The Good
OK we've been hearing about these Italian Navy No4Mk1's for a few years now but haven't seen any in the flesh yet (with the exception of the occaissonal case here and there).
I was over at Henry Krank's the other day (here in West Yorkshire, UK) and they have four or so cases of these rifles which they are now opening and cataloging. I managed to look at a few examples in person.
It seems to me that these rifles are (on average) in very good condition. Most of these rifles seem to be CNo4Mk1* (at least the ones I saw). Almost all of these rifles have the repair to the buttstock from drill practice but otherwise the wood is unmarred. I'm told that most of these rifles saw very little in the way of use while in Italian Navy service but did occaissonally see some parade use (thus the repairs to butstocks).
If we see any of these enter Canada I don't think I would be hesitate to purchase a properly evaluated example. Most of them appear to be in the VG+ to excellent condition categories.
However the bulk purchaser probably did his homework while visiting Armisport. Its only a $200 return plane ticket from Britain to Italy and back, thus one may as well hand select his cases.
The Sad
I was talking to the owner of Henry Krank about the availability of replacement lee enfield barrels. He advised me that he had 3000 brand new (in the white) No4Mk1 BARRELS in stock (three of four pallet loads which he got for a song and a dance). I just about had a heart attack right there on the spot.
When I asked to have a look at a few examples he said they're no longer available as he used them as rebar in the concrete floor exansion to their facility about 10 years ago. I find it absolutely incredulous that people like this can be employed in the firearms industry. This would have given every Canadian Ranger in Canada a new barrel and conceivably would have brought his company in the neighborhood of $200,000 profit. I feel ill just thinking about it.
OK we've been hearing about these Italian Navy No4Mk1's for a few years now but haven't seen any in the flesh yet (with the exception of the occaissonal case here and there).
I was over at Henry Krank's the other day (here in West Yorkshire, UK) and they have four or so cases of these rifles which they are now opening and cataloging. I managed to look at a few examples in person.
It seems to me that these rifles are (on average) in very good condition. Most of these rifles seem to be CNo4Mk1* (at least the ones I saw). Almost all of these rifles have the repair to the buttstock from drill practice but otherwise the wood is unmarred. I'm told that most of these rifles saw very little in the way of use while in Italian Navy service but did occaissonally see some parade use (thus the repairs to butstocks).
If we see any of these enter Canada I don't think I would be hesitate to purchase a properly evaluated example. Most of them appear to be in the VG+ to excellent condition categories.
However the bulk purchaser probably did his homework while visiting Armisport. Its only a $200 return plane ticket from Britain to Italy and back, thus one may as well hand select his cases.
The Sad
I was talking to the owner of Henry Krank about the availability of replacement lee enfield barrels. He advised me that he had 3000 brand new (in the white) No4Mk1 BARRELS in stock (three of four pallet loads which he got for a song and a dance). I just about had a heart attack right there on the spot.
When I asked to have a look at a few examples he said they're no longer available as he used them as rebar in the concrete floor exansion to their facility about 10 years ago. I find it absolutely incredulous that people like this can be employed in the firearms industry. This would have given every Canadian Ranger in Canada a new barrel and conceivably would have brought his company in the neighborhood of $200,000 profit. I feel ill just thinking about it.
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