The rear sight is a late wartime #4 sight and can be changed with a #5 sight easily. They're marked to 800 yds so easily recognizable. The FH might be hard to change as some don't come off easily and the holes for the transverse pins might not match up. Also, the transverse pins are a taper so be careful... If your FH comes from Numrich it may not fit anyway, maybe too big. If you strip the front wood off the #5 it will be easier to see if it's original.
My opinion is I'd steer clear of it. Flash suppressor might be original but it's been cut down and ground off. Bolt handle should have a hole in it and that one looks like it was flattened off. Rear sight isn't correct. Stock looks way too clean. An original will have cuts in the metal to shave a bit of weight off. Have to take the hand guard off to see that as mentioned above.
These suddenly ceased being rare when a bunch of them were found in various locals in the past few years. I'd find one that I was sure of and didn't need a ton of modifications to make it correct.
I agree with Aragorn. The bolt handle knob doesn't appear correct and the wood looks a little too perfect. I guess it depends on the price they are asking.
the seller is located in cowichan bay, bc, and he wants $470 including shipping, to the lower mainland, rather than as a collector item, but as a shooter, would it be a reasonable deal..
They were selling for that in original condition here in the states prior to the pandemic, like I said, someone came across a bunch of them and the price actually went down on these for a while. Not sure on price now but I sure wouldn't spend that much on a non-collector piece. I'd pay the extra needed to get one that's right. I can see the bolt handle clearly now. That is not a No5 bolt. Expect the markings were forged as well. Maybe not as the flash suppressor could be original, just cut.
Last edited by Aragorn243; 12-27-2020 at 04:23 PM.
Libertreecollectors just got in one original flash cone, not a reproduction. Bolt is not correct. At $100 it might be worth it. Too messed with. Bolt $150, cone $58, headspace gauge $45 and if the replacement bolt does not headspace more cash into a hole... Then stock problems. I would find a better specimen. That is a dog. There are lots of JCs at gun shows complete at about $600 in WI, opps you are in Canada. Look at the reference and pay attention to cut outs and see if it's real. I need better pics. If you have access to the rifle you can check the fine points. Lots of fakes made from No.4 rifles in the US.
From what I see of the last picture, the receiver appears to be a JC not a No.4. Please see this reference for some more photos: Is that Real or Fake? -The Firearm Blog
Also the end of the lower front of the stock is not rounded as a wood stock should be. I am not sure if the metal front portion was removed or the stock cut. I never removed the metal front protector cap on the lower stock, so I am not sure. It is cut or missing the metal or both. It has been modified for hunting.
This video shows one with the metal stock cap>
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