Lee Enfield L8 rifle value- with photos now

Beann

Beann

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A few years ago I found a 7.62mm L8 Lee Enfield rifle at a gun show in Carberry, MB. For $200, it was deal. :D
I tracked down and purchased a proper 7.62mm magazine for it, although I had to modify the bolt-head extractor to work with the 7.62mm cartridge. The rifle also sports a Parker-Hale micrometer adjustable rear-sight and a removal metal box cover for the front sight. It's in VG to excellent cond with an almost pristine bore. It's shoots very well, although the metal butt-plate makes wearing a jacket a must after a few rounds.
Before anyone asks, sorry it's not for sale. Every-time I sell one of my collection, the other ones whine cause they get lonely.

I would appreciate a guesstimate of it's value. Thanks.
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Beann said:
A few years ago I found a 7.62mm L8 Lee Enfield rifle at a gun show in Carberry, MB. For $200, it was deal. :D
I tracked down and purchased a proper 7.62mm magazine for it, although I had to modify the bolt-head extractor to work with the 7.62mm cartridge. The rifle also sports a Parker-Hale micrometer adjustable rear-sight and a removal metal box cover for the front sight. It's in VG to excellent cond with an almost pristine bore. It's shoots very well, although the metal butt-plate makes wearing a jacket a must after a few rounds.
Before anyone asks, sorry it's not for sale. Every-time I sell one of my collection, the other ones whine cause they get lonely.

I would appreciate a guesstimate of it's value. Thanks.
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About $600-$1000 I'd think. It's a Brit Enfield right? Kind of rare and special, depending on condition. Smarter people than I will no doubt weigh in.
 
I agree, cantom. L8 rifles are not at all common here. There was a batch that was sold surplus, and I think they went to Germany.
This rifle is a L8, and not a Canadian Arsenals target shooting conversion?
 
A No.8 is a Lee Enfield in 7.62 NATO conversion contemporary with the adoption of the SLR. The action is probably a Mk2, Mk 1/2 or Mk 1/3. The Brits tried 'em and didn't like the results. AFAIK they didn't make a lot, so any "found in the wild" is a scarce one. The sights mean someone put an effort into shooting bullseyes, and the little front sight cover is probably stamped PH for Parker Hale .... The price range suggested is probably right.
 
No8 is a .22" based on a No4 action.
L8 is a conversion of a No4 to 7.62 Nato. They should not be confused with the No4s converted by Longbranch for the DCRA.
 
Looks like you need that insert for the charger guide in order to use the 7.62 chargers/strippers.

Oh by the way, I have the same rifle and the same rear sight:D

Its fun when some so-called "eggspurt" sees you loading whet he thinks is the wrong cartridge;)
 
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Does the rifle have bayonet lugs? Are there markings on the barrel or the right side of the receiver ring relating to the 7.62mm conversion? Is that a Sterling magazine?
 
That is NOT an L8A1, 2, 3 or 4. From the markings it's a No.4Mk1/2 converted to .308 or 7.62 Nato.

that is NOT the same thing. The L8 series was specifically built for the Brit military as a SERVICE (not target) rifle to supplement the L1A1 SLR in the 1950's.

To the best of my knowledge, no real L8 series rifles have ever been sold on the surplus market and many are still in stores in the UK, the balance having been destroyed.

The .22 trainer isn't an L8Ax series, it's a No.8 - not the same thing.
 
Don't jump to conclusions that this rifle is not an L8 or a DCRA conversion before we get the owner to report the markings. He says it is an L8 in the first sentence of the post. Unless he is playing a joke on us, it is unlikely he would know what an L8 was and still be asking questions.

The Skennerton book on 7.62 conversions reprints various pages of UK armourers' orders, and the L8 conversions were reportedly built on old actions not new production. An L8A1 is on a No.4 Mk 2, an L8A2 is on a No.4 Mk1/2 (a hung trigger Mk 1), an L8A3 is on a No.4 Mk 1/3 (a Mk1* with the hung trigger conversion), and an L8A4 is on a No.4 Mk1 (few if any produced). He does not report any built on standard No.4 Mk1* receivers, but if there were they would be L8A5 rifles.

The original left sidewall markings will have been cancelled and the new markings added. The visible FTR marking might not be out of the question. To quote a fellow on another forum, 'with Enfields never say never'.

The other give away is if the underside of the receiver has been relieved for the 7.62 magazine lips. The roundish indentation at the front will be oval, and the triangular indentations at the rear squared off, leaving an H-shape.
 
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My opinion will differ here.

L8's were all conversions of original No4 rifles. Only a few of each Mark being made for trials purposes. L8A1 from No4 Mk2's, L8A2 from No4 MkI/2's, L8A3 from No4MkI/3's, L8A4 from No4MkI's and L8A5 from No4MkI*'s. In the end the British Army was not keen on their performance and no "new" made rifles were ever produced.

In each case the original Number and Mark roll stamping will be struck through and a new electro penciling of it's new designation would be added behind the extractor screw "RIFLE 7.62MM L8A1,A2 etc.".

From the pictures shown, it's difficult to say but the original designator does not look to be struck through and the P-H back sight covers the area where the L8 marking would be.
 
enfielder said:
.... In each case the original Number and Mark roll stamping will be struck through and a new electro penciling of it's new designation would be added behind the extractor screw "RIFLE 7.62MM L8A1,A2 etc.".

From the pictures shown, it's difficult to say but the original designator does not look to be struck through and the P-H back sight covers the area where the L8 marking would be.
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Good to know we are each cautiously approaching the same point of agreement. Stratton, who BTW died recently, summarizes Skennerton. Whether we choose to trust one or the other more, is a matter of informed scepticism. The latter author gives examples of markings on three rifles that don't completely obliterate the original production and conversion or FTR markings.

I guess we have to go back to the owner for more information.
 
I base my conclusion on it not being an L8 because I've seen photos of real L78 series rifles and all of them had clearly cancelled markings and the L8Ax segnation applied.

It's clear in the pics that No.4Mk1/2 is not cancelled, hence it's not an L8. Period.

ALOT of people mistake L8's for 7.62 range rifles becasue there is alot of confusion about it in Skip Stratton's books. People who own Skennerton know better ;)

Also, you'd see the leading edge of the L8 markings just above and forward of the PH-5C sight mount.
 
enfielder said:
My opinion will differ here.

L8's were all conversions of original No4 rifles. Only a few of each Mark being made for trials purposes. L8A1 from No4 Mk2's, L8A2 from No4 MkI/2's, L8A3 from No4MkI/3's, L8A4 from No4MkI's and L8A5 from No4MkI*'s. In the end the British Army was not keen on their performance and no "new" made rifles were ever produced.
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Agreed, though several thousand were produced for trials. I've seen written references to them being issued for the Suez Crisis to secondary units for trial. Popular lore is that many of them were "decomissioned" by being thrown overborad on the shipride home.

I have no idea of that's true or not, however.
 
Rifle Info Update

To my esteemed firearms collecting friends,

First, I only made the "L8" claim based upon my reading. It would appear from the info you have given and that I am giving, that it is indeed just a converted Lee Enfield.

The left side receiver markings are:

No 4 MK 1/2 (F) FTR
/52 AP###XX

The AP###XX being the serial number. That info is "engraved". Just below it "stamped" into the rifle is No 4. MK 1

At the top front of the receiver (near the barrel) is "stamped" a couple of proof marks and:
722
England

The magazine is marked "Sterling 7.62mm Convn"

I also removed the ejector screw and looked under the rear sight. There are no markings along the the side of the receiver there.

I really do appreciate the comments and information you are giving. I did not mean to misrepresent this rifle.

If its just a converted Lee Enfield, whats the approx value? Thanks once again.

Beann
 
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Thanks for filling in the details. It is a 7.62 conversion. That alone elevates its value above "truck rifle". Someone went to the trouble to install a good target rear sight, and you have the little square cap for the front, which incidently kept the carbide smoke soot blacking from rubbing off.

The 7.62 mag is probably worth $100 on epay alone. There are some marks and markings on the mags that are more desireable, but I forget the nuances. The sights are selling there for $150 or so. The conversion barrel is a good one to keep. By themselves they resell for $200-$300. The rest of the rifle is probably in as good condition as you'll ever find. For that I'll say nothing less than $600.00.
 
Yes, its a No. 4 Mk. I/2 converted to 7.62mm, obviously set up for target shooting. I was going to suggest that the magazine was a later addition, because these rifles were used for single shot slow fire prone competition, and then noted that you mentionned installing the Sterling magazine in your first post. If it ejects OK, don't worry about it, but the Sterling magazine was intended to work with a new ejector added. Strictly speaking, a .303 magazine was likely the one installed when the rifle was used for competition. I'd agree with maple leaf eh's assessment of value; it should sell for at least $600.
 
tiriaq said:
Yes, its a No. 4 Mk. I/2 converted to 7.62mm, obviously set up for target shooting. I was going to suggest that the magazine was a later addition, because these rifles were used for single shot slow fire prone competition, and then noted that you mentionned installing the Sterling magazine in your first post. If it ejects OK, don't worry about it, but the Sterling magazine was intended to work with a new ejector added. Strictly speaking, a .303 magazine was likely the one installed when the rifle was used for competition. I'd agree with maple leaf eh's assessment of value; it should sell for at least $600.
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I put Sterling mags on my DCRA LB and my No 4 Mk 2 7.62 conv. They feed like butter...and also sit high enough to work without milling out the bottom of the mag well area like you need with an Enfield conversion mag. In the pic is shown one of the Sterling ejector setups...which you cannot get. Anywhere.


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