RCMP marked No4 Mark 1*…overpriced?

[Jon9021]

Hi all,

So, I’m selling an RCMP (MP) No4 Mark 1* on here and on a certain other site for a friend.

It’s in great condition and although not in Klanchers book (most aren’t) it’s well within the number range. Several people who are much more knowledgeable than me have confirmed it’s the real deal…

Now, he told me he wants $2,500 for it, although I know he’d take a little less, so that’s what I put it in at. Apart from a few tire kickers I’ve not had any interest in it for months.

The question is: is it overpriced? I know people will only buy something they think is reasonably priced or really exceptional…fair enough, don’t we all..but I’m seeing nothing special regular No1 Mark 4’s going for $1,400-1,600 on here on on other sites.

I’m thinking about sending it to auction for him, but that has its own problems as well.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[tiriaq]

You do know that CGN rules specifically do not allow selling for someone else?

Incidentally, the rear sight is broken.

 

[Claven2]

Nobody is getting 1400-1600 for run of the mill long branches in 2026 that I can see. Some advertised guns may sell, but you don’t know if the sellers got asking price.

A good gauge of the market would be to look what they are selling for at switzers, but recognize the seller is only getting 75% of the gavel price.

No.4 rifles selling over 1400 tend to be things like mint condition no.4mk2 guns right out of the wrap.

You also need to consider most buyers are interested in Canadian military rifles and the rcmp connection doesn’t mean much to them. The guys who collect rcmp guns seriously, for the most part, already have an example. I would not say they are overly rare in Canada.

Your experience speaks for itself. $2500 is at the extreme high end of the market for any long branch that is not a sniper, and well above what rcmp marked examples are trading at. If I were wrong about this, you would easily have sold it by now.

 

[tiriaq]

When they were declared to be surplus, the ones from the RCMP detachment in Frobisher Bay were $45.
Same price that DCRA members paid for a brand new No. 4 Mk. I* from 26 COD in 1962.

 

[boxhitch]

Apart from a few tire kickers I’ve not had any interest in it for months.

likely those that are interested are watching your post and waiting for a price reduction
it seems around Nutz offers at market value are shat upon as though the offer is a personal assault, so 'lo-ballers' stay quiet and wait

maybe try a reduced price, and be prepared to reduce until sold. I find it nice to see notice of a reduction in the post title, not just on page 3 of bumps

or open it up to offers, shields up!

 

[wjklassen]

I sold a fused MP-marked Long Branch No.4Mk1* six or so years ago for around $1800 and that was high for the time, but buyer had wanted one for some time so he was happy to pay it.

 

[Jay]

While not the same, I recently sold a minty Irish Enfield for much less & actually accepted $300 less than my asking.

I think the market is soft, I only had ONE enquiry for what I consider a very nice Enfield.

 

[bearhunter]

OP, IMHO, your asking price is a "fair" place to start, but is, of course, on the high side.

The only difference between most "MP" marked No4 MkI* rifles and regular issue rifles is the "MP" stamp on the left side of the receiver.

The stamp on that rifle is very sharp, which is nice to see. Rumor has it that many of the rifles weren't stamped before
being received at the detachment, and the stamps were done by members there at the time.

I helped with a few orders of these rifles when I worked for Lever Arms back in the day.

Those rifles had the serial numbers included with the way bill sent with them from RCMP Depot. I posted one of the bills I had with about a dozen rifle serials here on CGN, but I can't find it on my computer any longer. I believe, there is a copy of the same bill on Milsurp Knowledge.

The thing I noticed about the rifles is that some were modified for target shooting, by glass bedding, drilling and tapping for micrometer adjustable sights, match king screw swivels, etc. As often as not, the "MP" stamp, which is on a hardened part of the receiver, was poorly done, often to the point of almost being invisible, and double stamped.

For the most part, they were just run of the mill No4 MkI* rifles, and most were in VG to EXC condition.

A couple of the units I uncrated were very badly worn, with little to no exterior finish on metal or wood. The interiors were in at least VG condition, and still very serviceable, but they had been carried under field conditions a lot.

Just for your information, the last MP rifle in my collection was sold in Chilliwack in 2019. It was in EXC condition, and the best of the batch from Lever Arms back in the day. Asking price was $1850, and within half an hour after the show opened, a fellow came up, gave me the full asking price, and after going through the verification process, walked out with a big smile on his face.

 

[bearhunter]

While not the same, I recently sold a minty Irish Enfield for much less & actually accepted $300 less than my asking.

I think the market is soft, I only had ONE enquiry for what I consider a very nice Enfield.

Prices are often more of a reflection of conditions in the area than what the overall price range will be.

Lee Enfield prices have softened since Covid IMHO.

 

[55recce]

IMHO $2500 is very high. It depends on how bad you want to sell but $1500-1700 seems closer to the mark

 

[bearhunter]

IMHO $2500 is very high. It depends on how bad you want to sell but $1500-1700 seems closer to the mark

The "MP" stamp makes these Lee Enfields unique to the breed as far as rarity goes. IMHO, you are pricing these rifles on the low side.

Most people who purchase these rifles do it to complete a collection, not to shoot.

 

[Claven2]

The "MP" stamp makes these Lee Enfields unique to the breed as far as rarity goes. IMHO, you are pricing these rifles on the low side.

Most people who purchase these rifles do it to complete a collection, not to shoot.

And yet this gun has sat for months at 2500.

I don’t think the 1500-1700 range is that far off. Of course if you already have one, likely you think everyone should pay 2500 for one

 

[bearhunter]

I didn't write that even once. I did state it was a good "starting point."

IMHO, the rifle in the pics should sell in the $2k+ range, depending on who's buying.

Most No4 rifles are purchased by shooters, a small number by not overly serious collectors, and an even smaller number by very serious collectors, which is where this particular No4 with MP stamps belongs.

Usually people having such collections aren't in any rush to sell or hurting for money.

It's out of the price range of the average buyer, such is life. ;-)

 

[55recce]

Still think $2.5k is too much. But then again I am downsizing my Lee Enfield collection and now have less than 40 so maybe I am no longer a serious collector

 

[FoymountFarm]

I have three MP marked LB No4 rifles, a 1942, 1943 and a 1944. They all have documented provenance and are all in very good condition. The 1944 was bought most recently, eighteen months ago, at auction. All in, fees and taxes, it was just under $1k. Well bought indeed. The one you’re selling looks to be in very good condition but the lack of documented provenance will hurt its value. In my opinion it would likely sell quickly at $1500 but at $2000 will sit unsold as long as it has sat unsold at $2500.