Value of Reblued No.5
- Thread starter timsesink
- Start date
A purist collector prefers them with the original finish even with the wear of normal use, but without any other modifications and in good working condition that rifle will still attract most of the potential buyers for a No.5. For some who want to own one to shoot, the refinishing will even be a plus, so if the seller can be patient surly will be right. And it might not take patience, the right buyer can show up anytime.
It only has value as a shooter. Zero collector value. Depending on the bbl and furniture condition I wouldn't go any higher than $350-$400. Any more and anyone in the market for a beater truck gun or brush rifle would look to commercial entry level rifle packages from Savage or Ruger.
Two sides talking here. A collector will rightfully turn his nose up at a refinished rifle and someone who wants a very nice looking #5 as both a shooter and for show will pay more for the refinished rifle than the original. Two different points of view. I just came out of my garage 15 minutes ago after PAINTING my latest #5 !!!!. Why paint? I picked up a rusty #5 receiver and a decent barrel. After making the furniture from a #4 and putting all the parts together, it is a beautiful rifle. If it shoots very well I may reblue it. Never a collector but it is still a #5.
I'm with fraserdw, I look for solid shootable historic rifles. Re-blued wouldn't scare me away, condition and price are what matters to me and not necessarily in that order. I would love to come across a MarkV for the Boys and me to shoot.
Last year there were 4 No5s in a auction, one was rough $320, two were good original condition $450 & $620 & the other was pretty in its nice varnish stock $800, to me the varnished one was worthless as a collectors piece but to others it was a nice lovely looking gun worthy of the money & thats just the way it is, just because a gun as no "collectors value" does not automaticaly mean it has no value at all, just like something being old & a antique does not automatically make it worth big money.
Everybody collects different things for different reasons. I have right now about a dozen Lee Enfields on my rack and a couple more waiting for parts. I buy them sported or for parts and love rebuilding them for a hobby. I have only ever bought an original condition Enfield once and that was in 69. I paid about $10 for it and immediatly stripped off the wood and cut it back. Now I do the opposite. So my collection of rifles are all those I have put together.
Good points made in this thread. A new-to-the-game gunner will decide for him or herself whether or not they want the rifle the way it is. It is good to have discussions like this one. A lot of gun people, new and old, simply aren't aware of the many facets of buying and collecting military surplus rifles. We each give our opinion and experience and it is out there for the others to digest.
When I started buying military rifles many moons ago, I had little idea of what to watch for. In the olden days, as my young daughter once called them, we only had books to go by. I was the only guy in my area that I was aware of who was buying "them old army rifles". Now, just key in a question and - PRESTO!! - 15 answers. Great stuff. Not only has gathering info and experience changed. Collecting has, too. We have all likely noticed that, for example, they quit making No. 5's about the year I was born. Some were lost to use and abuse, some went to Bubba, and as a result very few pop up for sale.
No collector value? With so few available at a given time, it would sell in a heartbeat. Maybe it wouldn't interest a real picky collector. So be it.
Try another example here. How about a scruffy old Finn capture M91, somewhat beat up? Jumping Jeehosephant!
It has a SAT barrel! A couple or three years ago I posted a pic of the receiver on another milsurp site and my poor old computer nearly went up in smoke.
I ended up with two Belgian Congo 1894 Winchesters, neither of which was a "perfect" example. One guy bought them both!!
I enjoy all of my old beaters, good, bad, and ugly. Do your due diligence, make your decision, and enjoy!!
When I started buying military rifles many moons ago, I had little idea of what to watch for. In the olden days, as my young daughter once called them, we only had books to go by. I was the only guy in my area that I was aware of who was buying "them old army rifles". Now, just key in a question and - PRESTO!! - 15 answers. Great stuff. Not only has gathering info and experience changed. Collecting has, too. We have all likely noticed that, for example, they quit making No. 5's about the year I was born. Some were lost to use and abuse, some went to Bubba, and as a result very few pop up for sale.
No collector value? With so few available at a given time, it would sell in a heartbeat. Maybe it wouldn't interest a real picky collector. So be it.
Try another example here. How about a scruffy old Finn capture M91, somewhat beat up? Jumping Jeehosephant!
It has a SAT barrel! A couple or three years ago I posted a pic of the receiver on another milsurp site and my poor old computer nearly went up in smoke.I ended up with two Belgian Congo 1894 Winchesters, neither of which was a "perfect" example. One guy bought them both!!
I enjoy all of my old beaters, good, bad, and ugly. Do your due diligence, make your decision, and enjoy!!
It all depends on what a BUYER wants. Some folks would only buy a #5 IF it was made by B.S.A (m/47C) others ,any #5 will do. I GAVE AWAY a#5 .303 EPPS IMPROVED to a young fellow several years ago, to hunt deer and black bear here on the island. He has a bit of a collection now but loves that #5.
My latest#5 H9### is a keeper all numbers match. it was cheap but I would not sell it for twice what I paid.
My latest#5 H9### is a keeper all numbers match. it was cheap but I would not sell it for twice what I paid.
Mismatched or #4 bolt will lower the price. It would depend on how the rest of the rifle is. It's like asking how much does a loaf of bread cost? Anywhere for 1 to 10 dollars.
Well I trades my TC impact w/scope and accessories for it and I'm tickled pink. While not perfectly original it's a gorgeous rifle with a great barrel made by BSA in 1945. Thankyou for all the input it was helpful and made me realize the trade was worth it for me
