Gun show 1918 Enfield/ Australian reissue LE purchase

[rayg]

Just picked this nice excellent condt 1918 Enfield/ Australian reissue LE up today at a local Wisconsin show for only $150. It's Australian restamped all matching with an excellent bore. Ironically a couple tables away there was another decent Lightgow LE which I told my buddy about and he went and bought it for $150 also. There was another one at that same table for $195 asking price which probably could have been bought for $175.
I haven't seen a decent LE sell for $150 in years and to see three as cheap at the same show by different sellers was really unusual,
Are LE's starting to drop in value lately? Ray

Attachment 18068 - Attachment 18069 - Attachment 18070 - Attachment 18071 - Attachment 18072 - Attachment 18073 - Attachment 18074 - Attachment 18075 - Attachment 18076

Information

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[Amatikulu]

I think sellers asking prices are very area dependent. Here in sunny Florida, A similar condition rifle to the one you show would sell for $250 plus as they are simply not common down here.

[Garandrew]

Its cyclical..US rifles and carbines are gold..or anything with glass, or experimental..

[rayg]

Just noticed that the serial number #663 is also stamped on the underside of the forearm. So the rifle is overall matching with the Australian restamp, Ray

[krinko]

Restamp?
Those look like original serial numbers to me---it would have an Aussie FTR mark if it had been renumbered in Oz, would it not?

Very nice rifle, I have a thing for the Britain/Australia Sht. L.E. Three digit serial number, too.
-----krinko

[rayg]

What I mean is that the stamps are different then the original British receiver stamp, ie restamped serial number, Ray

[krinko]

"...ie restamped serial number..."

Here's a 1920 Lithgow with the same pattern markings your British rifle has.
Attachment 18099
The "5" stands for the Australian 5th Military District, the "17801" is the inventory number of this rifle in the 5th M.D. Since British and Australian rifles were issued side by side in various districts, there could be duplication of serial numbers---the inventory number is unique to each rifle in it's own M.D.

Attachment 18100
This is the rifle's serial number "A 85520"---just like your rifle, it's the original unaltered serial number.
-----krinko

[rayg]

Thanks, I think I got it now, the long number is an inventory number and not a restamped serial number, Ray

[rayg]

What is this stamp? Is it a date? Also there is an SSA stamped on the front flat of the trigger guard. Ray

[Bindi2]

Krinko as i am a 5MD resident please look after the old girl.