Late production SMLE woodwork

[Simon P]

While I don't ever remember new No1 rifle butts in service - as we simply used No4 butts when we supported old No1 rifles, I do remember new beech No1 rifle fore-ends and handguard made by BSA and dated 1957. Can anyone identify any UK made wood later than this. Current copies excepted of course.....

All the new old stock BSA Fore-ends I have are marked "M47C 1956"

[Mk VII]

The disc identifies regt (or corps) and battalion (or equivalent) and rack number. When rifles are issued daily out of the supply room to different individuals it would be impossible to mark them to people.

[Peter Laidler]

There is a great little paperback booklet/pamphlet, taken straight from the 1942 Equipment Regulations that details all you need to know about the UK Military butt marking discs and the potted history until they ceased to be used* at about that time. A fascinating read as I understand it too.......... Available from Brian at BDL Ltd in SC

Since the end of 1947 or so, rifles ceased being an issue to a soldier. It was issued to a unit Quartermaster and ALLOCATED to a soldier. If he moved, then he was simply allocated another at his next station/unit.

* they were still fitted of course but not marked.

[Flying10uk]

Thanks for the interesting info which is useful to know. I was never too sure about exactly what info was applied to the butt disc; a dealer told me it was the soldier's name and number. Obviously, he didn't have his facts quite right. I do have in my collection a No4 mk2 with fully matching serial numbers which also has a butt disc fitted. But this is a plastic disc with just what I believe to be an armoury number and is placed in a slightly different position on the butt, although on the same side as SMLEs were. This rifle has a PF serial number and is in lovely original condition. This is the only No4 rifle that I have ever seen with a butt disc. Perhaps this was done by a non military organisation such as a private school. Peter how did the army generally armoury number the No4 rifles and where, can you remember, please? Was it like the SLRs, painted by hand with white paint directly on the weapon? Some of the examples that I seem to remember seeing years ago looked as if they were painted on by a 2 year old.

[Peter Laidler]

Painting a butt or rack or Armoury number was permitted on the butt, as it is still with the L85's but in the quaint language used 'no otherwise permanent disfigurement is permitted' according to the standard instructions. That specifically excludes stamping the butts etc etc because the rifles were liable to many changes. I know someone will say that '......my rifle has a big BW-W 6-70 on it' That's the workshop repair letters and was always acceptable

[Brian Dick]

The marking disc booklet is available in the UK at D.S. Solutions too. Excellent folks to deal with.

[mike16]

I don't recal whether it was Skennerton or Stratton who stated that as a war time expeadiant the furniture was a bit more proud . meaning it was thicker and bulged outward more. probably to reduce manufacturing time and to assist against warpage of the wood. the peace time wood and early wwii wood was thinner, better fitting and usualy if not remarkably of a finer and better grade of wood