What to look for: MK1 No. 3

[usabaker]

My son found an Enfield MK1 No.3 Serial # 180758 at one of his local gun shops and is asking what he should look for on it to determine if it is worth buying. If any of you folks can help, that would be appreciated.





Bill

Information

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[Daan Kemp]

Normal stuff - condition of the bore, wood complete, safety functional, sights working, bolt movement smooth, trigger working, no bits missing, magazine working, etc.

Headspace I'll leave to the experts. I would also look to the wood being tight, if possible to disassemble and check draws. Leave that to the experts too.

Check in your area if the price is acceptable.

[Alan de Enfield]

Do you know what a 'complete and correct' LE No1 Mk3 should look like ?

Does it have any parts missing or damaged, has it been sporterised ?
Overall condition, is everything tight, no movement and no rattles.
Condition of bore / rifling

AND, the 'biggy' - is it numbers matching ? - particularly the bolt. LE bolts are not interchangable and whilst replacement bolts are easily 'slid into place' they need properly fitting (ie work needed to fit properly) Replacement bolts are NOT 'plug & play'.

Serial numbers should be on the rear of the bolt handle, the body, the barrel, the rear sights and the nose-piece.

As for price, every region will have its own 'market price' so only you, or your Son, can determine the going rate in your / his locale.

[Giove]

From the pic it looks like an Indian Lee-Enfield. What year is it?

[Singer B]

I would recommend you look up the various codes used by the military to decertify rifles and remove them from service. Decertified rifles that should not be fired have found their way into the market. Maybe someone with more knowledge can advise what those codes would be and where to find them on the rifle?

[browningautorifle]

the various codes used by the military to decertify rifles

You mean ZF and DP and such? Here's a thread to read about markings... https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=68968

[Singer B]

You mean ZF and DP and such? Here's a thread to read about markings... https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=68968

Exactly, thank you sir!! I had someone offer me a No4 that needed some work. It had one of those markings on the stock and after I researched it, I was able to cancel the deal. I would hate for this new collector to get stuck with a rifle that is unsafe to fire.

[usabaker]

Thanks to all of you for your help. My son is going back to the shop to take pictures of the rifle and its markings. I've provided him with the information all of you have kindly provided.