Milsurp After Hours

I have a No5. Made at Fazakerley in 10/44. Non matching bolt and numbered magazine. Condition wise probably the top end of good but by no means excellent or even very good. Paid $500AUD for it. Enjoy shooting it and it occasionally wears a Cad Tecnik scope mount and scope for pig shooting.

Today I was made aware there is a No5 available. Made at Fazakerley in 3/47. Story is it was bought in the grease, cleaned and never fired. Condition is immaculate and certainly supports the story. Bolt is matching and magazine is unnumbered. Asking price is $1500.

It's a lot of money for the gun but then it's a lot of gun for the money. The only way I could afford it is to sell mine and even being optimistic I don't see me getting closer than halfway to the asking price.

Even if I include the bayonet in the sale it's unlikely to reach four figures. But if I include the bayonet then I need to find one for the new rifle and getting one in matching condition is going to be expensive.

My current financial plans revolve around paying for the eldest daughters wedding.

Also I regard myself as a shooter rather than a collector and this rifle would have me re-evaluating my long established practice of shooting every gun I own. Certainly wouldn't take it out in the scrub.

The rifle is in such good condition even that even minimal use (say one magazine per year) is going to result in some degradation of condition just through normal wear.

Those are all the reasons I don't want to buy it. Good sensible reasons. But, ye gods, it is a lovely rifle.

Do I ? Don't I ?
Do I ? Don't I ?
Do I ? Don't I ?
Do I ? Don't I ?
Do I ? Don't I ?
Do I ? Don't I ?
Do I ? Don't I ?
Do I ? Don't I ?
Do I ? Don't I ?
Do I ? Don't I ?

Woftam, Similar situation here, both daughters in college. Saw a motorcycle I wanted to add into the fold and tho' the price was good and I have the disposeable income to get it, I passed after deciding I really didn't need it and wouldn't dare thrash it.

Even tho' I had wanted that model for awhile, I didn't feel bad passing on it in the end. Lo and behold tuition went up 20% for one of the daughters!

Brad

G, You Don't - because like me you are a shooter and that is more fun than looking. Treat it as the one that got away and watch your stature grow with your daughter, but make SURE she knows,OK

(Not sure that's what you wanted to hear though )

Forget it, way too expensive for a rifle declared obsolete the same year it was made,except, whatever you do, don't let daughter or wife know you gave it up for the daughters wedding.

Let it go.
Daughters education priority one at the momemt.
But make it plain to her when she is earning mega bucks a nice rifle of your choice will help compensate for your sacrifice.

Well after thinking it over (and reading the comments here), I have to let it pass. Although I'm not a collector I have no problems with picking up a better example if the opportunity presents itself. This opportunity is just at the wrong time and a bit too expensive.

Interesting point about whether I should tell the feral princess or not. That hadn't even crossed my mind.

I should stop going to the gunshop until the wedding is over. Apart from the No5 he hauled out his Sten and let me have a play with it - nice bit of kit, would love to fire it. Then he showed me a nice double rifle in 470 Nitro Express - beautiful piece, apparently $22,000 worth when new. Then he mentions his No4T is for sale but I know what he paid for that and if I don't think I can afford the No5 I know I can't afford that.

Sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. We need a smiley for seriously gun depressed.

OOps a wedding sorry I didnt read your post properly.
A wedding no buy it.

You're confusing me Dave
Is that -
A wedding = no buy it ?
or
A wedding !! No !! Buy it !!

I think i would have drawn the line for a No.5 in that condition at about £600 Graeme, $1500, IMO, is way too much. My buying days are over now anyway unfortunately.

Take no notice of Dave btw he has probably been on the drink again.

Dave, repeat after me....
Drink is a very poor friend, drink is a very......

Joe

It was a tad expensive save your money for the daughters wedding.
Im sure you will enjoy the day and remember you are not loosing a daughter you are gaining a son.