I love my one and only Long Branch and my 1945 is in barely used condition as well, but I didn't pay this much:
Enfield No.4 Mk1 303 British #4 mark 1 Long Branch : Curios and Relics at GunBroker.com
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I love my one and only Long Branch and my 1945 is in barely used condition as well, but I didn't pay this much:
Enfield No.4 Mk1 303 British #4 mark 1 Long Branch : Curios and Relics at GunBroker.com
Sorry, the dark area of the pics all run together on this wretched monitor, but unless it's got both the Mk.I AND Mk.I* bolt release features (I can see the Mk.I* cut), then all you are missing is a big hole in your wallet.
They are missing a big chunk from their wallet - it just has the bolt release slot in the rail, as per normal, everyday Mk.1*s. I will kep an eye out and see if this one gets listed again.
If that is how much a 1942 Long Branch No.4 Mk.1* is going for, who wants to chuck a large wad of cash at me for a 1941 Long Branch No.4 Mk.1??? lol - sheesh.
Holy Bat poop! That price should buy that rifle four times. Three guys in a bidding war. I pray for that when I list something on GB.
Now every LB(*) owner is going to think his LB is worth that!!!!!!!!!! That's too much for a no star.
I think condition means everything. Especially when it comes to wartime dated rifles. Most New Zealand owned LB and a few Savage rifles I've had over the years were in excellent to new condition. Some folks poo poo my Long Branch rifles because they have handling marks in the woodwork, (God forbid!), when they're priced $300-$400 each but I'm here to tell you that I can't find rifles anywhere near this good anywhere anymore in quantity and the last batch of nice No.4's I looked at in Canada were $450 each so I left them there because the market down here won't bring that plus the time and effort of importing them. Get them while you can guys. They ain't making them anymore.
Incidentally, the rifle mentioned in this thread is sitting here pending export to the very happy buyer so you American guys looking for a mint LB No.4 just missed out on another one that'll be gone forever!
I don't know finloq, I doubt that I would have paid that much for it but it is a mint example and you simply don't see them like that anymore so maybe the buyer did better than most think?
When I first started buying Enfields (about 1991) the average price for an NRA VG Condition No.1 or No.4 was $35 - you could go into any gun show in those days and walk out with an armload of them at that price. Now, people are thrilled to buy an Enfield for $175 - $250 that I wouldn't have considered paying $35 for then. The subject almost mint rifle would have been on a table at $250 and the average buyer would have laughed at the seller saying that no "ole .303 rifle will ever be worth that much". The smart buyer/collector bought the rifle at that price and can now laugh.
It's all in how you look at it. Time passes and values change. :)
I've got to ask where you're located if you were buying NRA VG No.1 and No.4rifles for $35 in 1991? I know that wholesale prices for dealers here in the USA was twice that price back then. There were some very nice rifles, some in newish condition surplused directly from England and South Africa via Interarms in Manchester, GB -Alexandria, VA. We didn't see too many SMLE's then though and most of the larger quantities came a few years later from India and other countries thanks to Century Arms.
In person, it might rate the price, but how do you KNOW that it's actually a "mint" rifle from a few internet pics? Far too easy to miss the one or two replaced parts (such as the barrel or complete woodwork) w/o seeing it firsthand to blow up near on US$1700 (including export fees and shipping etc.) for me!
I guess you just have to do your homework and hope like Hell the seller is honest. He imports at least four rifles at a time so it keeps the costs down since it's the same price for one or four barring the shipping which isn't too bad either way.
Anyone notice the bolt is serialized on the TOP of the handle. As Chris Rock would say, "that ain't right..."
Hey Claven, I didn't know Chris Rock was a Lee Enfield collector! LOL. It's pretty obvious that you've never handled a New Zealand owned No.4. They had their own NZ serial numbers applied upon being accepted into service. The NZ serial number is stamped on both the butt socket above the factory serial number and usually on the top of the bolt handle but not always. I've also seen the numbers and ownership marks engraved on with an electric pencil. This rifle is right as rain.
Early 1943 LB with an alternate ENZED mark----still has grease in the barrel and action.
Got this one cheap because the gunshop thought the "NZ" was vandalism.
-----krinko
On that rifle it is! Albeit historically correct vandalism.Quote:
Originally Posted by krinko
Looks like prices are keeping up with inflation anyway. A mint No4 was selling for $150. at least in the late 80s, early 90s around here. I sold a few I shouldn't have. Well invested, I suppose that amount would be $1200. today.
Krinko, I have 1943 LB sn. 24L2145 which is my very first Long Branch rifle purchased in Ormond Beach, Florida when I was in high school in the 1970's. It's NZ 38408 and engraved EXACTLY the same as yours! Now that I have it out. I think I'll shoot it this afternoon when it cools off a little. It's hotter than blue blazes here. I've been finishing a few of Roger's No.32 scope brackets and it's time for a break.
"24L2145"
Brian,
This one is 22L9328. I wonder if a block of serial numbers went to NZ in a lump?
-----krinko
I think it's several blocks. I've got a '42 date 15L like the one discussed in this thread that's identical and an earlier '42 date 6L which is also newish with the Mk.1 cocking piece. It's stocked in birch too like your 22L and my 24L. The 15L is stocked in walnut. They're lovely rifles. I did put 20 rounds through my 24L this afternoon just before dusk and knocked the Hell out of my little Salute metal popper at 130 yard as he's pushed up tight against the berm. That was using the 300 yard aperture on the Mk.2 sight. Simply perfect.
Krinko,
Almost forgot. There is a difference on the NZ reciever ring markings on your 22L and my 24L. I noticed when I blew up your picture that they overstamped the engraving pencil with metal stamps on yours. Efficient buggers, eh? Mine's only engraved!
Brian