My first No1 Mk3 need help to ID it

[Ben Cartwright]

I went by a small gun shop here in Mass and a customer of theirs had to get rid of his guns due to a restraining order from a ex-girlfriend, there were 3 No1's and 2 No4's, I already have 3 No4's so didn't need another, but I have been looking for a No 1 at the right price. The price was right on this so I picked it up spur of the moment, had to find an ATM to get the cash.
The Question I have is the markings seem to say this was made around 1929 but I am guessing also on the right side of the stock band above the trigger the markins don't agree with any pictures I have seen. It has the crest and says G.R. England and then SHTLE III The England is virtually worn away but the SHTLE III is nice and sharp. on the stock is a broad arrow and what looks like the number 20 or 2C
On top of the chamber is "EY"

Information

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[Mk VII]

It's been refurbished in India; in the process they seem to have buffed away so heavily they have polished out part of the original markings.
Later relegated to rifle grenade projecting purposes.

[Amatikulu]

It has the crest and says G.R. England and then SHTLE III The England is virtually worn away

I believe if you look carefully, the "England" is actually "ENFIELD" the place where it was originally manufactured.

[bigduke6]

This will shed some light on the " EY " an article written by Peter Laidler, Milsurps Knowledge Library - Myths and Truths of No.1 EY Rifles (by Peter Laidler)

[Ben Cartwright]

It's been refurbished in India; in the process they seem to have buffed away so heavily they have polished out part of the original markings.
Later relegated to rifle grenade projecting purposes.

I thought rifle grenade rifles had the stocks wrapped with wire? The bore looks great. If it was used for rifle grenades would it be safe to shoot? The previous owner shot it I know.

Laidler says they are safe to shoot, and "every collection should have an EY in it" so starting with an EY is probably ok.

It only cost me $230 and I wanted an No1 for my collection, the ugly front end kind of grows on you.

[bigduke6]

An ugly front end to some, but when you fix one of these to it,



The ugly duckling becomes a swan,

[Ben Cartwright]

Point well taken! (no pun intended)

One thing I noticed is that the stock is an original stock, probably not original to the gun, it has a DP stamped in the handguard just behind the rear sight. There is no indication of wire wrapping on the stock

[Patrick Chadwick]

the ugly front end kind of grows on you.

Ugly? No! - Think of it as a bulldog jaw, expressing grim determination!

[Thunderbox]

An Enfield 1916 or 1917 No1 MkIII "star barred out", thats had one or two replacement forends, an FTR at Ishapore in 1929, and a long hard life. Probably stamped "EY" in the 1930s, and then used as a drill rifle in a school or military training establishment for much of the rest of its life until sold as surplus.

If the numbers still match on the metal work, then its just a nice example of an old Imperial soldier.....

[Ben Cartwright]

To me it's potential history sounds very interesting! I used the old cartridge in the muzzle test and it shows well over 1/8 inch, the other No1's at the shop went in right to the top of the case. I will slug the barrel this afternoon. The bore looks great with nice rifling, not like some I have seen.
The EY on the barrel has the stock cut away over it in a half circle, is that normal on number 1's or to show the EY?