Help choosing a Lee Enfield

[Aussie48]

I hope you have a Lithgow no 1 Mk3* muffett the best (i'm biased) 303 to fire a round in anger

Information

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[Surpmil]

I have examples of both Maltby Attachment 38021
and Longbranch Attachment 38022
in pristine condition, (both 1942) the british one outshoots the others, is far slicker compared to it's overseas counterparts and for a clunky No.4 is a pretty nice rifle.
That, coming from me is a good recommendation, being anti No.4.

Interesting. What makes the Maltby "slicker" or the LB less so?

[enfieldman]

I also own a 1943 Maltby and a 1950 LB
Both are in excellent condition, shoot great and are definite keepers.
The `43 Maltby definitely has more history behind it, but choose
either / or both!!! good luck.

[Ridolpho]

danlm: If it were my first I'd personally go for the Maltby as it's more typical or representative of the No.4 as used during its "finest hour". The LB might be of appeal to a more specialized collector. However, if they're in great shape you might as well give up and take both as it becomes addictive. I bought my first about a year and a half ago and am on number 13 or 14 already! Actually, one of the tough things to decide is the direction you want your collection to take. Anyway, good luck with the decision and show some photos afterwards.

Ridolpho

[muffett.2008]

Attachment 38024Fancy asking a collector that. ......and guess what year.

[danlm]

Thank You all for reply!
Lots of useful advice and information.
The Maltby is advertised as ''war stores rifle in grease''.
That means it has never been used?
I plan to shoot the gun as often I can!
Which one of them you, guys, think will be a better shooter (1943 Maltby Vs. 1950 Longbranch; 2 groove Vs. probably 5 groove)?

[Beerhunter]

The Maltby is advertised as ''war stores rifle in grease''.
1) That means it has never been used?

2) Which one of them you, guys, think will be a better shooter (1943 Maltby Vs. 1950 Longbranch; 2 groove Vs. probably 5 groove)?

1) No. We used to get replacement rifles from War Stores held at the Tower of London (believe it or not.) and they were usually far from unused.

2) In terms of shooting, the number of grooves is neither here nor there.

[Aussie48]

Oh Muffett that is a beauty it looks like one of the rifles Lithgow made with the different types of native Aust woods but for the life of me I can't remember the year, I will take a punt and say 42

[muffett.2008]

Picked in one 48, 1942 has special meaning for me, beside being the year war came to Australia, it's the year I lost an uncle in Singapore, slaughtered in the Alexandra Hospital attack.

[jmoore]

Personally, I'd lean towards the Maltby. But the final decision would be based on a hands-on examination. At this point you're just buying "a pig in a poke". All that's known at this point is that one was born in England and the other, Canada.