1923 Lithgow Value Please

This is my one and only complete Lee Enfield (the others is have are sporting conversions)

Its a 1923 Lithgow, matching numbers on bolt, reciever, barrel, nose cap and rear sight. I have no idea what the timber. It had a barrel full of cosmoline when received it which was a real pain to get out. I have shot it twice in about 10 years, I cant remember what kind of group it held but I remember I hit a hare from about 80 -100 yards with it when we were leaving the property we tested it out at. The woodwork has some dings etc, but it looks like it has some character. The bluing is fairly ordinary, the barrel is still coated in green paint

If any australian collectors are here, if you have advice on security arrangement (I.e alarm systems, places of purchase and installation) that would be helpful.

I'm after a value, as I a, applying for a formal collectors licence this will hopefully be the start of a proper collection for my kids

Also, what kind of timber is it?

Thanks

http://s1087.photobucket.com/user/bu...%20SMLE%201923

Leave the green OD on as it may have seen service through the island campaigns, value would be hard as the people in the know need to physically handle the weapon you do not give your exact location but guys like Muffet2008 and Tbonesmith are on the east coast and are very well versed in the Enfields if you can get it to one of them they can perhaps value it for you. Value is only in my mind what a person wishes to pay as the Enfield line here in Aus is all over the place with some asking way to much and others for a song.

Yours is in the low production figured range which will boost the value dependant on condition,
Production figures for the fiscal year;
1913 40
1913-14 4,760
1914-15 13,786
1915-16 30,460
1916-17 23,960
1917-18 23,251
1918-19 42,129
1919-20 25,570
1921-22 14,440
1922-23 2,700
1923-24 3,320
1924-25 3,140
1925-26 2,760
1926-27 3,000
1927-28 3,200
1928-29 3,200
1929-30 340
1934-35 500
1935-36 1,141
1936-37 900
1937-38 421
1938-39 860
1939-40 3,480
1940-41 35,140
1941-42 82,098
1942-43 138,700
1943-44 116,200
1944-45 38,310
1953-56 1,000

Thanks cinders. Certain online gun trading sites i believe have muddied the waters a lot on the value of milsurps. I am not out to sell this, just curious if other peoples idea of its monetary value fits my own

lovely, that must make you smile knowing it is in your safe.

is the forend numbered behind the nosecap? (not sure if that was an Australian thing or not.)

i'm only new to this so take my thoughts on value with a grain of salt. if it was on usedguns at $600 i'd expect it to be sold before I saw it (and I look/pipe dream 3+ times a day). I would not be surprised if it had a price tag in the $1000 + range (unless it was being sold from near the 'gabba then i'd say $1800 up)

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Originally Posted by henry r

lovely, that must make you smile knowing it is in your safe.

is the forend numbered behind the nosecap? (not sure if that was an Australian thing or not.)

i'm only new to this so take my thoughts on value with a grain of salt. if it was on usedguns at $600 i'd expect it to be sold before I saw it (and I look/pipe dream 3+ times a day). I would not be surprised if it had a price tag in the $1000 + range (unless it was being sold from near the 'gabba then i'd say $1800 up)

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Actually, there is something stamped into the forearm behind the nosecap. You cant make most of it out, there is a B or an 8 and a 7 there though. The wood grain is a dead set match, im certain its the original woodwork. The barrel is dated 9' 24 as well, would be the original barrel possibly. The patina on the top of the knox and the receiver ring would suggest so. Also, the OD paint, is that factory applied or is that applied after FTR?

Cinders, he told you where he is, Mexico(Victoria)
That looks pretty good with nice maple furniture, all matching you'd start at four figures, but it is really only worth what someone is willing to pay.
I paid about $1600 for mine, and thought I got it cheap.
But if I want something, then I'm willing to pay, so value is as I said, in the eye of the buyer.
As to security systems for collectors, it varies from state to state, but you will need back to base monitoring(or do in NSW) so it gets a bit costly.
Check you state requirements.

Do we have a place like that in Oz do we Muffett cripes you east coasters certainly have some weird location names......:madsmile:

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Originally Posted by muffett.2008

Cinders, he told you where he is, Mexico(Victoria)
That looks pretty good with nice maple furniture, all matching you'd start at four figures, but it is really only worth what someone is willing to pay.
I paid about $1600 for mine, and thought I got it cheap.
But if I want something, then I'm willing to pay, so value is as I said, in the eye of the buyer.
As to security systems for collectors, it varies from state to state, but you will need back to base monitoring(or do in NSW) so it gets a bit costly.
Check you state requirements.

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Thanks Muffet, thought it was (Qld??) Maple. The only thing i have ever done with it is cleaned the barrel when i first got it, oil the metalwork every few months as well as wipe it over with some BLO on a cloth every few months. it has a wonderful golden sheen in thje right light

4 figures is quite a bit higher than i had thought, 1600 is almost double :madsmile:

VIC as i understand the legislastion is an audible alarm system with external light, so something that i may be able to mostly install myself, provided i can find a system.

And as a New South Welshman working in victoria, i still reserve the right to call it Mexico =D

As a side note, i was in scone a few weeks back for the airshow. That Hurricane and spitfire were amazing in formation!

You must have been hiding..........I wore my camera finger out.

Would like to see them when you get the chance Muffet

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Originally Posted by muffett.2008

You must have been hiding..........I wore my camera finger out.

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Just look for the fat guy who was very badly sunburnt.......

Cinders, if you are referring to the pic's of the Airshow, there are a lot of them on the Vintage aircraft site, under The Birds are out and about.
Bushy are you a local, I knew a bloke from Narrabri that was around the Target Rifle traps years ago.

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Originally Posted by muffett.2008

Cinders, if you are referring to the pic's of the Airshow, there are a lot of them on the Vintage aircraft site, under The Birds are out and about.
Bushy are you a local, I knew a bloke from Narrabri that was around the Target Rifle traps years ago.

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Havn't been local for a decade mate. Grew up in Tamworth. Still have family up that way