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

[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)?

[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.

[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.

[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.

[flying pig]

What rear sights are they wearing? The micrometer rear sight will be nicer to shoot than the 300/600 flip.

[danlm]

I got the Longbranch!