Milsurp After Hours

I have a question for the experts on Lee-Enfields: A local "Shoppers Guide" in my area (Bedford county, PA) is advertising an estate auction having some guns for sale, one of which is described as a "Golden State Arms British 303". I already have three Enfields but wouldn't mind adding another one if it is a worthwhile item and the price is right. I seem to remember seeing something on one of the forums awhile back about Lee-Enfield based sporting rifles produced and sold under this name brand back in the 60s or 70s. Anyone know if this is the case and, if so, do they have any collector value or, possibly, shooter value? Would it be worth driving about 80 miles round trip to possibly buy one of these animals, assuming good condition, and what would an approximate value be?

Thanks in advance

John I. Smith

I believe that they were called Santa Fe rifles, here's a link to an article about them:

http://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/~stratto ... Rifles.htm

In my book commercial conversions like these are all part of the Enfields rich history and longevity, whilst I would be against conversion now adays these rifles are specimens of there time and as such are collectable in my book and will only go up in value. Although their monetary value at present is probably not great they should form part of any representative Enfield collection.

My PH sporter is as valuable to my collection as any other Enfield but is worth a fraction of most of them, although the prices are rising here in the UK.

Hell I'd travel 80 miles for look, day out mate.

I agree with Dromia that these are now a part of Enfield history regardless of the fact that they are looked upon with disdain by many Enfield collectors.

I have gotten quite interested in them since purchasing a near mint 1941 Supreme model at a gun show last year.

I spoke with Brian Dick concerning GSA rifles and his opinion was that these are worth in the neighborhood of $150.

It all depends on,of course,your personal preferences.