First post introduction

[BombthePeasants]

Hello everyone, I have just found this forum, and it's one of the rare ones I can check at work!

I am a new, but avid mil-surp collector. I have an M1 Garand, an M1 Carbine on order from the CMP, still awaiting them. I also bought a Yugo M48 a few years back, and STILL have yet to shoot it...

I really, really want to get an SMLE No. 1, Mk. III, but it's hard to find one around here in good condition. I live in the DFW area, and have visited several gun stores, to no avail. I almost bagged an Ishapore sporterized here in a local pawn shop, but I waited too long, and it disappeared on me. I am rather disappointed, too, it was in quite good condition...oh well. If anyone can give me pointers on where to go to find Lee Enfields for reasonable prices, I would sure appreciate it!

Information

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[louthepou]

Hi Bomb,

Pardon my ignorance, but where is "DFW"? I'm in Canada, but a few folks are in the US (if that's where you are), and would have pointers for you no doubt. The one person I've dealt with in the US who I could point you to is BDL ltd.

Welcome to the forum!

Lou

[Amatikulu]

DFW = Dallas/ Fort Worth (Texas, USA)

[Alan de Enfield]

Welcome from England - you'll find a truly international 'lot' on here but there again the Enfield was 'international' so its only fitting.

[Enfieldlock]

Managed at last to get here. Is there a list of refugees from the defunct site?

[Amatikulu]

Enfieldlock,

I suspect this is the forum where you will find the stragglers?

Jouster's CSP Forums - Military Surplus Collectors Forums

This site (Badger and Angel's Site) is hosting them on their server.

[bradtx]

BtP, Welcome to the forum. Texas isn't known as an Enfield rich state, but the traveling gun shows sometimes have decent picks. No.1 Mk.IIIs are difficult to find anyway as most were converted to Mk.III*.

Buying advice is to ensure bolt's s/n matchs the action body's. The nose cap should also match. There are two versions of the Mk.III. The first is the WWI style with windage adjustable backsight, volly sights and magazine cut off. The Mk.III was reinstated following WWI 'till WWII. Basically only the magazine cut off returned. An untouched inter war rifle is highly prized.

Brad

PS Buyers/sellers/trader section in the arms forums are good to check and of course there are the arms web auction sites. Brian Dick is a highly respected gun trader. Check his site www.bdlltd.com .

[krinko]

BtP,
Can't add much to what Brad wrote---being on the hunt for the Enfield in Texas can be very frustrating. Six or seven years at "Just Guns" in Austin and I don't believe I saw even one decent SMLE.
Gunbroker or Auction Arms are a good alternative to the watered down Houston gunshow---or try the Wannenmacher Arms Show in Tulsa at the beginning of April.
Good luck.
-----krinko

South Congress