South African marked SMLE

[Peter Laidler]

A firearm doesn't actually NEED a serial number. Indeed, some were made numberless! What it does need on the certificate is 'or other identifying mark' will suffice.

You mention '......the dark days of apartheid' Reading of events on the internet recently, it seems that they might have been bright days!

[RobD]

Peter, history makes fools of us all... only time will tell.
Zhou Enlai, when asked in the 1970s for his assessment of the impact of French Revolution, famously replied: "It is too early to say"

[Simon P]

I think the SAF marked nose cap may be Indian manufacturers marks?

[Thunderbox]

I think the SAF marked nose cap may be Indian manufacturers marks?

Yes, they're Ishapore. You normally find the SAF stamp on those nosecaps without piling swivel lugs - as used on Ishy wire-wraps.

Its just a rifle thats been knocked together recently by someone in UK (no......not one of mine!). Sounds like the receiver has been ground and refinished, if it appears as new to the OP.

[ENFORCER 303]

I can confirm that the stamp on the nosecap is SAF as it is very strongly stamped. Incidentally the nosecap needs to be replaced as it has been bent inwards at the left hand side and is touching the foresight block, causing all kinds of erratic shooting. Looks like I'll be paying somone a visit at the Imperial HAM arms fair!

The matter of the serial number is solved by the words "no visible number" on my FAC. Exactly the same as a .22 sound moderator that I use on my bunny rifle

Cheers, Griff.

[Thunderbox]

Unless you can see a bend in the nosecap - and they are substantial pieces of steel not prone to bending - then its more likely that the barrel is not indexed correctly, causing the foresight block to lean to one side or the other.

To be honest, it sounds like the rifle ought to be looked at by someone who has a few gauges and knows how they are supposed to be put together.

Surprised that the rifle got through proof without a number being applied - i thought that was now standard practice at both proof houses?

[Peter Laidler]

I think that the proof house use the '...other visible distinguishing marks' criteria. I wouldn't let our people remove the wrapping on my factory sealed No4. I simply said that if the US customs paperwork was sufficient for the UK customs and the UK costom paperwork was sufficient for the Police to endorse my licence as such, at the time, then it's good enough now!

[ENFORCER 303]

I'm fairly sure that it's the nosecap that is offset, as when I tried the one from my 1922 MkIII* it was much more central and not touching the foresight block at all. If the barrel was out of index and the foresight block was off to one side, I would assume that the foresight element would have to be offset in the opposite direction to compensate. This is not the case, as the foresight element is about as central as it can be and in all respects the nosecap looks out of true to the rest of the rifle. When I had the nosecap off the rifle, I also noticed what I would describe as vice marks on the inside of the ears, where someone has tried to straighten it! I do have an open mind though and will have everything checked out if a new nosecap doesn't solve the problem. Now the question is, does anyone know who has the knowhow and gauges to check the alignment? Any volunteers?

Cheers, Griff.

[RobD]

Griff, like Thunderbox says: "it sounds like the rifle ought to be looked at by someone who has a few gauges and knows how they are supposed to be put together" - may I suggest get Phil Rose to check the rifle? He can check the alignment and also check headspace etc. If it's a bent nosecap, he'll have plenty of spares and doesn't charge the earth, as you know.

[ENFORCER 303]

Great idea Rob, I've purchased parts and sights from him several times. I had forgotten our conversation, when u told me he was a gunsmith. I shall contact him tomorrow.

Cheers, Griff.