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Stopped at the local shop today, I happened upon some beautiful rifles. The first, a 1902 Calvary carbine, converted for infantry use, which is in 75% ish condition, with numbers matching bolt they are asking $1200 for it. The second item is a 95% Lee Metford, let me say wow, because it is a beautiful rifle. It has no military markings however and is advertised as an officers personal rifle, at $4300. It is truly immaculate; if anybody has opinions on pricing please don't hesitate!
I'm not sure what you mean by cavalry carbine converted for infantry use? Does it still have the full length wood right up to the muzzle, with the short nosecap, or is it one of the ones converted for Royal Irish Constabulary use with some muzzle poking out and a Long Lee type nosecap? If it is original and not mucked with, then $1200 isn't out of line. $4300 is extremely high for a Metford, unless it has some spectacular provenance, like owned by Kitchener or something...........
Ed
The carbine has the long lee nosecap, I read about the RIC rifles and looked at the photos, that seems to be what I'm looking at.
If truly in nice condition and with its upper handguard (very, very important), the RIC carbine could be worth $1,200 retail (less at auction). As for $4,300 for the civvy Lee-Metford, I'd say that's about $2K too much. Pics would help. Though it's a little out of date, see my price guide here:2009 Lee & Martini Price Guide, Coggansfield in Martini-Henry Forum Forum .
Cheers,
Coggansfield