Lee Enfields

[Renegadewolf]

ok i was looking around the interwebs and i decided to look at some Lee enfields, and its kinda got me wanting to save up for one. But i cant seem to find a straight price for A MK III so i was just wanting to
1) see your lee enfields if you have one
and
2) an ok price for a MK III if you know.
Thanks in advance for any advice and help

 

[DougW]

#1mkIII's can vary in condition, manufacturer (BSA, SSA, LSA, Lithgow, Ishapore), and pricing. Last ones I looked at were in the $250 to $300 range depending on manufacturer and the condition of the rifle. These things are drying up quickly.

I have 14 .303 Enfield rifles, 3 of which are #1mkIII's. Mine are all in typical condition, I think. I have seen better.



Lithgow 1942 (Australia) top, BSA 1917 middle, Ishapore 1950 (India)

 

[Robert]

My 1941 Lithgow with 1917 Australia marked bayonet. Mine was around $300 with out the bayonet.

 

[Grey Morel]

This No.4 is better than 90%. It cost me $79 in the mid 90's - still only $120 when adjusted for inflation.

I wouldn't take less than $300 for it now. It shoots well with surplus MK.7 ammo.

 

[Renegadewolf]

i was looking at the japanese arisaka and its has some similarities to the Lee enfield do u guys think there is any corolation or relationship between the two? Indirectly or directly?

 

[AR27]

just sold a No. 4 Mk 1 for 100 bucks

 

[dogngun]

The Arisaka was based more closely on the 98 Mauser design,

the Lee-Enfield was very different - Enfields use a detatchable 10 shot magazine, top-loaded with stripper clips. They have faster operating action, betterdesigned and placed bolt handle with a removable bolt head to adjust head space, 2 piece stock design to allow for different stock lengths. Later LE's had a very good peep sight.

IMO, the Enfield is the better combat rifle, maybe the best bolt military rifle ever made...Mine is the Indian Ishy 2A1 in .308, made in 1965, the last bolt action regular issue combat rifle.
I also own a 98 Mauser sporter, just to be fair...


Oh, yeah the Arisaka is one of the toughest rifles made, but ammo is very expensive and hard to find.
mark

 

[Renegadewolf]

hmm maybe i should of looked at all three side by side, never mind

 

[panrobercik]

for a shooter, your best bet would be #4 MK2 . Those have nice , elevation adjustable peep sight where MK 1 only has a flip sight

 

[Grey Morel]

The only foible of the Enfield is action strength - its certainly stong enough, but not as stong as some of the others. It is optimised for fast lock-time, and some compromised have to be made.

Comversly, the Arisaka has what is probably the strongest bolt gun action ever made... but the lock time is far slower: you will never see the "mad minute" with an Arisaka.

 

[Maverick223]

you will never see the "mad minute" with an Arisaka.

Why not? Japanese Mad-Minute: fire two rounds, fix bayonet and charge...all in less than one minute.

 

[Old Time Hunter]

$5 at a rummage sale two years ago...perfect shape, all matching, said Best Offer. Offered 495(I meant $495.00, she misunderstood), she countered "make it 5 bucks and it is yours". She had absolutely know idea of what it was worth, her late husband had brought it back after WWII from New Guinee(sp?). 1941 Lithgow with all regimental markings.

 

[Robert]

The head on that bolt, the cocking piece, looks to be much older than 1941. The round style head was a much earlier design. You have an interesting rifle there.

 

[Old Time Hunter]

Gus, are you referring to this:

 

[Robert]

Yes. That cocking piece is off of a WWI era, maybe earlier rifle if my memory serves me well. Could very well be a war time repair made with whatever part was handy re stamped to match the current rifle. It in no way detracts from the rifle, as all the numbers match and were clearly done by the factory.

Under the rear wood that snaps on behind the rear sight there may be another date stamp indicating when it was repaired. Mine was fitted with a new barrel by Lithgow in 1951. And is stamped 9-51 on the barrel just forward of the receiver under the wood.

Here you can see the more common late style flat cocking piece with side serrations. Man that HDR photo makes my metal look like crap...

 

[Old Time Hunter]

Gus, before I take her apart and search for additional clues, here are some of the markings on the stock:



My guess is something happened in June of 1947. Kinda lines up with the ladies time table as her husband did not come back until the spring of '48.

 

[Robert]

My guess is something happened in June of 1947. Kinda lines up with the ladies time table as her husband did not come back until the spring of '48.

That may very well be as there appears to be a part of the broad arrow stamp just above that date stamp. Could also be the arsenal reentry date.

 

[Renegadewolf]

What a deal, i would feel kinda guilty though, but reall nice looking. Those of you that just want to show off your enfields, please feel free to.

 

[Opoche]

No. 5 Mk 1 1944
Pic has been flipped,not left handed.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

Old Time Hunter, You need to give that poor old widow some cash so she can buy her meds, food, gas and electric. After all, this is THE HIGH ROAD.

What happened to fair?

 

[d3lta58]

I would have to agree, 5$ for the rifle is stealing.=( How would would you feel if someone took your mother like that? I would be upset. But beautiful beautiful rifle. Sell it for 10?

 

[Ignition Override]

AR27:

Pardon me for asking, but how was your rifle's condition?
A nice #4 just sold in a Cordova (Memphis) gun shop, and it was listed at $400 (!), with a beaten-up bayonet.

The bluing was mostly gone, the rear sight was replaced by a scope rail, and the bore looked almost like a mirror.
On another website for Lee-Enfields, experienced owners of original #4s claimed that the rifle here was only worth about $250, from a collector's standpoint.

 

[gvn19]

My enfield

Here is my rifle. I am yet to shoot it, but will soon. I cleaned it the other night and am amazed at how good of condition it is in.