Sht.LE ConD. Mk.I

[englishman_ca]

Just an overhead question. Has anybody ever encountered a SMLE Cond. Mk.I????

As I understand;-
The ConD. Mk.II was converted from MLM Mk.II or MLE Mk.I ??
The ConD. Mk.I was converted from the MLM Mk.I ??

Curious to find out how they converted the eight round single stack mag receiver over to a ten round double stack. Or did they run it with the eight rounder????

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.

[Giove]

From what I know, the "Rifle, short, magazine, Lee-Enfield, converted (Mark I)" (LoC 11948) was to be the conversion of MLM Mark I* to the SMLE Mark I pattern. The magazine would be the same as SMLE Mark I.

Though officially approved, it never came into production: no such rifle has ever been built.

Giancarlo.

[RCS]

I have also seen a BSA 1894 II serial number 41530 lined-out new serial E over 8837 and marked on the other side Enfield 1908 Sht L E ConD IV.

Barrel was dated 1928 and still in 303 cal. I tried to buy it from the collector but he refused to sell it. I would not consider this conversion to be
expensive just not common to find these days

[Lance]

The modification of the magazine well and the trigger guard to accommodate the wider profile magazine made the SMLE ConD I a difficult conversion, thus it never got past the trials.

[RCS]

Back to the ConD II* conversions, there is some additional data in the late Skip Stratton book (Vol 1) page 31 " While most SMLE Mk II* (Converted) rifles are conversions of Long Lees, it has been reported (Toye 1995)
that some rifles so marked were in fact, built on first variation action bodies. "

[jonh172]

I have a pattern 14 ConD 1, I can take detailed pictures if anyone wants?
1903 rifle converted in 1905.
From my limited search approx. 475 were made.


Or Do I have the wrong rifle altogether?

[Giove]

I'd love to see pictures of your rifle jonh172.

[englishman_ca]

Close in designation, but the Pattern 14 ConD I is not the same animal as Sht.LE ConD 1, even though they were both SMLEs.

The one I refer to is a SMLE built upon the very first long Lee Metford rifle actions circa 1888.
The receiver, although very similar, is a bit different with a slimmer eight round single stack magazine

[jonh172]

I'd love to see pictures of your rifle jonh172.

I wont be a thread hijacker and will post some in a new thread.

---------- Post added at 02:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:10 PM ----------

Close in designation, but the Pattern 14 ConD I is not the same animal as Sht.LE ConD 1, even though they were both SMLEs.

The one I refer to is a SMLE built upon the very first long Lee Metford rifle actions circa 1888.
The receiver, although very similar, is a bit different with a slimmer eight round single stack magazine

I see, thanks for clarifying!

[Melanie_Daniels]

Though officially approved, it never came into production: no such rifle has ever been built.

That is not really correct - this one was photograped in the Enfield Pattern Room (now Royal Armouries in Leeds)Attachment 88986Attachment 88986