Collectability of drilled and tapped LE No5?
- Thread starter Canuck Bob
- Start date
Yep. I usually end up with sporters. Mount a scope and get back to us on the wandering zero, lol
Does it affect historic value? Yes. Significantly.
Is there a market for them? For sure. People like me have issues with iron sights so I really only shoot scoped rifles. Ended up buying a bunch of sporterized rifles (not done by me!) already drilled and tapped with a rail. I have a No 4 Mk1, No. 4 Mk2, and a P14 with scopes. Sure are fun to shoot!
Is there a market for them? For sure. People like me have issues with iron sights so I really only shoot scoped rifles. Ended up buying a bunch of sporterized rifles (not done by me!) already drilled and tapped with a rail. I have a No 4 Mk1, No. 4 Mk2, and a P14 with scopes. Sure are fun to shoot!
Blastattack
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg MB
That detracts even further from the value because you have no idea how competent the welder was, and the gun now has to be refinished. Any permanent modifications dramatically alter the value of a collectible piece. If it’s in good shape, your #5 is probably worth no more than $300, but probably a little less.
I'm proud of the heritage and condition of this rifle. It has been a long time since a No5 in this condition sold for $300. The bore is pristine. I am going to spend the time to cast bullets, tune a load, and carefully sight it in for hunting. Thank you all for your input.
Desert Seagull
CGN frequent flyer
Incorrect. A good weld, properly done, is a fine repair. And you're way off on values. A decent No.5 with correct muzzle, is $750+. With original bayonet, around $1200. Not 1985 anymore....
. Even if left as is, the scope holes would only affect value slightly, of an otherwise nice rifle.Where are you seeing Jungle Carbines for under $300?
A No.5 has, not yet, reached the same ball park as a No.4. No.4s are selling at the ~$800 price point, and for excellent examples more than that. No.5s are going to take some time before they start selling at the same price point, simply because the myths of piss poor accuracy are still too prevalent.
There's also the fact that the No.5 was a much quicker bubba job, than the No.4. That and so many No.4s ended up being bubba'd into No.5s you need to actually know what you are looking at - lightening cuts...
Scope holes detract from the value, it doesn't matter if they're nicely tapped and drilled or some sort of hideous abortion. The less pristine a piece is, the lower the value.
As for the No.5 bayonet, they're actually relatively rare due to low production numbers - make sure you actually get a wartime production bayonet if you pay the going rate and not a post war or "RFI" reproduction.
There's also the fact that the No.5 was a much quicker bubba job, than the No.4. That and so many No.4s ended up being bubba'd into No.5s you need to actually know what you are looking at - lightening cuts...
Scope holes detract from the value, it doesn't matter if they're nicely tapped and drilled or some sort of hideous abortion. The less pristine a piece is, the lower the value.
As for the No.5 bayonet, they're actually relatively rare due to low production numbers - make sure you actually get a wartime production bayonet if you pay the going rate and not a post war or "RFI" reproduction.
Incorrect. A good weld, properly done, is a fine repair. And you're way off on values. A decent No.5 with correct muzzle, is $750+. With original bayonet, around $1200. Not 1985 anymore....
Where are you seeing Jungle Carbines for under $300?
Scope holes will effect the value, and more than slightly. Decent No. 5 rifles are common enough that a serious collector isn't going to want one that has been drilled and tapped.
As far as a weld repair goes, plugs could be installed and the areas TIG welded over. Then contoured. Filed and polished. Fortunately, most all No. 5 rifles were finished with Suncorite. A coating is great for hiding things like a dressed over weld. Ceracoat would probably work. Of course, if only the receiver is refinished, the gun is going to look odd. Might be necessary to do all the metal to match. What are quality repairs and refinishing going to cost? A refinished gun will sell for less than a fine original. Pay for the repairs, but the cost can't be recovered.
maple_leaf_eh
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Back away from the keyboard! The internet lore is strong on this. There are many attempted explanations, and none seem to be very truth-y. The No.1 and No.4 depend on careful stocking, screw tensions, foreend up pressure, and other voodoo factors. IMHO, the British just didn't get the answers they needed from the combinations of changes they made.
All my experience was with No4, never had no5. So yea, just another guy on internet.
I tend to respect Ian's (FW) opinion. He thinks No5's troubles are from general lightening attempts of what was a solid No4 rifle design.
But in general, as a milsurp collector, I'd avoid anything de-sporterised, drilled and tapped, refinished and "improved".
Ha, ha, ha. I remember waiting anxiously for my No5 JC to be d&t for a Weaver T01 mount back in the early 60s. Sportering an $18-20 dollar LE was a very good option compared to buying a win Model 70 or another commercial sporter..
That rifle got me a few truckloads of deer as well as a nice moose and bear and I'd still reach for it for hunting in the bush.
That rifle got me a few truckloads of deer as well as a nice moose and bear and I'd still reach for it for hunting in the bush.
The main reason No5 bayonets are rare is because they were modified for use on several other types of firearms, such as MkV Stens and later FN FALs.
Most of the No5 rifles sent to India, went without a bayonet and the Indians had to produce their own.
That being said, a 75% No5 Carbine Bayonet usually sells around $400+. The last flash hider I sold was $125 and the buyer was just happy to get it.
Desert Seagull
CGN frequent flyer
No real need for a plug, easy plug weld. Then touch up. Myself, I'd just leave the holes. Still a nice rifle with an interesting history.
