What did I buy at the auction? (Lee Enfield)

james01

james01

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Central Bantario
Why did I buy it? Because they haven't made a gun yet that I won't buy for 25.00!!

I don't know anything about milsurps, but when trying to research this one I'm finding out that these things are quite interesting. Lots of history.

So far, I know it is a "sporterized" SHTLE Mark 1 Number 111*. I think it was made in 1917.

Ser # on bolt matches gun.

Butstock branded/stamped with 1707, "S?T?A" in Circle, and the letters FR.

Anybody care to tell me what the different markings are on this gun mean?

(And I'm curious as to its real market value.)

Thanks in advance to those in the know!

(I put chaulk into the stamping to see better)

SDC11505.jpg


SDC11502.jpg


SDC11492.jpg


SDC11496.jpg


SDC11499.jpg
 
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From the stock, I would think this could be an Ishapore rifle.

The proof-marks read "GI" which means "Georgius Imperator": Emperor George. British rifles were marked "GR" for "Georgius Rex": King George. I am sure this rifle was made at Ishapore in India.

Get us a picture of the butt-socket (right where the butt attaches), under the bolt-handle. That's where they used to put all the manufacturing information.

There has been a lot of guff written and said about Ishapores, but most of it isn't true. They didn't have a huge amount of machinery, so they relied more on hand-finishing than any of the other arsenals. The finish wasn't really up to British standards, but a shiny finish doesn't snuff the enemy: a good barrel does, and their barrels were as good as any of the others. The Ishapore rifles also passed the same Proof test as did English or Aussie rifles.

You generally don't see to many ISA rifles from the Great War; Second War are more common. But then, most of them went back to India, although Britain did get a shipment right after Dunkirk.

Get us that picture so we can stop fidgetting!

Nice toy!
 
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Right now, it's worth anything from $25.00 to $175.00 :D The barrel is intact, so it may be a candidate for restoration.
Questions:
- is the bore in good shape?
- has anyone drilled or tapped the receiver for a scope mount?
- is the crown in good shape?
- does the serial number on the back face of the bolt arm match the SN 9457 on the receiver?

Can you post pictures of the foresight, the top of the knox form, and the right side of the butt socket? And you might find this thread interesting: http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4544193#post4544193
 
Smellie: I added a picture in the body of my post showing the butt-socket.

stevebc:
The bore is pretty much minty and shines, no pitting, frosting or rust. Rifling looks sharp.
No drilling or tapping
I don't know what part of the gun the crown is:redface:
and finally yes, the bolt ser # matches the gun.

Thanks for the replies fellows!
 
Oh-oh! My bad!

Couldn't see the entire proof-marks well enough; what looked like GI was actually the arse-end of the R.... so it's English, as your ENFIELD stamp just might suggest. Eyes are going for crap these days. Curve of the barrel might have helped, but still no excuse.

Nevertheless, I am pretty sure that it has been to India at some time; same butt markings on my Ishapores 1941 and 1948.

So it is an English rifle, made about 15 miles north of the Roman City of London at RSAF (Royal Small Arms Factory) Enfield Lock. They actually built more than half of all the Lee-Enfields made in World War One and, so far, I haven't found one in decent condition that won't shoot.

There are a few issues with these rifles, but, by and large, they are about the best military bolt rifle ever made. They also just happen to be just about the best hunting rifle ever made, but that's strictly MY take on things. (I know friend Drachenblut thinks the 1895 Mannlicher Stutzer is better... and there are even folks twisted enough to think that Noisy Maggots are good, too. Just no accounting for some folks' pet perversions, I guess!)

But they are a decent rifle and they are a very real chunk of history. And this one is restorable.

Check out some of the other threads and you'll find pictures of what the old girl looked like when she was new and shiny.... and then you add 17 inches of cold steel to the front end.... best crowd-control device ever built. If you have seen the recent film PASSCHENDAELE, this is the rifle they were carrying in the film.... just with some of the wood cut off.

But you have a real prize, no matter what the money.

You now are one of the custodians of our nation's history.

Enjoy!
 
$25 !!
Nice grab .
Made by RSAF Enfield factory in England and FR'd ( factory repaired ) in India , likely at the Ishapore factory. Nothing really unusual about this , India had a repair program that included every Lee Enfield made from all factories.
Canada used these rifles thoughout WW1 and into WW2 until the No4 Mk1(*) was issued sometime during '41-'42.

Looks like a great restoration project.
It should look similar to this...
GRIRB3.jpg
 
james01 said:
Smellie: I added a picture in the body of my post showing the butt-socket.

stevebc:
The bore is pretty much minty and shines, no pitting, frosting or rust. Rifling looks sharp.
No drilling or tapping
I don't know what part of the gun the crown is:redface:
and finally yes, the bolt ser # matches the gun.

Thanks for the replies fellows!
Click to expand...

The crown is the muzzle. Based on what you've said about the bore, receiver and the matching SN's, I'd say around $175.00. I envy you- to get that for $25.00 is a major score. I paid $70.00 for a sporterized 1917 Lithgow with matching serial #'s on the bolt and receiver, but the barrel has pitting and rust. I'm trying to decide whether to bother restoring it. If I could find a decent No.1 MK.III barrel....
 
good thing smellie corrected his post I was going to assume he had been drinking :D

25$ good buy, I would be all over that. The mag is worth $35.

real value 125$ ish

1917 RSAF Enfield production with what looks like a matching 1917 barrel so I don't think its ever been FTR. If the bolt has the same serial number that would be a big bonus.

That is an excellent candidate for restocking in original wood, just keep your eyes open for parts.
 
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