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I'm sure it is to some degree, people are passionate about their hobby and make concessions to pursue it. The crisis that started in 2008 was only postponed, if economic cycle theory is to be believed, it's due to come back October 2015. For the benefit of the OP and in my economic armchair opinion, it will be severe enough to affect high-end prices of high-end collectibles.

Gotta say, I've wondered for a while now about setting up a small business based on ammo appreciation. Customer spends, say, a grand or two on ammo, ammo sits in storage for five years, inflation over that period theoretically ensures a more than healthy return when you flog it off at the end of the period.

I know zilch about investing, in case that wasn't already apparent......

We appreciate good ammo...

Your salary should rise with the cost of living, so the box of ammo should be the same percentage of your income at the point you buy it and the point you sell it, assuming everything else remains the same. So there's no `real` profit, just a nominal profit. It's important to distinguish between the two.

Gaz wrote:Gotta say, I've wondered for a while now about setting up a small business based on ammo appreciation. Customer spends, say, a grand or two on ammo, ammo sits in storage for five years, inflation over that period theoretically ensures a more than healthy return when you flog it off at the end of the period.

I know zilch about investing, in case that wasn't already apparent......

Thanks for all of your replies.
I've wanted a No.4 T for many many years and as suggested, it may turn into a disappointment once I get one......but I certainly hope not.
I have several books by Ian Skennerton including 'An Armorers Perspective' and although I have seen a few examples, I have never had the opportunity to actually shoot one. Having said that, I have a SMLE and have owned a No.4 , which was only recently given up to clear a space for my hoped new purchase.

I'm aware that its a bit of a mine field out there trying to get a 'real' one which was the main reason to ask if anyone new of and specialist or reputable dealers that I could approach.

I really want a (matching) rifle with the mark III scope, so that means circa 1945. I'm not so bothered about the transit box or any other peripherals. Just a good honest rifle that I can shoot.

'Hens teeth' I hear you cry but i'll keep looking....and keep on saving as I'm sure prices will only ever go up!

Just to add -

1980 - 1 box of ammo £100.00 - Earning £15,000/annum the box costs you 0.66% of your salary (Inflation @ 4.7% a year)
2000 - 1 box of ammo £254.75 - Earning £38,214/annum the box costs you 0.66% of your salary (Inflation @ 4.7% a year)

Nominal increase is £154.75, real increase is zero. You have to outpace inflation to make any `real` money.

Gaz wrote:Gotta say, I've wondered for a while now about setting up a small business based on ammo appreciation. Customer spends, say, a grand or two on ammo, ammo sits in storage for five years, inflation over that period theoretically ensures a more than healthy return when you flog it off at the end of the period.

I know zilch about investing, in case that wasn't already apparent......

You will be very lucky to get a circa 45 or any WW2 vintage rifle, the No4T had an active life after WW2 and went through repair and adjustment as needed so to get one "as was" at a certain WW2 date is unlikely and if one with such provable provenance would come along then it would really command a premium.

A club mate sold his about 3 months ago!
One of my mates has had two, one was useless and the other very, very good!
Accuracy wise my No4 with open sights was about as good!
Another club mate has one but I don't think he will sell but I will ask.
I will put a post on the LERA forum.
Tony

I don't think there is one you should trust. When I was looking, Fulton's was mentioned (numerous times) as an authority on the matter. Based on the example further up the post, you need to find an independent No.4 T enthusiast who will help you and has the experience to match. A modern certificate of authenticity isn't worth the paper it's written on.

Aren't there Enfield rifle enthusiast clubs that might be able to help?

Mossy wrote:specialist or reputable dealers that I could approach.

At the end of the day it will always be down to someone's opinion.

I have seen some very knowledgeable and experienced collectors having some very heated and animated debates on authenticity and detail of specific firearms and we were still none the wiser afterwards.