Newbie questions

do a web search for enfield/unit markings and that will give you some direction as to the history and what has been done to the firearm. wood looks mismatched, bore is a bit dark, but what really kills the collectors value is the drilling and tapping. without the d/t, the firearm would have been worth 600-700 or so given the mismatched wood and dark bore. is the bolt matching to the receiver? i'm not really sure what the value would be as many collectors would pass on the rifle because of the d/t...perhaps 400 or so as a hunting rifle with a bit of unique history to someone....
 
As mentioned, the drill/tap job detracts a bit - too bad it wasn't at least filled to make it less noticeable. The nose cap is also missing the cross screw.

It's a nice enough looking example of an SMLE, $500-700 seems reasonable for what is probably a restored rifle.
 
7ECA said:
As mentioned, the drill/tap job detracts a bit - too bad it wasn't at least filled to make it less noticeable. The nose cap is also missing the cross screw.

It's a nice enough looking example of an SMLE, $500-700 seems reasonable for what is probably a restored rifle.
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Thanks everyone. This confirms my thoughts it good to have your comments.
 
Looks like an Iraqi stock disc, but as stated above its a restored drilled and tapped sporter. IMHO its worth the sum of the parts. A complete wood set would fetch $250 at minimum so I am thinking about $500. Likely the parts are worth more than the whole rifle.
 
P.S. not so sure there is an Enfield expert. I am an Enfield enthusiast but the subject is just too broad for expertize in any one person IMHO.
 
There are metric s***tons of SMLE's around in sporter form. Barrels are almost always full length. Prices range from $150 on up. (shouldn't be much more)

Find a never D&T'd, matching numbers unit (action, barrel, bolt, rear sight) with a clean, bright, shiny not dark barrel. One that looks like new and they are out there.

Swap your wood set over on to it. Ensure it's all complete with all screws, springs etc.

Then resell this rifle in the sporter's wood for the same as you paid for the other one.

That's how you win.
 
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cantom said:
There are metric s***tons of SMLE's around in sporter form. Barrels are almost always full length. Prices range from $150 on up. (shouldn't be much more)

Find a never D&T'd, matching numbers unit (action, barrel, bolt, rear sight) with a clean, bright, shiny not dark barrel. One that looks like new and they are out there.

Swap your wood set over on to it. Ensure it's all complete with all screws, springs etc.

Then resell this rifle in the sporter's wood for the same as you paid for the other one.

That's how you win.
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Cantom had run this rodeo before
 
Or, you could keep what you have and be satisfied that you've got a nice example of an SMLE, and if some day a better one comes along you could "trade up".
 
Or even better don't buy what could be garbage just because its available, save the extra 100-200$ and buy a correct example which shall be worth more, easier to sell, and likely handle better. Just because someone slapped a set of wood on the rifle doesn't mean its bedded properly and it is a whole art to set up enfields properly which most people 'restoring' do not know or care about. Personally I refuse to buy anything but a all matching Lee Enfield now, too much can be wrong with it otherwise.
 
Eaglelord17 said:
Or even better don't buy what could be garbage just because its available, save the extra 100-200$ and buy a correct example which shall be worth more, easier to sell, and likely handle better. Just because someone slapped a set of wood on the rifle doesn't mean its bedded properly and it is a whole art to set up enfields properly which most people 'restoring' do not know or care about. Personally I refuse to buy anything but a all matching Lee Enfield now, too much can be wrong with it otherwise.
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...and even then, after the number of years and rounds many of these rifles have seen, you can still end up with bad wood, hammered draws and a plethora of other issues.
 
enefgee said:
...and even then, after the number of years and rounds many of these rifles have seen, you can still end up with bad wood, hammered draws and a plethora of other issues.
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Eaglelord is right. You are also right, I've seen SMLE's with really badly cracked forends, especially Aussie coachwood....that damned crack...
 
enefgee said:
...and even then, after the number of years and rounds many of these rifles have seen, you can still end up with bad wood, hammered draws and a plethora of other issues.
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100% true, but the risks of that are lower than having a poorly fitted 'restored' sporter. Plus the value is still retained in the original simply due to be original.

Thinking on it there is only one or two people I trust restoring sporters. The main one is Louthepou, and his fantastic work. If anyone ever just wanted a shooter which was made up to proper spec, he would be the guy to do it.
 
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