SMLE Cup Launcher Details

[pedro243]

Hi All

This is my first post. I'am only 20 and recently bought a 1918 Enfield no1 mk3* as a hunting rifle. Since then i have been interested in buying original accessories for them. I have recently got a SMLE Cup Launcher and i was wondering if anyone here could tell me anything about the stamps on it.

On the base it has RFI and 155 stamped on it and the other pieces it just has RFI.

Cheers

PJ

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Badger]

Hi PJ ...

I believe RFI refers to "Royal Factory Ishapore" (India).

If you want to have some fun with the cup dischargers, here's a great "fun" video in The Screening Room (click here) section of the Milsurp Knowledge Library.

(Click PIC to Enlarge)

(Click PIC to Enlarge)

It's a range video of members engaged in The Great Canadian Tennis Ball Challenge competitive match at Milcun, using WW1 Enfield Wire Wrapped Grenade Rifles and Dischargers (click here).

Make sure you turn ON your speakers and turn the volume up to hear the sound effects !


There's also another Knowledge Library entry on WW1 Enfield Wire Wrapped Grenade Rifles and Dischargers (click here), showing close up pics as well as instructions on how to use them.

Hope this helps ...

Regards,
Doug

[pedro243]

Cheers Doug

I saw a video of someone shooting tennis balls out of a cup launcher on youtube and thats how i became intrigued and eventually bought 1. I also bought some Kynoch black powder blanks and i hope they will be enough to launch a tennis ball. Thanks for all the information and links.

Cheers PJ

[dieppe42]

Welcome to the forum PJ.......

[Sht_LE]

"Rifle Factory Ishapore" before 1902 it was Powder Factory Ishapur (it was anglicized to Ishapore). In 1902 construction was undertaken to convert it to a Royal Ordnance Factory (ROF) that work was finished in 1905. First use of the RFI mark was on converted rifles (MLEs converted The SMLE Mk.I* I.P.) that were built during the years 1909-1914. Ishapore is still running and currently makeing the 5.56mm INSAS weapons system for the Indian Army.

155 would be an inspector number.

Welcome PJ and I'm sorry.... you are already showing the first signs of an Enfield infection, collecting the original accessories for it. It only gets worse from here
Welcome and hope you enjoy your new hobbie.

[Mk VII]

They tend to punch holes through the tennis ball.

[RobSmith]

Should be more than powerful enough to launch them clean out of sight, or as another member pointed out, punch a hole clean thru the ball itself. You might have to rig up some kind of sabot to prevent that from happening. These little things are a lot of fun, yet surprisingly powerful.

Cheers Doug

I saw a video of someone shooting tennis balls out of a cup launcher on youtube and thats how i became intrigued and eventually bought 1. I also bought some Kynoch black powder blanks and i hope they will be enough to launch a tennis ball. Thanks for all the information and links.

Cheers PJ

[Steve H. in N.Y.]

Lacrosse balls-they're solid rubber.

[pedro243]

Cheers guys, that's nice to know that they will launch.

But on the other extreme, could it damage my rifle at all? I have been told that these particular Kynoch blacks produce way less pressure than the proper grenade blanks so they should be ok.

Any ideas?

[RobSmith]

Should be fine in theory as long as the rifle is in sound condition. Mind you there are always risks involved. Might be a good idea to turn your face away at the moment of firing just in case you end up with some sort of catastrophic failure.