I came across a minty Lee Enfield No.1 Mk.III today, very thing but the wood matches. But it's got the FTR ('53) stamp on, now I'm not all that great at appraising prices so I decided to hold off on buying. Now does the FTR lower the cost of rifle, keep it's price the same, or add to the price?
FTR and price
- Thread starter Satan's Kitten
- Start date
- Location
- WMU248 near Edmonton
FTR rifles are normally fairly good shooters. They were repaired and then sent into war stocks or sold out of service. Prices between an FTR and a non FTR are not much, Unless its a rare version like a No1MkVI, untouched its worth more then a FTR to No4 standard, but even then its going to be pricey
Agreed - if it's in nice shape and matching, the FTR only affects the value slightly. MANY SMLE MkIII*'s are FTR and not marked as such since the practice of marking them FTR was really only a WW2 era thing. I don't consider a well done FTR to change SMLE pricing at all. On No.4's though I subtract about 15% if I know it's an FTR as minty non-FTR's are still out there and relatively easy to find.
"...does the FTR lower the cost..." Nope. The supply of Lee-Enfields in decent condition is dwindling while the demand is growing. Check the headspace before you shoot it, if it's still there. In all likelihood an FTR rifle's headspace will be ok, but check it anyway. The only thing you know for sure is that the headspace was ok in 1953. Who knows where it has been or who has been mucking with it in the 53 years since it was FTR'd.
Ok so I bought the thing, pretty skookum rifle. Haven't shot it yet, and the previous owner hadn't shot it since sometime in the late 80's early 90's.
And the headspace has been checked, and it's right on the money.
Not the greatest picture, but here she is.
And the headspace has been checked, and it's right on the money.
Not the greatest picture, but here she is.
