Well, got her home - post war, AC serial number, "0" bolt head, very shiny with the grease off the bolt face, no wear, all matching (of course) except the bayonet which also looks very good, no edge to speak of - c/w sling. Very happy for $1K.
No5 value??
- Thread starter enefgee
- Start date
Good on you. I think a fair number of the people quoting a price were missing the "unfired, in the grease" part of your description, and that you're one of the better people in here to be able to spot shenanigans.
Lets see some pics when you get it cleaned up... or even before, while it's still greased up.
Yes, and I didn't mention the bayonet - which I should have, but I generally expect to get one when buying from a collector. I don't know if people have priced one lately, but the British No 5Mk1 bayonet isn't cheap, or particularly easy to find. Pics as soon as I get the time. I'd never seen a No5 in the grease, but then this collection is outstanding and full of crazy stuff you only see once in a lifetime - things like rifles that have serial numbers starting with "tr" and "ex" and but stock markings that date to the Boer War.
With bayonet, what you paid is fair. Original bayonets go anywhere from $350-$450 depending on condition
I think you would be surprised to find out a lot of collectors DON'T have bayonets for their rifles.
I think you would be surprised to find out a lot of collectors DON'T have bayonets for their rifles.
Bit high for the No. 5 bayonet, ~$300 depending on condition as noted. Many, especially the wartime ones saw sharpening and other use and abuse, which knocks it down a bit. Remember of course that there's a heck of a lot more reproduction ones around as well, often times being passed off as original or "refurbished" - due to the RFI marking. Now, a Sterling No.5 bayonet is worth a few bucks, those are rarer.
The most expensive wartime British bayonet is the No. 4 Mk. I cruciform spike made by Singer. The No. 7 Mk. I/L is pricey as well, but only marginally more than the No. 5.
I've sold a half dozen No5 bayonets over the last year. The cheapest sold for $350. Most of them sold at the Chilliwack show last spring. I had 4 of them on my table there and they didn't last until noon on the first day.
If you can pick them up in the $250-$300 range, in VG condition, do it. They sell fast and easy.
infideleggwelder
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
i paid $200 in 94-ish for mine. i bought it from a buddy who bought it for the bayonet.
Fair enough, I generally purchase bayonets from the UK. Even a few years back with a strong Pound, the No.5 was fairly reasonable - still is, although they do sell quickly.
As soon as I'm not working stupid shifts, they'll appear below.
