"Irish Contract" SMLE

[xhare]

I was doing a little searching online today and discovered that my particular SMLE qualifies as an "Irish Contract" SMLE.  I have had this rifle for about 10 years or so, so I am a little behind the curve in doing research on it.  However, I am aware of the differences between the Mk 1s and the Mk 2s.  Can anyone tell me the significance of having this particular SMLE?  How does it compare to other No4 MK 2's in collector value and such?  I knew a bit of the history of this particular model and where it came from, and mine was in arsenal wrapper when I purchased it. 

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Stan in SC]

What is the date of your rifle?Is it's serial number prefixed with "UF"?

[xhare]

On the left receiver it says this...

No4 MK2 (F)
1/55 PF339xxx

[Stan in SC]

It was made at Fazakerly in January of 1955.It could very well be within the seried of serial numbers reputed to have been in an "Irish Contract".That contract is in some circles not accepted as factual.I don't know the full particulars surrounding it.What you do have is a very fine accurate rifle.

Stan

[xhare]

Thanks for the info.  I have done a little reading too.  It seems the none or at least most of these rifles built for the Irish Army actually were sent to Ireland.  It seems that there were political or monetary reasons to cancel delivery.  So, some collectors that are sticklers for detail may say that while my rifle was origianally intended to be sent to  Ireland, only a few actually were and those are the "real" Irish Contract rifles. 

At any rate I intend to keep mine.  It is fune to shoot, maybe I will take a deer with it one day.

[Stan in SC]

I regularly deer hunt with a .303 and took one deer and two wild dogs last year with it.If you consider the relative ballistics of .308WIN and compare .303British to it you will find almost similar characteristics.

Stan