No4 Mk2 Another One For The Irish

[Combloc]

Hey guys. I'm generally not a bolt action guy but I found this old clunker locally and, being that it looked like a good honest specimen and I don't think they've been imported for a long time, I decided to pick it up. I know very little about British bolt actions but I do have some slight idea what is what. I know it's just a plain jane Fazakerley made in November of 1954 but what attracted me to it was the fact that it has a nice patina and nobody has done any "enhancements" to it such as switching out parts, steaming the cosmoline out of the stock, sanding the stock, etc.. It also looks to have a pristine bore (I haven't swabbed the dust and cosmoline out yet though) and all of the numbers are matching right down to the No9 bayonet and scabbard. Anywho, I remember when these were being imported by the gadzillions for 90 bucks each but that was a while ago now.
I guess what I'm asking is...do these things have any monetary value these days or are they still just clunky ol' shooters? I did a partial disassembly and, as far as I can tell, it's never been reworked nor had any parts replaced. If it's worth anything I might pass it along but I don't mind keeping it if it's worthless. The action is slick, stock fitment good and I'm sure it would make an excellent shooter. Here are a few pictures for you and I can take any others that you might want to see. Thanks!





Representative condition of the stock:


Most bunged up area:


Some serial numbers bits:
















Last are just a few general pictures showing condition and import stamp:













Barrel looks to still have some storage cosmoline down there but it should come out mirror bright after a patch or two. In hand it's already has much more shine than the photo implies:




Anywho, any thoughts about value or just shooter would be appreciated. As I said, I'm not really much of a bolt action guy but this old clunker (and I mean that in the nicest possible way) just appealed to me. Thank you!

Information

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[Btl1994]

They do have value. Most Irish contract and RAF contract No4Mk2 rifles are brand new never issued. Most are bringing 800 and up depending on condition and what you have with it. Yours has the matching bayonet so I'd say you're in the 800 to 1000 range easily. I also wouldn't say they're clunkers either, quite accurate rifles!

[mrclark303]

Looks like a good honest MK2 with a matching mag and bayonet.

From my experience, it's unusual to still find a matching bayonet on a rifle that's clearly seen some use.

The rifle and bayno generally parted company post service and you only tend to see the matching bayonets on unissued, NOS mk2's.

I wonder if the trials No4's had numbered bayonets?

[Parashooter]

Maybe not so uncommon or high-value. Here's mine - in similar "carried much, fired little" condition, with numbered bayonet -

[Strangely Brown]

Looks like a good honest MK2 with a matching mag and bayonet.
I wonder if the trials No4's had numbered bayonets?

I have only ever examined one trials No.4 bayonet and that was un numbered.

[mrclark303]

I have only ever examined one trials No.4 bayonet and that was un numbered.

Cheers mate, I would assume it was the cruciform type?

[CINDERS]

Here is my 1921 Lithgow MkIII which is pretty much unfired in anger I would say it may not have gone on active service had new fore stocks in 5/44 which are unfinished or in the white as they say.
The '07 is a 1921 Lithgow serialed to the rifle with the desireable 1921 Lithgow double stiched scabbard.

It remains unfired by myself and the previous owner had it for over 25 years and did not shoot it either nor the chap he got them both off goodness knows when he got it.
It still bears cosmoline on some parts of the action and magazine it comes out twice a year for some RLO & ballistol on the metal also in the bore then back to the safe.

[Strangely Brown]

Cheers mate, I would assume it was the cruciform type?

Yes, it was dated 1936 from memory and marked with the RSAF ED.

[Skip]

Where have I seen those photos before?
Possibly MDS?

[Combloc]

I did post it there.