Is this really unissued?
- Thread starter Hitzy
- Start date
It's not a refurb...note that it's blued, they started parking them green in late 1950. That rifle may have gone to Greece and been unused, I have a 49 just like it that came to me with a tag written in Greek hanging from the triggerguard.
Nice rifle, ridiculous price.
I almost guarantee it's one of the ones that came in "unissued' still in storage crates from Belgium in he late 1990's. If it isn;t unissued, it's in "unissued condition" - just a little buttplate wear from sitting upright in a rack.
The "arsenal sticker" doesn't look original to me. Especially since it's held on by scotch tape. To me, it looks like a dealer or collector stuck it on to help catalogue his inventory/collection. Also, the RCAF sling and un-numbered bayonet are not particular to this rifle. Would be interesting to see if there is a cleaning kit in the butt or not.
I have sold similar condition rifles before in the $500-600 range. Maybe add $100 for it being a 1949. It still say it's overpriced by almost a factor of 2.
The "arsenal sticker" doesn't look original to me. Especially since it's held on by scotch tape. To me, it looks like a dealer or collector stuck it on to help catalogue his inventory/collection. Also, the RCAF sling and un-numbered bayonet are not particular to this rifle. Would be interesting to see if there is a cleaning kit in the butt or not.
I have sold similar condition rifles before in the $500-600 range. Maybe add $100 for it being a 1949. It still say it's overpriced by almost a factor of 2.
gunasauras
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Western Manitoba
Well, ~Angel~ picked up a DCRA 1949 last month for $450, which was added to the Canada - Milsurp Knowledge Libraryhttp://www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php?f=10 ... 
So yes, I'd say it's overpriced.
However, the flip side is... how often does any serious Enfield collector see a 1949 up here in Canada in any condition, let alone virtually unfired. The value comes from how long someone wants to hold it.
1949 C No.4 Mk1* Long Branch Rifle
"All Matching Serial Numbers (Early "C Circle" DCRA Rifle)"
(Click PIC to Enlarge)
Regards,
Badger
So yes, I'd say it's overpriced.
However, the flip side is... how often does any serious Enfield collector see a 1949 up here in Canada in any condition, let alone virtually unfired.
The value comes from how long someone wants to hold it.1949 C No.4 Mk1* Long Branch Rifle
"All Matching Serial Numbers (Early "C Circle" DCRA Rifle)"
(Click PIC to Enlarge)
Regards,
Badger
Incidentally, if the rifle is one of the ones returned from Belgium, is there any way to differentiate one of these from a rifle held in Canadian stores?
I do know that it was possible to purchase brand new rifles during the period when the No. 4 was the standard rifle for DCRA/PRA shooting.
I do know that it was possible to purchase brand new rifles during the period when the No. 4 was the standard rifle for DCRA/PRA shooting.
Well, ~Angel~ picked up a DCRA 1949 last month for $450, which was added to the Canada - Milsurp Knowledge Libraryhttp://www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php?f=10 ...
So yes, I'd say it's overpriced.
However, the flip side is... how often does any serious Enfield collector see a 1949 up here in Canada in any condition, let alone virtually unfired.
1949 C No.4 Mk1* Long Branch Rifle
"All Matching Serial Numbers (Early "C Circle" DCRA Rifle)"
(Click PIC to Enlarge)
Regards,
Badger
I agree 100%. If you feel you paid too much for an item, it just means you will have to own it longer and in most cases I don't find it a burden. Buy low, sell high. As has been stated, in a few yrs. that price will appear low. It is called speculating and in this case it's easy because they just ain't making them any more and yet a lot of folks want them.LOL
Pete
"Did I pay too much?"
"No, you just bought it a few years too early."
I suppose that if something is really nice, and if its something that you plan to keep, paying a premium is OK. $1250 for this one? I don't know. Strikes me as being a bit much. But then again, look at the prices that some dealers ask - and they seem to sell stuff.
"No, you just bought it a few years too early."
I suppose that if something is really nice, and if its something that you plan to keep, paying a premium is OK. $1250 for this one? I don't know. Strikes me as being a bit much. But then again, look at the prices that some dealers ask - and they seem to sell stuff.
longbranch*
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Victoria,BC.
Un-issued
Agree will seem reasonable in a couple years, but "salter" still reigns as "King of high prices" I'd say. In the years leading up to the first registration deadline, we could buy any Lb's from $100-200 at gunshows. Like others, I bought dozens. With premium examples fetching $500+ today I wish I still had em all. A 1949 is the only LB I've never owned incidently. Nice pics though.
Geoff
Agree will seem reasonable in a couple years, but "salter" still reigns as "King of high prices" I'd say. In the years leading up to the first registration deadline, we could buy any Lb's from $100-200 at gunshows. Like others, I bought dozens. With premium examples fetching $500+ today I wish I still had em all. A 1949 is the only LB I've never owned incidently. Nice pics though.
Geoff
Lee Enfield
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Republic of Alberta
Not that I am aware of, but I've seen a number of mint (really mint) early 1949s with serialed magazines.
Not a standard Canadian practice, but also a very low production year.
I suspect they could be Belgian bring backs....
Unissued for field use, no. But issued from the factory to the military, yes.
I see small screw deformations on the ejector screw, a few small dings on the right hand side of the wrist. I would like to see the bolt body wear, I cannot see the whole bolt open, just a few hints. The wear from what I could see is minimal. The stock condition is normal for allot of Long branch rifles. I recently can across new long branch wood. So could it be unissued? Perhaps, but I have seen unissued rifles listed that have Indian refurb buttstock repairs? So Hummm? Maybe?
From My perspective $1250 can be a 4 Good quality Lee Enfields. Like BadgerDog found on for $450, and the going price is what people will pay.
I would think that a good solid price would be around $600 - $700.
In retrospect, 10 - 12 yrs ago, Auzzie SMLE's were sold for $69 each, now they are $250 - 350 range? So another 10 years, maybe we will see prices of $1250 for a VG+ or better Lee Enfield.
Then again (recently seen) it maybe sooner if the bubba's of the world keep expressing their creativity with a hacksaw (vomit). ie mint no4Mk2 Faz, drilled and tapped with scope mount and butt cut with rubber recoil pad........
Regards
Pete
I see small screw deformations on the ejector screw, a few small dings on the right hand side of the wrist. I would like to see the bolt body wear, I cannot see the whole bolt open, just a few hints. The wear from what I could see is minimal. The stock condition is normal for allot of Long branch rifles. I recently can across new long branch wood. So could it be unissued? Perhaps, but I have seen unissued rifles listed that have Indian refurb buttstock repairs? So Hummm? Maybe?
From My perspective $1250 can be a 4 Good quality Lee Enfields. Like BadgerDog found on for $450, and the going price is what people will pay.
I would think that a good solid price would be around $600 - $700.
In retrospect, 10 - 12 yrs ago, Auzzie SMLE's were sold for $69 each, now they are $250 - 350 range? So another 10 years, maybe we will see prices of $1250 for a VG+ or better Lee Enfield.
Then again (recently seen) it maybe sooner if the bubba's of the world keep expressing their creativity with a hacksaw (vomit). ie mint no4Mk2 Faz, drilled and tapped with scope mount and butt cut with rubber recoil pad........
Regards
Pete
My 49's mag is serialized to the rifle.
