I want one in the worst way...

[sandwarrior]

Of all the Parker Hale sniper variants this is the one I want the most!

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/658467206

But, $8500... for a non-provenance rifle?

 

[_Windrider_]

that's a pretty sweet rifle.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Those are amazing rifles.. but that's about 4x the price for a PH.

They do show up....

Cheers,

Sirhr

 

[sandwarrior]

Agreed, sirhr,,. Way too much for even that variant. But, it does come with the Swarovski on it. So, about twice what it's worth....without any combat provenance.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

I'll add that they often show up for <$1000. I've been watching, but never timed one right.

Scopes are easy to get used. I've seen these go for peanuts... but always missed the peanuts ones.

Keep the faith. One will show up.

Cheers,

Sirhr

 

[sandwarrior]

He he sorry, I got yanked into a conversation with my wife and son...who we are visiting.

With combat provenance, which these mostly don't have, it would be Maaaayyybe half of what he's asking. I've seen the M82/C3 variants for around a grand. The M85 is a different thing. Much more optimized for sniping/running in the field. But yeah, still way overpriced.

 

[Spaghetti Western]

You're probably aware, but there's a "Gil Boyd" on Milsurps.com who's able to check factory production records, through a former PH head armourer.
Their records aren't 100% complete (due to the way PH, was taken apart ), but often for a given serial number they can sometimes find out:
-Production date,
-Test target grouping size,
-Wether a factory supplied optic was requested, i.e S&B PM, Swaro ZFM, Tasco
-Destination & purchaser, more often than not, some branch of a Police unit in the UK or continental Europe.
-some times stock colour, & configuration info if a bit non standard
may or may not be of some interest
https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=47454

 

[sandwarrior]

You're probably aware, but there's a "Gil Boyd" on Milsurps.com who's able to check factory production records, through a former PH head armourer.
Their records aren't 100% complete (due to the way PH, was taken apart ), but often for a given serial number they can sometimes find out:
-Production date,
-Test target grouping size,
-Wether a factory supplied optic was requested, i.e S&B PM, Swaro ZFM, Tasco
-Destination & purchaser, more often than not, some branch of a Police unit in the UK or continental Europe.
-some times stock colour, & configuration info if a bit non standard
may or may not be of some interest
https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=47454

Spaghetti Western,

No, I was not aware of that. Thank you for the information!

As far as I know these were issued as standard sniper rifles to only the Brazilian Marines and the Malaysian PASCAL(?){like SEALs} I have to say I don't know if they were involved in any engagements. However, I could easily see the Malaysians having a shoot out or two where they might be employed.

Also, I have second hand accounts that these were used by the SAS. Who could very well have brought them into a number of conflicts.

Again though , the provenance for that would be very difficult to obtain...let alone verify. The rifle on this post certainly looks nice. But, he's asking been there/done that price.

 

[Forgetful Coyote]

The M85 was the square profile action that used M14 mags right?

 

[sandwarrior]

The M85 was the square profile action that used M14 mags right?

Not only square profile, it had the rear escutcheon that protected a rather nice rear sight

Added:. I believe it took the G3 magazine system. I could be wrong though. There is a bottom metal for sale that is configured for M14 magazines. These were equipped with ten round magazines as issued. IMO, ten is about perfect. The twenties stick down too far. But, they would be nice if firepower was needed.

 

[Forgetful Coyote]

Yeah those things are awesome, quite a ways ahead of their time if one looks at what's popular in PRS matches now. Even tho it was a square action, it still used the same bolt as all other PH's correct? Very cool rifles.
Did PH make their own barrels in-house?

 

[sandwarrior]

The bolts were the same. But, there was a variance, IIRC, that they could not be interchanged with a standard '98 bolt.