British Enfield & German P35 help

[bigwilly11189]

Hey guys, I was hoping you guys can help me. I have done a lot of research on it already but I was hoping for a fresh pair of eyes or some fresh knowledge. My coworker has a British Enfield SMLE III* and was hoping you guys could give a ballpark figure of its value, yes I know pictures would be soooo much better but I dont have any, just some markings and his word that his father cared for it and "rubbed it down with linseed oil", "its beautiful". Now I've learned that he isn't that knowledgable and has been wrong about this collection he's acquired so I'm just going by his word that its in very-good to excellent condition, but not NIB. Here are some markings/details he provided:

-England M 9041 (I'm assuming this is the serial #)
-Crown Symbol with GR then under that Enfield 1917 ShtLE III* (I'm good with this)
-More Symboles in a line (not sure where, but assuming proof marks): GR, X, P, some circular symbol, 95, then E
-O15 on the front sight (is this the last 3 of serial, if so I guess its not fully matching).
-19C6 or 1906 underbarrel on wood

Well that's about it. I wish could provide more but that is what he wrote down. I'm assuming $150-250 on avg. Just saw one sell in Nov for $250 on gun broker and see others around the $300 for VG. Do you all agree? Also thats what one would get in private sale, how much discount do you think for trade-in? 25%? Trying to decide if I'd be interested.

He also has a German Radom P35(p) with B2xxx series with all 3 levers and holster, both in good to VG condition. Some of you may recall from another thread I was earlier told it was a Luger, until he told me what the markings were and had to burst his bubble. I think I told him around $4-500 range. Is this worth the cost? It is missing a "spring" dont know which one, but I can buy a spring kit for $20. Might be firing pin spring his father had removed, maybe. Alot of assumptions I know.

Package deal maybe $600-650? More or less??? Thanks so much guys! This is blocked at work so I apologize if I dont get right back to any questions or replies.

 

[Jim K]

As you say, the gun the Germans called the P.35(p) is better known as the Polish Radom. They are excellent and reliable guns even in the late versions, but early ones were very well made. The Polish used straight serial numbers, but the occupying Germans used their own system of 1-9999, 1a-9999a, 1b-9999b and so on. So that gun was made early in the occupation period, and probably still has the high quality blue and excellent fitting still common at that time.

Parts are available, and A FEW parts from the US Model 1911 fit or can be fitted. I would wait until you see what is missing before buying a spring kit. Those guns rarely need any new springs and IMHO the original springs are likely to be better than any available in a kit.

The Radom was initially scorned by collectors, but today they are recognized as a legitimate collector interest and a Type 1 or Group 2 (depending on whose naming system you use) like that can run well over $1000, depending, as always, on condition.

Jim

 

[bigwilly11189]

Thanks. I'm up in the air between the Enfield and the P35 vs buying a new small compact for CCW...decisions. I do have to say that I was very interested in the Enfield at first but that is when I thought it was an M1917, don't think I want the 303 british.

 

[Robert]

The Enfield is a No1 MkIII*. The * was added when the magazine cutoff and volley sights were removed if my memory is correct. The 1917 is the year of manufacture. The GR is for Georgius Rex since George V was King in 1917. Again if memory serves me. The P17 rifle you had mentioned was a 30-06. The P14 was 303. Of the two I'd rather have the No1 MkIII*. But if you need a good CCW piece then that should be the first order of business.

 

[Jim K]

Oops! I said the Germans used a small letter suffix on the Radom; they used a suffix on the P.38 and Luger, but on the Radom they used a capital letter prefix, 1-9999, A1-A9999, etc. Sorry, old brain gets confused sometimes.

Jim