Filed under my "If I knew then what I know now" list.
For several years before I got my DL SMLEs and Carcano carbines were stacked in wooden barrels at end aisles at our local Hechinger's Lumber and Harware chain. Still covered in cosmoline.
They were $19.95 cash and carry, no forms. In Maryland no less.
Can't recall what I wasted my hard earned dollars for back then, but whatever it was it was a waste.
I know many hardware stores sold firearms. A local grocery chain here in Harford County, Kliens, had them too. John Hechinger was a pioneer gun control advocate in DC. I read in an obituary that he ordered his stores to stop selling handguns.
One of the Ishapores I sporterized with a fancy synthetic stock. The other I kept original. They both can ring an 8 inch cast iron skillet at 400 yards with the iron sights.
The bolt is slicker than just about anything I’ve ever fired. The folks at Enfield knew what they were doing, that’s for sure.