Does anyone know how rare South African Issued Enfields are? There is one on Gunbroker that IS IMPORT Marked and they are asking $675.00. This seems high to me since it is an import marked rifle.
Any opinions?
Location: "...upon the east bank of Big Blue River, a mile or two north of the point where that stream crosses the Michigan road"
Posts: 1,646
IMHO...much too high. There's a gun shop in my home town that has a beautiful Long Branch dated 1945. He was asking $450 and I told him he was about $50 too high. It is in much better shape than # 186042028.
__________________
"Be wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors... and miss." -- Lazarus Long
That SA Long Branch is listed at twice it's value IMHO. It's just a 44 LB with the expedient bolt release. That seller has it listed as a MkI, it's a MkI*. Being a SA rifle at one time does not increase it's value to me. That seller is crazy high on all of his listings.
I have a all matching 44 LB with a matching bayonet that I have $240 in total. Started as a $100 sporter.
1944 LB before
1944 LB after
__________________
Married men live longer than single men do, but married men are a lot more willing to die.
Thanks for the info. Is it possible to get an Enfield that is NOT import marked? Also, you guys seem to be saying $250-$350 is a reasonable range for a nice one but if they are import marked arent they worth much less?
Thanks for the info. Is it possible to get an Enfield that is NOT import marked? Also, you guys seem to be saying $250-$350 is a reasonable range for a nice one but if they are import marked arent they worth much less?
A non-import marked will always attract a SMALL premium to a purist but remember its almost 50 years since the US Import mark was required so there will be an awful lot of them with the markings.
Would you not want one with Siam or South African markings as they are not 'original' to the rifle ?
View it a different way - Its another traceable chapter in the long life / history of the Enfield.
__________________
Its not what you've got thats important, its what you hav'nt got, but still want, thats important.
Does anyone know how rare South African Issued Enfields are?
They're not rare round these parts. I have a BSA SMLE that is South African marked and I met its brother (serial No.s within a couple of hundred) on Short Siberia on Wednesday.
Having said that, it seems to be the case that SA looked after its rifles. All the ones that I see are in very good condition.
Anton, the importers have had to put their stamp on everything entering the country since the GCA 1968. A collector might pay a slight premium for an unmarked one. The mark is certainly not a deal breaker nor of much consequence monetarily.
You cannot go wrong buying from Brian Dick. I have purchased slings to rifles and have never been disappointed.
For sure. I got my No1 Mk III wire wrap from him and he is a pleasure to deal with. Thats why I have no problem recomending him to anyone looking for an Enfield.
The only import marks that bother me are the billboard size marks on the side of the receiver. Most all early import marks are very small and applied to the end of the barrel.
__________________
Married men live longer than single men do, but married men are a lot more willing to die.
There ain't no fix for stupid! 
