Is this enfield worth buying/restoring?

[_Rai_]

Here's am enfield that's currently for $175 is it worth getting or trying to restore?

If it's worth getting buy not restoring I'm fine but if it's worth restoring then I'm happy.

If you can't tell from the pics I believe it's an enfield Mk3 made in either 1917 or 1914.
Pics.

By raiden3 at 2010-06-14

By raiden3 at 2010-06-14

By raiden3 at 2010-06-14

By raiden3 at 2010-06-14

By raiden3 at 2010-06-14

 

[ABCZAR]

It is a No1mkIII may be a Lithgow but can't quite see the band....IMHO make him an offer....175.00 isn't too bad but they pop up regularly for less than that quite often. Got my last one from the EE for 80.00.
For the resto...you need all the wood, and a bunch of metal parts which will cost $$$.

 

[H Wally]

Offer him 175 shipped or 150 local or so. Sporter guns can be found in varying condition for $50 on the low and $150 on average. They can come even lower, but rarely.

 

[smellie]

Lithgow (Australian) Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Mark III, likely made up as Mark III*.

Lithgow were the only ones who used that nice shield on their rifles.

1917, I would think (get used to bad enough eyes long enough, you can read blurs!)

Nice thing is that you don't run into many Lithgows with bad barrels, and that's the part I can't see.

Australian rifles often were reworked with different woods, but they tried to keep the BUTTS original: that is where the history of the rifle from Day 1 was stamped.

Nothing here requiring major surgery; just parts replacement, 3 pces wood, bayonet shoe, screw, front band, swivel, sight guard/screw... little bits.

I would see if the guy will talk sensibly. Price is just a BIT on the high side (I!) but this one does have potential. Tricky part is finding correct wood, but there IS some floating around in Oz. Check out their equivalents to CGN, see what's around.

Good luck!

 

[Kernalvax]

Things to look for

Matching serials on bolt and receiver

bore condition

crown condition

if all these are a go then its a good restore project
I wouldn't go over 125 though, the rear stock has been reshaped so you'll need lots of new wood for it.

The shopping list will be, Nose cap, front cap screw, rear cap screw, rear cap screw nut, tension plunger + spring, front band + screw + sling ring, rear sight protector + Screw + nut, and seeing that its cut for a cutoff, i'd get a cut off plate and screw.

-T

 

[albayo]

I wouldn't bother restoring it. I have a number of sporter No1s in VG+ that I use for spare parts when restoring guns.