georg is an absolute gentleman to deal with.

Imported it and she's lovely, post on here somewhere. Faz May 45 dated and gauges as new.

Very little use in service obviously, more carrying than shooting. A little cosmetic work and she's looking suburb. Shoots beutifully too.

I haven't checked in on prices since I bought mine, but I see they are still going up and up in value..

[GeeRam]

I haven't checked in on prices since I bought mine, but I see they are still going up and up in value..

Not easy to do that when there's been so few on the market since then

I've only seen one put up by Highwood Classics on his website that already had a reserve set against it with no price, so clearly Simon already had someone on his 'if you get one in let me know' list, so it was in and out in an instance. That's the only real one I've seen advertised in at least the past 18 months in the UK from the "usual suspects" list of RFD's.

[AradoAR234]

It was all I wanted to pay for sure...prices, a new full size car cost $3000CDN, I was making $330 gross a month and taking home two pays of $90... A new built three bedroom house was $25,000. A Corvette Stingray by Chev cost $5000.



Here they seem to be about $1000+ CDN for near new and a bit lesser condition are about $800CDN.

Makes me want to immigrate to Canada...….are your politicians as bad as ours?

[browningautorifle]

are your politicians as bad as ours

Seems to be about the same right now...

[mrclark303]

Not easy to do that when there's been so few on the market since then

I've only seen one put up by Highwood Classics on his website that already had a reserve set against it with no price, so clearly Simon already had someone on his 'if you get one in let me know' list, so it was in and out in an instance. That's the only real one I've seen advertised in at least the past 18 months in the UK from the "usual suspects" list of RFD's.

I see what you mean, not a thing out there!

The last batch that hit the UK trade in any number, all seemed to be ex Indian examples with the typical refinishing and ishy screw.

I've taken my eye off the ball this year with Milsurps and it's all a little thin on the ground. it's interesting to note the price of available No1 and No4 rifles continues to steadily rise too.

[Roger Payne]

Interesting to read your comments gents. I've had one of the first thousand off the production line (FE prefix, dated '1/44' & over-engraved '2/44', (both being before the official adoption date) - & with the straight up & down flash hider sight ears characteristic of these first rifles) for sale for a while. It has been refurbished & rebarrelled with a correct No5 barrel & the original flash eliminator refitted, but it's a real one. Maybe it hasn't sold as it's obviously far too cheap, having read this thread!?%

[browningautorifle]

Maybe it hasn't sold as it's obviously far too cheap, having read this thread!?%

You know that sometimes that's the problem. If you increase it by a thousand pound, then if it doesn't sell at least you can figure it was too high. At least you can justify...