Values of Lee Enfields in Canada and the US

I realize that often each country's citizens tend to place more value on their own stuff than on others, but I am curious about values on Lee Enfields in Canada and the US. I have seen the Long Branch #4's going higher and higher in Canada, which isn't surprising really, but their value in the US seems to be rising as well--actually Enfields in general based on Gunbroker auctions I have seen. On the American side, is that reflecting a general increase in interest in WWII weapons, or specific interest in Lee Enfields, and does it carry over to WWI SMLE's as well?

Ed

I think there are not that many exc/mint long branch 303s and 308s around. The interest in these guns has
increased each year. The last good ones came from Greece many years ago. Many of them were Un issued.
Around the same time a small lot of Inglis high powers came from there also, many of them were mint also.
since then there hasn't been a lot of no4 s around to import into Canada. There also isn't parts and good wood
to rebuild then either

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Originally Posted by boltaction

On the American side, is that reflecting a general increase in interest in WWII weapons, or specific interest in Lee Enfields, and does it carry over to WWI SMLE's as well?

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Lately a lot of the interest is coming from younger people. They know the guns from movies and video games.

Australia the Mk III's are commanding a good price a 1914 Lithgow MkIII is on used guns listed as fair for $2000.oo/AU * it sold within 24 hours gather due to the very early production year for Lithgow

Every time a good detailed movie comes out the price and demand for the guns goes up it seems...look at the difference between pre and post BOB... The price of ALL US issue equipment.

At the root of the issue they aren't making them any more.
This is the "logic" I use when I "invest" in another.

The value of all Milsurps have been going up, at least in Canada. The reason being is more people are becoming interested, and more people want 'Grandpa's' Rifle. Certain firearms are still less desirable and cheaper but in general mainly due to the amount of information available more people are buying milsurps and holding on to them than ever before.

Some milsurps have shot up in price due to the hype, for example M39s and K31s in Canada. Both are very nice firearms, that being said does that really justify the price being over double what it was less than 2 years ago? Enough people said those firearms were the best around and poof everyone who knew a small amount about milsurps wanted one. Not saying they are bad firearms or anything, just the price doubled for in my opinion no good reason.

In regards to Lee Enfields in general, in Canada I have only seen one WWI and earlier No. 1 Mk. 3 Lee Enfield for sale and it was already in the 2000$ plus range. The amount that were left intact at least here in Canada was very few and because of that they are already worth a ton. The good news is many more people are interested in WWII than WWI which is also better considering it is much easier to collect WWII firearms than WWI.

I thought that 1914 went a bit cheap Cinders, although it was in late wood, so no volley sights.

Muffet I reckon if you have a close look it has the volley sights the front plate and indicator are there near the rest and the rear peep is raised it sorta blends near the cocking piece do not worry if I had the capital I would have brought it as Lithgow I think only started in 1912 and given the attrition rate in WWI it would have been a good safe queen. Besides I have been flamed a few times by the Minister for Finance & War for some buys on Fleabay lately......:yikes:

Yeah Cinders, went back and had another look........I guess you don't look too hard if you already have one(or three)

I've been selling some No 4 Mark 1's on gunbroker, they are owned by an old friend who does not have the internet. He had a 1941 Longbranch which is a hard find that brought 450. The rest were in the 350.00 range. One Indian scrubbed rifle brought 275.00. It was well worn. He bought most of the guns in the 90s for between 100 and 150.00. Not a bad return. I have one 1945 Longbranch left on GB. It was rearsenaled but only the lower fore end is not numbers matching( original number struck). It has a 2 grove barrel with a great bore. I've got it down to 325.00, but it still not moving. It might end up in my flock. The mark 2 rear sight might be hurting it but I'm surprised it did has not sold. I personally prefer the mark 1 rear sight.

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