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Hello fellow collectors,
I have recently stumbled upon a smiling tiger rifle here in Canada. I was wondering how much, roughly, a bolt mismatch goes for these days as I have only ever seen one example for sale for $1,000? The wood on this rifle is in OK condition with several noticeable battle scars. Im sorry I don't have photos at the moment but if I can attain some I will post them below.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Cheers.
SMc: I bought a decent one about a year ago for $450.00. It's also a mismatch (with a mismatched Siamese bolt) but good plus bore and overall good metal. I don't think these are quite up in the $1000.00 category quite yet unless in maybe extremely good shape and with matching bolt. Edit: Check out P&S Militaria- they currently list one in G-VG condition for $525.00.
Ridolpho
You'll need photos to get any kind of decent appraisal here. I seriously doubt the rifle priced at $1000 sold...people reach hard sometimes. A good clean #1 Mk3 can go for $600 up depending on a couple things but I don't see the one you speak of as particularly collectable. Just you haven't seen many. Mis matched bolt, rough wood and a barrel that's at least well shot and possibly worse all take from condition. Stand by, there's a number of other Canadian collectors will be along shortly...
There were 10,000 of these rifles made made in 1920 by BSA for the elite Siamese "Wild Tiger Corps", with a cute logo of a tiger on the butt socket along with the BSA markings and the serial number (in Siamese characters).
Check the United Kingdom - Milsurp Knowledge Library (click here)
1920 ShtLE (Short Lee-Enfield) Wild Tiger Corps No.1 MkIII* Rifle.
Examine the 106 picture photo montage, which might help you with some of your questions.
Regards,
Doug
Thank you for the advice everyone. This rifle doesn't come up very often so I had very little idea of the value of this piece and whether it is worth pursuing.
Cheers,
Scott
Here are some photos of the Tiger.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...a1de97ef-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...72a5dda8-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...30a3f978-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...2434086e-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...a4332683-1.jpg
$1000.00 is definitely way out of line in my opinion. The metal is rough and the forend is an Ishapore replacement ("Ishapore screw" as well as No. 4 style strap at rear of forend). Ask for photos of their rifle at P&S for comparison.
Ridolpho
I'd think no more than $500...less if I could. The bore would have to be perfect.
10,000 Rifles.........subtract the amount lost or destroyed during the war, normal atrition due to tropical conditions and calculate the relative worth of an interesting rifle.
I'd say priceless, but whatever you offer is what you are willing to pay.
Attachment 52984Attachment 52985Attachment 52986
.........and courtesy of Skennerton,Attachment 52987Attachment 52988Attachment 52989Attachment 52990Attachment 52991
Here's mine, i also have another with all the metal work including the nosecap, both have mismatch but correct bolts.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...MESEmain-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...AMESElhs-1.jpg
Agreed. How many of these have you seen offered for sale? I've seen four in however long its been.
I idiotically passed on a scabbardless bayonet with the smiling tiger-still kicking myself for that.
How dear to you is $1,000?
How important would this piece be to your collection?
Placeholders work great for me. Upgrade when one comes along, better the herd, so to speak. But in the mean time, you've got one and I don't.
lol.
Quote:
Originally Posted by muffett.2008
Ageed these are interesting rifles and a nice addition to a collection but the OP wants to know if $1000.00 is consistant with the current Canadian market. Examples I can offer for comparison include, within the last year, an immaculate SMLE MkI*** for $1000.00, an all matching/original excellent+ Peddle Scheme Mk III* for $700.00, a very good Lithgow '44 for $300.00, etc. In comparison the rifle under discussion is overpriced but, more importantly, I have seen no fewer than 5 Siamese contracts for sale in Canada in the last two years so there are a fair number here.
Ridolpho
Thanks for the feedback everyone. I might be able to get this rifle for $500 but I will have to see if something in this condition/price is what I really want. I understand that most of these rifles do show wear characteristics but I have seen Tigers in better shape (such as yours 5thBatt).
Agreed, the market in the US and Australia have nothing to do with this.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ridolpho
I'd just buy the one from P&S if it's still available. With Jean what he says you are getting is often an understatement in my experience.
Im thing about buying two more tiger corps rifles $900 will get me both but its up to the police if they will accept my reason for owning two more lol
I will post a pick of my one and bayonet when i get home...
I wonder what price on the 1-10,000 now that would command a very very hefty price tag.
The engraved one? Yeah i bet that would be many 1000s It's very nice too
My one 1 of 3 i have ever seen personally, the other two im thinking of buying as well lol, has mismatched Siamese bolt and bayonet , the bayonet boss has had a few knocks at some point sothe bayonet dosent fit on it, but wth a little tweeking it would to which i have not done
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...MG_21871-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...MG_21881-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...MG_21901-1.jpg
The rifle originally discussed in this thread is now for sale on CGN (Canadian Gunnutz) for $400.00.
Ridolpho
That would be about right I should think...