What can these crappy pics tell you about this SMLE?

[CoRoMo]

Seller sent me these and this description...

Right side of receiver and magazine have numbers 5898.
Back end of the receiver below the bolt on the right side shows a crown,G.R below the crown,1916 below the GR, SmLE below the 1916, and III like Roman numerals.
Magazine guide plate is stamped S.S.A.
Back end of the receiver on the left by the firing pin is an upward pointing arrow with EFD under it, 00 under that, and S.S.A. under that.
Safety tab on the left has the III, and the back end of the bolt guide on the right has a string of marks NO 112 'V' or 'K' III 303B UK

So... I see the broad arrow and No.1 Mk III on this rifle. What else do you guys see?

 

[rondog]

I see polyurethane or some other way-too-shiny refinish job. 1916 is obviously a WWI vintage rifle. Does the bolt have the same s/n stamped on the rear of the handle as the receiver and magazine? Should also have a stacking swivel AFAIK.

Overall it looks pretty nice and complete. But the finish isn't right and the barrel condition is everything. Need to make sure the rifling is still good and that the throat isn't ruined from shooting cordite ammo.

Local buy? Reasonable price? Might not be a bad buy if the price is right and the barrel condition is OK. Those old rifles were used long and hard.

 

[desidog]

Yeah, that stock would cry out if it could breath...it would ask for a good stripping and some hand-rubbed oil...

I may be wrong, it's been a while, but i believe the rear sight protector is installed backwards too.

 

[CoRoMo]

I increased the brightness of all of these pictures because they were initially very dark. But you're right, the stock has been re-varnished. What amount does this impact the value anyway, being that it can be reversed with a bit of effort?

The numbers on the bolt, receiver, and magazine all match.

It comes only as pictured, so no stacking swivel, bayonet, sling, nothing else.

The bore is well shot out I suppose. I don't really know how to grade it; I'd say poor to fair condition in there (unless there is another term between those two).

So what do you think for $250? Fair? Deal? Robbed?

 

[rondog]

Barrel condition is everything IMO, and those are very common rifles. If you can't inspect it in person I'd call $250 the top dollar. Fixing the finish is no biggie, but if the barrel's wasted.....

 

[desidog]

^ I concur with rondog.