Collecting Enfields -How many?

[jss]

Firstly, what a great web site. I would like to thank the originators and contributors for providing such an interesting and absorbing content.

How many Enfields make a collection?.
I am becoming increasingly frustrated when I miss out on a rifle I really would like to have owned, due to Firearms restrictions, and wondered how seasoned collectors decide what and what not to collect.

Any advice welcome.

Information

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[Peter Laidler]

I've got a HUGE collection of Enfields JSS................ Now here's an idea......... What about getting all of the UK pommy forumers together one weekday or even a Saturday in the Autumn or Winter and come and see them, all live and in the flesh. If you're well organised, I can even arrange lunch in our mess. Make it a group of 15 or so and, well, feast your eyes. While were not allowed to 'charge' as such, but I'd appreciate a small donation from one and all when you leave

On that basis, I'd say that 20 or 30 was a reasonable collection..........

[newcastle]

You can only collect what you can afford. I started in 2003 and then went crazy for a couple of years then lost my job and had to sell some off. I sold off most of the 7.62 LE's I had and kept the crucial ones to me. Now I've settled down with three No.1s and a No.1 sniper rifle, a few Number 4's and a No.4 'T' sniper a No.1 Mk5 which bridges the gap between No.1 and No.4 and an L1A1 and L42. Thus I have the main battle rifles from Britain and their sniper equivalent spanning from early 1900's until well into the 1980s (and depending who you believe the 1990s). I have a couple of related oddballs also - a Winchester 1895 in 303 british and a No.1 .22 trainer. Realistically I shoot about once a month and my mini collection of 14 LEs will last the rest of my life and beyond for my son hopefully. That's all I need, but of course I'm always on the lookout - just in case there's a bargain around

---------- Post added at 10:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:40 AM ----------

As a follow up. I moved to the USA from the UK in 2002. When I was in teh UK and when I was a kids - I would have been VERY happy with one No.4 - it's all relative.

[Fred G.]

I'm not a seasoned collector of Enfields by any means. I've only owned about seven in my life. But I've been collecting various types of other rifles, mostly U.S Krags, 1903's and antiques, for 36 years. Out of the 160 or so long guns in my life I've owned over the years, I've only bought something on line twice. Everything else has been found at guns shows where I found them on a table and was able to examine them in detail. That included putting them to my shoulder and getting the feel of them. If I then fell in Lust for the rifle, I'd buy or trade for it. I've only owned, at the most, about a dozen old rifles or muskets at any one time due to limited cash available at the time, but I've owned many types over the years and have learned everything I could about each type. Usually, after studying up on and reading about specific events in Military history, I began yearning for such a rifle or musket that was involved. That's all it took to provoke me to go out and find one at a show. Fred

[Amatikulu]

jss,

In my experience a collection is never complete. They always have a way of branching out and adding more items that you need to fill the "slot" A great collection can start from as many as one rifle.

[Sht_LE]

Amatikulu is right, you can have a great collection with one rifle and its accessories. Over the years I have found great joy in finding and researching stuff like beach covers, muzzle covers, bayonets, scabbards and frogs, aim correctors, inspection mirrors, Armourer's tools, inspection gauges, grenade launchers, wire cutters and breakers, night sights (still looking for those;-) and anything else that is related to my rifles.
When I was in the Army and moving around a lot, I collected brass SMLE oil bottles. They don't take up much space and are cheap. I found some in antique shops, gun stores, and gun shows for as little as a buck or two each or $20 USD for a hard to find one that I really wanted. I don't have a lot of money in them, most I got for less than $10 apiece but they are a neat rifle related collection in and of themselves.
And I don't care how long you do it, no individual will ever have a collection that is "complete".

[Beerhunter]

I am becoming increasingly frustrated when I miss out on a rifle I really would like to have owned, due to Firearms restrictions, and wondered how seasoned collectors decide what and what not to collect.

There is an awful lot of inaccurate information around regarding our (GB) Firearms legislation. (Often put about by Police FEOs, who should know better.) Many members of HBSA and, latterly, LERA have large numbers of firearms in their collections. In order to emulate them, you need good security and be a bone fide collector. It is the last bit that confounds people.

However back to your question: A Lee-Metford, a Lee-Enfield (Long), an SMLE, a No.4 and a No.5. You should be able to get five rifles past any Constabulary. If you want to add a sixth one, then a P14 would be my choice.

That lot, plus Full Membership of, for example, HBSA or LERA ought to be enough to satisfy one's Local Constabulary that one 'needs' more.

What you won't find however is the happy situation that pertains in the US or Switzerland and frankly it never has been. Partly because of their lack of controls over many years, there is a greater critical mass than the UK and so one can pick up rifles (and pistols for that matter) at often bargain basement prices. (For example, in Winterthur I recently saw a scruffy K31 for fifty quid.)

[Gingercat]

Hi

I can't really call myself a 'seasoned collector', as I've only been collecting Lee Enfields for just over 3 years and prior to that Martini Henrys. I currently have 9 Enfields in 303 calibre and waiting for another 1:1 variation to hopefully make 10.

For the purposes of my local constabulary, 3 rifles in the same calibre required justification of building a 'collection' ("... you have two 303s already...") and I wrote to them, telling them about membership of HBSA, LERA and the reference books I have, the types of accessories I've collected etc to convince them that I am a genuine 'collector'. I also pointed out that I occasionally like to shoot (I have access to local MOD ranges with a Norfolk club) and the police allow me a small amount of ammo for 'occasional test firing'.

I think that security (as has been mentioned) is a major factor in 'how many' to collect in the UK. 12 seems to be the magic number, beyond which you require an intruder alarm for the house and to 'spread the risk' between multiple gun safes.

For me the decision on the rifle is based on 'condition' (especially bore), originality - matching serial numbers and patina (I hate reconditioned wood and re-blued metal). As to type - well I am favouring the SMLEs in my collection, although I have a No.4 Mk 2 (UF55 series, being one of the last 303s) and a No.5 Mk 1 carbine too. My latest purchase, a 1943 Lithgow, fills the slot of a WW2 SMLE and also an Australian manufactured one, in my small collection.

As has also been mentioned, in the UK, price seems to be a determining factor too. You don't see any decent MK III SMLEs (with volley sights) for under £550+ retail and the Mk I SMLEs £800+. I paid £850 for a very good condition, matching SMLE Mk V last year and that I think was a modest price.

When collecting anything, probably the soundest advice is to view as many as possible, do the research thoroughly and buy the very best example you can (and can afford) from a reliable source and you shouldn't go too far wrong in the long run.

All the best
Mike

[Rowdy]

What constitutes a complete collection - it is never complete but I am reasonably happy with my collection of rifles chambered for the .303 cartridge - only a few more rare ones to go.
Come on youse pommy forumers - opportunities like this do not exist forever - I travelled around the world to take advantage of Peters generous offer and without even the free lunch!

[Badger]

What constitutes a complete collection - it is never complete but I am reasonably happy with my collection of rifles chambered for the .303 cartridge - only a few more rare ones to go.
Come on youse pommy forumers - opportunities like this do not exist forever - I travelled around the world to take advantage of Peters generous offer and without even the free lunch!

Welcome to the site jss ...

Thanks for the feedback... much appreciated ...

We normally only hear from users about what's wrong with the site, or receive ugly complaints about not letting people "beat on each other", or wander into heated discussions regarding politics or religion.

Rowdy ...

That's a beautiful looking collection.

Love to see some more detailed photo montages of those snipers. Perhaps create an entry for some of them on out MKL?

Regards,
Doug