Any British 303 trench gun experts here?

[flashpan]

A friend has one to sell...I don't have the gun but have pics if anyone can help identify and have interest. Here are a couple pics for starters.

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[CLT65]

That's a 1918 #1 Mk.III* SMLE, .303 British Enfield. Neat old rifle.

Value depends a lot on condition. A lot of them were sporterized, and a lot of them have rough bores. Is the stock still complete to the muzzle, with the nose cap? The stock looks a little too shiny, like it's been refinished.

 

[flashpan]

Thank You ... The owner said he bought this around 1960 packed in cosmoline. And yes he said they restored it. I'll have to ask him but refinished stock for sure. Here are more pics.

 

[cooper]

Pretty...blast to shoot
WOLF makes blaster 303
SG ammo might still have cans of NC surplus...keep it

 

[arisaka]

No 1 mk III. Great old war horse

 

[Mikej]

Get @tac here to take a look. He helped me with my BSA 1918 No1 MK III*

 

[tac]

Show it, Mike.

 

[Mikej]

What's he asking for it?

I'd ask if it's got buggered screws? When these are taken down it's imperative that the front stocks are removed BEFORE the butt stock. The big screw that holds the butt stock on has a square end the fits between the recoil lugs of the front stock. Removing the butt stock screw will break/crack the the front stock.

 

[tac]

I've reposted one of the images over on a well-reputed L-E forum where the main US-based collectors hang out. I don't know enough about them to make an informed opinion, but the stamping on the wrist does not look right to me. I'm also interested to know it has been called a 'trench gun'. what does that mean to you? To me it means something like a Winchester Model of 1897...which it b'ain't.

 

[tac]

Thank You ... The owner said he bought this around 1960 packed in cosmoline. And yes he said they restored it. I'll have to ask him but refinished stock for sure. Here are more pics.

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Is there any way that you can take a horizontal image along the whole rifle - muzzle to butt-plate, without the household furniture, please?

 

[Mikej]

Show it, Mike.

I wish i knew how to take better pics. I can never seem to get the light correct.

 

[Mikej]

That's a 1918 #1 Mk.III* SMLE, .303 British Enfield. Neat old rifle.

Value depends a lot on condition. A lot of them were sporterized, and a lot of them have rough bores. Is the stock still complete to the muzzle, with the nose cap? The stock looks a little too shiny, like it's been refinished.

That shiny is, if it's like mine is 100 YO hardened linseed oil. Looks just like mine did when I got it. I took some 4/0 steel wool and denatures alcohol to mine. Very gently. Put it infront of the wood stove to warm it and the LO would seep to the surface. Repeat....about 5 times. There's still enough in that stock that it will come to the surface if warmed.

 

[tac]

I'm confused now - WHO is asking about WHICH rifle? Mike's example has FAR better stamps than the first example - those stamps are just, hmmmmmmmm.

Mike's rifle -



The other rifle -

 

[flashpan]

Thanks for the info and the pics folks. So an idea of what these are worth?

 

[tac]

Thanks for the info and the pics folks. So an idea of what these are worth?

How many do you have? Mike's is in v. good but not overly 'restored' condition, and he tells me that it has a fine bore - that's around $600- 700 depending on where you are located.

Can't say anything about yours (?) yet as the jury is still out on the wrist markings.

How's the bore, BTW?

 

[Mikej]

Thanks for the info and the pics folks. So an idea of what these are worth?

Well I paid $675.00 for mine.

 

[Mikej]

Maybe because it LOOKS like it's been beat around in a WWI trench?

That's part of the lure to me of these guns. Just imagine what parts of the world that gun may have seen?

 

[War Bird Radio]

Now this IS a trench gun!

 

[tac]

Now this IS a trench gun!

View attachment 639869

'Zackly!!!!!

 

[tac]

Resplone from a well-regarded L-E collector on gunboards.com -

It looks legitimate, although a bit rough. I have attached a pic of another LSA (an early mk 1) I pulled from the internet. You can see the difference in the font size, which was common on LSA produced guns.


My only concern (albeit a small concern) is it looks as if a few stamps were re-stamped. I don't think this was done for nefarious reasons. It looks as if some of the original stamps wore off through much handling, and the heavier stamps were added to allow for correct identification. The * was added after the cut-off plate was removed from service.

I'd say it began life as a legitimate Mk III, and was probably rebuilt post WW1, and then went off to foreign service. The wood and finish remind me of Indian-finished guns.

More pics would help out, specifically under the rear handguard and overall views.

Hope this helps.

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