Thread: 1904 303 Sht LE sparkbrook

Anyone know what these old 303s are worth,or any history,the bolt and barrel have matching numbers.stock has been cut down.all parts work mint and have been looked after very well.

Id guess that there would be change out of $150 not that i want another 303.

Shame that the "sporting" bubba had a go at it in the years past.

stick a peep on the rear of her and just use it....it wont owe you anything and be a great wet weather/spare/loaner rifle that will still kill any deer dumb enough to stand still withing maybe 150-200 yards....depending on how she groups...try some 150grn and some 180grn factory ammo and find out which weight it prefers...plenty of great cast options out there too if you going to reload....

Cheapest option would be to use it or sell as is. Restoration won't bring a premium over the extra monetary investment even if sold to a LE believer, you'll be lucky to recoup any additioal funds. Repro parts aint cheap in NZ and these sporterised rifles are a project of love; not return on investments, at least not at present.

the 215 gr woodleigh rn shoots good in oversize or rough bores.

Thanks guys,a mate owns it and was interested if the history can be traced through the stamps on it, being over 100.

It may even end up here or on tm for sale.

Any nz stamps and nos on the knoxform or hg marks? Or stamps on the butt plate they can add interest. There are people who collect home guard stuff.

Not trying to hijack the thread, but thought if there's a LE thread going, i'll put up some pics.

I'm led to believe this is a 1904, it's not for sale, just putting up pics for any enthusiasts in here to cast their opinion.

Originally Posted by PadLo

Not trying to hijack the thread, but thought if there's a LE thread going, i'll put up some pics.

I'm led to believe this is a 1904, it's not for sale, just putting up pics for any enthusiasts in here to cast their opinion.

That looks like a volunteer BSA MLE Longtom, that’s been shortened to range pattern length. It’s not an SMLE. The S stands for ‘short’, there’s a few guys on here that can tell you heaps more.

If 'bubba' has been at it, might've been a deer culler for the Forest Service.
Crump, Holden and others complained of the weight of full wood ex-military sourced rifles and chopped the top & bottom woodwork off to the first barrel band.
My first big calibre rifle was something similar to the 'culler's' model LOL.
It kicked the crap out if a skinny unfit 18 year old, but loved the 'boom' and the echo of the supersonic noise of the Mk 7 military FMJ bullet as it travelled somewhere in the general direction of a pig or deer.
60+ years later, it's only memories - when the brain works LOL.

Originally Posted by FRST

That looks like a volunteer BSA MLE Longtom, that’s been shortened to range pattern length. It’s not an SMLE. The S stands for ‘short’, there’s a few guys on here that can tell you heaps more.

I think the S and two arrows mean sold out of (military) service
Skennertons ‘The British Service Lee’ is your bible for Lee Enfields

On the money there marky. However in SMLE it does mean short, magazine lee Enfield however a 25 inch barrel isnt exactly short by modern standards.