Renumbered parts were common on World War I Lee-Enfields as many were repaired in service or salvaged from battlefields and rebuilt. Matching numbers is extremely desirable on sniper rifles and affects their value. (Barrel, body, nose -cap, backsight and fore-end).
#Lee enfield serial number look up serial numbers#
On a World War I Lee-Enfield one can have 5 serial numbers that ideally match. Bolts were numbered to the body (receiver). On Lee-Enfields, perhaps the most important thing to look for in collecting is matching serial numbers. Having said that, many collectors report difficulty in finding factory original rifles that have all of their own parts.Īs well, there have been many faked rifles (markings, added features etc.) to increase their value and many surplus rifles that have been modified over time. Not everyone does their homework and not all ensure that they find exactly the right parts and some parts are reproductions and indeed forgeries with false markings. VI TRIALS rifle body assembled as an emergency rifle in 1941. One needs to be careful not to undo valid alterations e.g. Now we see many “restored” rifles which are previously sporterized rifles that are being brought back to factory original specifications. As well, rifles that went through Factory Thorough Repair (note it is Thorough not Through) (F.T.R.) usually have a mix of parts from different manufacturers as the rebuildiers only cared about serviceability of the parts, and cared neither about the maker’s mark, nor whether it was “early” or “late” production. In service if a part needed replacing, the armourer only cared if it was serviceable and in the British and Indian systems for example, replacement parts might come from any of the manufacturers. Stevens-Savage made early pattern Mark I backsights were installed on many Long Branch sniper rifles late in WWII at Small Arms Limited. Occasionally Stevens-Savage parts were used at the Long Branch factory e.g. 30 is very different from a M1903A1 Springfield. For Americans who are not used to the British numbering systems, think about if a collector was to offer you a “.30 calibre A1” or an “A1M1” as both are incorrect and could have various meanings. I” (rare) is different from a Long Branch “No. V” (scarce) is very different from a “No.
It is VERY IMPORTANT to use the correct terminology and to know your subject.
However, if that piece of information in an out-of-print book saves you from buying an $8,000 “lemon”, is the book’s $100 cost worth it? Some are out of print and those are rare and can be very expensive. Here are some reference books on the Lee-Enfield rifles.
I” might be special due to the 1931 date and maker, an in-service modification or rare early parts. As well, knowledge enables you to spot a gem that might be rare and that the seller did not do his homework on, and thus one can sometimes buy a gem of a rifle for well below market value. Money spent on reference books is repaid many times over in the savings when you do not buy a faked or otherwise incorrect rifle. Book – THE LEE-ENFIELD A Century of Lee-Metford Lee-Enfield Rifles & Carbines by Ian Skennerton 2007 “Buy the book, then buy the rifle.” Excellent advice from author Bruce Canfield.