My aunt was getting rid of junk before moving and asked me if I wanted my Grandfathers old gun. It was a Lee Enfield .303 caliber made in 1942 from England. It has a full wood stock all the way to the front sight and is still operational. I am wondering if there is any market for this gun as I will never use it? It also has the adjustable rear sight. Stock is in OK condition with some scratches and I spent an hour cleaning it yesterday.
Lee Enfield No. 4 Mark 1 from 1942
- Thread starter fzntundra
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Arik
Member
Without seeing it ....around $350.
There is always a market, it's just that some things are more common than others.
Why not shoot it? 303 commercial range ammo is available from PPU at $15 a box. It's not expensive for the amount these guns are typically shot. I mean you don't see to many people shooting 500 rounds out of them in one session. At most a box or two. They are fun rifles and pack a good punch
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There is always a market, it's just that some things are more common than others.
Why not shoot it? 303 commercial range ammo is available from PPU at $15 a box. It's not expensive for the amount these guns are typically shot. I mean you don't see to many people shooting 500 rounds out of them in one session. At most a box or two. They are fun rifles and pack a good punch
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Rpg
Member
Stop cleaning.
Provide photos, including all marks on the rifle.
Depending what you have, could be worth anywhere from $100-500. Could be more, depending what you have.
Provide photos, including all marks on the rifle.
Depending what you have, could be worth anywhere from $100-500. Could be more, depending what you have.
Old TexMex
Member
Pictures would be most helpful. I'm a big fan of the jungle carbine version.
Don't be too aggressive with your cleaning.
You might also check any other "old junk" to see if there's a registered magnum in there, in a box...
Don't be too aggressive with your cleaning.
You might also check any other "old junk" to see if there's a registered magnum in there, in a box...
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Attached is a picture of the rifle. Condition wise there are some scratches on the wood and one gouge that could be fixed IMO. Mechanically it appears very sound. I fired it once as a kid at the suggestion of my Grandpa which caused him to get yelled at by Grandma. That was probably 50 years ago. It has not been fired or cleaned since.
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Delta Expatriate
Member
Matching numbers may make it slightly more desirable. Check the receiver, bolt handle, magazine, and maybe the stock for matching serial numbers. These old Enfields are great rifles.
fiasconva
Member
A good info source is Enfield-Rifles.com. You could probably sell it there too.
Texas Star
US Veteran
Either post a GOOD, SHARP photo of the lettering and other markings on the left side of the action or tell us PRECISELY what's there. Don't omit anything like an asterisk. This stuff means more than you realize.
Your description was so sloppy that I thought you were really referring to a No. 1 Mk III rifle, with that bit about how far the wooden stock extended.
You still cut off the barrel end in that poor photo. Is anything cut off on the actual barrel, or did you just fail to include it in the picture?
I normally encourage families to keep heirloom guns. In this case, I feel that the rifle would be better off in the hands of someone who cares about it and knows what it is.
Can you at least open the bolt and look down the barrel of the EMPTY rifle and tell us the condition of the bore? Was it even cleaned the last time it was shot?
Is the butt plate brass or pewter? Did you get the bayonet, too?
Your description was so sloppy that I thought you were really referring to a No. 1 Mk III rifle, with that bit about how far the wooden stock extended.
You still cut off the barrel end in that poor photo. Is anything cut off on the actual barrel, or did you just fail to include it in the picture?I normally encourage families to keep heirloom guns. In this case, I feel that the rifle would be better off in the hands of someone who cares about it and knows what it is.
Can you at least open the bolt and look down the barrel of the EMPTY rifle and tell us the condition of the bore? Was it even cleaned the last time it was shot?
Is the butt plate brass or pewter? Did you get the bayonet, too?
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30-30remchester
Member
Let me get this straight. You are in possession of your grandfathers rifle and the first thought is how much can I sell it for? I would rather be drug naked through a cactus patch than give up my grandfathers gun. I will never be so broke that I need to sell it. But then again maybe others did not care their papa's as I did mine. What I would do to see them one more time.
Arik
Member
Yes.....please stop cleaning and fixing. Surplus guns have their own criteria for collecting. What's dirty to you is original ww2 to someone else. If you make it look like new often times the collector value drops and collectors arnt interested in a new condition one while none collectors have no interest period.
Please take good, clean, sharp and well lit pics. Of the rifle and it's stampings. Just to give you an idea, some of these Enfields were made by Savage in the US. MANY surplus rifles have cool history
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Please take good, clean, sharp and well lit pics. Of the rifle and it's stampings. Just to give you an idea, some of these Enfields were made by Savage in the US. MANY surplus rifles have cool history
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HOUSTON RICK
Member
I suspect that you have a $250-$300 SMLE rifle if in good condition - especially the bore. Loved by many, but very common as it was manufactured through both World Wars. Again, the family connection is worth more than the gun. The proper bayonet could add almost $100. Like many here, I have one.
Valmet
Member
Neat old rifles, any idea how it came into your grandfather's hands? Any import marks?
Wound a little tight aren't we Texas?? I will submit better pics tomorrow. Not sure why my Grandfather had it. He was not a hunter or believer in home defense nor did he serve in the armed forces as he was between WW1 and WW2 agewise. The gun really holds no sentimental value for me. I am thinking of selling it and using the cash to purchase a CVA Optima for muzzle loader season this year.
Texas Star
US Veteran
Look at Post No. 9. Is he wound pretty tight, too? When people make posts like your initial ones, such reaction is rather common on gun boards. I guess we're a sentimental lot. Of course, not everyone is very attached to their ancestors, and it's your rifle now. I hope it finds a good home.
And I feel better knowing now that you hunt, even with muzzle loaders, just not my rifle interest. Good luck in the woods this fall.
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Heck I paid money so I could acquire my wife's grandfathers 25 auto. I also have a couple of my one grandfathers rifles. My other grandfathers rifles will all go to my uncles and I won't see any. Pretty sad that a gun person is going to sell a rifle acquired from his grandfather for a mesely couple hundred bucks
I am not sure you need to freak out about cleaning. Wipe it down with one of your old gun rags that has oil on it from cleaning other guns. Based upon the picture you have what appears to be a SMLE. I bought one about a year ago on GunBroker.com for 300 +/-. A parts matching 42 SMLE might be in the average range of $350-550 to the right person. It would have been better if you have a story with it but, what the hey.
Don't clean the wood other than to wipe it with a clean dry cloth. You can clean the barrel and bolt without really affecting the value. If I were you I would at least take it out with a box of ammo and "Kick the tires" as it were. They are fun to shoot and I am going to use mine hunting. It is history and would make a great piece to hang in the man cave.
Better pictures would help. Check the barrel for how many lands. I think it should have 5 but, may have 2. What is the maker?
Don't clean the wood other than to wipe it with a clean dry cloth. You can clean the barrel and bolt without really affecting the value. If I were you I would at least take it out with a box of ammo and "Kick the tires" as it were. They are fun to shoot and I am going to use mine hunting. It is history and would make a great piece to hang in the man cave.
Better pictures would help. Check the barrel for how many lands. I think it should have 5 but, may have 2. What is the maker?
I did see some numbers on the bolt and will verify my suspicion that the bolt had the same serial number as the rifle. Also found a website that tells what the stamps mean on the buttstock strap and receiver. I should be able to tell where it was made. Will also check the magazine for a number. Will try to submit close pics of the numbers tomorrow. Let me think about the offer but I appreciate your sacrifice
Arik
Member
Guys, I don't see what the big deal is about him selling his grandfather's rifle. Obviously the man wasn't a hunter or shooter and just had it around probably due to circumstances. Maybe someone owed him money and gave the rifle to hold and never came back or never got the money. Whatever..... theres a million reasons. It meant nothing to his grandfather and it means less to him.
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Markings on the Enfield
Here are some additional pics of the rifle. The serial number is 7328. The butt stock strap has the same serial number. I could not find a serial number on the bolt. The butt plate is brass and has a storage compartment. There is a "broad arrow mark which indicates it was made for export.
Here are some additional pics of the rifle. The serial number is 7328. The butt stock strap has the same serial number. I could not find a serial number on the bolt. The butt plate is brass and has a storage compartment. There is a "broad arrow mark which indicates it was made for export.
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