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Thread: My New Irish No. I, MkI***

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  1. #1
    Legacy Member rayg's Avatar
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    My New Irish No. I, MkI***

    New Irish No. I, MkI***

    Just got this serial numer matching 1903 dated, No I, Mk I***rifle from an auction. The following is what I gathered from researching about the Mk*** rifles and their Irish service as I was not familiar with them until I saw it on auction and looked up everything. I'm sure some folks here could ad some more info on it.
    Anyway, the rifle appears to have all the correct arsenal updates that are normally associated with the Mk*** series, which includes some Mk III updates like stocks, (apparenty a MkIII stock was used as a wood piece was added where the Charger bridge was), rear sights and sight protector,
    The rifle had traveled to Ireland post war, via Britishicon material assistance and served with the Free Irish National Army in the early 20's during their 2nd CW. The serial numbers were restamped with Irish serial numbers. Irish serial numbers have ER, CR and possibly G preceding the serial numbers.
    I believe a little over 4,000 of these Irish rifles were imported to the US in the 1960's. And every once in a while they come up for sale.
    I wanted a Mk I for a while because of the early features including the bolt head charger instead of the later charger bridge and the volley sights, early style front sight protector and mag cutoff so I was looking for one. The Irish connection adds a little more history to it. Of course my quest is still unfilled as I have to get an one in it's original condition and un-modified, alas, never ending quests in this hobby, Ray

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    Last edited by rayg; 12-30-2011 at 11:06 AM.

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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

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    Beautiful rifle...

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    Legacy Member gsimmons's Avatar
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    Nice rifle. Interesting that they converted the rear hand guard to the mkIII type, instead of putting a new one on.



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    Legacy Member RCS's Avatar
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    Mark 1*** rifles

    Most of the Mark 1*** rifles that you find in the USAicon are either ER or CR with a new serial number. The ER prefix appears to have fewer Mark 111 parts. Some question about the G prefix too. Photo shows an original BSA 1906 Mark 1*** upgraded in '11 serial number s over 87176 matching barrel, rear sight leaf and bolt

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    Legacy Member gsimmons's Avatar
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    My G prefix grenade launching rifle has all mkI features except possibly the upper hand guard.



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    My Irish Rifle

    I have what i believe to be an Irish as well. It is the reason that I joined this site and that is perhaps the best part about the gun. I started a thread on it a long while back. Ill post a link below so you can compair if you would like. The pictures are posted in post #8, its a ways down. If you wouldnt mind, could you tell us what you paid? If not, I understand completely. Will you shoot it? I shoot mine on a semi-regular basis and love it.

    https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=25273

    -mdrim13
    Last edited by mdrim13; 12-31-2011 at 01:07 AM. Reason: link not working properly

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    Legacy Member rayg's Avatar
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    Thread Starter
    Nice rifle and it still has it's original rear sight. Yours also had the original stock replaced with a MkIII one as mine did.

    I probably paid a bit too much for mine but I had two old guns I didn't want anymore and sold them and the money was just burning a hole in my pocket and went I saw this rifle, and as I mentioned, I always wanted an early SMLE to fill a hole in my Enfield collection so I went for it.
    I wasn't sure what they were selling for currently. I ran across two a couple years ago that sold for less then $500 and then I saw the first one I linked below and what it sold for recently so it kind of gave me an idea so I bid on the 2nd one which went for a bit less though not as nice as the other one. I see yours was a gift. Good for you I couldn't think of a nicer gift to get, Ray

    BRITISH #1 SHORT LEE ENFIELD-LONDON SMALLARMS 1906 : Curios & Relics at GunBroker.com

    BRITISH #1 MK I ENFIELD SHORT RIFLE-1903-MATCHING : Curios & Relics at GunBroker.com
    Last edited by rayg; 12-31-2011 at 06:22 AM.

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    Please open the link below to the Knowledge Libraryicon article on the MkI*** Added to the article, keep reading down the page for the observations by John Thorneicon, and then his "collectors feedback" on the rifle in the article. There is a lot there he has gained from his personal research and sharing with us all. Below this I have added a short explanation as to why there is no such thing as a "No1 Mk1". Before you go and say either "it is written that way elsewhere" or "we all know what we mean"... consider that if everyone calls it by something other than it's designation, then it will become known as something that it is not. It is the same as calling a No3, No4 or No5 rifle an SMLE..... WRONG....

    Milsurps - 1907 ShtLE (Short Lee-Enfield) MkI*** Rifle

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    Legacy Member rayg's Avatar
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    I also stand corrected. I called it a No. I, instead of a No. 1.
    Good alert to using the proper discription, Thanks Son.
    Apparently there are a number of grenade launcher wrapped rifles with the "G" prefix.
    From what I've read, the Irish National army was only armed with rifles and or light ordnance and the rifle grenades gave them a bit of a heavier type weapon.
    Hmm, I wonder if the "G" didn't stand for Grenade in their serial number inventory. I believe all of the G rifles I have seen in my research, all were grenade wrapped or were at one time. Ray
    Last edited by rayg; 12-31-2011 at 08:17 AM.

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    Advisory Panel Son's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by rayg View Post
    I also stand corrected. I called it a No. I, instead of a No. 1.
    Good alert to using the proper discription, Thanks Son.
    Apparently there are a number of grenade launcher wrapped rifles with the "G" prefix.
    From what I've read, the Irish National army was only armed with rifles and or light ordnance and the rifle grenades gave them a bit of a heavier type weapon.
    Hmm, I wonder if the "G" didn't stand for Grenade in their serial number inventory. I believe all of the G rifles I have seen in my research, all were grenade wrapped or were at one time. Ray
    Has anyone ever called for info on G prefixed MkI*** rifles? There is a lot of interest in the model here, so maybe a quick survey is an option to try to get a broader sample?

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