Enfield from Ireland?

prproulx

prproulx

I ask too many questions
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I was checking out an estate collection today and there was a Lee-Enfield .303. I was told it was from a lot that was found in a warehouse in Ireland and it was literally packed in grease brand new.
I didn't bother to check for markings at the time but I will later this week. I don't know anything about these but they have a long history and I always kind of wanted one.

Does this ring a bell with anyone?
 
These "Irish" rifles never went to Ireland. They are from a lot that was manufactured for the Irish Republic; the deal was never completed, and the rifles went into the British war reserve. They are absolutely standard No. 4 Mk. 2 rifles. Their value is that they are high quality No. 4 rifles in exceptional condition. If you can acquire the rifle for a reasonable price, buy it.
 
The "Irish Contract" rifles are very nicely made, have great sights and are made with great materials. They are the late, Mk.2 variation, which means the trigger hangs on the receiver not the guard, that helps with accuracy. Manufacture date should be around 1953 or 54.(Mine is 1/54) These are some of the last regular Lee-Enfields made, if the price is within reason then jump on it - after all they aren't making brand new Lee-Enfields anymore.
 
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They were originally sold greased, in a brown paper wrap, No. 9 bayonet included. If its not been degreased, and is as new, that price is certainly in the ballpark.
 
prproulx said:
They are asking $450.
Click to expand...

People are asking $600 for an untouched one in the wrap with the matching blade bayonet, still in the grease. Someone ventured an opinion that once fired, the value would drop to $300, they have no war history and it's only the brand new aspect that commands such a premium price. I've mulled it over and decided that my money was more interested in Long Branch Enfields, not that there seem to be any to be found more's the pity.
 
Many of the No4's billed as "Irish Contract", never were.
The s/n's of that contract range from PF 309348 to PF 359347.
The Republic did use No4's but how many they actualy recieved is a good question.
They also sold off a large quantity of No1Mk3's. Have one of the latter.
 
John Sukey said:
Many of the No4's billed as "Irish Contract", never were.
The s/n's of that contract range from PF 309348 to PF 359347.
The Republic did use No4's but how many they actualy recieved is a good question.
They also sold off a large quantity of No1Mk3's. Have one of the latter.
Click to expand...

Does it have a little shamrock proof mark?? :D
 
If its in the wrap $450 is a fair price, last one I saw in the wrap they wanted $600,

If its not wrapped then condition will determine the price if its in perfect condition then $450, well I wouldn't pay that but I'm a cheap bastard.

But prices are not comming down. $300 is reasonable, and really any PF serial number above PF31###x is good. :) may not be part of the "Irish" contract but still good
 
I remember when they were selling those in the late 80's or so. I wasn't into the Enfield niche at the time, so never picked one up. Weren't they selling for something like $275 at the time?
 
Most of the brand new contract rifles went to the US; some were brought back for the Cdn. market. These will have the import marks mandated by US rules. IIRC there were a couple of thousand new ones brought into North America.
 
Funny, i don't think there are any marks on mine - just a little window cut out of the "mummy wrap" with the grease scraped out so the serial number could be verified - in fact I can't for certain say that the bayonet number matches the rifle, I've never seen the bayonet's serial #.
 
These rifles came through International's Montreal warehouse. The ones cleared for sale in Canada were not marked. Ones for sale in the US had to be "import" marked. To meet Cdn. demand, some of these were subsequently sold in Canada. Yours would be the first variety.
 
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