+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 19

Thread: Is this lee Enfield a no go?

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    Zucchini's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Last On
    12-12-2018 @ 02:06 AM
    Location
    behind you
    Posts
    2
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    07:08 AM

    Is this lee Enfield a no go?

    Hi guys,
    I was looking around some local gun dealers when I noticed a Lee Enfield No4 Mk1* for a tasty price. On closer inspection, the bolt is non-matching which is a concern, If I go ahead I understand I will need to check if both lugs are making proper contact and make sure it has proper headspacing (I mean its an Enfield headspacing isn't a big thing). Don't worry I'm not concerned about it being a non-matching rifle all I want is an entry to the Lee Enfield brotherhood Problem is it isn't local it's about 500km away from me so I cannot do my standard inspection, I don't even know if the bolt fully closes at the moment. So I am looking for some more knowledgeable advise on whether it is a good buy or a no go.

    Thanks,

    Long branch 1942 s/n: 18L8730 or 19960









    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    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.
     

  3. #2
    Legacy Member Al Diehl's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Last On
    06-11-2022 @ 10:52 AM
    Location
    Leesville/Ft Polk Louisiana, USA
    Age
    64
    Posts
    211
    Real Name
    AL
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    12:08 PM
    It would have to a have great price to travel 500km for that one. Of, course not knowing where you are at doesn't help since we don't know what kind of availability you have where you are at. It has a New Zealandicon acceptance stamp on the stock. It appears to have had another serial number place on it above the original. It's been around.
    If you were making the trip anyway, I'd say check it out but, again, it would have to be a really great price to get me to go that far for it.
    Good luck.

    Al
    “Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.”- Benjamin Franklin

  4. Thank You to Al Diehl For This Useful Post:


  5. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  6. #3
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    Zucchini's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Last On
    12-12-2018 @ 02:06 AM
    Location
    behind you
    Posts
    2
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    07:08 AM
    Thread Starter
    Quote Originally Posted by Al Diehl View Post
    It would have to a have great price to travel 500km for that one.
    It ships the cost in petrol would cost more than the gun lol. It is up for $450 NZD but I will try to talk him down if I decide to buy it, It might not be safe to shoot after all. It is in New Zealandicon which explains why it has the NZ acceptance stamp however I'm not sure if NZ stamped the new serial number on it.

  7. #4
    Legacy Member Al Diehl's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Last On
    06-11-2022 @ 10:52 AM
    Location
    Leesville/Ft Polk Louisiana, USA
    Age
    64
    Posts
    211
    Real Name
    AL
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    12:08 PM
    I understand. I thought that you were going to have to travel to get it. (Is there even 500kms in NZicon?)

    Al
    “Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.”- Benjamin Franklin

  8. #5
    Legacy Member Kiwi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Last On
    05-27-2023 @ 06:40 AM
    Location
    Queenstown, New Zealand
    Age
    46
    Posts
    243
    Real Name
    Andrew
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    06:08 AM
    Personally i'd pass on it. You'll find one with a matching bolt soon enough for the same price. Don't be in a hurry.

  9. #6
    Contributing Member Gil Boyd's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Last On
    02-28-2024 @ 11:09 AM
    Location
    Home of The Parachute Regiment & 16 Air Assault Brigade
    Posts
    4,772
    Real Name
    Gil Boyd
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    06:08 PM
    Probably caused by two squaddies chewing the fat as they cleaned their weapons and mismatched their bolts on reassembly or...................................! It is what it is and clearly needs some TLC. Always worth a punt at the right price IMHO
    'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA

  10. #7
    Advisory Panel
    Peter Laidler's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    03-24-2024 @ 09:52 AM
    Location
    Abingdon, Oxfordshire. The home of MG Cars
    Posts
    16,507
    Real Name
    Peter Laidler
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    08:08 PM
    NZicon rifles usually had another NZ number marked on them so this 19960 number could indicate that NZ number.

    This thread also brings home something else. The location of '....behind you ....' might cause a smile but it's useless when we need to know where you are in order to give you advice.

  11. Thank You to Peter Laidler For This Useful Post:


  12. #8
    Legacy Member Sunray's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    03-29-2021 @ 03:01 PM
    Location
    London, Ontario
    Posts
    1,053
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    02:08 PM
    "...headspacing isn't a big thing..." Yeah, it is. Thousands of Lee-Enfields have been assembled out of parts bins with zero QC. Isn't difficult to fix bad headspace, if you have the right bolt head. And matching numbers doesn't mean that bolt head gives good headspace. Not matching doesn't mean the headspace is bad either though.
    The issue with that bolt is the finish is gone and the rust. Neither is particularly difficult to fix either, but I'd want proof of good headspace before driving 100 KM, never mind 500.
    "...there even 500kms in NZicon..." Lengthwise with both islands, but not the width. snicker.
    Spelling and Grammar count!

  13. #9
    Contributing Member CINDERS's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Last On
    03-25-2024 @ 11:01 AM
    Location
    South West Western Australia
    Posts
    7,734
    Real Name
    CINDERS
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    02:08 AM
    You get what you pay for and by the look of that one I understand why its cheap without any mention on the H/S as SR pointed out is as important in the Lee Enfield as any other rifle we shoot regardless, condition of the tube could be a totally shot out barrel requiring replacement that alone will set you back $700+-, Stock has more varrnish on it than a Bunnings warehouse stocks on its shelves.

    It is definitely not a sleeper that some granny put away and stored correctly more so its a well used example that without being handled and closely inspected denotes its condition by the asking price I would be asking some serious questions but I am already out the door on this one........

  14. Thank You to CINDERS For This Useful Post:


  15. #10
    Advisory Panel Patrick Chadwick's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Last On
    06-25-2023 @ 06:36 AM
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    5,032
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    08:08 PM
    Regular readers will know that I am not put off by external condition. I have refurbished (and shoot!) rifles that - externally - could be described as "tomato stakes", "sewer pipes" or just plain scrap. But they are all "good shootable" to "excellent" internally, and all bolts match.

    The trouble with long distance evaluation is that you have no idea of the internal condition, and my own experience is that the seller's opinion is not worth much. So in the end it has to be hands-on evaluation.

    In short, non-matching bolt rules it out IMHO, and the distance makes it certainly not worth going to have a look.
    Last edited by Patrick Chadwick; 09-13-2018 at 10:27 AM.

  16. The Following 3 Members Say Thank You to Patrick Chadwick For This Useful Post:


+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Update: How to wrap an Enfield pull-through and steps for Enfield care & cleaning
    By Badger in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 09-13-2013, 09:30 AM
  2. 1924 ShtLE (Short Lee-Enfield) No.1 MkV Rifle (Mfg by RSAF Enfield)
    By Badger in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 04-07-2007, 12:12 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks