What do you all think? Buy or Not?

[Thedbs999]

I live in Western Pa and have found a 1917 dated Number 1 Enfield.This is about the best I can do on a description.

The wood is in great shape. There are no marks on any of the wood. A few small dings, but pretty much smooth. It has a brass butt plate. The numbers match except for the nose cap. It has the mag cut off, but no mag. The guy wants $300.00 for it.

I find it interesting because I don't have a Enfield with the mag cut off. I really don't know how to tell where it was made, It has GR above the date along with a crown.

What do you guys think? Too much, about right? Keep looking?

Thank you in advance.

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[JB White]

Is there a manufacturers name on the buttsocket along with the date and cypher? Enfield, LSA&Co, BSA etc?
If none at all, then the rifle is most likely an SSA who's marking should be found on the rear face of the receiver, left hand side along the boltway.

In 1917 the only one producing a MkIII (with mag cutoff) was LSA so odds are the cutoff was retrofitted in the 20's if from anyone else. The * designation (as in MkIII*) should then be struck through as such. =

Without more information it's very difficult to say what is a fair price, but $300 is definitely top end given the missing magazine and somewhat questionable features.

[Art]

For $300.00 I would expect at least very good + condition, all matching and complete. This rifle falls down on at least two counts. I would make a counteroffer and if he isn't willing to be reasonable I personally would let him sell it to somebody else.

[Roshi]

$300 seems to high, the mag will cost you at least $25 and you may not get one that matches finish wise (if you mail order). The mis-matched nosecap knocks it down too. I'd have a hard time forcing myself to pay $175 for a rifle as described but that's because I used to buy Brit MkIII's for less than $100 and Indian MkIII's for $40.

[me2]

Yeah, too high priced. I bought a complete matching 1917 Canadian stamped #1 MkIII for $125 a year ago. Condition was VG Plus.

[jisii]

I agree with the other guys that the price is too high. As described, I would not give more than $100.00, assuming a good shootable bore. I am from South-Central PA, formerly from Pittsburgh, and I feel that the market for Lee Enfields is not that strong in this area. As an example, I bought a pristine all-matching BSA dated 1918 (never FTR'd) at the PGCA gunshow two years ago for $100.00 from a guy walking around with it.

[Bruce]

$300 plus is about the going rate now in Canada for a 303 SMLE. But for that price, the bore better be mint and the wood and metalwork in great condition just Jisii's SMLE.