Lee Enfield 410s??

Hawkeye

Hawkeye

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
15   0   0
Location
Fort St. John
I've seen these around on here but i don't know anything about them can some one just give me the run down on these guns and also how much would one run me up on the ee forums? thanks
 
There are basically two types. Most are Indian conversions of SMLE rifles, chambered for the .410 musket round. This was basically a .303 case, never formed or necked, loaded with a round ball. Some of these rifles have been rechambered for conventional .410 cartridges. Then there are .303 rifles which were smoothbored in the UK so that collectors could hold them under a shotgun certificate. P&S Militaria have advertised the Indian muskets. "JP" is a board member; you could contact him.
 
I've seen lots of the Indian "crowd control" ones kicking around. Usually priced from $150 to $300 depending on condition. I wouldn't pay $300, though. For that matter I wouldn't buy one at all :D . As Tiriaq has mentioned P&S have a bunch for $150 - $175.
 
One caution; Don't use an Indian chambered musket for North American .410 shells without having the chamber measured first. The chamber may be long enough for the shell to chamber, but not long enough for the crimp to expand properly when fired.
Apparently it is a simple matter for a gunsmith to lengthen the chamber if required.
 
I tried to fit a commercial shell into a Ishy 410 and it would not go in .
...but I do have an English conversion and I've had a pretty good time with it . I used it for rabbit hunting and busted a few clay's too .
1918BSA410.jpg
 
Last edited:
If you're getting into collecting Enfields, don't waste your money. I don't know one serious Enfield collector that owns one. If you just want it as a plinker, yea sure, but $150 would be the top price, and you should be able to get one for $100....
 
Sgt Striker said:
If you're getting into collecting Enfields, don't waste your money. I don't know one serious Enfield collector that owns one...
Click to expand...

Easy now partner .... :)

~Angel~ bought a very nice one off another CGN member, who had it re-chambered for standard commercial 3" .410........

She's planning on competing against the big boys and their semi-auto Benelli Nova's at the club's weekly IPSC shotgun match. :D :D

I will be talking a camera for video, just to see everyone's face when she steps up to the line with a 1930's bolt action single feed Enfield and starts knocking down "steel poppers" in a time based competitive event. :eek:

Do you think she has a chance?

I'll post pics....

Regards,
Badger
 
Hey, like I said, if you what to buy it as a plinker (which you have) by all means go ahead. But to an Enfield collector, they have almost no value. And when I speak of colloctors I know, they have 50+ enfields "hanging" on their walls.... (some with over 200 pieces)

Wish "D" good luck at the shoot for me!

Cheers
Dean
 
I would think a collector of ENFIELDS would have a hole in his collection if he didn't have a least one .410 ENFIELD especially if they are cheap. Isn't it factory made, a variation from the factory,sort of like the WIRE WRAPPED GRENADE LAUNCHING ENFIELDS and the EAL. Maybe not a highly prized piece but surely a variation.
 
Twenty years ago the .410 Musket cal LE was a scarce item. Definitely has a place in a collection.
 
That's nice, but I won't give you the time of day for one. They were used by prison guards in India. Collecting them is like collecting Ishi enfields, a dime a dozen. If you want to spend your money, thinking they're collectable, have at'er.

Most collectors I know, mainly collect Canadian or British Enfields, that's the main reason the group I know, has no use for them.
 
Last edited:
I had one that was reamed to take 3" commercial .410 ammo. Fun gun and it shot slugs to point of aim at 50 yards. Had a game warden interview me closely while grouse hunting (no open season on moose at the time) until he found out it was a .410 . If I could find another reamed to 3" in good shape I would buy it. Scary part is that a .303 round will chamber and fire (with disasterous results) Oh well safety first.

cheers Darryl
 
thanks for the replies i'm only interested in aplinker so its sounding like its goin to fit the bill nicely plus imho its unique it its own way and so long as it goes bang i'll be plenty happy
 
Sgt Striker said:
That's nice, but I won't give you the time of day for one. They were used by prison guards in India. Collecting them is like collecting Ishi enfields, a dime a dozen. If you want to spend your money, thinking they're collectable, have at'er.

Most collectors I know, mainly collect Canadian or British Enfields, that's the main reason the group I know, has no use for them.
Click to expand...

Well, I have two, plus another 200 or so Lee enfields. The rifle/shotgun was a government produced item, therefore a legitimate modification of an issue rifle. passing that up would be the same as passing on a L59A1 , Skeleton action or a DP. They are also inexpensive.

I would also comment that Ishies were produced for the most part under British supervision until independence. Since the folks you know only collect British or Canadian rifles, would that also mean you don't think much of Australian ones?
 
Since the folks you know only collect British or Canadian rifles, would that also mean you don't think much of Australian ones?
Click to expand...

Bingo!!! Most have very little interest in them. I had a completely all matching Lithegow Smle MkIII with volly sights and cutoff, in near mint condition that I bought for around $400 a few years back. Started wondering why I had bought it, so I sold it about a year later for the same price... There's nothing wrong with them, but I find if you don't show a little focus when collection Enfield, you can end up as an accumululator, instead of a collector. :D

Not quite sure why I'm even talking about Enfields, of the 100+ or so that I've owned at one time or another, I only have about 3 left.... and one of them is a SMLE No1 MkI that was converted by the Aussies as a grenade lancher. Still has the chain on the mag, and sliding charger bolt head.. :D

My intent is not to put down anyone that has one of these. If you have one and enjoy it, all the better.
 
Last edited:
Monty said:
A .410 for trap? You'd need somebody hand-throwing clays 15 yards out... :p :D
Or did you mean with slugs? :eek:
Click to expand...


Well while your at it I'm sure one could always attach one of them old "dial'a ducks" for a choke. :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom