Really old enfield...should I buy it?

Enfield Price

If the gun is in good condition and has all original parts I think $300 is a reasonable price. Providing it has un-sanded walnut stocks and maintains its markings , mag cut off and all the sling swivels then it would be a bargin at $300. There are so many things that can make an Enfield worth more or less you would have to be a collector to . But your first Lee-Enfield will turn you into an avid collector. If the gun turns out to be less than what you paid keep it a few years and it will gain in value. They aren't making any more of them so it will become an investment.
 
A Crown with an 'A' indicates Australian ownership, as I recall. That rifle may have seen service in both world wars. The Aussies didn't use the No. 4 during W.W. II.
Be sure and have the guy is prove that the headspace is ok. Matching bolt and receiver serial numbers or not. If he won't pass on it. $300 is a lot of money for a rifle that may be unsafe to shoot due to bad headspace. Fixing it, while not difficult, is a pain as you'd have to find a handful of rather scarce and pricey bolt heads to try with the headspace guages.
 
..... Most Gunsmiths have the head-space gauges,and don't charge much to check it. Most SMLEs have gone through a "factory overhaul"somwhere along the way, and probably, the head-space will be within limits. Be warned, SMLEs are highly ADDICTIVE ! And there's no known antidote ! ..... If all matching, even if the head-space is off and you don't plan on having it corrected immediately,and are prepared not to shoot it until checked, $300 although on the high end, MIGHT not be unreasonable. ..... David K.
 
I just picked up an Enfield. 1916 all matching #'s with 1907 Wilkinson bayonette from a fellow CGNer. I paid $360 for the rifle and bayonette. The bayonette was $80. I found it to be a good deal so...

As the others have said, beware of the Enfield addiction!

This was my first no1 mk 111, and I am now completely hooked. I am on a constant search for old Enfields!

Anyhow. I looked long and hard for my first and all the rifles I came across were within $20 either way of what your man is asking. That being said, make sure its all matching and in decent shape.

Cheers.
 
Enfield Addiction

Like I said earlier there is a chence you will become addicted.

I got my first one in 1975 and I now have 60 or 80 some complete and some in parts. Along with 400 or more bayonets.

Now parts can be another addiction I must have about 50 sets of stocks in foot lockers ready to be matched up to restorable Lee-Enfield's.

Be careful. You might become addicted and go to gun shows for help. Well that's what I did. Maybe I should have gone to Enfield Anonymus.

I hope youe Lee-Enfield turns out to be real gem.

Albayo
 
Next comes the reloading addiction, as you watch your groups in your reloads tighten-up, and out perform the factory ammo by a long margin. :)
 
albayo said:
Like I said earlier there is a chence you will become addicted.

I got my first one in 1975 and I now have 60 or 80 some complete and some in parts. Along with 400 or more bayonets.

Now parts can be another addiction I must have about 50 sets of stocks in foot lockers ready to be matched up to restorable Lee-Enfield's.

Be careful. You might become addicted and go to gun shows for help. Well that's what I did. Maybe I should have gone to Enfield Anonymus.

I hope youe Lee-Enfield turns out to be real gem.

Albayo
Click to expand...

now we know who has been hording all the wood :D

I have a pile of enfields in various stages of restoration (check my webpage) wood parts always seem to be in short supply, which reminds me that I need to put together another order for the nice people at numerich :D

finding one that is original is always nice, I bought most of my sporterized ones a few years back for $25-$50 depending on condition, and any that were not restorable have been sold along the way. I've only have 2 that have chopped barrels, one is a savage with a 5 groove barrel that was chopped by Globco and the other is a project gun that I have kept for some totally irrational reason that I can't figure out. Enfield addiction I suspect.


so back on topic. price seems a little high but prices have been going up.

what factory, might be important factor in price, but in 1915 there should not be any surprises. should have a cutoff and windage adjustable reas sight as well as volley sights. But the cutoff and volley sights were probably removed at some point by the unit armourer or at the factory.

Offer $250 but only if the serial numbers on the bolt and reciever match
 
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