Help locating a NoI MarkIII within a $700 budget...

Hey everyone,

I literally just recevied my C&R licence today and would like to make my first purchase with it a Lee Enfield SMLE. Ive been looking but it seems like they are a little harder to find than i expected them to be. Im looking for a NoI MarkIII that is within a $700 budget, im not looking for a perfect rifle by any means, it will be a rifle that i use and enjoy to shoot on a weekly basis. I have been looking around but haven't seen anything that falls into that category. Any help at all on where i could use my C&R and find a NoI MkIII somewhat in a budget would be awesome.

Thank you in advance everyone

You should be able to get a really nice rifle for around 450 with a mint bore. 700 seems very high.

I would love to find one, ive been looking at the obvious C&R websights and am getting nothing. I am willing to spend $700 but i would like to spend less.

So, instead of doing it like this...why not actually place a WTB in the correct category? The right people will see it there. Also read through the posts on the forum reference LE and see what's expected of a good clean collector rifle.

Thanks for the suggestion Jim, i am not sure where that WTB correct category would be but i will continue to investigate. I will definitely read through the posts and see whats expected of a good clean rifle. Thanks for the time to reply Jim.

Here it is, follow this... http://www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php?f=100

Click on "Post new thread"...and follow the prompts.

Check here also.

BDL LTD

already contacted bdl prior. The emailed back saying that his websight was in need of updating and that he has NO milsurp C&R rifles at all. lol i thought i had it made with the SMLE's he has listed

Haunt the auction sites and set your search queries to e-mail you hits. It's time consuming, but you can find gems. Also, start driving to gun shows. 6 hours one way is not out of the question. The smallest shows can have the best finds. Good luck!

You ought to buy two for amount. Forget web markets, auctions. Go to gun shows and look there. I have a nice collection that was developed doing two to four shows a weekend. Good luck, the fun is in the hunt. Shopping for guns from a catalog or website is little better than buying underwear.

I have some C&R rifles here but no Enfields at the moment.

I just bought one last week from my LGS for $300.00 with all numbers matching except the magazine, which is unmarked but original. It shoots very good and the bore is a little frosty maybe but doesn't seem to effect the accuracy. Here's some pics:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...rxncgzab-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...xglusqbp-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...7zxmsydv-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...g6xvjr54-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...y19twcen-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...spewab1n-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...9vgd8sbv-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...7auyb3hi-1.jpg

SO IMHO you should be able to find one in the same or better condition for over $300.00.

I just sighted it in at 25 yards this last Thursday:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...jcjyi1po-1.jpg

Just talked to another milsurp member who is offering this lithgow smle for $500 shipped. I'm not sure about how to correctly price them. I'm not looking for a steal here, I'm just looking not to get ripped off. I've posted pictures below, what do you guys feel?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lcgivz12

what do you guys feel

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I'd take it myself, there's some restoration to be done.

Looks like a nice Lithgow, the parking and the crown look good.

With regard to the Australia marking on the wrist, is that an Australian export mark or a US import mark?

Not an US import mark. Those are on metal either receiver or barrel.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mrclark303

the Australia marking on the wrist,

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I've also seen that on bayonet slabs...as well as rifle. I think it's just one of their normal markings.

I will let you have this one https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=60028for $500 with a bayonet

---------- Post added at 08:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:18 PM ----------

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AFJon

Not an US import mark. Those are on metal either receiver or barrel.

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the AUSTRALIA is a USA import mark. originally if the gun was not manufactured in the USA it just needed the country of origin added. it was done that way prior to the requirement for it to be on the barrel or receiver prior to also needing the importers information prior to it also needing to be visible with out removing any parts prior to all markings must be on the receiver and visible
thats why some metal marked guns have it under the hand guards and some just have the country of origin stamped into the wood
understanding import markings is also part of collecting

Pawn brokers can also be a good source

It might be prudent to take some of your budgeted funds and purchase reference books.

In 60+ years buying guns I have found out that actively looking for a particular gun turns out to be expensive.
Sitting tight and waiting for one to find you is the best option. :thup:

Up till a month ago I was looking for an Enfield Envoy. It had to be very good and I had a budget of £1,000.
I looked a quite a few and then lucked on one for £750 in MINT condition at Fultons at Bisley of all places and after some hard bargaining got it for £680.
I felt like I had won the lottery.

Geoff, well done!
I did wonder if it was the one I looked at and decided against because I have too many Enfield target rifles just sat in the cabinet not getting an airing.