SMLE Opinions

[Ben Evans]

Last ones

[The woodpecker]

Ben did you take them from a Cretan?They are great Rifles!

[Ben Evans]

No but I wish lol

[m3bobby]

Go for the first one, the second one although is ex New Zealand, has been messed with, the wood is much later Enfield wood added quite recently and the nose cap is a Indian nose cap, it would take some money to return it to its original state.

[Ben Evans]

Cheers Bobby, thanks for the heads up

[Ben Evans]

Gents, can I get an opinion of this one also, 1918 SMLE made by BSA

Cheers again

[m3bobby]

The wood is a recent replacement but at least it fits better, the nose cap is also later, possibly RFI again, the screw going left to right would have a small counter sunk head rather than the large flat head screw. Also the cocking piece on the bolt is from a No.4 Enfield so I'd imagine the firing pin is too. It all depends on what you want, a new looking rifle with new wood, but not correct in originality or a nice used piece with lots of originality?

[Ben Evans]

Cheers Bobby, I am buying the first one

[m3bobby]

In my opinion, the first is the best! I've seen it for sale in the same place you have and it will appreciate better than the other 2. Incidentally, the second rifle had a mismatched commercial bolt and afaik, the only SMLEs with the BSA piled arms logo were commercial guns except for early 1940 dated SMLEs which were assembled in a hurry from any parts they could get their hands on.

[KriegMann]

Well, I guess I'll ask a question that I think I know the answer to. Are they deacts?