While I have two Savage No. 4 Mk 1* rifles, my collection was missing a SMLE/No. 1 type rifle. A few days ago I was taking my kids shopping when I drove past a local gun store. I was well past it when I decided to turn around and check it out, since I hadn't visited that store in awhile. I wanted to see if they had dropped the price on an Arisaka Type 99 I had been eyeing. The Type 99 was gone, but they had an Arisaka Type 38 Carbine that had a mum, but unfortunately it also had a scope mount and a bent bolt. Then I noticed that next to the Arisaka was an old-looking SMLE for $299. It looked good to me and I wanted to buy it then and there, but I wanted to check with my wife first. She had been complaining about the amount I have been spending on "old guns" recently. As luck would have it, my cell phone battery was depleted, and I didn't want to get the SMLE without talking to her first, so I sadly left the store.
When I got home I checked my references and I got even more excited about the SMLE I had seen. My wife said I could get it as long as I gave her the same amount of money I was going to spend on the "old gun"! Talk about extortion! But I had to have that SMLE, so I reluctantly agreed.
I had to wait a couple of days for the store to be open again, and last evening I rushed to the store after work and got there just before closing. I told the owner about my predicament, and explained that every dollar he could knock of the price would save me two dollars. He took pity on me and knocked the price down to $275. He explained that the rifle came from an estate and it was one of the last of a group of Enfields and Mausers that he was selling for the inheritor. He said he sold them all within the past month, so I missed out on most of them. :(
My SMLE is an ex-Irish 1905 Mark I*** made at Enfield. The original serial number was 6495 H, and then it was renumbered ER 6604. The rear sight leaf still has the original serial number, and the bolt and nose cap were renumbered with the new serial number. It has the early type front handguard and intact volley sight. The rear sight has been modified for use with High Velocity ammo. The sling swivel screws are solid. While the exposed metal finish is worn the original blued finish protected by the furniture is in excellent condition.
