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N0.1 MKIII Question
ECO-DAVE
Member Posts: 243 ✭✭✭
I would like some info on this rifle.
On the wrist:
GR
BSA
1917
Sht LE
III and a star
On the receiver:
No.1 MKIII 303
Serial # 46xxx
Rifle is mint and appears new. Any idea of value?
Also has a round cocking piece on the bolt not the typical flat.
Thank you
On the wrist:
GR
BSA
1917
Sht LE
III and a star
On the receiver:
No.1 MKIII 303
Serial # 46xxx
Rifle is mint and appears new. Any idea of value?
Also has a round cocking piece on the bolt not the typical flat.
Thank you
Comments
Condition and matching #s are everything. $125 for a beater, $200-$250 for a nice but average specimen, more for something in really nice shape.
Volley sights and mag cutoff intact will command a premium.
Edit: Doh! I missed the * in your description.
If you really have a mint rifle from 1917, there may be something very unusual about it. Does it say DP? FTR? Does it seem to function properly? Are you familiar enough with SMLE's to say?
Could you post pictures please? One man's mint is another man's NRA VG.
The mk.III* didn't have volley sights or a cutoff. That's what made it a *.
If you really have a mint rifle from 1917, there may be something very unusual about it. Does it say DP? FTR? Does it seem to function properly? Are you familiar enough with SMLE's to say?
Could you post pictures please? One man's mint is another man's NRA VG.
Not familiar with these rifles, I will say this rifle appears unfired as theres no wear on the feed ramp, even the brass butt plate is near perfect. Blueing is perfect and all lettering is crisp, even the mag is serial numbered to the rifle.
Link for some info on your SMLE- http://www.surplusrifle.com/smle/index.asp
Edit- Deerhide is correct- Birmingham Small Arms. Me brain dead.
The wood has been cut away around the rear sight, indicating it's been issued, then probably been worked on by one of the King's armorers. The part that went around the rear sight got beat up easily and was typically cut off.
Incidentally, you have a beechwood stock. They were running low on walnut, which has to be seasoned (dried) for three years before it makes a good gunstock. Birch and beech are traditional second choices. Beech is so stable they make woodworking planes out of it but is kinda ugly to some. I saw a lovely, unomdified long gew.98 with a beech stock once, so the Germans were doing it too.
In WW2 the Germans and Soviets started using laminated wood, which dries quicker, uses more of the tree, and can be layered so as to overcome the warpage. The British re-engineered the No.1's successor the No.4 mk 2 to be more resistant to warpage by pinning the trigger to the receiver rather than the stock.
Based solely on an occasional perusal of the No.1's on gunbroker I would say it should go for around $350? It does seem to have been deployed somewhere which was kind to the finish-Iraq, perhaps? It IS in great shape for an old ShtLEy, it's just far from new. That's unless the bore is shot or rusted out.
I know it's an undesireable feature [the import stamp], but by how much, I don't know.
Since the rifle looks very clean, (albeit used), the import stamp and the lack of 'cherry' condition will not be a deal breaker to any except the serious collector.
Good Luck! Joe