I picked up an Enfield, mostly because the bore and price were both good. Looks like I picked up a No. 1 Mk V in fairly decent condition but not complete. I think it is restorable if original parts are located or fabricated. Or could even have non-original parts used from other models until originals could be located just to look nicer for a trip to the range.
My problem is I am not the guy to restore a collectable rifle and since so few are sold, and most of those are either unissued or fully restored condition I'm having trouble figuring a price to list it for sale at. Appraising a rifle from pictures is not possible but what I am looking for is a range or base price / min bid for an auction.
I know some stuff about these rifles but am no expert so those with more knowledge feel free to correct my mistakes, especially my observations in parenthesis ( ).
Bore looks good, and action appears to function. I'm going to test fire a primer only case.
- Barrel is 25 and a fraction inches, looks like full length with original sight front and rear.
- Top hand guard rear piece has what looks like armory patch to thin slot where a Mk 1 would normally have the rear sight. Mk V rear peep sight appears original.
- Magazine is after market, but a No 1 Mk 3 magazine is the same as original.
- The hole for the brass medallion in the stock is there but someone put a 1969 quarter in it.
- Missing forward hand guard. (one of the changes to Mk V is 2 piece top hand guard, may be able to make from No 1 top or No 4 forward piece may fit. I don't know for sure)
- Missing forward barrel band with stacking swivel ( forward band is difference, stacking swivel is on nose cap for No 1 model)
- Missing nose cap. (should be without stacking swivel found on No 1's)
- I think the fore stock bottom is trimmed, unless it is two piece and parts under the band as the top does. (I think bottom is same as No. 1) I suppose could also be jungle carbine lower as they appear to have about the same shape. Length might help determine.
1). Nice enough looking you can see why I bought it.
2). The ShtLE and V
3). Rear Flip and Overview
4). Closer view
5). Proof mark and removed sight.
6). Two piece top guard at strap swivel band. Zoom for barrel external condition (typical of whole)
For those who have not heard of this model it was a troop trial done between WW1 and WW2 to assess changes to the No 1 Mk3 to improve it. approx. 20,000 were produced but a decision was made to create a new model with the features rather than retrofit the No 1's. The new model became the No 4 used in WW2. The Mk V's were not really issued, and many were scrapped. Today they are mostly in museums or private collections. The No. 1 Mk V is the bones of a Mk 1 with some features that became the No. 4 so an interesting piece of the Enfield history.