No 1 vs no 4 restoration

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gerard488

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1942 lithgow No1 mkIII SMLE, refurbed in 45,, 1943 Longbranch No4 MK1*.
Both are in same good condition.
Lithgow looks like a 5 groove, Longbranch is a two groove.
Both have been sporterized by cutting the forestock and removing handguards. everything else intact on both.
I may sell one and use restore the other.
Which one is worth more now? Which one is worth more restored?
 
Assuming equal condition, value as sporters would be similar.
LB would be easier and less expensive to restore.
Restored value would be pretty much the same. LB might be easier to sell.
This sort of restoration is something to do because you enjoy doing it. May or may not make economic sense to do it.
 
I restored my No.1 MkIII* last year and it came at a cost of buying another full wood rifle. I don't regret anything about it though; I'm already looking for a No.4 MK1 to restore back to its former military glory.
As tiriaq said, you do do it for the enjoyment.
It's a lot of fun, so why not restore both?
I think you may get anywhere between $300-$400 a piece for the rifles after they are restored. There will not be much return on the investment, unless you can factory match each part.

From what I noticed, the No.4 parts were much cheaper than the No.1 parts and more available. That being said, they're different animals. If you're looking to match every part of your rifle to the original factory it was produced in, it will most likely end up being more expensive and take you a little while longer to do so.
 
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The LB wood, although not at all easy to find, is a lot easier to find than original Australian coachwood for the Lithgow.

Remember than most will see such a rifle as a bitster and it will never be worth as much as an untouched original.

If you are lucky enough to find a new forend for either...you may be in the position of having to fit up the wood to the action. This was a skilled job for experienced armourers.
 
I always kind of get a kick out of the "bitser" moniker. By this reasoning any military rifle that has been through any kind of extended maintenance work by a military armorer would be worthless because it is a "bitser" I don't believe armorers really cared what name was stamped on the parts they use. I think they probably only cared if they would get the job done.
 
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as time marches on....even restores with correct, but un-matching parts will appreciate in value.

As these old warhorses get older and older they will all gain value....despite some of the "real" collectors attempts to convince you that anything but a fresh from the wrap specimen, or a pried from the dead fingers of the enemy vet bring back, is worthless except as a shooter.

I even think that one day, in the not too distant future...original, correct and complete will rival original, matching but incomplete for $$$....maybe already does in some cases, guess it depends on scarcity of original replacement parts.

just my 2 bitser's lol
 
Far easier and less expensive to fix bad headspace on a No. 4, if it's bad. Check 'em both before you do anything else.
Like tiriaq says, it's about doing something you like to do. Doesn't have to be a money thing.
An 'FTR' rifle isn't a 'bitser'. It's a bitser if anyone else does it. Even the clowns at Century. Worse, actually, if they ever touched it.
A 'restored' Lee-Enfield is not worth $300 to $400 on this planet.
 
vermintrex said:
as time marches on....even restores with correct, but un-matching parts will appreciate in value.

As these old warhorses get older and older they will all gain value....despite some of the "real" collectors attempts to convince you that anything but a fresh from the wrap specimen, or a pried from the dead fingers of the enemy vet bring back, is worthless except as a shooter.

I even think that one day, in the not too distant future...original, correct and complete will rival original, matching but incomplete for $$$....maybe already does in some cases, guess it depends on scarcity of original replacement parts.

just my 2 bitser's lol
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+1 on that Vermintrex. I think a simple 'thank you' is in order for those of use that take the time and effort to bring sporters back to original military configuration with as many correct parts as possible. It's a fun hobby and we rarely make any money at it, but it's nice to know that something has been brought back to life that can be collected and enjoyed by future generations of gun nutz.
 
tplumtree said:
+1 on that Vermintrex. I think a simple 'thank you' is in order for those of use that take the time and effort to bring sporters back to original military configuration with as many correct parts as possible. It's a fun hobby and we rarely make any money at it, but it's nice to know that something has been brought back to life that can be collected and enjoyed by future generations of gun nutz.
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X2. I take great care and personal pride in restoring old rifles. I am addicted to Enfields. I like to build them as close to what might be original as possible and that is just part of the fun. On a really good day I can make $75 for all my troubles. That is a lot of time invested but it's for the love of it.As to price, rebuilds easily go to $350-400 and not just on the EE.
 
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