Another No.4 Mk.1 sporter, value?

zippy_the_wonder_chimp

zippy_the_wonder_chimp

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Can't find a serial # on the barrel but the bolt matches (#11464).
Bore looks quite good, shiny with strong rifling, 5 groove, etc.
A small refurb patch on the top of the stock by the brass endpiece.

Does anyone know any history about this particular rifle?
And, is this in the typical $120-$175 value range?

Thanks

-zip
 
I would put it a little higher; that is one seriously nice rifle.

Wartime BSA Number 4, sportered by Parker-Hale (and they did a nice job, too), mag converted to 5+1-up-the-pipe. Drilled and tapped by Parker-Hale, with PH bases (you will need PH rings). Proof-marks look very much like 19.5 tons (versus 18.5 normal) which means that it should have been proofed for the Mark 8 Ball, but I don't see the 8-Ball stamp. Nice PH foresight base, too. Barrel has been bobbed a bit, as normal on their better conversions, recrowned very nicely without doubt.

PH did quite a lot of 'budget' conversions and not-so-many nice ones. This is a nice one. The original aperture sights were left on, not because they were cheap, but because when this one was done, scopes still were very much a minority in the field. Besides, aperture sights (good ones, anyway) are a LOT tougher than scopes any old day.

Apart from the facts that it is a .303 and that it is a rebuild to 'new' and that it isn't polished quite as nice as a Remchester, it is the equal of any other rifle that was out there in the field blasting Bambis 50 years ago. Yup, 50 years since it was sold retail.... and look at the condition.

It might not be restorable (and this might be heresy) but this one is a keeper.
 
This is a "De Luxe No. 4" model;

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For someone who knows about these, it may worth up to 250.00 $, 'cos it really looks complete, with the 5 shots magazine (they usually got swapped for a 10 shot). Even the hood ramp is there.
 
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I agree. Yes this is a sporter, but it's not bubba's sporter. It's a professionally sporterized hunting rifle with history of its own. Definitely at least at the top end of that price range you provided.
 
smellie said:
I would put it a little higher; that is one seriously nice rifle.

Wartime BSA Number 4, sportered by Parker-Hale (and they did a nice job, too), mag converted to 5+1-up-the-pipe. Drilled and tapped by Parker-Hale, with PH bases (you will need PH rings). Proof-marks look very much like 19.5 tons (versus 18.5 normal) which means that it should have been proofed for the Mark 8 Ball, but I don't see the 8-Ball stamp. Nice PH foresight base, too. Barrel has been bobbed a bit, as normal on their better conversions, recrowned very nicely without doubt.

PH did quite a lot of 'budget' conversions and not-so-many nice ones. This is a nice one. The original aperture sights were left on, not because they were cheap, but because when this one was done, scopes still were very much a minority in the field. Besides, aperture sights (good ones, anyway) are a LOT tougher than scopes any old day.

Apart from the facts that it is a .303 and that it is a rebuild to 'new' and that it isn't polished quite as nice as a Remchester, it is the equal of any other rifle that was out there in the field blasting Bambis 50 years ago. Yup, 50 years since it was sold retail.... and look at the condition.

It might not be restorable (and this might be heresy) but this one is a keeper.
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Nice to know guys. I appreciate the info as I know nothing about
these rifles. I'd like to see it with original woods but have no clue what they would go for.


-zip
 
I have the exact rifle, nice to know it might be worth a little more, Came with a 5 shot mag, but i stole my dad's 10 rounder, Its drilled and tapped for the PH mount but did not come with it, and its missing the front sight hood, or whatever its called.
 
Well - I'm going to be the devils advocate... It may not be a rifle sported by PH, but a sporter just wearing a PH front sight. I have one that is similar, made by Golden State Arms. I suspect PH sold bits such as sights, along with mounts and rings.
Some considerations:
- PH 5 round mags are typically flat bottomed.
- Would PH have issued a Deluxe rifle with a repaired stock?
- Would PH have issued a Deluxe rifle with the original machining marks not polished out of the barrel?

Perhaps some others with similar rifles can comment... My one PH deluxe has beech military stocks, is polished and black oxide coated, and the front sight doesnt say PH. However, it says Parker Hale on the knox flat. Regardless of origin, the OP's rifle is well done and is worth more than a typical bubba 303.
 
P-H sold sporterized rifles (at the begining, mostly from No. 1 and P-14 / M 17, but there was also some No. 4 rifles ) about 1949 but after 1955 they started making a whole bunch of No. 4 and it lasted 'til the late '70s. If it would have been a Golden States or a Churchill or a similar "packager", it would have carry the name on it. The first rifles P-H sold were done by B.S.A. (at least 'til 1954) then, they also made their own. There are quite a few variants known, too.

Anyways, whatever it is, if it's not a "real" P-H, then it's a very good "copy".

To the OP, it does not worth trying to set "orignal" wood on this rifle, the barrel is more than likely cut down of three inches.
 
cosmic said:
Well - I'm going to be the devils advocate... It may not be a rifle sported by PH, but a sporter just wearing a PH front sight. I have one that is similar, made by Golden State Arms. I suspect PH sold bits such as sights, along with mounts and rings.
Some considerations:
- PH 5 round mags are typically flat bottomed.
- Would PH have issued a Deluxe rifle with a repaired stock?
- Would PH have issued a Deluxe rifle with the original machining marks not polished out of the barrel?

Perhaps some others with similar rifles can comment... My one PH deluxe has beech military stocks, is polished and black oxide coated, and the front sight doesnt say PH. However, it says Parker Hale on the knox flat. Regardless of origin, the OP's rifle is well done and is worth more than a typical bubba 303.
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My mag says paker hale on it and it has a curve to it like the one here, If this is not a Parker Hale De Luxe No 4, And its just a copy, Then I have its Exact twin brother
 
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