OT, because I can't find a way to conceal my Lee-Enfields. Gloat, because I scored one that I never expected to even see in person.
Yesterday I stopped by a local gun store to buy tickets for our Friends of the NRA banquet. This is a notorious place, where the owner sets prices by throwing his crack pipe at a dart board.
Sometimes, that works in our favor. <G>
So anyhoo, I'm perusing the bubbadup SKSs and Enfields, and chopped-down Mausers. I spotted a No.I Enfield, and muttered to myself that it had nice wood, such a shame someone slapped an ugly peep sight on it, probably JB-welded on, and.... SAY!
There was no hole in the handguard where the rear sight would have been. Is that... ?
Yup, it's a ShtLE Mk.V, one of 20,000 produced for testing and trials from 1922-24. All original and complete (with the possible exception of the cocking piece, but I still have to research that).
It was even correctly marked on the hang tag, unlike much of their C&R stuff (like the MAS-36 labeled "8mm Lebel").
So, where was I? Something about a gloat? Oh, yes... that day the crack pipe had landed on $199.95. I didn't even dicker (may Crufflestopheles forgive me!)
The clerk and I were taking care of business, when the owner asked me what I thought it was worth. I tried to break it to him gently. <G> Conservatively, $600-900, but I've seen them in worse shape offered for $1,300+. He laughed and said he got what he asked for it, so he was happy.
*happy-dance* *joy-joy-joy*
Some of my fellow crufflers have chastised me for educating the shop owner about the true value. To which I replied:
It's one more deal than I ever expected to find in that store. It was about three rifles down from the M1903 Mk.1 (Pedersen slot). Still priced at $1,395 and hasn't moved in oh... at least 6-8 years. A couple of slots down from the AIM put-together No.1 Mk.III, all purty and brand new (but completely fake), just $399.95, just like it has been for at least 4 years.
Trust me, I didn't lose a thing by rubbing it in. Matter of fact, gloating at the owner was worth far more than any potential deals I might ever find there in the future.
Kevin
