Need advice on buying no. 1 Mk III, by tomorrow if possible

[clarkmilitaria]

Hello,

A local gun store has this for sale for $250. Can anyone tell me if this rifle is all correct and worth the money? I would greatly appreciate that because I have never dealt with these before and I am not able to tell much, other than the numbers I see all match and it is dated 1915. The serial number is K 6288 and that is marked in numerous places, on the receiver, bolt, the very end of the barrel, and near the end of the barrel on the bottom of the stock. There are also import markings.

Thanks,
Jim

Information

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[Rumpelhardt]

I'm not very Enfield literate but if I where in the market for a No.1 (and I am) and I saw that rifle for that price barring major problems I would buy it.

[RobD]

Looks right as rain. An authentic Great War battle rifle. If the barrel has good, strong, bright rifling, buy it.

[clarkmilitaria]

Great! Also, that same gunshop has a 1918 8mm French Lebel that unfortunately I did not take photos of. I believe it was around $150. I can't say for sure, but definitely under $200. If that is in good condition, do you think I could make a profit on that one? I have never seen one before and wasn't sure of its value so I passed it up, but when I go back to pick up the enfield I can check it out again. Thanks for the responses.
Jim

[smellie]

A Lebel proper.... or a Berthier? A ot of Berthiers are referred to (mistakenly) as "Lebels". Good rifles, if a bit strange. Ammo can be handloaded with little troule, now that Partizan brass is available (Graf's in the US, Trade-Ex in Canada).

Price on Lebels is such that you should make money quite easily on that one. Price on Berthiers still is low, but they are becoming more popular (partly because decent Lebels are so hard to find) and will be found crawling upward from that price to about double that, these days.

That SMLE looks very nice to me. Condition of the muzzle indicates that the bore should be okay, but take a good look to make sure. Take a live round with you (miliary ammo) and stick the slug in the muzzle; the case should stand out from the muzzle: anything from 1/8 of an inch and upward and it should work fine.
.

[Steve H. in N.Y.]

Like most Lee-Enfields, this one has been rebuilt at least once while in service and that's fine. If the bore is decent the price is fair. No clue on French stuff.

[clarkmilitaria]

Ok, the french rifle was tagged as a "Lebel 1918 8mm" and the bolt handle was silver (reminded me of a mosin), the trigger came straight down which I thought was odd, the barrel on top was exposed past the receiver, other than that I don't remember distinguishing qualities. I'll take a look tomorrow. Thanks for the replies, I'll definitely get at least the Enfield.

---------- Post added at 06:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:22 PM ----------

Ok just found Berthier pictures and I believe that the gun store weapon is a Berthier.

[RJW NZ]

Having that many matching numbers on a no1mk3 is not common and is a good plus. It looks like a good buy, check the bore first and go for it.

[Sht_LE]

Agree. It looks good, is matching and $250 is a fair price. Listen to smellie and take a 303 cartridge with you to check the crown.

As for the French rifle, if it is a Lebel that has not be messed with buy it. Lebels have gotten very hard to find. If it is a Berthier pass on it unless it is something you want for yourself. Berthiers are not that hard to find and you can get a very nice one for a very reasonable price.

[Roger Payne]

Yes, the SMLE is a good buy at that price, though I agree with Steve that it has been ordnance re-worked. In fact only the receiver number is original to the rifle from the day it left the factory, although the numbering on the nose cap, forend & bolt was all done a long time ago & almost certainly whilst in service, so is 'legit'. I would dispute how long the butt marker disc has been there, but I'm getting pernickety now! It's a nice rifle & if the bore is half decent & the head space ok I'd give her house room any day!

ATB