No1 Mk3 1916 $2000 ?

[soonerfan66]

I am no expert in value of Lee Enfields so my question is what would make a Short Lee Enfield No1 Mk3 dated 1916 sell for $2000 . Was watching a couple rifles on a auction site today and saw this rifle sell for what I thought was a pretty high price . What am I missing here ? I am not saying it is not worth it but would like to know why . Thanks

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[Roger Payne]

I really couldn't say. Perhaps it was a peach anyway, & the bidders had all been to see '1917' & got a bit carried away.......there's a piece of nice footage in the film of the SMLE in use.

[Bindi2]

Without a photo or two to see it we can not help you. It may have looked normal to you but had rare sights fitted.

[soonerfan66]

I will get my wife to help post a picture of the rifle to help . What got me it looked like the stock had been sanded and restained , no scratches or dings . First thought I had grabbed a old pair of glasses when seen the sold price , I have never saw a L.E. for that much except maybe a real WW1 sniper maybe .

[Roger Payne]

If it was a real WW1 sniping variant of the SMLE I'd be battering the owner's door down with the cash in my hands.

[husk]

The rifle you're talking about sold for $2025 and was a 1918 BSA MkIII. Nothing about it looked special to me. The seller has a following and frequently gets top dollar for run-of -the -mill guns.

[soonerfan66]

Just watched a older Forgotten Weapons on youtube episode of prices from a gun auction and it sold a sniper L.E. from WW1 for $17000 . WOW ! Those things must be very rare . My wife is not feeling good and since I am not tech savy enough the pictures will have to wait till she feels better . I need to find a class for cavemen what wife calls me , who still use flip phones and learn to use a computer and smart phones better !!

[Roger Payne]

I hope your wife is feeling better soon.

Yes, original WW1 SMLE sniper rifles are almost unobtainable. Something of the order of 10,000 were produced but just after WW1 it was decided to strip them all down as the 'new' P'14 sniper rifle was to be standardized upon. Consequently, only a very few that escaped dismantling & the attrition of the intervening century have survived. Everybody goes nuts for No4 (T)'s but they are ten-a-penny in comparison to SMLE snipers......

[amadeus76]

Everybody goes nuts for No4 (T)'s but they are ten-a-penny in comparison to SMLE snipers......

For some it's simply what calls to us... All the milsurp rifles I have there is something about the platforms that pull me. I love the No4. Whether it's the sum of its parts or an intangible factor I find it a beautiful and badass rifle. However, I find the No5 ugly and have no desire to own one. I can say the same about the No1 Mk3, tho to a lesser extent and I have considering picking one up before.

[Roger Payne]

I think I would agree with you, I was just commenting on rarity. For the individual it comes down to what floats your boat. I love both the SMLE & the No4, & I think you could argue that the No4 is actually a nicer looking rifle, but the SMLE just oozes character, which tips the balance for me..