Holy Grail....Really??? |
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philtno
Senior Member Joined: May 04 2019 Location: Blenheim, NZ Status: Offline Points: 261 |
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Posted: January 16 2020 at 1:45pm |
Hi Guys,
just came across this today Is it really THAT rare?? I would really appreciate your expertise on this Cheers Philtno
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Shamu
Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 17603 |
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No! Savage made more .303 No4 Mk1* than all the British ROFs combined. Unfired condition (if its truly unfired) would make it rare but not THAT special. The one image that would support that is missing, a close up of the bolt face. Most of the rest of the write up is bogus as well. "U.S. PROPERTY" was only engraved on guns that were earmarked for Lend Lease & although some have been found without it its by no means "commonly ground off" There's an old saying in the gun buying biz. "Buy the gun, not the story"! It applies here.
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Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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britrifles
Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Atlanta, GA Status: Offline Points: 6539 |
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I see a fair bit of marking of the bolt from rotation. It doesn't look that different from my own Savage. I'd be suspicious that this is a "unfired" "unissued" rifle. Maybe just had a NOS stock put on.
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Canuck
Special Member Donating Member Joined: January 17 2012 Location: Agassiz BC Status: Offline Points: 3535 |
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Anybody who buys that story and spends that kind of money deserves to be burned on the deal. AT MOST I would think that rifle is worth about 1K on a good day with no wind blowing and clear skies. Quite the sales job IMHO. Notice it has an early 'low wall' fore end, indicative of an early made rifle. The date of 1942 has been lined out.
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Castles made of sand slip into the sea.....eventually
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britrifles
Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Atlanta, GA Status: Offline Points: 6539 |
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Sham, I believe only Long Branch and Savage made the No. 4 Mk I*. I think Long Branch made appox 900,000 rifles. Savage over 1M.
The obvious difference is the Mk I* does not have the bolt release catch on the right side of the receiver, it has a slot in the bolt head track just aft of the breach. |
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Goosic
Senior Member Joined: September 12 2017 Location: Phoenix Arizona Status: Offline Points: 8792 |
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The serial number has another number stamped over it,with a third number stamped vertical. Savage would not have made those marks from the factory. The magazine and bolt were not issued to that rifle originally as well.
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A square 10
Special Member Donating Member Joined: December 12 2006 Location: MN , USA Status: Offline Points: 14452 |
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its a nice savage rifle , i do not know how rare they might be on your side of the pond but quite common here and $500-700 would buy the nicest , they quit producing in 44 at about a million and a quarter pieces ,
others have pointed out the other items that would negate spending that much - you can find a nice rifle at a better price , is there any issue with your owning it in 303 ? i thought i recalled hearing most to be converted from "military" to "hunting" calibers- i may be wrong and not at all certain why that would make any sense to anyone including liberal[commies]
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philtno
Senior Member Joined: May 04 2019 Location: Blenheim, NZ Status: Offline Points: 261 |
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Yep, thank you all for your comments.....that's what I thought. This guy seems to be selling more a story than a rifle worth that price...
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SW28fan
Special Member Donating Member Joined: July 02 2007 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 2951 |
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Whenever I see "rare U.S. property Mark" I tune out. The only unissued Lee Enfield came in a Mummy Wrap.
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Have a Nice Day
If already having a nice day please disregard |
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philtno
Senior Member Joined: May 04 2019 Location: Blenheim, NZ Status: Offline Points: 261 |
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A Square 10: Not too sure to understand your question...about having issues with owning 303's??? I bought mine for NZ$800....1943 Longbranch with plenty of history carved into the woodwork but still shooting very well, I reckon. Not that difficult to find 303s here in NZ but the good ones are kind of rare as many have been butchered to "sporterize" them....and some are in very very very poor conditions......almost walking sticks!! |
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philtno
Senior Member Joined: May 04 2019 Location: Blenheim, NZ Status: Offline Points: 261 |
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Like this one??? Even though.....I guess that there absolutely no guarantee that it's been unfired??
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Goosic
Senior Member Joined: September 12 2017 Location: Phoenix Arizona Status: Offline Points: 8792 |
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The collectability of that weapon has been greatly compromised due mainly to the mummy wrap being cut open to view the receiver. It is no longer in its original condition.
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philtno
Senior Member Joined: May 04 2019 Location: Blenheim, NZ Status: Offline Points: 261 |
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I understand what you mean but, isn't that a bit OTT as the only way to know what you have in front of you, I mean having evidence, is to "unveil" a bit of it which will let the "collectioneur" what they are buying? Would you buy a rifle in a mummy state without opening a minimum of its wrapping??
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Goosic
Senior Member Joined: September 12 2017 Location: Phoenix Arizona Status: Offline Points: 8792 |
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If I was an actual collector of unissued weapons still in the wax wrapper and it was tampered with,such as this one,allowing air to contact once sealed metal starting the oxidation process? I would pass on it. Those mummy wrapped Enfields usually have a paper tab with the serial number on it to indicate what is in the wrap.
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Poohbah
Groupie Joined: October 01 2016 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 26 |
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I think its only worth $1200 tops. The seller is trying to get the Jacinda bux out of shooters who are cashed up with after handing in their semi autos.
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Pukka Bundook
Senior Member Joined: February 02 2015 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 1369 |
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he!! Goosic, I think some of us could make a nice sideline, selling any old iron "Mummified! :-)
Sounds like a plan! :-) I can't think of a more frustrating "curse" (Curse of the mummy??)...Owning something you can't even Look at, never mind take out and use. We get the same with folks buying toys new in the box, I bet they all have nasty tempers (The owners, not the toys!) brought on by frustration...
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