noob Enfield questions

Davy Crockett

Davy Crockett

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My father in law just gave me an Enfield they found on a farm they bought a few years back. It's missing the bolt and magazine but looks original. How do I identify the model and determine if it has any value?
 
oh comon there is no value in Lee Enfield. A lot of people still remember when Enfields were basically given away for free.
 
If the rear sight is on the barrel its most probably a Number 1, If the rear sight is mounted at the rear of the receiver then its probably a Number 4. There are other variants but these would be the main two types.
If its a Number 1 there should be a makers name, date and something like "SHTLE No1 MK3" on the butt socket. If its a Number four them most likely place to find the information is on the receiver side wall.
 
22lr said:
oh comon there is no value in Lee Enfield. A lot of people still remember when Enfields were basically given away for free.
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I know, that's how I got my first two, however if I can get a buck or two for it then why not? I'm not expecting to get rich however when you say "remember when" suggests there is a market now :)

Thanks Alan, I'll check it out.
 
lee enfield value

the value depends on the condition its in, if it ssporterized. if its full wood they are worth more,but with no bolt or magazine not worth much. value tends to depend on original parts and condition. 10 yrs ago i was in a gunshop which had three enfields no4mk2 full wood selling for $100. today they sell for $400 and up. still kicking my arse for not getting them. try looking on the picture forum they have a lee enfield section with lots of pics, you can probably see your type of enfield. if you can find a bolt and magazine you won't be dissappointed their a fine rifle.
 
If you find out which one it is I have mags for the No.4 and the No.1 and a bolt or to. I only have a No.4 bolt with one bolt head left and I believe it's a number 1 bolt head. You might have to get the head space checked to see what head you exactly need, a 1, 2 or 3. I have a 0 also but I've used all my 1's and 2's. 0's not much good anymore after all these years of use on most of the No.4's.
 
Davy Crockett said:
I know, that's how I got my first two, however if I can get a buck or two for it then why not? I'm not expecting to get rich however when you say "remember when" suggests there is a market now :)

Thanks Alan, I'll check it out.
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Though Enfields that have been modified by the removal of wood, metal bands etc are still fairly common and reasonably priced, the original specimens are surely climbing in price. I was shown someone's old Long Branch Enfield that I might purchase for about $75, maybe a bit more, just so I could pay a similar amount for all of the replacement parts that I've priced out to bring it back to its original condition. Though it won't be as collectable as an original military Long Branch, at the prices that the latter are selling for, it seems worth it to me to salvage the rifle in question.

You can check out the cost for a replacement bolt and magazine at Numrich Arms or Marstar. In the best scenario the rifle will be all original, the second best is if it's had wood/barrel bands removed but nothing permanently altered (i.e. cut down barrel) followed by a permanently altered rifle that still has a good bore and will make a good hunting arm. If it's been heavily modified and was not treated properly (i.e. has pitting in the bore), then its basically a source of spare parts. The Miltary Knowledge Library at www.milsurps.com has photos and detailed descriptions of all of the varients, so that you could determine precisely what you have. Some parts like the micrometer adjustable sights found on some of the #4 rifles sell for over $20 alone.

Cheers,

Frank
 
Well if you don't own an enfield, it is your duty as a Canadian citizen to claim this rifle as your own, restore it if you can afford it and use it proudly to punch paper as part of our heritage or bag large game as it is.

Or you could sell it to me for $20 and I'll be the man-whore to part it out on eBay for $200.

I'd prefer for you to do the Canadian thing.... :)

Anyhow, to provide an opinion on your question...

(without seeing it in person)

The gun is worth $50 to $150 as a "sporter" depending upon condition and how it has been "sporterized".

It could be worth $200 PLUS if it has not been sporterized and has its full wood etc.

Pics would really help.
 
Thanks guys, I'll do some more research. I'd keep it but I already have one sporterized and one more or less original. I've only got so much room in the closet.
 
here's a couple of pics


P1010002.jpg


P1010001.jpg
 
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Finish looks good, MkI rear sight, butt and barrel may be okay. That rifle is probably worth bringing back to original. May cost you a minimum of 80-100 dollars to get it to shoot. 150 dollars and up to get it to an original full military shooter.
 
The Queens Medalist 86 said:
Finish looks good, MkI rear sight, butt and barrel may be okay. That rifle is probably worth bringing back to original. May cost you a minimum of 80-100 dollars to get it to shoot. 150 dollars and up to get it to an original full military shooter.
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I concur with the above. The rifle I had been looking at recently was just like yours (minus sight protectors) but with its magazine/bolt and would have cost about $70 to $80 to bring it back to original condition. If someone here has a spare mag and bolt to sell at a reasonable cost (Marstar lists complete bolts for $72, mags IIRC somewhere between $29-50), it should be doable for under $200.

BTW, your rifle has the micrometer adjustable rear sight (elevation only) that I was referring to in my earlier reply.... an added bonus.

Cheers,

Frank
 
Davy- how about a couple of close up pics of the left side of the receiver. Is it Long Branch or not?
How is the bore? Dark and pitted or shiny and bright?

Those questions make a huge difference in how worthwhile it is sans bolt and mag.
 
Bubba'd Brit No. 4. You can just make out the broad arrow on the barrel. Finding a mag isn't too difficult. It has one locking lug on the back. Not exactly cheap though. $35 from Marstar.
The bolt is another question. The bolt body won't be too much trouble. $39 from Marstar. However, you'll need a supply of bolt heads($19 each) and a set(you'll need a complete set) of headspace guages. Brownell's sell them if you plan on doing it yourself($25 or $30 US each). Otherwise, you need a smithy who has both the guages and bolt heads. Easy fix if you have the parts and guages.
Mind you, where you are has a lot to do with exactly how easy. If you're anywhere near Orillia, Ont. the smithy at Epp's can do it. I'd wait until after deer season though. Busy place this time of year.
 
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