? ? ?

[CINDERS]

I just have had a quick squiz around looking at Lee Enfield spares and I am astounded how things have just moon rocketed off to the stratosphere price wise.

Like 5 years ago you could get a 3rd pattern No.4 bayonet & scabbard for around $20/Aud now I just saw one on that site in Aud for $120/Aud !
The prices in England were through the roof as well $85/GBP for a No.4 mag & $55/GBP for a No.1 MKIII mag I gather WWII vintage there.
Front sight blades split block $9/GBP then there was the Guard front trigger swivel screw at get this $85/GBP seriously.

This was the kicker for me having a 1916 5MD No.1 MKIII shooter this is what I found yeah $280/Aud for a butt the disc does not appear to have the Lithgow star either!
So all of us that have collected bits & bobs the prices are slowly getting silly some here are sitting on a gold mine but then again they are not making them anymore.
Have a good day one & all.

1916 WW1 No1 Mklll* British Lee Enfield .303 Rifle buttstock | eBay

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[Sapper740]

Remember this Cinders, we collectors never pay too much, we just pay too soon. My wife who is ten years younger than me casually expressed surprise at the number of milsurps on the walls in my shop and I told her 'not to worry' she'll be able to sell my collection for $XX,XXXX.00 when I pass. "Keep on collecting!" she told me.

[Ovidio]

Remember this Cinders, we collectors never pay too much, we just pay too soon. My wife who is ten years younger than me casually expressed surprise at the number of milsurps on the walls in my shop and I told her 'not to worry' she'll be able to sell my collection for $XX,XXXX.00 when I pass. "Keep on collecting!" she told me.

[CINDERS]

Mine had a valid point as like most here I'm very diversified in collecting but strong on books as I love reading and the smell & feel of the pages when one is browsing through especially old books they have a thing of their own.
My wife is not a reader she had a look around my room and well was dismayed at what she saw loads of work & worry when I perch it as she has not a clue what is what or a things value, to me it's never been value it's having the item to look at and examine. (Wait till she finds what's stashed in the shed book wise!)
I tried to make a start on things got a long way and my comp crashed now on my new comp I cannot open the files ggrrrr, square one yes silly me no external drive for backup's yes I know thats why my new comp now has 2 x 1Tb hard drives in it!
So I'm going to have to make the effort to catalogue it all well most of it anyway some circles are different to other circles where things go, but I have forewarned her of a couple of sharks that will swoop when she is most vulnerable to try and weedle her out of stuff dirt cheap!
So I should be a busy boy going item - item grading and pricing should be finished by hhmmm about 2026 + 6 months !

[Sapper740]

Cinders, there are few pastimes that bring more contentment than sitting down with a good book.

[CINDERS]

I concur Sapper

[Flying10uk]

but strong on books as I love reading and the smell & feel of the pages when one is browsing through especially old books they have a thing of their own.

I like books but rarely get time to read them, cover to cover, and I only really like factual books for reference etc with plenty of pictures. Out of habit I tend to browse books by starting at the back and working forward.

I believe that the oldest book that I own is a bible that has been in my family for more than 150 years. Probably not particularly valuable but a nice bit of family history.

[Ovidio]

I read... a lot. My house starts having space issues due to all my books.
But I can't do anything about that. I just love to read.
History, essays, fiction, biographies...
I don't watch tv, never. So... I have plenty of time.
Also traveling a lot helps. On planes, in hotels, I always read.
Few things are a better way to spend time.
Some can not be cited "in plain", others we all share (reloading, shooting, cleaning and maintaining gats...).

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

she'll be able to sell my collection for $XX,XXXX.00

Only if you maintain good records with up-to-date values. In my experience that is the trick. Otherwise, the survivors are at the mercy of others that may or may not be reputable.
Spreadsheets are your friend.

[Sapper740]

Only if you maintain good records with up-to-date values. In my experience that is the trick. Otherwise, the survivors are at the mercy of others that may or may not be reputable.
Spreadsheets are your friend.

Definitely good advice. I'm compiling a list of all the firearms I own, their make and model, their historical rarity, condition, caliber and three sets of values for each: fire sale, fair value, and upper end of the market so she knows roughly what to realize for their sale. Once I get the firearms catalogued I'll begin the multi-year task of getting all the radios, field gear, uniforms, edged weapons, ephemera, books, spare sights, medals, etc. etc. listed. T'is a daunting task.