.303 identity crisis?

NathanR

NathanR

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East GTA, Ontario, Canada
Hey guys, I have a .303british Lee-Enfield I am looking to sell. However I have no idea what it is, or how to identify it. I know it's a sportster model because the woodstock does not go to the end of the barrel. That's about where my knowledge stops. It's a 10 shot removable magazine. It also has an adjustable rear sight with range indicators.

What are some distinctive markers on these guns?
 
NathanR said:
Hey guys, I have a .303british Lee-Enfield I am looking to sell. However I have no idea what it is, or how to identify it. I know it's a sportster model because the woodstock does not go to the end of the barrel. That's about where my knowledge stops. It's a 10 shot removable magazine. It also has an adjustable rear sight with range indicators.

What are some distinctive markers on these guns?
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It's worth between $75-$150, depending on how good the bore condition is, if it is restorable with an uncut barrel, metal finish, if it's a Long Branch etc..
 
cantom said:
It's worth between $75-$150, depending on how good the bore condition is, if it is restorable with an uncut barrel, metal finish, if it's a Long Branch etc..
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There is a chance it was a very well done sporter and is worth more (but not much more). A picture is worth 1000 words when it comes to apraising milsurps.
 
I'm fairly certain it is a No 1, mkIII. It has a brass butt plate and my rear iron sight is located forward of the breech. Also there is a removable (on a C-clip) piece of wood that sits on top of the barrel

Thanks Guys, I will get some up ASAP. I do not have FB and I'm not entirely sure how to post pictures otherwise.
 
Hey guys, thanks for the help so far. I have taken several pictures of the markings if anyone is interested pm me an e-mail addy and I will happily send them.

The barrel is stamped "ESSEX" in large block letters, I dont know if that is a clear indication of anything.

Thanks again,
Nathan
 
NathanR said:
Hey guys, thanks for the help so far. I have taken several pictures of the markings if anyone is interested pm me an e-mail addy and I will happily send them.

The barrel is stamped "ESSEX" in large block letters, I dont know if that is a clear indication of anything.

Thanks again,
Nathan
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It's commercially sportered in England. If it's a Parker Hale or Churchill and is in very nice cosmetic shape and with a shiny bore...worth more of course.
 
It's a MA Lithgow, SMLE. Manufactured in 1940 (Thanks very kindly to CGN'er oldlithgow for informing me of where to look).

It also has HV and SO stamped behind the front sight. I have read online that HV means it has been tested to safely fire High Velocity ammo, but I cannot find out what SO means.

Also, is commercially sportered better/ more desireable than personally sportered???
 
NathanR said:
Also, is commercially sportered better/ more desireable than personally sportered???
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LOL yup. Usually a "personally sportered" rifle involved such sophisticated tools as hacksaws and half-round files. Maybe a hand drill with a dull bit if you're really lucky.

Have a gander through the hunting EE and forums, there are some nice examples posted.
 
That's what I was thinking, I know a professional with sophisticated tools (that of course meaning a name brand hacksaw) could certainly do a better job than I ever could.

I'm in a pickle now though, the more I learn about this stupid thing the more I want to keep it. Which is very counterproductive as I am trying to make space lol.
 
Hi Guys, NathanR sent me a few pics of his SMLE. A typical sporter, but here's the "ESSEX" stamp with the "HV" and "SO" or "SC" marks...

Lou

Scugog-20111014-00038.jpg
 
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I have never seen the ESSEX stamp before but from the rest of the pics it is a MA Lithgow that was issued and sold out of surplus in England. It carries a broad arrow stamp and was nitro proofed BNP stamp. Although a 1940 it is a No1 MkIII no star so it would have been issued with a mag cut-off. Do all of the serial numbers match, there will be one on the bolt, breech, barrel and under the sight? On a full rifle there would also be one on the nose-cap and one on the fore-stock. It also looks like you are missing the extractor screw from the left side.

KawarthaLakes-20111014-00035-1.jpg

KawarthaLakes-20111014-00037.jpg
 
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oldlithgow said:
I have never seen the ESSEX stamp before but from the rest of the pics it is a MA Lithgow that was issued and sold out of surplus in England. It carries a broad arrow stamp and was nitro proofed BNP stamp. Although a 1940 it is a No1 MkIII no star so it would have been issued with a mag cut-off. Do all of the serial numbers match, there will be one on the bolt, breech, barrel and under the sight? On a full rifle there would also be one on the nose-cap and one on the fore-stock. It also looks like you are missing the extractor screw from the left side.

KawarthaLakes-20111014-00035-1.jpg

KawarthaLakes-20111014-00037.jpg
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As far as I can tell the numbers all line up. I can't see a magazine cut off.
 
This is where the cut-off would be but most are removed when they get sporterized.
They are really hard to find with the proper markings It will have a MA on it. What are your plans are you planning to restore?
KawarthaLakes-20111014-00041-1.jpg
 
NathanR said:
That's what I was thinking, I know a professional with sophisticated tools (that of course meaning a name brand hacksaw) could certainly do a better job than I ever could.

I'm in a pickle now though, the more I learn about this stupid thing the more I want to keep it. Which is very counterproductive as I am trying to make space lol.
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HEH HEH HEH. Sounds like someone has been bitten buy the bug. Good luck. It only gets better from here.

IMHO you should restore it to its former glory. once you do that you will have a beauty, and you will be hooked.
 
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