SMLE Markings

[Bruce_in_Oz]

Trivia time.

Can a few folk have a quick look at their SMLE rear sight beds, left hand side, please.

A 1943 vintage note I came across recently stated that rear sight beds on Mk111 and 111* SMLEs were to have a small, upper case "T" stamped on their left side, just above the locking pin.

This was to indicate that this pin entered from the LEFT side and was TAPERED.

This note dates to 1938, or earlier. My copy of the drawing has extensive damage along the bottom edges especially along the bottom, where one should find the title block / amendments information.

Anyone know when this locking pin was introduced?

And another thing:

I have never owned any early pattern SMLEs. So, has anyone ever closely examined an early SMLE butt. It appeared that there is supposed to be TWO additional lightening holes below the Stock bolt / pull-through hole. These are drilled at such an angle that they meet at a point below, and just behind alignment with the head of the stock bolt. It also seems that the weight of the pull-through resides in a generously-dimensioned, elliptically profiled hole above stock-bolt hole. This is quite different from the close-fitting job on proper Mk111* butts. I guess they were trying to trim ounces and keep the overall balance forward.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[jmoore]

No photos of that area, sorry! Plenty of top views but nothing from the left side.

As far as the butt hollows go, there's definitely some variations. Weight differentials aren't all that noticable unless they're stripped down.

[Son]

I have pics of the T somewhere, ages ago when asking about it's relevance. Will dig it up. Alsoi have a butt like described, but not sure if I have pics

[muffett.2008]

This is a 1916 Lithgow.Attachment 37590

[Son]

Nope, this wasn't a T mark after all... chuck it back in the bin and keep looking I 'spose

Attachment 37591

[jrhead75]

I've got an early butt with the two lightening holes. If nobody comes up with one before then, I'll get some pics up this afternoon.

[Peter Laidler]

There's no mention of this in the pommy EMER's Bruce and Son. Was it a particularly Aust thing? I ask because something like this letter or a number stamped somewhere that indicated a completed modification would usually be mentioned in the technical data or unit repairs section or if later, in the modification section.

[Son]

Will flick this question straight onto Bruce, Peter. I had asked about it some time ago, also had a "T" stamped on the underside of a Lithgow foreend forward of the front trigger guard screw, and no explanation for either. Sounds like this solves the sight marking... over to you, Bruce...

[Steve H. in N.Y.]

On a 1917 LSA. Not sure if it's original to the rifle or not.Attachment 37592

[Homer]

Excellent piece of info about the T stamp Bruce. I've got several rifles with this stamp and I've wondered about this for years. Don't have any photo's on hand but I can take some for you when time permits. From memory it is not present on any of my barrels dated up to 1924 but on all dated after this up until when you say, about 1938. That could be wrong, just going off memory here.

Thanks for the info, now could you please find the meaning of the question mark stamp on early Lithgow actions.