No4.MkII reality check

BlackPowderBurner said:
I bought a matching one (including bayonet) in rougher external condition because it had been issued. Mine was about $850 all in and I felt comfortable paying that. A nice clean unwrapped example like yours should go for a bit more. There are guys asking $2500 and up for mummy wrapped rifles which is absurd.

Here’s mine. It shoots well at 500yds.

https://www.icollector.com/Non-Restricted-Lee-Enfield-No-4-Mk-II-in-303-British_i54685264
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That makes me feel comfortable with the sale, thanks. Like I said above, the EE is FULL of over priced crap that never sells. Sometimes a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Hopefully Claven2 takes good care of her. I've been lugging that rifle around for a long time.

calmex said:
Michael had his hooks into a nice No. 4 Mk I out of Mexico City but that was only because I had a nice No. 1 Mk. III* and was already loading for it. When I left Mexico, I sold mine and he backed off of the sale. If you still are interested, check with him to see if it's still available and out there. All the .303 loading gear is in the loading room at George's since the guy I sold it to was too much of a "spiffy" to consider reloading. He's gone now anyway and that No. 1 has been sold again.

I still have my Model 94 30-30 from 1912 at Allan's -- I think you saw it. That's probably better for ranch/home defense than the Lee Enfield. I believe you already have a rifle 24-inch version of one of those, mine was the 20-inch carbine version. Either works. I believe Don Alejo used the 24-inch version in his Cartel battle. He got killed, but technically he won the battle.

Better yet for Mexican ranch-home defense; an AR-type rifle in 300 Blackout with a full-auto receiver, bolt, and trigger group with a suppressor, backed up by a couple of Silenced Stens for the family who choose not to sit things out. Totally illegal in Canada (hanging offense I'm sure) but totally doable on rural property in Mexico and nobody is even going to hear you practicing anyway. Just don't take out Facebook Posts showing whatcha got.

Plans to shelve until I get back there, obviously.
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Ha, I'm not looking for a .303 for down here. Honestly, I don't really like the cartridge that much. That rifle is special to me because it was the very first gun I ever bought. I was 19 and living in Chatham Ont. My dad died when I was 16 and his girlfriend wouldn't give me any of his guns nor the winchester .22lr my dad had given me for my 16th birthday. There's a lot of memories and emotion tied up in that old Enfield and it pains me to sell it but I can't appreciate it from 5000km away. I feel a little better knowing the money is going towards that 1938 Registered Magnum :D
 
Mike Webb said:
I don't think Claven stole it. I just sold two lovely Long Branchs, a 44 and a 50. Both all matching, excellent shape, been in same hands since the 60's. Around $1200 shipped for both. Started much higher but no takers.
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I would agree. If you follow auction prices, standard LEs aren't exactly setting records at the moment. I sold an absolutely mint Faz Mk 2 about 5 years ago for around $1200. It had been unwrapped from the paper in front of me at a gunshow and was a real beauty. The guy I sold it to was a "condition collector" and he examined it carefully for a long time before handing over the cash.

There seems to be two types interested in these seemingly unissued Mk 2s—condition collectors and guys thinking they are getting the perfect No. 4 range gun. I sold mine because, after very carefully cleaning out the grease, I found the bedding was "off." Forend tip pressure on the barrel was way, way out of spec (about 35 lbs!) and it would have taken woodwork to rectify, which would have reduced the value to condition collectors. Because they are "minty" some think these are the ultimate No. 4, but they were built long after the LE was state of the art, serious military equipment and, I think, to a lower standard than earlier rifles.

milsurpo
 
milsurpo said:
I would agree. If you follow auction prices, standard LEs aren't exactly setting records at the moment. I sold an absolutely mint Faz Mk 2 about 5 years ago for around $1200. It had been unwrapped from the paper in front of me at a gunshow and was a real beauty. The guy I sold it to was a "condition collector" and he examined it carefully for a long time before handing over the cash.

There seems to be two types interested in these seemingly unissued Mk 2s—condition collectors and guys thinking they are getting the perfect No. 4 range gun. I sold mine because, after very carefully cleaning out the grease, I found the bedding was "off." Forend tip pressure on the barrel was way, way out of spec (about 35 lbs!) and it would have taken woodwork to rectify, which would have reduced the value to condition collectors. Because they are "minty" some think these are the ultimate No. 4, but they were built long after the LE was state of the art, serious military equipment and, I think, to a lower standard than earlier rifles.

milsurpo
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They have also been sitting in storage/basements/wherever since they were produced 70 years ago in a different climate than what they were produced in. This can have a effect on the bedding and such things.
 
Well claven has paid and the rifle will be shipped off to him soon. I hope he's happy with his purchase and I'm happy that it sold quickly and the price seems fair. Thanks to all of you for your feedback.
 
Rifle arrived, and I'm quite happy with it. Came with the bayonet, but I already had the rifle grenade attachment and No.94 MkII Energa grenade.

yNQU4jY.jpeg

N0Myf9x.jpeg


Only real "issue" if you can call it that, is the rifle has a "Short" size butt. I normally don't care if it's a collection piece, but will need to source a "normal" butt in matching beechwood with similar patina and condition, as I actually want to shoot this one a fair amount.

If anyone has a "Normal" length butt that would be a good match to this rifle, pls let me know.
 
Claven2 said:
Rifle arrived, and I'm quite happy with it. Came with the bayonet, but I already had the rifle grenade attachment and No.94 MkII Energa grenade.

yNQU4jY.jpeg

N0Myf9x.jpeg


Only real "issue" if you can call it that, is the rifle has a "Short" size butt. I normally don't care if it's a collection piece, but will need to source a "normal" butt in matching beechwood with similar patina and condition, as I actually want to shoot this one a fair amount.

If anyone has a "Normal" length butt that would be a good match to this rifle, pls let me know.
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Glad you're happy with her. Yes, the short butt is definitely an annoyance. I had another, matching butt that had been previously cut and I was planning to install recoil pad on it but never got around to it. My buddy tells me it's not among my things so no idea what happened to it.

Thinking back, I don't think the rifle came with the sling... i think I bought it at a gun show.... or possibly at the gun store in Thunder Bay.

I slugged the barrel once upon a time too and it's a nice, tight 0.311", iirc.
 
I don't think they came with slings either. Also not sure if they came with the leather buttstock washers or not. I suspect not. When I get around to making another one, I'll install the oiler and pullthrough I have here.
 
Claven2 said:
Rifle arrived, and I'm quite happy with it. Came with the bayonet, but I already had the rifle grenade attachment and No.94 MkII Energa grenade.

yNQU4jY.jpeg

N0Myf9x.jpeg


Only real "issue" if you can call it that, is the rifle has a "Short" size butt. I normally don't care if it's a collection piece, but will need to source a "normal" butt in matching beechwood with similar patina and condition, as I actually want to shoot this one a fair amount.

If anyone has a "Normal" length butt that would be a good match to this rifle, pls let me know.
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That looks really nice, Claven!

Good luck with the replacement buttstock!

Years ago, I ordered a complete beech stock set to replace a cracked one on a Savage and it's a horrible colour. Not a nice tan like yours.
 
MapleSugar said:
That looks really nice, Claven!

Good luck with the replacement buttstock!

Years ago, I ordered a complete beech stock set to replace a cracked one on a Savage and it's a horrible colour. Not a nice tan like yours.
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They all mellow to a creamier color once the surfaces are smooth and the linseed oil has a chance to oxidize.
 
Mexico, sounds like you'd need it there, more than here -for now- Hopefully you can get a .38. Citizens can get those I hear, but it's allot of red tape. A gunnut who lives there, that posts allot about this. Black market is allot easier. Your area may be safe(r) but it's still Mexico.
 
Le Barons sold them for $200.00 in 2000, brand new in the wrap with bayonet and sling (the sling is original).
Some were for the Irish contract, the rest were for other Nations, I believe even Uganda received some.

Value is around $1500 + nowadays.

A short butt sucks, but is still shootable.
 
mephisto002 said:
Le Barons sold them for $200.00 in 2000, brand new in the wrap with bayonet and sling (the sling is original).
Some were for the Irish contract, the rest were for other Nations, I believe even Uganda received some.

Value is around $1500 + nowadays.

A short butt sucks, but is still shootable.
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Your price is accurate. I think I paid $200 or $250 in 2001. Pretty sure mine did not come with the sling. Paper was tight to the rifle and it was pure grease underneath.

It is not Iris Contract as the SN is not in the correct range.

$1500+ in the grease.... mine is not in the grease and has seen the outdoors.
 
The last non Irish UF I got $1250 for it through the Access about 5 years ago. I think $1125 was reasonable. Maybe light for todays market but fair, and it went to a good home.
 
So the marstar buttock that arrived is beech colored (stain) but is definitely not beech. When I started fitting it, it is a bright white wood under the stain, possibly English elm. But not going to match the rifle, sadly, and now I’ve put a plane to it, it won’t be returnable.

I’ll likely fit it for now to make the length of pull usable, but back on the hunt for a stock that is actually beech. If anyone knows where I might find one in high condition, pls pm me.
 
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