Opinions on FTR values? Pics added Feb 4

[myenfield]

I have a No 4 Mk I* Long Branch Lee Enfield I am thinking about selling. This particular rifle was "Factory Thorough Repaired" (FTR'd) in the UK. I haven't picked it up in a while but I think it is Suncorite coated and has a new barrel and new wood. All this work was done by the military in arsenals, so this isn't a home built restoration project. I was just wondering what the general consensus is regarding the value of FRT'd rifles. Do you feel they are worth the same as an untouched rifle from the original manufacturer? I will try to get some photos this week and post them.

 

[shredder]

Can't help you much without photos, sorry.





Sorry, I had to!!!

 

[Blastattack]

I have a No 4 Mk I* Long Branch Lee Enfield I am thinking about selling. This particular rifle was "Factory Thorough Repaired" (FTR'd) in the UK. I haven't picked it up in a while but I think it is Suncorite coated and has a new barrel and new wood. All this work was done by the military in arsenals, so this isn't a home built restoration project. I was just wondering what the general consensus is regarding the value of FRT'd rifles. Do you feel they are worth the same as an untouched rifle from the original manufacturer? I will try to get some photos this week and post them.

It definitely less than an untouched original. However, any full military No 4. is worth between $400 and $600, and substantially more or less depending on a variety of conditions.

 

[Cdn303]

I wouldn't call it less that an untouched original. I'd call it par.

 

[lefty]

I pay less for an FTR'd rifle than I do for a similar condition original, but only because there are so many non FTR'd Longbranch available in VG condition.

 

[flying pig]

I pay less for an FTR'd rifle than I do for a similar condition original, but only because there are so many non FTR'd Longbranch available in VG condition.

This seems backwards to me. FTR rifles are a legitimate variation and if they are as they last left the factory they should have value.

 

[lefty]

Personally, I consider a british suncorite polluted FTR'd longbranch, using brit parts instead of Longbranch parts of less value than a factory original Longbranch. The Brits did not rebuild them to LB factory original. Hence, less value to me.

 

[TheTooner]

Value is subjective. An FTR rifle is as authentic as a factory original, but as long as some people would pay more for the latter that's the market saying which one is more valuable. Personally, I'd buy the rifle to shoot, so if offered both with a price differential, I'd take the cheaper one, and if they were the same price I'd take the factory original just in case I need money some day and decide to sell it.

 

[lefty]

Well put. Thats my point exactly. The market in Canada right now indicates that most put a little higher value on a factory original vs an FTR given both in the same condition. However these things change.
Not so long ago, no one gave a damn about full wood enfields at all. I was buying them in 1994 for 150 bucks, and in 2004 for 300 bucks. This weekend at the Edmonton gun show, the only full wood Longbranch there had a 775 price tag on it and it was nothin special.
From now on I am only buying Parker Hale sporterized No4 rifles. Cheap right now, but in 10 yrs everybody will want them, at a premium over BSA sporterized examples.

 

[myenfield]

It seems most of you feel there may be a slightly lower value for an FTR'd rifle than an "untouched" piece from the collector's viewpoint. That being said, here are a number of photos of the rifle I am talking about. It will soon go into the EE, so what are the collective thoughts on it's value in today's market? The stocks do have handling/storage dings and some small scratches. The paint/suncorite on the metal cap of the top wood is flaking off, but could easily be touched up if someone felt like it. The barrel is basically brand new, 5 groove, and tight. All numbers match (receiver, bolt, magazine, stock), and it has a British machined rear sight. The bolt face is shiny and new looking. The rifle shoots very well and looks good. There are faint markings on the butt stock that appear to be "KKR" over "8-45". I assume this stock may have been taken off another rifle and put into stores for rebuilding the FTR rifles. This one doesn't appear to have been issued after FTR.

 

[lefty]

If I was to buy an FTR'd Longbranch it would be this one. I really hate to help you put a value on it, since I would then have to pay you that in the EE.

 

[TheTooner]

If I wanted it I'd offer as much as I could afford or as much as you were asking, whichever is the lower. (I don't want it because I have a full-wood No.4Mk2 and several sporters that I don't want to give up to make space for it.)

I am not keeping up to date with prices but more than a year ago I sold a war-time Long Branch No.4Mk1* (not FTR, barrel replaced and trigger work and bedding done post war for DCRA Service Rifle B competition) for over $400 so I guess you will get something between $400 and $600.

 

[dirtytwo]

Although I fully understand the additional value placed on an all-original LB vs one that's been FTR'd, if the latter shoots like a house on fire on account of a better bore and the headspace is to spec, I'd place an equal or higher value on the FTR over the original. Milsurps are fun, but accurate ones that can perform well at the nearest milsurp match are funner!!! Yet I fully understand that there are many who just want to collect and not shoot, so to each their own in this wonderfully subjective world of milsurp valuation!!! And since we're being subjective, I think you can't get a decent amount over $400 for your FTR'd LB, closer to $600, if not more, in my books. Nice Lee Enfields that haven't been sporterized are getting up there in a hurry!