...For Lee Enfields anyway. After chasing Martinis, Sniders, and cavalry swords for a while, something high on my wish list showed up at the same time the financial gremlins were otherwise occupied.
An intact 1914 LSA MkIII. Not something that shows up in the LE orchards much any more. Being both an LSA fan, and on the lookout for an intact original 1914 SMLE for some time, I thought I'd take a shot. Everything looks right, although I'm going to have to have her in hand to make any kind of judgement as to originality, since all I have to go on are the auction house's pics.
Without further ado...
Information
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Very, very nice. Not one you ever see any more. I wonder how this one survived this long? Someone must have put it away after a few years service and no war...or it just couldn't have lived in this shape for all these years. Some honest use and wear but no abuse...
It's anyone's guess, but it might have been brought back from the war by someone who ended up in Canada and then moved south. Many did in the 20s and 30s.
Anything on the disc? Any C Broad Arrow marks?
Last edited by Surpmil; 02-22-2016 at 12:56 AM.
“There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”
What a beautiful SMLE, I have an all original NZ issued 1917 Enfield example, she's in pretty good order for her 99 years and my most treasured firearm, but nothing like that stunning piece!
It looks too good to be true, I wonder what the bores like?
It's anyone's guess, but it might have been brought back from the war by someone who ended up in Canada and then moved south. Many did in the 20s and 30s.
Anything on the disc? Any C Broad Arrow marks?
Don't have her in hand yet, so no idea on import marks (although in this case they might not be a bad thing). The disk is marked to the 3/2 Gurkhas, a unit that was active during both wars. The 2nd Gurkhas were all over the place during the Great War, especially in the near east, so Turkish capture is a possibility...some real time capsules came out of Turkey the last go around. It's also EY stamped.
In reality, anything at this point would be pure speculation, but it certainly looked good enough to give it a shot. Keeping fingers crossed.
Here ya go JR.... Just got my lazy arse out to take some "after" pics. Half way through it started to sprinkle so I was a little rushed. The link to picturetrail is of pics as the rifle was when I got it. Sadly, a light sanding and varnish had occurred so I removed the varnish and linseed oiled for a couple of weeks. I'm ok with it. My personal opinion of this rifle is that it never saw any battlefield use at all. Everything is as LSA original as I have ever seen on any rifle that I've ever owned. Even the screw heads are nearly all in pristine condition and all the serial number fonts appear to perfectly match. Opinions and or evaluations appreciated.
Wow! That is a beauty Spike! Can't imagine one being much better...I am impressed! The only part that looks like it didn't roll out of the factory with it is the piling swivel. Where on earth did you find that thing?
Mine showed up on schedule, and in a nutshell...could be better, could be worse. She's a grizzled old veteran to be sure, but looks pretty honest to me. EY marked on the usual places, including the butt. Really nice shiny bore, original barrel. The draws however are not so pretty. The back end of the forestock will need to be restored if I ever want to shoot her. The serial number on the forestock isn't wholly legible, what is still there looks right.
A reasonable mix of LSA parts and other bits...all together seems commensurate with it's issue to a Gurkha unit that spent a lot of the war in India. I'll try to get more pics taken when the weather improves. All in all...it'll do in a pinch. A nice bookend to my 1918 LSA MkIII*.
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Originally Posted by Surpmil
