Page 1 of 1
303 and a .22 value
Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2018 5:46 am
by Gunner4640
I came across this rifle was wonder whats its worth? British 303 has a brass tag ?, care to take a guess on value? Also a winchester .22 autoloader Thanks for looking
https://plus.google.com/100976984626834 ... JJRSh7PEi4
https://plus.google.com/100976984626834 ... vABBQSocTB
https://plus.google.com/100976984626834 ... cuRnhTPf7E
Re: 303 and a .22 value
Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2018 11:29 am
by n5wmk
IMHO, it's difficult to determine the value of the .303 SMLE without holding it or at least seeing a lot of detailed pictures. It's definitely had a rough life looking at your two photos. That wire wrap on the forestock is definitely not original.
It does look like there's a lot of history in that patina it's wearing.
The brass stock discs were used to denote units or armory, and not all have them. I recently restored my 1917 SMLE back to somewhat original condition. It had been "sporterized" by a previous owner, and I "de-sporterizied" ("re-militarized" ???) it with furniture that I bought from Liberty Tree Collectors.
SMLEs as a rule don't bring big prices - take a look at Gunbroker at the ones that have actually sold.
Re: 303 and a .22 value
Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2018 12:15 pm
by puma guy
What is the model of the Winchester semi-auto? It could be either a Model 1903 (03) or the later Model 63. The Model 1903 (sometimes known as the 03) were chambered in .22 Winchester Auto which is obsolete. The Model 63's were chambered in .22 LR. Depending on condition probably worth from $200-400 for a 1903 and the Model 63's start about $200 and go up to $650-700 in very good condition, although some with accessories, ie vintage scope or restored have sold for as much as $800-1100. Taurus made a reproduction of the Model 63.
Re: 303 and a .22 value
Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2018 8:26 pm
by MaduroBU
We have an old SMLE whose bore looks like the surface of the moon. It has a weird screw holding the safety on whose head halfway broke off and can't be replaced because the thread is archaic. It looks like it has seen a lot of action, which given its manufacture date in 1916, is likely. Its accuracy is minute of Zeppelin. I tried really cleaning it once; the 20th patch was the same shade of brilliant blue as the first, and i decided that the accumulated copper fouling was likely doing more good than harm.
It is built with the idea that a real yeoman soldier of the British Empire used his rifle as a ranged weapon only whilst he closed with his enemy, at which time began clubbing and bayonetting The Hun with manful vigor. I love it. I love shooting it. It embodies the quality of endurance in the face of adverse conditions better than any other gun I have ever held.