Jungle carbine prices

[Johan412th]

Thanks JB. It was In really pristine shape.. That threw me off.

[Guamsst]

I bought a Santa Fe "No5" in Tulsa. I was surprised. A.)It was almost correct. B.) they used some original No5 parts. C.) it had the correct rear sight!

I knew better and it was clearly marked Santa Fe and No4 on the receiver flat. Only thing "wrong" from a couple of feet away was the mag had been cut down.

The other fantasy carbines (No1Mk3 fakes) are often priced higher than real No5 carbines. I guess the cool factor is good at parting fools from their money.

[p246]

Since I've been bitten by the enfield bug I'm finding the number of fakes higher than I thought they'd be... old man has had this one over 30 years he believes....were they faking them that long ago to.

[JB White]

They were making boatloads of WW2 surplus marketable in the 1950's. It was Golden State Arms who coined the terms Jungle Rifle and Jungle Carbine for their No5 look-alikes.

[p246]

Well my No 5 mark 1( M47C) is sitting in the gun room. Brought a No 4 mark 1 home with it. I'll try and post pics tomorrow night.He also has the bayonet for the number 5...Told him I'd be back for that tonight.

[JB White]

Good on you and I think you'll be happy with what you have. Hopefully you'll get a good price on that No5 bayonet. Tip: if the ricasso is marked with RFI only and that marking is centered, take a pass as it's a low cost repro. If it's marked RFI with a two digit year date, snag it!
Not that RFI was the only maker, mind you. Just that so many of the fakes are marked "RFI".

BTW, I was able to follow what you bought at a glance...now that you've got your numbers and marks in a row

[Guamsst]

I'm not sure the RFI bayonets are "fakes". They seem to be low quality fast production on the old tooling to me. Some of the others are much worse. Either way, they are modern production unless dated.

I have one in poor condition marked sterling inside the blood groove. I have to fit some grips to it and then it will be good to go.

Not sure if we covered it but No5 bayonets go for well over $200.

[p246]

Yes on the numbers. What got me started on enfields is my dad gave me his 1943 Lithgow No 1 Mark 3.. The front end got sported but no barrel cutting. I'm going to buy the parts to put it back right.

On the bayonet he has three but the other collecter bought one two days ago. He told me could have my pick of those two. I'll look them over. This is the only thing he's been reasonable on (100.00). He bought them in the 70,s. Hmm if their legit maybe I should buy em both....got to brush up on that now.

[Guamsst]

At $100 in decent shape and not simply marked RFI or a comic book looking stamping get them both. Then ebay the other to pay for them both.

[p246]

Hers what I found
Wilkinson marked WSC S294
Radcliffe marked N187
Viners marked VNS Ñ79
Elkington marked M78
ROF marked circle P with year of manufacturer date
Sterling marked STERLING in triangle

Found some mention of BSA manufactur but no marking info.

We will find out tonight.

[p246]

Came home with two wilkison WSC S294 Bayonets.. will get pics done tonight and u guys can let me know if I was right and they are legit.

[JB White]

If they're marked WSC with S294 then they are legit (unless there's a new crop of forgery) Given the timeframe you stated they're real and he gave you a very fair price.

The circle P is Poole, in case you wish to note that in your records.

Can you tell which is fake?

[p246]

Top one....no hole in side at attachment point...School me if I'm wrong. Both mine has Broad Arrow and bend test? Mark along with one other at the bottom of the blade on that side. The wood on the best one is almost as good as those. Not nearly as good as on the lesser of the two. Blades are in good shape. When he bought them long ago they were waxed wrapped in Cosmo. He believes the were rearsenaled, packed, stored , then eventually surplused out.

[p246]

[p246]