.303 engfield

[mio]

im sitting at an auction and theres a beautiful mark III in the gunrack. original configuration how high should i bid ballpark? i was thinking up to $200

 

[DougW]

I suppose you ment Enfield. If it is a MkIII and you can't personally examine it, I would probably stop at around $200. If it is a WWII Dispersal rifle (1940-1942) then $300 is a bit more reasonable. If it's an Ishapore, in good condition and all matching, $200. A Lithgow all matching, around $300. It depends on the rifle and what it's features are.

 

[mio]

i ended up going to $240 to get it. its a mark III 1918 matching numbers has a lot of foriegn markings on it and the buttstock is two pieces dovetailed actually nicely done makes me wonder if any were made in finland. ill try to get good pis tomorow i had to take my wife to er today. actually left auction early cause she texted me she needed to go.

 

[mio]

what do i look for to see if its ishapore? regardless of actual value im happy with it and hope to be able to shoot it tomorow. its much nicer than the other one that i have.

 

[murdoc rose]

ishys wont say 1918 on them, they where made from 1965 to 1975 and will be in 308. as far as price if it is all matching then you didnt do too bad. How is the bore?

 

[.45&TKD]

Photos?

 

[DougW]

The Ishapore plant in India was operating around the early 1920's and was run by the British (Colonial thing). After 1947 or so, the plant was taken over by the Indian Government, and #1Mk3 rifles in .303 were still being produced. The newest .303 Ishapore I have seen was from the 60's, but I am not an authority on them (mine is a 1950). Around the early 60's, Ishapore "modified" the design, converting the Mk3 to .308, and redesignated them as 2A1's.

Identifying an Enfield is easy. Look on the butt stock socket on the right side, and list the numbers and letters. It can then be positivly ID'ed with the manufacturer plant (BSA, LSA, etc.) Your 1918 (probably a BSA, as they were the most common) is probably typical, and $240 is a good deal these days.

 

[Heljac]

Just FYI, Ishapore made .308 enfields in the 60's and 70's, and .303 Enfields from the early 20's to at least 1987. I have seen several 1987 marked rifles, and have heard of ones made 1988, but not seen one.

 

[krinko]

Actually, Ishapore turned out their first batch of ShtLE I* IP rifles in 1907 and made the MkIII and MkIII* during the first World War---a 1918 Ishapore would be a MkIII* and also rare, by the way.
The maker is listed on the buttsocket---just lift up the bolt handle and read what it says---
A BSA made rifle.


A late Dispersal rifle.


An Ishapore from 1963.


Always a lot of information on these rifles, reading them is half the fun of collecting them.
-----krinko

 

[DougW]

Thanks Krinko. I was working from memory, and was really needing someone to chime in that had better knowlege than I! Thanks fr the correct data.