Quick price question for a Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Mk III

[Miami_JBT]

At the local gun show a vendor has a 1916 stamped Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Mk III and wants $325 plus tax and background. It comes with the P07 Bayonet and Scabbard. The condition of the rifle is what you'd except for a rifle made in 1916 in the year 2011. It's not brand new but it has good wood and good blueing. Should I jump on it?

 

[Vaarok]

With the bayo and scabbard, which are worth in the $75 range, that's not a bad price considering SMLEs aren't available wholesale anymore. Though the "made in 1916 in the year 2011" doesn't mean much- the Commonwealth refurbished and repaired equipment promptly enough they usually still look decent.

 

[ball3006]

About average price for around here. The bore would be the determining factor in this rifle....It is a Great War rifle...chris3

 

[Still Shooting]

I would check the bore, and have a good look at the chamber as well - I have seen a couple with decent bores and pitted chambers. I bought one cheap, and am re-barreling it right now.

 

[Smokey Joe]

Buying a Smelly...

Miami JBT--(Don't take offense at my calling it a Smelly--that's common slang pronunciation for "SMLE"! I think the original Tommies--British infantry troops--called 'em that, too.)--In good shape, wood and bore-wise, especially with the bayo and scabbard, at that kind of price, if it calls your name, snap 'er up, take 'er 'ome, an' smile, mate!

 

[Miami_JBT]

Well... I went again today and looked over the rifle. It's a MkIII* made by BSA in 1916. All matching numbers. Rifle doesn't have any import stamps. But I passed.....

I instead snagged a Cherry Mint Egyptian FN-49 and a US Model 1917 (Remington) withy a barrel date of 2-18. Everything on the 1917 matches except the bolt.... it has a different number stamped on the bolt handle. Pics inbound of both rifles. I paid $500 even for the FN-49 and $566.75 for the 1917.

I've wanted those two rifles for a while. The FN-49 will go nice with my Rasheed.

I know have the following US Service Rifles of the 20th Century

A Krag, a 1917, 1903, 1903A3, M1 Carbine, M1 Garand, M1A (M14 Clone), and a AR-15 (M16 Clone)

 

[Miami_JBT]

Well... I went again today and looked over the rifle. It's a MkIII* made by BSA in 1916. All matching numbers. Rifle doesn't have any import stamps. But I passed.....

I instead snagged a Cherry Mint Egyptian FN-49 and a US Model 1917 (Remington) withy a barrel date of 2-18. Everything on the 1917 matches except the bolt.... it has a different number stamped on the bolt handle. Pics inbound of both rifles. I paid $500 even for the FN-49 and $566.75 for the 1917.

I've wanted those two rifles for a while. The FN-49 will go nice with my Rasheed.

I know have the following US Service Rifles of the 20th Century

A Krag, a 1917, 1903, 1903A3, M1 Carbine, M1 Garand, M1A (M14 Clone), and a AR-15 (M16 Clone)