Current prices for SMLEs?

[jisii]

I was a bit shocked when an SMLE went for $250.00 at a local Auction on Thursday evening (4-1-10).
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a290/jisii/SMLE.jpg
The rifle had a decent bore but the bolt was a mismatch, none of the other numbers matched and the stock looked to have been sanded. Going on memory, the butt socket marking was "Enfield" with a crown over "Mark III" with no date. Is this a realistic value in todays market?

I purchased my three SMLEs a few years back (1918 BSA, 1942 Lithgow, 1965 Ishapore) and didn't pay more than $110.00 for any of them. The Lithgow and the Ishy came from AIM, $110.00 and $94.00 respectively and the BSA was a $100.00 gun show find. All have good bores and matching numbers and the BSA and the Ishapore have no indication of FTR.

Has the market gone up that much since 2006-2007?
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a290/jisii/Lee%20Enfields/EnfieldSMLECollectionsmall.jpg

[Art]

Short answer: Prices have gone up.

The rifle you describe probably was high at $250.00, even a bit high at $200.00 but it was at an auction and that does tend to drive the price up a bit.

Location matters. There are some parts of this country where milsurps go begging and others where they're in demand. The three rifles you have pictured along with the discription you gave would probably put them in the $225.00 to $275.00 range in these parts, give or take a bit, but good milsurps are in demand and sell well in my neck of the woods.

[Hal O'Peridol]

Last batch of No4 Enfields that Century had about 2 months ago were 249 dollars WHOLESALE price, and only graded as "good", which by Century grading standards is a little better than a fence post. Days of cheap Enfields are gone for now, barring any more large caches of Enfields found in other countrys, such as India or perhaps more in Turkey. Some of the last batch from Turkey were pretty much brand new, but very dusty.

[jisii]

I got my best prices from SOG and AIM a few years back. I'm not sure where SOG got their No. 4s but the ones I got were near new; only cost $110.00 each if memory serves. Niether shows any indication of FTR. The only down side was they both had flip-type rear sights which I replaced with ladder type from Springfield sporters for 10 bucks each.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a290/jisii/Maltbys/Maltbys.jpg

[Sunray]

"...which by Century..." May not be safe to shoot.
jisii, your rifles are worth a whole lot more than you paid for 'em. I'd guess well over $300. Not a bad investment. There's a Suncorited Long Branch on Oldguns.net they for $375. $425 for a mismatched Lithgow No. 1. Mind you, they think Long Branch made rifles are "the most collectible of the No. 4 rifles" too. (I grew up about 5 miles from the plant and know better than that.) Your's are in far better condition, assuming the headspace is ok. Your bayonets, even the cut one, command close to $100US.
Of course, a No. 4 Rifle is not an SMLE.

[jisii]

Thanks much for the info Sunray. I have no intent to sell any time soon but it's nice to know current value. I keep a spreadsheet on my Military collection including approximate values so my wife will have an idea of value should I expire. I'm pushing 70 now so I need to update often.

Thanks again

[John Sukey]

If you thinkthose prices are high, take a look at what Long Lee's are selling for:eek::eek:

[coppertales]

Most of the Enfields I have I bought years ago when they were in the 100-150 buck range. I paid 400 for a 1917 Lithgow a few months ago. It was matching but the barrel had been replaced in 1944. It is essentially a new bore and a fine shooter. There was another Great War Lithgow at the show with the asking price of 525. I could not afford the milsurps I now have if I had to buy them today, they have gone up that much....chris3

[madcratebuilder]

The prices on most guns, mil-surps or not have gone way up in the past eighteen months. After the election EBR prices almost doubled, they are just now getting back close to pre-election prices. The price on pre-lock S&W revolvers has gone up 30-40% in the past two years. I've seen N frames that would have brought $500 pre-election going for $850 now. I get sticker shock every time I walk into the gun shops.

[John Sukey]

Dating myself, but I remember;
No1Mk3's for $9.95 and No4's for $11.95
Cadet martini's for $9.95, $12.95 if rechambered to .32 Win spl.
1917 Smiths, and Colt New Services for $30
No4Mk1 T's for $125
03 springfields for $40

Too soon ve gets old und too late ve gets schmart:eek:

[Fred]

If you thinkthose prices are high, take a look at what Long Lee's are selling for:eek::eek:

Ouch! You ain't kiddin. I think that the next thing I want to buy is an early unmolested (SMLE) No 1 Mk I or Mk I*, Mk I**, or Mk I***. The one with the early hand guard and the early shaped front sight ears, cut off, volley sight, charger bolt head etc. I've been watching them sell and it seems they top out at around $800.00 or so.

[John Sukey]

Well, counting the two Metfords, I have seven. One of the Metfords is FUGLY since the IDIOT stored it in the vicinity of a swamp cooler, but the bore is OK

[Bolt2bounce]

I've got 6 enfields I'm no expert on them but I know they have gone way up in price.. I have two 1942 long branch #4 one was brought into the US from Canada years ago, it was my grand fathers, the other one I got in the last few years.. at a collectors gun store..I like the Long branch guns but they war era guns and are not as well designed as the later guns. I have a Savage U.S. property marked a like new #1MK 3 the barrel is prat & witney made I believe.. something like that.. I have a ishpore 308 and a 1917. I'd not give anyone of them away for less than $300, so it is market value..these days.. B2B

[jisii]

Thanks for all the repies folks. It's nice to know values are increasing. I originally got interested in Enfields early on because of historical significance and because they were inexpensive compared to Springfields and Garands. I currently have 8 including the Indian 2A. The most expensive was the No. 3 Mk. 2 ($400.00) and the least expensive was the Ishapore ($80.00). The whole Enfield collection prices out at about $1300.00 invested.

For what it's worth, the Remington No3 Mk. 2 (labeled P14 in the PIC) is by far the best shooter.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a290/jisii/Collection%20Pictures/All8BritEnfields.jpg