New to me RSAF 1918 No1 MK III*

[pschirl]

Hello all,
First off let me say this forum is awesome. I've learned damned near everything I need to know about my new enfield. So now to my question, I have two markings I can't find anywhere in the forum or the internet in general.

On the barrel, I find
\/
E.17
R.

\/
E.32
R.

Any ideas?
Thanks in advance...
Paul

Information

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[Roy]

Firstly, welcome to this forum, the knowledge that is here is unsurpassed online. Not only the wealth of information but also the good humour and friendliness of the members. And you can never stop learning about your Enfields since most of us dont stop at one.

photos of the markings are worth posting but i'd say they are inspectors marks from RSAF Enfield.

[Buntlineguy]

Welcome to the Enfield club. I also have a 1918 No 1 MK III*. It's one of my favorite shooters. SN287xx. On my barrel I find E5 (may be E6) and F4. Don't know what all the markings mean and really don't care - it's just fun to shoot. Keep with it and you will learn a lot on this site.
B

[pschirl]

Thanks for the kind welcome! I now have three old classics a 1938 91/30 Mosin Nagant, a 1944 M44 Mosin Nagant, and this enfield. Here's a photo of the marks... you may have to zoom in a bit... Someone bubba'd the butt plate by polishing it to a nice smooth shiny finish. Also looks like they refinished the forestocks... argh.. Doesn't look too bad I guess..

I do have one more question. When looking down at the muzzle, it almost appears to be pentagon shaped, rather than round. The rifling is nice inside, and is is a bit lighter at the muzzle, but its there.

Second pic shows it...

Thanks!
Paul

[Peter Laidler]

Looks pentagon-like at the muzzle........ They ALL do because it's got 5 groove rifling that you are looking at in end elevation!

[pschirl]

Thanks so much for your response. I have never seen any of my other gun's muzzles look quite like this, so I was confused if it was worn or something.

It being normal makes me even happier with my acquisition!

[RobD]

Attachment 53986

In theory, but in practice the muzzle never looks quite as good...

[pschirl]

Thank you both for your responses. I finally got the fore stock off and checking into things. It looks pretty good. I do have a * on top of the barrel at the chamber which I believe indicates light rust. I don't see any indications using a bore light from the muzzle, but I need to get one of those inspection mirrors I've seen on here.

What do the marks on the bottom of the barrel mean?

Thanks again!!
Paul

[pschirl]

Hi again guys, I had an issue at the range. Pulled the trigger, no bang, bolt stuck closed. I was able after much effort to get it open, when a small piece of the bolt came out. I have searched the forum and see it is the half cock safety lug. From my reading it appears that I need to replace the bolt. My question is, is this safe to shoot until I find time to get the new parts and find a gunsmith, or should I put it aside until I can do it? Thanks for any suggestions!

[Peter Laidler]

Not enough info........ It seems as though the cocking piece has snapped. You can't shoot it in that case. Get it PROPERLY repaired by someone who knows what he's doing as opposed to some enthusiastic amateur friend of a friend sort of thing. It is important. Try Brian at BDL Ltd in SC. If you used force to lift the bolt handle it indicates something else too. But that's enough to start with