Red paint band

Dear experts, please help!

What is the significance of a band of red paint round the neck (not fore-end) of an Enfield No. 1 Mk III? The object in question is a Mk III that has been "sporterized" by having the fore-end wood cut back. Seems to have the original sights though, and as I have a "snout" it would "only" require the correct woodwork to fit it up again (optimist!). But I am only interested in potential shooters, so if red band = degraded to DP because of dud barrel, then I'll give it a miss.

Patrick

There is no real way of telling what the paint is for - different colour codes were used by different countries and at different times. A competent gunsmith should be able to tell very quickly whether the rifle is in any way defective.

It is probably/possibly an Indian DP rifle. I asked the Imdian Army liaison Officer this question this morning over a cup of his real Indian tea no less but he said that SMLE's are few and far between now (?) and certainly not in the Army so his opinion is not a definate but good possibility. Their Army DP marks are red and white bands ........... or is is white and red bands!

But if it IS or WAS a DP, then be warned. Neither you or I or even the ubiquitous 'good gunsmith' knows exactly why a rifle was subject to DP status. It might well have been the next one in line or, as I saw and experienced, rifles that had been subject to severe fire damage. When cleaned up and sent through the FTR process and then DP'd, you'd never tell. But underneath the shiney paint and gleaming white DP bands and markings, could lie a metallurgical nightmare.

We recently gave some extensively fire damaged but 'suitably tarted up 'SA80's to a film company to use. But aware of our experience, have marked these so that when returned, they'll be either scrapped or downgraded to unfireable DP variants.

Just be warned about DP rifles

Most of the forends I receive from Springfield Sporters and that I use for my restoration projects have this red / white band painted on them, and they are all from "DP" source.

Lou