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Enfield Identification question

Printed From: Enfield-Rifles.com
Category: Enfields
Forum Name: Enfield Rifles
Forum Description: Anything that has to do with the great Enfield rifles!
URL: http://www.enfield-rifles.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11292
Printed Date: March 28 2024 at 1:41am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.04 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: Enfield Identification question
Posted By: L8ergtg
Subject: Enfield Identification question
Date Posted: March 08 2021 at 12:39pm
Everyone,
I am looking to bid on an Enfield SMLE MK III* and it looks in really good shape and everything but I was wondering why the Stock is in the form that it is. Why does it not have the typical wood encasing the entire gun. The gun is dated in 1917 and looks absolutely beautiful but I am wondering if this is a poor aftermarket restoration or a slight sportarization or if it is a "legitimate" variant of the Enfield. I am hopping that this could be my first Enfield (Hence why I know so little compared to you all) but while my main thing is good shoot ability it is one of the few rifles that I want to be authentic in form. Picture below



Thank you for all your wisdom



Replies:
Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: March 08 2021 at 1:56pm
Its had the wood cut back & removed to make it a "Sporter".
Hardware & nose cap are gone also.
This is not a military thing, somebody did it in the garage I'm afraid.
The good news is that its restorable, but stocks & parts have climbed in price & dived in availability it would be a labor of love at this point as the parts would probably be worth more than the rifle. There's also the matter of matching & fitting those parts, this was before "Plug 'n Play" there's a lot of hand fitting required.
I'd not pay more than $150~$200 depending on the details.
It may still be a good shooter despite that I'd price accordingly.


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Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)


Posted By: A square 10
Date Posted: March 08 2021 at 4:08pm
welcome to the site , as shamu stated , its been sported in post military use , it looks relatively there save the forestock and handguards with the metal bits , but they will add up in cost , if it shoots well ...perhaps enjoy as is ? 

it started life as a mkIII* , but without a good look at the right wrist markings under the bolt or a serial number , we cannot identify the maker , the bolt number - receiver/bbl number - possibly rear sight ladder number - maybe the magazine box as well should all match , but not uncommon if they dont 


Posted By: L8ergtg
Date Posted: March 08 2021 at 4:26pm
What I think I am going to do is try to purchase it for reasonable price and use it as my Target Enfield as, like I said, this, hopefully, is only the start of my collection and I am a shooter more then a collector. So this can be my shooting Enfield and when I have more I will only shoot those occasionally. Thanks for the help.


Posted By: lyman1903
Date Posted: March 08 2021 at 6:41pm
for your first Enfield,  
If I may suggest, 

pass on this one unless it is dirt cheap,  

the cost of restoration is high now, and going up every day, 

save your cash and surf a bit,  there are good solid examples available for the same or less than it would cost to restore that one,  

and once it was restored, it would still be a bitzer


Posted By: Travis
Date Posted: March 12 2021 at 8:13pm
This looks a lot like my 1941 Lithgow SMLE III* that I bought from a neighbor for $400.  I haven't gotten out to the range due the Covid restrictions to see how it shoots yet.

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Travis98146


Posted By: A square 10
Date Posted: March 12 2021 at 8:35pm
as a sporter you wont want to pay high unless its what you are looking for , restoration will be costly and you need to access what you need to invest vs what you intend to have , ive bought such and returned to military but those were the days when cost was not the major concern , im no longer in that arena , it may well serve fine as a deer hunting rifle or a target option if you desire that - just my 2 cents that is worth far less than that these days , 

edit to add if this was a dispersal - 1940s mkIII* i might go a bit further in my investment only because ive had a fondness for them , thats just me and that would be my money , just sayin , 



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