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  1. #1
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    Need help with these Enfield Markings

    Hi all. First time posting but I've been lurking around the forum for a while. I've been researching a friends No.4 MK1 rifle and I'm having a hard time recognizing a royal cypher mark and some adjacent marks close to it. I believe the rifle is a BSA Shirley due to the fact that it has a N3XXXX serial number and M47C matching marks on the barrel and stock. I'll try to attach an image of the cluster of markings that I have questions about. If someone more knowledgeable could identify them for me I'd appreciate it. The rifle will never be sold as it was passed down from my friends grandfather however I would like to get an idea of what it would be worth in today's milsurp market.

    Many Thanks for your assistance.
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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

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    Can't help with the markings. Value wise your friends rifle has no collector value since it's been sporterized and is only worth what it's parts would bring if broken down sold at auction. It would probably be worth more to someone looking for a cut down Enfield to hunt with than it's parts would fetch especially if the reciever has been d/t for a scope. It would be possible to restore it but that would most likely cost more than the rifle would be worth in the end, IMO.

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    Vintage Hunter is spot on. Pretty much worthless on the collector market. $150 at a gun show all day long. However, I don't see how any of that matters. The sentimental value outweighs market value in my opinion. At the end of the day it's a cool rifle because it was passed down. Treasure it for what it is. Thanks for sharing.

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    From back to front your barrel markings are: Broadarrow signifying Britishicon military ownership. '44- the date of the barrel mfg. And the pile of small markings in front are factory inspectors' marks signifying that the component passed some stage of fabrication.

    The major drawback to returning this rifle to it's former military congiuration is that the barrel appears to have been shortened forward of the front sight. If you have determination and machining skills, a stub could be added, but either repalcing the barrel or repairing it visually by farming out the work would put you behind the price/value curve.

    However, it does look to be in otherwise good condition (what hasn't been modified, that is.) The #3 bolt head is a popular item and metal and butt look good.

    Shoot it, add a military front end if you want, and consider it ground zero for your Lee Enfield interests!
    Last edited by jmoore; 02-23-2013 at 07:33 PM.

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    Biggest issue I see is that it looks like the receiver bridge has been removed.

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    Thread Starter
    Thanks everyone for the comments. I had no clue that the rifle was sporterized. Is this something that would have been in Englandicon or State side? My friends grandfather was British but was transferred over to the U.S to assist in training pilots during the beginning of the war. Special thanks to jmoore for the assistance with the markings.

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    It would have been done after it left military service.

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    Looks like a #3 bolt head. Could be worth what something based on another post.

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