Cost and Availiability of A Lee Enfield No.1 Mk.III

Drachenblut

Drachenblut

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Hello,

I have discovered an intruiging rifle, and would love to add one to my collection. It is the Australian made No.I Mk.III "Shortened and Lightened" rifle/carbine, I do not know who else made them but I know Lithgow made them 1943 to 1944. How often do these come up in the market and how much can one be expected to pay for one? I am a carbine fanatic, and the No.I Mk.III is my favourite rifle type. What is some background history on these rifles?

Thank you,
Drachenblut
 
Extremely rare bird in North America, they go for several thousand dollars. If you just like the look, buy a sporterized No.1 MKIII* and necessary spare parts and have your local gunsmith build you a look-alike copy.
 
I've only ever seen pictures.

Not very many made to start with and never issued as a generla service arm, As I recall from my readings, some troop trials were run with several 100 rifles but thats it.

So If you find one price is going to be whatever the seller wants.
 
Ok, thanks. Maybe I can get a No.I Mk.III* sporter, and get it rebuilt. Where can I get the rest of the parts? I'm assuming here that only the top wood is missing, the barrel is cut down and rear sight is intact. Not sure what else might be removed.
 
shorter barrel would involve changing the sight as well now that the barrel is shorter

wonder if a jungle gun would do it.
 
Possibly, I own one but am not going to much with it. Besides, the sites on the jungle are attached to the nosecap assembly so that would have to come off to put the No.I Mk.III wood and nosecap on.
 
Drachenblut said:
I have discovered an intruiging rifle, and would love to add one to my collection. It is the Australian made No.I Mk.III "Shortened and Lightened" rifle/carbine, I do not know who else made them but I know Lithgow made them 1943 to 1944. How often do these come up in the market and how much can one be expected to pay for one? I am a carbine fanatic, and the No.I Mk.III is my favourite rifle type. What is some background history on these rifles?
Click to expand...

Well, if it is indeed a true Australian "Shortened and Lightened", then you have yourself a great find of an extremely rare collectible piece where only 100 were built. ;)

For some additional background color and some more tangental research information, check the links below.

With thanks to Advisory Panel members Lance and Wheaty, check the 138 pic virtual tour in the Australia - Milsurp Knowledge Library (click here) http://www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php?f=37

1944 No.1 Intermediate Shortened & Lightened Rifle - Serial XP53 "Experimental" (click here) .....http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=3562

There's also an interesting associated thread in our Commercial Auction and Sale "Gossip" (click here)http://www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php?f=38 forum titled Reference Thread - Australian Arms Auctions - May 4th, 2008 (click here) http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=3304.

This thread contains a post regarding one of these rifles (Serial XP45) that sold at the Australian Arms Auctions on May 4th, 2008 for $7,000 AUSD.

Regards,
Badger
 
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