1916 Enfield (BSA) SHT LE III*

[Mac44]

I wondering about the value of this rifle. It is said to be the WWI service rifle of a deceased relative.
All the serial numbers match. I believe it is in very good condition. The bore also looks very good.
I will put this rifle up for sale but I would like to know what to set as an asking price.

Thanks very much.

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Welcome to the forum...a very nice rifle. Stand by to receive lots of PMs for offers I should think. I'm going to refrain from suggesting a price though. It LOOKS like a clean matching example... Never mind the story, it will sell on the merit of it's undamaged matching condition. Remember, since you're in Canada, other countries prices may not compute... I'll say this though, this once will sell very well.

Very nice rifle.

[CINDERS]

Best you can do is to look on your local web at gun sites in Canada and get a line as to the asking prices for rifles of this condition and go from there I concur with Jim without handling the rifle and being granular we can only offer a figure based on the pics supplied which may do you a disservice and that nice looking '16. Good luck it wont take long to sell.....

[Mac44]

Best you can do is to look on your local web at gun sites in Canada

I have spent a fair amount of time researching prices. There's a big range, $150 - $800 Canadian. I just want to start with something that's fair for all. I'll wait and see if anyone else chimes in. Then I will post it for sale. Thank you for your advice.

[browningautorifle]

No, you're on the high side with the price. That is to say, this is an expensive rifle. $800 would be a decent start price. If someone didn't want to pay that, he'd need to explain why. I saw lots of examples that were likely cobbled together, restored or much newer examples selling for $700+ at the Chilliwack show a few weeks back. Ridolpho will have attended the Calgary show this weekend and will be able to tell you what he saw there... Have a look on CanadianGunNutz and see what's happening there. Looking on the US sites will give you and idea but not accurate for here. You can sell it cross border but it may reduce your value...

You have a nice, hard to find example. Get good money for it.

[henry r]

Firstly, your relative should be aplauded for the way they looked after thier rifle. Not that many deceased estate rifles come in looking that nice.

The one thing that would make me concerned as a buyer is the screw on the cocking piece being peened over. Someone has given it a decent bit of love with a hammer.
I would be worried about why this was done and how the bolt was being supported while being hammered on.

This would lead me to asking lots of questions about how the trigger pull felt, how smoothly the bolt head unscrewed from the body etc plus wanting detailed pictures of the bolt, bolt face, bolt head threads, cocking piece, locking lugs etc.

If there is no other damage having the pictures and answers ready could make the difference between the buyer trying to knock $5 or $500 off the final price.
If there is other damage being open about it and having it documented is also a good thing. Finding someone who really knows lee enfields to look it over and tell you if it is cosmetic, minor, major or terminal will also help you set the initial price and counter peoples "bargaining" tactics.

On a slightly different note. Lee enfields are beautiful, lovely to shoot and have amazing historical significance. That rifle would make a great start to your collection.

[Mac44]

The one thing that would make me concerned as a buyer is the screw on the cocking piece being peened over.

I see what you mean about the screw. I'm not sure why it is like that . I know the history of the rifle and it has been sitting in a closet or my gun safe since WWI. It came to me because I was the only one who could register it back when the Canadian Gun Registry came into effect. Anyway, I've attached pictures of the bolt. Please let me know what you think.

[browningautorifle]

I wouldn't worry about the slight peening on the back of the firing pin. I'd go the other way, "Here's the price" and when someone comes up with some long winded description of this heinous damage to the back of the firing pin and low balls you...simply take the rifle back from him and let him move on. He doesn't need to shoot it after all. Or, he can. But first he can pay what you ask. You'll get good coin for this one regardless.

[boltaction]

Agree with BAR. That is a very clean rifle. Losses at the Somme and PAsschendaele, among other places, were really high so you don't find many 1916 dated rifles, certainly not in that condition. Nice that it has a matching rearsight and the windage adjustment on the rearsight too. I would happily pay $800 for that rifle--I have seen clean examples in Canada listed at $1000. I don't know if they have been getting that or not. I would think $800 is a good place to start it. Where are you going to be listing it?

Ed

[browningautorifle]

He already has it up on WTS...