Enfield SMLE BSA No3 Mk1--- Can someone please appraise?

PaintballGuy

PaintballGuy

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EE Expired
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Petawawa, ON
Hey guys,

I've just recently acquired this absolute jewel of a rifle for $300 even; was wondering if someone would be kind enough to give an appraisal on it.

I have zero intention of selling it short of an eccentric billionaire offer, but it's always nice to know that I didn't lose out on this deal.

Not a spot or rust on it and the rifling looked like the gun had never been fired. It also has all matching serial numbers :rockOn:

*The rifle has a lot of oil on it in the pics from when I was cleaning all the dirt and grime off it, so if the looks worn its really the oil seeping in the cracks of the letters etc.

Thank you in advance for your much appreciated help!

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That's a good price, bottom of price range, if:
- the bore is decent or better
- the metal surface is not pitted in many places, under the wood (where it's only visible if you take the rifle apart).
- Bonus: does the nose cap number match?

Quick note: don't try to unscrew the large butt stock bolt (that's inside the stock) without FIRST removing the forend.

Quite a nice rifle!

Lou
 
louthepou said:
That's a good price, bottom of price range, if:
- the bore is decent or better
- the metal surface is not pitted in many places, under the wood (where it's only visible if you take the rifle apart).
- Bonus: does the nose cap number match?

Quick note: don't try to unscrew the large butt stock bolt (that's inside the stock) without FIRST removing the forend.

Quite a nice rifle!

Lou
Click to expand...

Hey Lou,

Thanks for your review; to answer your questions:

-Yes, it is like glass
-I'm afraid to take it apart as I'm worried the screws will get damaged if they're rusted shut. Just a question from someone who isn't an Enfield expert, how critical is it to inspect the underside of the metal parts covered by the furniture, and if it is, is it worth the risk of taking it apart to inspect it?
-The nose cap does match, everything matches.
 
Canadian government property at one point. I remember reading this was a post WW1 addition to SMLEs that were in Canada or came back to Canada as part of the military. Could be wrong though so we'll have to wait for George to post his thoughts. Adds some real nice value to the rifle in any event.
 
Just to give you an idea, I remember a restored sporter SMLE posted on the EE for ~$325 + shipping. Was missing the magazine and brass butt plate trap door was bent out of alignment. Magazines for these seem to sit in the $40-50 range by themselves.
 
Oh, Canadian rifle most definitely. BSA 1918, although it's a bit blurry. Nice looking piece, should be dynamite on the range.

Do yourself a favour, friend, and stay away from old army ammunition. Sure, it's what these things ate every day when they were in the Army, but they are retired now and don't like being washed rough with SALT every single shot. Modern primers don't do that,which means that your barrel (none available now for many years) will be protected.

These are a lot of fun in vintage matches and work out very well in the practical matches that we shoot around here.

Try 38 grains of 4895 with a Sierra Pro-hunter 180, seated out to the same length as an Army round. Very accurate load and just a little bit mild. This has Enfield rifling, so you will always get the best performance with flat-base bullets, Nice part is that they are the cheap ones!

You have a Very Nice Toy and, no, you didn't lose a penny!
.
 
That would be fantastic, I would really like to know what all the markings mean... I know what some of them are, as my sporter 1941 enfield has markings up the wazoo, but this rifle has very few by comparison.

Leads me to beleive that this gun was seldom used, and it's owner(s) bathed it in oil over the past 90 years
 
You have a very good find there, Canadian marked, looks to be in great shape. If the bore is decent, I would see one of those sell for 550-700 depending on who wants it. Remember this rifle is nearly 100 years old, so take smellie's advice and load for it. If you MUST shoot it without reloading, get modern ammo. My suggestion for value is Prvi Partisan .303 ammo. It's always shot well for me in my WWI era Lee-Enfields.
You have a great example of a rifle that was produced in the latter days of the Great War. I wonder if it saw action...Hmm. All the same, wonderful piece!

Enjoy her, and treat her well.
 
Drachenblut said:
You have a very good find there, Canadian marked, looks to be in great shape. If the bore is decent, I would see one of those sell for 550-700 depending on who wants it. Remember this rifle is nearly 100 years old, so take smellie's advice and load for it. If you MUST shoot it without reloading, get modern ammo. My suggestion for value is Prvi Partisan .303 ammo. It's always shot well for me in my WWI era Lee-Enfields.
You have a great example of a rifle that was produced in the latter days of the Great War. I wonder if it saw action...Hmm. All the same, wonderful piece!

Enjoy her, and treat her well.
Click to expand...

Awesome thanks for this!

Honestly when I have better lighting I'll take more pictures of it when I rub the oil off it. It's completely spotless and no pits or rust on it at all. Whoever had it before me took extreme care of it. The only real signs of use can be seen on the furniture, but I've seen other ww1 rifles and this one isn't dented nearly as bad. So it leaves me to believe that it was either never used in combat, or whoever did have it made sure it was kept clean meticulously at all times.
 
louthepou said:
That's a good price, bottom of price range, if:
- the bore is decent or better
- the metal surface is not pitted in many places, under the wood (where it's only visible if you take the rifle apart).
- Bonus: does the nose cap number match?

Quick note: don't try to unscrew the large butt stock bolt (that's inside the stock) without FIRST removing the forend.





Quite a nice rifle!

Lou
Click to expand...

Lou
Did you know that if the stock bolt is run too far through the butt socket it will lock the forend in place!If you remove the forend first it is possible to break it.

ps I found a 1902 dated NZ LEC
 
PaintballGuy said:
That would be fantastic, I would really like to know what all the markings mean... I know what some of them are, as my sporter 1941 enfield has markings up the wazoo, but this rifle has very few by comparison.

Leads me to beleive that this gun was seldom used, and it's owner(s) bathed it in oil over the past 90 years
Click to expand...

Nice grab with the C Broad Arrow stampings...a piece of Canadian history there. Pls listen to Smellie, avoid old corrosive ammo.
 
RR said:
Lou
Did you know that if the stock bolt is run too far through the butt socket it will lock the forend in place!If you remove the forend first it is possible to break it.

ps I found a 1902 dated NZ LEC
Click to expand...

Thanks for that detail RR, it escaped my mind!

re. ps: lucky man... we want pictures! :)
 
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