Identifying enfield

coastiefx4 · October 18, 2012, 06:02 PM

Need some help identifying and putting a value on this rifle please.

Scouse · October 18, 2012, 06:08 PM

I believe those markings indicate the rifle received a "factory thorough repair" (FTR) at ROF Fazakerley (F), can't help beyond that. Usually the year of the repair is stamped too, I think.

coastiefx4 · October 18, 2012, 06:39 PM

What would you pay for this?

Scouse · October 18, 2012, 06:50 PM

It would probably fetch a lot more where I am than where you are mate (assuming you are in N America), expensive in the UK these days.

I wouldn't think those pictures offer enough detail for someone qualified to offer a price, need to inspect the bore, headspacing etc . . . however I really wouldn't be qualified to put a price on it even if it was sitting in front of me.

There is plenty of knowledge about Enfields on here, hopefully someone else who knows more will chime in.

coastiefx4 · October 18, 2012, 08:01 PM

I'm not looking for a 100% accurate price, but more so is it a 200-300 rifle or a 700+

Buying from a family member so I don't want to rip him off.

From my googling it looks like anywhere from 150-300...but some models go for a lot more.

Slamfire · October 18, 2012, 08:45 PM

I bought FTR's for $100 back in the 80's. A WW2 action, FTR, factory through repair (F), Fazakerley. Your rifle should have a new barrel, I see it has the post war rear, probably a nice finish, but it is a rebuild and not rare.

coastiefx4 · October 18, 2012, 09:00 PM

Fair enough, thank you!

emcon5 · October 19, 2012, 06:26 PM

I would search Gunbroker for completed auctions, look for ones that actually sold to get a reasonable market price.

I would think that would be a ~$250 rifle. Probably a pretty good shooter.

madcratebuilder · October 20, 2012, 07:05 AM

The base model is a late 1942 to early 1943 Long Branch No4 MkI* (*=wartime expedient bolt release)

The /53 No4 MkI/3 (F) FTR means in 1953 it was converted to the MkII trigger style and received a complete rebuild at the Fazakerely facility.

The MkI when converted is changed to a MkI/2

The MkI* is changed to a MkI/3

These LB 1/3's are relatively rare and $300 would be a fair price. I have seen them go for over $500.

I have a almost identical LB with the 53 1/3 FTR. This LB has had every part except the receiver replaced at FTR, bolt, barrel and all furniture.

Only the Savage and Long Branch No4's can be a MkI/3. These are less than 5% of the No4's on the market.

Someone has unloaded a small number of these 1953 FTR's I have seen more of these in the past 10-12 months than the previous 10 years.

I have a collection of about forty No4's and only one is a LB 1/3, still seeking a Savage 1/3.

**Mike Irwin** · October 20, 2012, 07:30 AM

I've been told by a collector of British rifles that FTR stands for Factory Thorough Refit. Basically it's what we would call an arsenal rebuild in which a used gun is reconditioned to almost as new status.

Prices on British rifles have been creeping up quite a bit the last few years (same with most guns) and, as always, are HIGHLY regional.

In Northern Virginia I'd expect to see that rifle priced between $400 and $600 on the table of a dealer who knows exactly what he has.

wogpotter · October 20, 2012, 09:05 AM

Quote:

The /53 No4 MkI/3 (F) FTR means in 1953 it was converted to the MkII trigger style and received a complete rebuild at the Fazakerely facility.

A bit of terminology hair-splitting, but FTR is this (repair) not refit. Some rifles that went to India were marked "FR" no-one is quite sure why, but "Factory Repair", or "Field Repair" is one possible answer.

madcratebuilder · October 21, 2012, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Quote:
The /53 No4 MkI/3 (F) FTR means in 1953 it was converted to the MkII trigger style and received a complete rebuild at the Fazakerely facility.

A bit of terminology hair-splitting, but FTR is this (repair) not refit. Some rifles that went to India were marked "FR" no-one is quite sure why, but "Factory Repair", or "Field Repair" is one possible answer.

Really old news.

Read the statement.

For a layman, someone not familiar with the No4, using the term "Factory Through Repair" does not tell them much. In this case the 1/3 FTR was just as I stated, a trigger refit and clean and rebuild.

I've been working on too many "03's and I'm stuck in usgi terminology.

Cheers

October 18, 2012, 06:02 PM	#1
coastiefx4 Member Join Date: August 10, 2011 Posts: 23	Identifying enfield Need some help identifying and putting a value on this rifle please.

October 18, 2012, 08:45 PM	#6
Slamfire Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 5,261	I bought FTR's for $100 back in the 80's. A WW2 action, FTR, factory through repair (F), Fazakerley. Your rifle should have a new barrel, I see it has the post war rear, probably a nice finish, but it is a rebuild and not rare. __________________ If I'm not shooting, I'm reloading.

October 20, 2012, 07:05 AM	#9
madcratebuilder Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2007 Location: Northern Orygun Posts: 4,923	The base model is a late 1942 to early 1943 Long Branch No4 MkI* (=wartime expedient bolt release) The /53 No4 MkI/3 (F) FTR means in 1953 it was converted to the MkII trigger style and received a complete rebuild at the Fazakerely facility. The MkI when converted is changed to a MkI/2 The MkI is changed to a MkI/3 These LB 1/3's are relatively rare and $300 would be a fair price. I have seen them go for over $500. I have a almost identical LB with the 53 1/3 FTR. This LB has had every part except the receiver replaced at FTR, bolt, barrel and all furniture. Only the Savage and Long Branch No4's can be a MkI/3. These are less than 5% of the No4's on the market. Someone has unloaded a small number of these 1953 FTR's I have seen more of these in the past 10-12 months than the previous 10 years. I have a collection of about forty No4's and only one is a LB 1/3, still seeking a Savage 1/3. Last edited by madcratebuilder; October 20, 2012 at 07:17 AM.

October 20, 2012, 07:30 AM	#10
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,382	I've been told by a collector of British rifles that FTR stands for Factory Thorough Refit. Basically it's what we would call an arsenal rebuild in which a used gun is reconditioned to almost as new status. Prices on British rifles have been creeping up quite a bit the last few years (same with most guns) and, as always, are HIGHLY regional. In Northern Virginia I'd expect to see that rifle priced between $400 and $600 on the table of a dealer who knows exactly what he has. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

October 18, 2012, 06:08 PM	#2
Scouse Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2011 Posts: 133	I believe those markings indicate the rifle received a "factory thorough repair" (FTR) at ROF Fazakerley (F), can't help beyond that. Usually the year of the repair is stamped too, I think.

October 18, 2012, 06:39 PM	#3
coastiefx4 Member Join Date: August 10, 2011 Posts: 23	What would you pay for this?

October 18, 2012, 06:50 PM	#4
Scouse Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2011 Posts: 133	It would probably fetch a lot more where I am than where you are mate (assuming you are in N America), expensive in the UK these days. I wouldn't think those pictures offer enough detail for someone qualified to offer a price, need to inspect the bore, headspacing etc . . . however I really wouldn't be qualified to put a price on it even if it was sitting in front of me. There is plenty of knowledge about Enfields on here, hopefully someone else who knows more will chime in.

October 18, 2012, 08:01 PM	#5
coastiefx4 Member Join Date: August 10, 2011 Posts: 23	I'm not looking for a 100% accurate price, but more so is it a 200-300 rifle or a 700+ Buying from a family member so I don't want to rip him off. From my googling it looks like anywhere from 150-300...but some models go for a lot more.

October 18, 2012, 09:00 PM	#7
coastiefx4 Member Join Date: August 10, 2011 Posts: 23	Fair enough, thank you!

October 19, 2012, 06:26 PM	#8
emcon5 Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 1999 Location: High Desert NV Posts: 2,850	I would search Gunbroker for completed auctions, look for ones that actually sold to get a reasonable market price. I would think that would be a ~$250 rifle. Probably a pretty good shooter.