Smiley Cat

[Robert303]

A few years ago I was very fortunate to get this from one of the true gents in the trade. I was also fortunate enough to find a bayonet for it.

Quite a lot has been written about these rifles and I hope this link is not a breach of copyright.
The Lee-Enfields of Thailand's Wild Tiger Corps

I had a Thai friend do the translations.
Above the Tigers Head reads 'Bab Pra Rom Hog' or Pra Ram Six and below is the year in Thai 2462 which equals 1919

She was unable to translate the bits marked I and II but III = 138

I am however still curious about the marks on the wood. I am told they are German import marks. Any info would be greatfully received!

[Patrick Chadwick]

Stamp II (also the first element of I) is the highly stylized German eagle proof mark.

Stamp I is the German proof mark + date August 1972 + Ulm proof house mark, applied when the imported rifle was tested the law as required for imported firearms.

Stamp III is, of course, in Thai. Can't help you there.

There should be an importer's stamp on the barrel somewhere on the left side.

German proof houses do not apply stamps to the wood, so this must have other origins.
The stamped name on the wood looks like W. GUELDENPENNIG. This is a personal name.

I have seen several of these rifles offered for sale here in Mauserland over the years, the last one a few days ago, and they have always been in dire condition. You have a very fine example of a "smiley cat".

[Robert303]

Hi Patrick,
Thanks a lot for the info on the German proof marks. It reminded me that when I bought the rifle I was told that the marks on the woodwork were probably those of the German dealer or importer. Something I had forgotten!

It is in good shooting condition but I probably made a mistake a few years ago by having the woodwork restained as it was looking very patchy and bleached in places. Knowing what I do now I would probably have left it.

[Patrick Chadwick]

It is in good shooting condition

That makes it a rarity! Many/most of those rifles seem to have become seriously rusted. You were lucky!
W. GUELDENPENNIG is most likely the name of a previous owner. I do not think that an importer or dealer would mark a rifle in this way, as it would devalue it for a potential customer.

[Anzac15]

Great. Yet another Lee Enfield variant to search for.
That's a fantastic rifle.

[Robert303]

Hi Patrick, it may be the owners name. Just below it and also on the butt there is a Triangle with the number 948 in it and I had always assumed that they were connected. (Dangerous things assumptions!)

[Badger]

There were 10,000 of these rifles made made in 1920 by BSA for the elite Siamese "Wild Tiger Corps", with a cute logo of a tiger on the butt socket along with the BSA markings and the serial number (in Siamese characters).

Check the United Kingdom - Milsurp Knowledge Library (click here)

1920 ShtLE (Short Lee-Enfield) Wild Tiger Corps No.1 MkIII* Rifle.



Examine the 106 picture photo montage, which might help you with some of your questions.

Regards,
Doug