Mystery SMLE (to me) Help ?

[Alan de Enfield]

Just a couple of answers for the time being :

The rifle is a 'mismatch' (as I think you knew) - the important two numbers that should match are a) the action and b) the bolt.

The "England" is the pre-1968 USA import mark to show country of origin.

The "2.222" 303 18 tons per sq inch" are UK civilian proof marks required when it was sold out f service into the UK civilian gun market.

The forend looks to be a little worse for wear.

[smlemon]

"Which all goes to show: you MUST post GOOD photos showing ALL marks. Your photos will then be evaluated by a large number of the best Enfield-tuned eyeballs in the world."

I posted the photos, now I await the eyeballs.

[Steve H. in N.Y.]

Smlemon, I tried but couldn't access Photobucket with my dial-up connection. Going from your description and noting that Alan doesn't seem to like the rifle much, I think I'd pass on it. A relatively common rifle like that even with sound woodwork, matching numbers and a bayonet is probably worth less than $400. Hope that helps a little bit.

[Alan de Enfield]

I've taken the liberty of bringing over some of the pics.
A couple more of the markings explained

FTR 1953 was conducted by BSA and was a 'Factory Thorough Repair' (refurbished)

The NP marks are UK "Nitro Proof" marks.

[smlemon]

Thanks, that's a good start. I am impressed with the bore condition, the very fine walnut, buttplate and bayonet. I do wonder at all the markings between the GR crown and "III" are missing or filled with paint. Numrich does have all the front wood in walnut, the cutoff and screw, and volley sight.

The ones I see on the web for sale are almost all Mk 4s or III* models and the floor is about $500. I was told the bayonet alone is worth $150.00 True ?

There were a couple of flat new Mk 4s for $12-1300.

[Alan de Enfield]

The ones I see on the web for sale are almost all Mk 4s or III* models and the floor is about $500. I was told the bayonet alone is worth $150.00 True ?

There were a couple of flat new Mk 4s for $12-1300.

Are they for sale at those prices or "SOLD" at those prices - $500 is about UK prices which are generally about 40%-50% higher than US prices.

$1200-$1300 - they must be something special for that, or the seller has no idea of the correct market price.

[5thBatt]

Forget about the Volley sights, your rifle would never have had them, you could refit a cutoff & even a windage rearsight but thats about it if you want to keep it correct for 1917

[Homer]

Still not great photos but it looks like a typical 1953 FTR to me. Why would you want to pull the forend off and replace it with walnut? Is there something wrong with this forend?

I wouldn't try to restore it to 1917 because its been refurbished in 1953.

[CINDERS]

If that was my fore end on a 303 I owned I would scrap it the copper thrust plates are gone and the draws are smacked to pieces all the other stuff markings etc the forumers will offer advice as they will probably know what the A-11 means, you may want to clean all the crud off it so you can get good clear pics especially the date on the wrist strap we cannot see it.
As one of our forumers says it as it is this rifle is a bog standard FTR - 1953 at BSA with a stuffed fore end.
What type of bayonet is the maker those marked and good early ones like JAC (James Arthur Chapman), Chapman, Vickers, MOLE, Lithgow, Wilkinson (Pall Mall marked under the name) command a reasonable price especially if they have their correct scabbard.

My 1916 Lithgow H barrelled and H stamped on the top of the Butts wrist and 5MD (Western Australia) stamped on the stock and action cost me a miserly $100.oo AU had a few small issues but all up cost me $300.oo transitional mag, and all correctly stamped safety catch complete and a Wrights 1916 sling has windage sights and a cut off (This may or may not have been fitted outside the box) cheap as dog poop just a bit lucky.
The 1916 5MD Lithgow 07 and 5MD 1916 Lithgow scabbard was a different beast to get...

[5thBatt]

No copper recoil blocks as its a BSA FTR not a Lithgow one, the poms never fitted them, if the cutoff slot is exposed with the woodwork on, then it may well have had a cutoff fitted at the FTR otherwise it would have a high wall forend fitted i would think.
The A11 is the serial number.