Savage Enfield - Should I buy?

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Gbupp

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Hey,

I'm new to this forum, and hoping some of you may be able to help me on a recent purchase I am about to make. I recently picked up a 1943 Mosin Nagant, that has spurred my interested in WWII rifles and collecting them. Next on my list to get is a Lee-Enfield No 4 MK I or MK I*.

I have come across a pretty nice one at a local shop, and was curious if you could all help me assess its proper worth. It is a Savage made, lend-lease Enfield rifle with the serial numbers 68C1040, putting it somewhere towards the end of 1943 I believe. The bore looks good/great (which is good, cause shooting is something I intend to do), and the wood looks used but has no cracks or major dings. The "back" top piece (closest to the metal) moves around a very small amount, kinda like a "giggle". That same piece also has the 4-5 carved markings in it that I presume are on some Enfields for better gripping purposes. It has one of the flip-up sites (micro-meter site or something?) that allows you to change it for different distances, and all the metal has no pitting or rust on it. I do not know if the bolt matches, but I would have to say probably not.

Overall, it looks to be a pretty good rifle though it has some bronze colored substance around the area where the wood and the metal meet by the hand-guard. It is not rust, but the metal is usually an off silver, so if anyone could assist me in what substance this is I would appreciate it. I am guessing some sort of sealing material to keep water out of the line between the wood and the metal.

The store is asking $400 for it, it comes with a pretty bad quality leather sling, as well as an original Enfield Magazine that I know for a fact does not match serials. Please give me your input on if this is worth it, thank you :)
 
Last one I saw in decent shape at the local shop was marked at 349 in about 85% condition with all matching parts.
 
So what, basically if it does have a matching bolt its around the ball-park for a "regular" deal?
 
If the bolt # matches it's worth $300 tops. It sounds like just a run of the mill rifle that well need complete preservation. Can you check the head space? What does the bore look like? Has anyone screwed with the trigger? It should be a two stage trigger with about 6lbs at the second stage. Does it have Savage furniture on it? Photos would help.
 
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Buy it! They stopped making those years ago and those that are left are sure to appreciate. The fact that its an American made lend-lease gun is an important part of history to be preserved,
 
1.The "substance" is paint applied under the wood line to stop rust from trapped water. Still used in India for police Enfields.
2.The rifle has definitely been in Indian/Pakistani service---the transverse screw through the forestock is one of their improvements.
3.The battle aperture is broken off the backsite and the tooth of the adjustment lever is is bent out of use---that's why the lever sticks out like it does. Not repairable.

It has too many problems to be worth $400, or $300, or even $200, from my point of view.
There were about 1.2 million Savage No4s made, wait for a better one.
-----krinko
 
I agree with krinko and mad crate. It appears to be a nice rifle, but I would say $250 tops if you really want it. You will spend more to replace the rear sight with one that is not broken, but also know that as far as a collector piece, the Ishapore screw in the stock will lower the value some.
 
It does have one redeeming factor. Note the early fore-end with magazine cutout. The broken Mk3 backsight and the Ishy screw hurt the value. I would say $200 max for this rifle. $400 well buy a nearly new MKII.

I have one those fore-ends with Canadian and LB markings, I have a LB marked MkI backsight, now to find a early LB receiver!!!
 
Would you know by chance how to find out the year it was made in?
 
Looks like an early Long Branch, from what I can see in the first pic. Early 1942. 3L6974 is the serial number. Looks really nice, and if all matching, is would be a good buy, though at the top end. But, I have seen Enfields at the Dallas area fun shows for $500+, even $1000 for a #5 (which the dealer still has).
 
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Sealed the deal with him today, thanks all for your help! Later will be looking into Mausers :)
 
Sorry to necro this thread, but I have run into come complications with the Enfield rifle during the buying process that is making me have my doubts. The seller is asking $275 for it, and it does appear to be in good condition:

http://bupp-portal.com/pictures/Enfield_6.jpg
http://bupp-portal.com/pictures/Enfield_7.jpg
http://bupp-portal.com/pictures/Enfield_8.jpg

Those are the pictures I have of the rifle. I have talked to him online, and he said the bore looks good and is the the 5-groove type. This is what begins to worry me. First off, I thought this was a No 4 MK I at first, but upon further investigation it is a MK I* as you can see by the bolt.

Second off, the buttstock has a bronze/brass (idk which one) style buttplate. I believe the MK I* should have a steel one. This means that, either the buttplate or possibly the whole stock is from another gun.

This, you all have identified this as ~1942 production, but he told me that the receiver where it has printed the gun name and manufacturing date reads:
"No.4 Mark l* LongBranch 1945"

The last thing, is that the serial numbers we can see on the hand-grip are "3L6974", which also apparently match the bolt. Possibly this gun had the barrel refitted in 1945 during the war? Or do you think this means that it has a whole new barrel?

I am looking for something with some historical value, but also has the ability to be a goods shooter. This seems like it would be a good shooter and is in good condition...but I am worried about being overcharged.
 
madcrate, Stratton says 1L to 20L is 1942, and that 21L started 1943.
Click to expand...

You are correct sir, thanks for catching my typo.



Those are the pictures I have of the rifle. I have talked to him online, and he said the bore looks good and is the the 5-groove type. This is what begins to worry me. First off, I thought this was a No 4 MK I at first, but upon further investigation it is a MK I* as you can see by the bolt.

Second off, the buttstock has a bronze/brass (idk which one) style buttplate. I believe the MK I* should have a steel one. This means that, either the buttplate or possibly the whole stock is from another gun.

This, you all have identified this as ~1942 production, but he told me that the receiver where it has printed the gun name and manufacturing date reads:
"No.4 Mark l* LongBranch 1945"
Click to expand...

It's MkI*, the MkI was 1941 only and damn few built. After enlarging your photo of the wrist I think the rifle has had the serial number re-stamped. That does not appear to be a LB style marking. Here is a 42LB I picked up yesterday, swapped a beat up K-31 for this rifle and $20.

42lb01.jpg

It has mismatched furniture and mismatched bolt. Every small part has the L over B stamp and it's has several Canadian stamps, C with broadarrow.
 
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If both are "shooters" and that is your primary interest, get the one that looks the best. If it doesn't shoot to your liking, get another. Then, repeat till you find the one you like the best. Wait, I think I just described what I did! I bet madcratebuilder did the same thing!
 
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