Old 303 rifle

R

Reloader89

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I have an old 303 rifle that I have been told but would like conformation, that it is very valuable wondering if there is someone who can contact me through email that I can show some pics of this rifle too and get a value estimation, was told in the 2-4000 dollar mark but would like someone who has more experience give the evaluation send me an email ryan_demerchant@hotmail.com and I will send some pics thanks Ryan
 
Hi Ryan,

e-mail message coming shortly. Few models of 303's get value estimates in the range you mention, but there are a few.

Send me pictures, I can post them here if you wish so that you will get opinions from many different folks.

Lou
 
Here are a couple of pics sent to me by Reloader89 (reloader, if you can send a few more, including one of the markings which should be on the side of the receiver)


 
Long Lee converted to a target rifle, so less valuable than an original military rifle. If the bore is in nice condition I would say $1,000.00 to $1,200.00 if they are no hidden defects.
 
Maybe converted, maybe not. BSA made commercial or civilian models of the MLM and MLE, including target, in a number of grades. The markings on the right side of the butt socket would identify whether it is issue or commercial.
 
LSA is one of several makers does not add any value to the rifle. Rifle was modified from its original issue condition, so value is diminished in the eyes of collectors. I feel it is a $1,000.00 to $1,200.00 rifle and no more.
 
Even if it were perfect, as-issued, it would be $1400-1500 max in today's market. Whoever gave a $2000-4000 range, clearly is not up on the models and varying pricing of collectible enfields. To be in that range, you would need something like a nice SMLE MkI or a lower-end sniper variant.
 
JP's valuation sounds spot on and, after looking at the pics again, I believe he is likely correct about it being a military rifle dressed for target work. If it were a commercial BSA, it should have the stacked arms logo on the knox.
 
Okay, So a good Long Lee is valued at $1000>$1500. Does the sight devalue it or does it add value. Many have been turned into range rifles, much the same as the No 1's and the No 4's for service rifle completion. Does a No 4 that has it's wrist tapped for a Parker Hale Plus 5 lose value? It was one of the first sights that was approved before the PH5C became available. A good aperture sight has inherent value by itself, same as who owned the rifle. If it was owned by a shooter that won at Bisley how much more would that add to the price?
 
Rifles set up for target shooting are perhaps a collecting specialty.
With target rifles, it is sometimes possible to associate the rifle with the shooter. The records for the competitions are in existence, so it is possible to find the scores achieved.
The rifle in this thread looks to be in respectable condition. If it has a good bore, it would be a lot of fun to take it to the range.
 
If someone spent $600>800 to put this rifle together you could be burnt quite easily. Parts are still available so it is a buyer beware situation. Nothing sucks more than buying a humped rifle.
If this is a matching # Long Lee with the sight I would not have a problem paying $1600 + . Have proof that the rifle was owned by a Bisley winner and add $1000 easily to that
 
The old notches cut in the stock to clear the sight when folded down make it fairly obvious that sight has been on there for a long time. Such a rifle and sight would have been competitive from before WWI until perhaps as late as the 1940s.
 
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The sight is a Parker (or Parker/BSA, or Parker Hale) No 9, the rifle and sight together are a great combination - if the bore is still good, you'd be amazed at what that combo is capable of out to 1000 yards. The sight alone is worth a couple of hundred, but that is actually a rare rifle/sight set, properly set up and should stay together. Absolutely fascinating - I wonder how the girl is set up. There are several ways to bed these guns for serious accuracy work. Are there any gunsmith marks on it? setting these guns up for target work was an industry in itself, with Parker's, H&H and Churchill all offering accurizing services. To me it's a reminder of the golden age of service rifle shooting.

Incidentally, the eye piece should look like this

 
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