Thread: Enfield id

Hi everyone, I inherited this rifle but it's beyond saving-bore NFG. Before I ruin it I would like to know if it's got historic value worth preserving, if some of you can interpret the markings and enlighten me of it's history that would be a bonus.

I've add a note underneath each photo of what I can make out of the markings, I will try to get better photos of each stamp tomorrow.

Sporterised with quite a bit of rust

Stock stamped "3402" with an illedgable round marking beside the brass disk.

Crown
VR?
1880
III
1.

♤
WD
2
III.
Just in front of the trigger guard is
WL
BR40


On the trigger guard is unrecognisable
On the lever is an arrow
WD

Do not destroy it...even if you think barrel is poked... If you were closer I would give it a loving home .heck I would even do the bs paperwork and pay freight to get it here.....bail gun doesn't need to be accurate lol. As long as it can be made to go bang it is still useful.

OK. I need to stop posting when I'm sleepy.

By saying ruin it I ment in the eyes of a collecter if it had some historic value.
eventually I'd like to cast it in epoxy in the middle of a River Table. That would destroy it as a firearm, but it would still be able to be appriceated over a beer or 3.

Originally Posted by No good names left

OK. I need to stop posting when I'm sleepy.

By saying ruin it I ment in the eyes of a collecter if it had some historic value.
eventually I'd like to cast it in epoxy in the middle of a River Table. That would destroy it as a firearm, but it would still be able to be appriceated over a beer or 3.

This is going to sound dumb, but the authorities are pretty stringent on what it takes to destroy a firearm. I would be careful with how you proceed on that one and get approvals first.

Also have you considered getting a new barrel if it is a Martini-Enfield (303)? Criterion 303 barrels shoot really well.

I really like your idea of the table I have an old 16 gauge hammer gun and what the hell to do with it - cant be fired - worth nothing - I may ask my expert on legality of the table idea - its a goody

i looked at doing a table but the resin must have been made of gold.

yes one would have to work it out to use as least as possible

I was advised by NZ Fiberglass that some of their customers use UV stable resin for the top & bottom pours and a cheaper resin for the bulk pour. For a 2.4m long table it'll still looking at 50-60 litres though.

Does anyone know if this rifle has any value ?
I saw a similar one on TradeMe for $1800

Originally Posted by No good names left

Does anyone know if this rifle has any value ?
I saw a similar one on TradeMe for $1800

considering it is sporterised with a rooted bore then it's value is in the receiver. I recall the asking price was 100 odd dollars at the last gun show I went to.

Martini mk 3 class 1 so it was a front line rifle. The narks in the other parts are inspectors marks. There should be another stamping on the left side of the receiver like the other side with a later date and 303 as it's been converted from the original 577/450. The barrel Knox form should bear stamps such as E or M inspectors marks and a serial no maybe a sold out of service stamp as well.
The cocking indicator is on the piss so someone's taken it apart and reassembled it incorrectly, that's easy fixed.
Russian 22 is probably close on value but don't scrap it re barreling in 45/70, 38/55 or resleeving as 303 are all options.