No.5.Mk.1 Lee-Enfield-why have the value of these guns gone stagnant.

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drm3m

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I don't collect Lee-Enfield’s, and I don't know much about them.
Could some one please explain to me why the values of the Mk5 (a.k.a.) Jungle carbine have languished at the levels that I see?

I think this is a decent example, and I have owned it for a long time.
How is it that the values of these guns have not appreciated at the levels of many other guns?
I don't want to sell it....I am just curious.

David

I doubt that there were more that 200 rounds put through this rifle since it was purchased
back in the early 60s. (It looked unissued as I recall.)
Manufactured at BSA Shirley in 1945, Serial number BB 9724.
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David

I don't collect British guns, the only other one I own is a Sterling manufactured Lanchester Mk1* smg (1942) converted to CA.

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The limited extent of my British collection.

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There are still lots of them around in original condition. Many were imported over the past 50 years. My grandfather bought one for hunting/protection, and didn't cut it into a sporter because it was already light enough.
 
cost of No 5

The prices of Lee Enfields, depends on several factors.

Condition, from fair to excellent to still in the wrap. Your rifle would be considered Very Good as long as the bore is pristine. Prices escalate rapidly as condition gets better and drops rapidly as condition deteriorates.

Rarity of model, as in experimental or transitional maybe earlies manufacture dates etc.

Area you live in and the accompanying economy. You can get a better price in an area that is more affluent and has good job availability.

Time of year

Your rifle is a decent piece, it isn't by any means rare though. I saw a new in grease No5 a week ago and the owner wanted $750 for it. Was he out of range? Maybe but there wasn't a dent, rub or blemish anywhere on the rifle. No FTR marks either. He reasoned that if a No4 MkII was fetching $1000 in the wrap his rifle, which was never wrapped in the first place should fetch $750. If a person was looking for a pristine example and wanted it bad enough, the rifle would sell easily for the asking amount. So circumstances have a lot to do with it as well.
 
CanAm said:
Ammo cost is a big reason.
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That would apply to any centerfire milsurp that has no cheap surplus avaialble for it. Anything other than 7.62x39 or 7.62x54 is close to or over $1/round. Reloading is the only way to shoot these rifles much.

OP, I would say it is largely because there seem to be lots of them around. Lots of prices have leveled off in the last 18 months or so as the economy took a hit, as well.


Mark
 
Locale and history as well. No. 5's didn't see nearly as much service, and were never made in Canada. All things being equal, people will pay more for that heritage too.
 
Garand suddenly got all the hypes largely because of Saving Private Ryan & BOB. Can't see LE #5 getting the same exposure on TV.
 
chanman said:
No. 5's didn't see nearly as much service, and were never made in Canada. All things being equal, people will pay more for that heritage too.
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Here's a bit of trivia for you. Long Branch made 30 No.5's for trial. They are marked Long Branch but have X's in place of serial numbers. I had a chance to get one years ago, and I blew it. It is believed that of the 30, 27 were destroyed, 2 are in the Canadian War Museum, and 1 is in private hands.
 
I'd like to comment by saying you have a very nice rifle, and it pleases me to see such fine specimens.


I think its less about market stagnation, but rather whats new and on the market today. For the die hard collectors, they already have a jungle carbine. For the new collectors, and novices for that matter, take a look at the prices of Chinese and Russian SKS rifles. We also have Mosins and SVT40s coming in at some awfully sweet prices. Along with the influx of boat loads of inexpensive ammunition, all these things are very attractive to buyers, shooters, and collectors alike.


Agreed that there are more collectible items on the market, but with saturation of cheap rifles and ammo taking a larger piece of the pie, less spending goes the other direction and affects value. On one hand you might be correct, the surplus market is doing bugger all for rifle values such as the Jungle Carbine, but on the other hand, while people are busy with Mosins, SVTs, and SKS rifles, the collectors that are looking for such pieces as Jungle Carbines are finding the market in their favor.


IMO, collecting Milsurp rifles is a wonderful pastime and sport, but less so a good investment. While the value of some merchandise goes up and up, others goes down because of market saturation. Looking at ammo prices from the 1993 International Firearms catalog, much of it is not much different that today's prices 20 years later. Last year I purchased cases of M43 rounds at less than 1993 prices. Mosin 91/30s are 110 bucks with mountains of available ammo.


I don't see prices as a "trend", so much as market circumstances. At the end of the day, everything goes up, mostly due to lack of availability. Items flooding the market today, we may never see again.
 
The 'Jungle Carbine' has always been my favorite variation of the Lee Enfield which helps explain why over the years, I now have my 4th.

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From what I've seen around here and at gun shows, the value and prices have moved ahead much the same as for most other firearms. A few years back,;)in the late 60's I picked up a pair in mint condition at a local hardware store, one of which still was packed in the original grease. Each of those set me back $50.oo and change. Most of what I've seen recently at gun shows in decent condition were priced in the $350.oo to $450.oo range and a few I'd class as mint, around $600.oo.

As with most military firearms, they were made to function 'reliably' under sometimes very rough adverse conditions. With a little 'touch up' to the Jungle Carbine stock and action and with attention, for examole, to correct bullet daimeters in reloads, decent and acceptable accuracy is possible.

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no No NO!!!!!! :eek:

That J.P. Moose haunts my dreams!!!!! Make it stop!!!!! :(

But on a less serious note, the Jungle Carbine has stagnated I believe due to:

- Market conditions (price, availability)
- Handling (supposed heavy recoil which scares some buyers)
- Hearsay (supposed inaccuracy of said rifle passed down through word of mouth)
- Availability of other "veteran" Enfield variations which actually saw service.
etc...

All of this is IMHO.

Cheers!

:)
 
Just a comment, its NOT a "jungle Carbine" its a Rifle, No5 Mk1
Jungle carbine is a term used by the dealers to give it a "mystique"
I should think the prices today reflect the economic situation.
 
Desert_Fox said:
no No NO!!!!!! :eek:

That J.P. Moose haunts my dreams!!!!! Make it stop!!!!! :(

But on a less serious note, the Jungle Carbine has stagnated I believe due to:

- Market conditions (price, availability)
- Handling (supposed heavy recoil which scares some buyers)
- Hearsay (supposed inaccuracy of said rifle passed down through word of mouth)- Availability of other "veteran" Enfield variations which actually saw service.
etc...

All of this is IMHO.

Cheers!

:)
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"Wandering zero" ;) , anyone ? :nest:....:p
 
cyclone said:
"Wandering zero" ;) , anyone ? :nest:....:p
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Honestly, I can't say whether or not it is fact or fiction as I have fired a total of 1 magazine from a No5 Mk1 and didn't notice horrible groups.... :redface:

I just know from talking to people that, "that Jungle Enfield can't shoot worth s**t"! is a statement heard quite often.... usually from "experts" who have never shot one, but nonetheless.... ;)

Kind of like how Carcanos are still relatively dirt cheap because they are "unsafe, inaccurate" rifles... :p At least Ross rifles are making a resurgence! :)
 
John Sukey said:
Just a comment, its NOT a "jungle Carbine" its a Rifle, No5 Mk1Jungle carbine is a term used by the dealers to give it a "mystique"
I should think the prices today reflect the economic situation.
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Quite true and while that may be the official designation or description, they are more often than not known as a Jungle Carbine. Also, I've been led to believe that, beyond dealers 'mystique' they were given that nickname as that was 'possibly' the theatre of operation they were designed and developed and 'intended' to be used in.
 
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