Some input on an Enfield, please.

fire@will

fire@will

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Enfield I.JPGEnfield II.JPGEnfield III.JPGEnfield IV.JPGEnfield V.JPGEnfield VI.JPGEnfield VII.JPGGood day, Gentlemen.
I would appreciate a bit of your collective wisdom, on the fair value of an Enfield I have. My son-in-law has a buddy, who would like to buy his son, one, when he graduates (I believe it's RMC). I have one, but I know next to nothing about it, other than it's old. It looks like someone shellacked/varnished the furniture, way back. The rifling is strong but appears a bit "grainy". The mag, as you can see, doesn't look like very many rounds have been through it - there was still a bit of cosmoline on the follower - a bit on the bolt, too.
I don't mind helping out my S-I-L's friend, but I also don't want to take a bath. I'm looking for a fair price/value. Your help is greatly appreciated. - f@w
 

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The value will Depend on if the serial numbers match on the receiver, bolt, barrel, under the rear site and the nose cap.

The stock may not be original as it is for a Mk. III your rifle is a Mk. III*. Also the rear site protector is facing the wrong way. As you mentioned the stock is varnished so that affects the price. Also the butt plate looks like it isn’t properly fitted.

I think it’s a $800-900 right now, but could be worth more knowing if all the parts match.
 
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A small point. That rifle is referred to as a SMLE.

"Enfield" refers to a number of different rifles and revolvers.

The fact that the sight protector in on backwards tells me it has been dismantled. It may mean it has been assembled from parts.

This is why the serial numbers matching is important. If I was buying it, I would want the receiver and bolt to match. I would not be too fussed about the stock.

If the numbers match, I would pay around $700.
 
Thank you so much, Dyspnea. The only numbers I can find (without taking it apart), is a 4 digit number on the back of the bolt handle and the starboard side of the receiver, just in front of the bolt - and they match. I tried 3 more photos - don't know if they would provide you with any more info. Good catch on the rear sight protector - didn't notice that. The only other Enfield I have with a rear sight protector, is a .22 "Trainer" - and it's rear sight protector is facing the corect way.303 I.JPG303 II.JPG303 III.JPG
 

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for the barrel serial number you need to remove the rear handguard and the nose cap will have a serial number on the protrusion below the muzzle.
 
What is stamped on the butt socket, under the bolt handle?
The rifle has been through a Factory Thorough Repair; there should be a date related to this, different than the date on the butt socket.
The coat laid on the stock doesn't help the value.
 
Dyspnea said:
for the barrel serial number you need to remove the rear handguard and the nose cap will have a serial number on the protrusion below the muzzle.
Click to expand...

The forend should also have a serial number stamped in the wood near the nosecap. The rear sight will also be serialed.
 
Looks like the stock has been sanded when the varnish was put on. The but plate doesn’t look to fit properly, probably due to wood being removed from over sanding. Metal finish looks good. Site ears where probably put on wrong when the stock was redone. Issues that are easily fixed. I like them looking as original as possible. Varnish is definitely out of place. $800
 
Thanks Ganderite. I've been calling them 303 Enfields, all my life. I have heard them being referred to as "SMLE"s but never used that term myself, for fear that someone would ask me what it meant/stood for - and I don't know.
Ya' - the backwards facing sight protector is a dead give-away, that someone's had it apart - which doesn't bother me so much, as knowing that the knucklehead who took it apart, lacked the smarts to put it back together, properly.
 
Am I seeing a filled in hole on the top of the charger guide? If so maybe another sign it's a re-built sporter. Oh, and the D/|\D is Australia.
 
bogusiii said:
Am I seeing a filled in hole on the top of the charger guide? If so maybe another sign it's a re-built sporter. Oh, and the D/|\D is Australia.
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Not sure what a charger guide is. You mean the big loop at the back of the receiver, with a cut-out for a clip to be inserted ?
I've taken a pretty close look at the metal bits and I can't see where anything has been "molested" - other than the stock, which is painfully obvious. I've had this for lots and lots of years - back when you could pick one up for a hunnert bucks - and it would cost more to sporterize it - so no one would have changed it back.

I would like to thank all of you, for taking the time to give me some insight into this old blister. I really appreciate it. f@w
 
fire@will said:
Not sure what a charger guide is. You mean the big loop at the back of the receiver, with a cut-out for a clip to be inserted ?
I've taken a pretty close look at the metal bits and I can't see where anything has been "molested" - other than the stock, which is painfully obvious. I've had this for lots and lots of years - back when you could pick one up for a hunnert bucks - and it would cost more to sporterize it - so no one would have changed it back.

I would like to thank all of you, for taking the time to give me some insight into this old blister. I really appreciate it. f@w
Click to expand...

Yes, that's the piece, the 'bridge' on the top about the middle of the bolt used to feed the 5 round charger clips. The top centre looks like there may have been a hole drilled and tapped for a scope, then filled in.

Always happy to help a fellow CGN-er!!
 
That's a Lee-Enfield rifle, officially called the "Rifle, Short, Magazine, Lee–Enfield" or SMLE.

"Enfield" rifles refer to the P14 or U.S. Model of 1917 Enfield rifles.
 
The Enfield rifle, more correctly called the Pattern 51 or 53 Enfield Rifled Musket, was the single shot muzzleloading long arm of the British in India as well as the Regiments of the line between the Brunswick rifle and the Snider.

The LEE-Enfield rifle is a completely different arm in every respect.
 
tiriaq said:
The forend should also have a serial number stamped in the wood near the nosecap. The rear sight will also be serialed.
Click to expand...

Not necessarily. If it’s an Australian (Lithgow factory) FTR, forends were more often not serial numbered after 1953. Sights as well.
 
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