Where have the good No5 rifle all gone?

[IanD]

Does it look like someone may have tried chroming , or silver soldering to build up the size to overcome excessive headspace ?

No, it looks like the bolt head on a new No4 Mk II I used to have - I know it was new because I took the mummy wrap, Cosmo, stores tag and paper wrap off it myself. I sold its twin to Riflechair about 15 years ago. This No 5 has zero wear and everything matches, the bayonet still has grease embedded in the handle screws. The previous owner managed a gun store from the 1970's to the mid 2000's. His collection was sold when he passed away, some of the things he had were incredibly rare - this was the one thing I could afford. 3 Long Branch laminates (one of each) 2 DCRA's, several C-Broad arrow No1 MkIII's etc. The gun I really wanted was a very nice Cavalry carbine with RCMP Boer War provenance - alas, way above budget. I think it looks a bit off in the photo because there's a thin film of grease on it.

[mrclark303]

Ian, mine is the same, bright and shiny bolt face, the bore guages as new, with no throat erosion. It still broke a bloody firing pin though!

[old tanker]

They used to be sold muzzle down in garbage cans at the local hardware stores for about $10 a piece I've heard.

I remember a pair of No.5 carbines with the stocks painted gloss white and the magazines removed were carried by the St. Joseph's High School marching band's color guard. At the time they were as cheap as 15 bucks apiece at Giant Tiger, a long ago discount store in northeast Ohio. That was a actually a premium price as ordinary K98 Mausers and Lee Enfields were a few bucks less. Carcanos were cheaper yet, often under ten bucks. The Gun Control Act of 1968 put an end to all that.

[IanD]

Ian, mine is the same, bright and shiny bolt face, the bore guages as new, with no throat erosion. It still broke a bloody firing pin though!

The joys of old rifles made during wartime, and 75 years old. At least they're still available.