FS: 1915!! BSA Lee Enfield No1 MkIII*

Posted on CGN:

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum...d.php?t=144785

Quote:

Actually, a 1915 BSA Lee Enfield No1 MkIII*

Price: $325 + Shipping
- Originally purchased from Jean @ P&S Militaria two or so years ago
- Rebarrelled by Ishapore, Ishapore mark on stock, no Ishy screw
- Matching reciever, bolt, etc..
- Very nice condition, and the former property of another CGN member who claims it's also a good shooter. I have never shot her.

...For the life of me I couldn't figure out what was special with this rifle when I put it up for sale, and I knew there was something (more than just the rather fresh barrel).

Well, as things would be (and as you will see from the photos) this is not actually a 1917 BSA MkIII*, but it is infact a 1915 BSA MkIII*.

Considering the MkIII* isn't supposed to have been built until 1916, it is a bit of a rarity - infact, although the volley sights have been deleted, it still has the windage adjustable rear sight from the Mk III (no *).

As you can see, everything matches (although it looks like the sight was force matched at some point?)...

http://www.geothermax.com/~pmancini/LEno1mk3.jpg

http://www.geothermax.com/~pmancini/fa/IMG_1295.JPG
http://www.geothermax.com/~pmancini/fa/IMG_1296.JPG
http://www.geothermax.com/~pmancini/fa/IMG_1297.JPG
http://www.geothermax.com/~pmancini/fa/IMG_1298.JPG
http://www.geothermax.com/~pmancini/fa/IMG_1299.JPG
http://www.geothermax.com/~pmancini/fa/IMG_1300.JPG
http://www.geothermax.com/~pmancini/fa/IMG_1301.JPG

this looks like a good buy to me. It's a legitimate 1915 made SMLE III* from the looks of it, and the claims of an Indian refurb seem to be scaring buyers off. It's been BTT'd twice now with no nibbles, though the $325 price would be otherwise reasonable. I'll bet he'd bite at $275.

IMHO, this rifles is NOT refurbed in India. Itf it were, it would have an Ishy screw, and FR or FTR stamps on the left buttsocket. The ISA stamp IS Ishapore in origin, but this rifle only shows evidence of arsenal inspection, possibly the sight ladder was changed there too, but it's not rebuilt.

If anyone's on the fence over the "Indian Rebuild" issue, rest assured - I give this one a "thumbs up". Also, it's not an Indian rebarrel as claimed. The HVSC markings mean the bbl is a correct WW1 era tube - probably original to that receiver.

Well, I'm not one to sit on a fence, being a milsurp shop-a-holic and all. So, she's mine now and I guess we'll see just what's what. Thanks for the tip Claven2!

Pete

So I got her today. She's a beauty, if I do say so! First question; is a BSA 1915 SMLE III* rare? The upper left side of the buttsocket is stamped 02 .
The upper right ( hidden by the bolt when closed ) is stamped T. T. and there is also an S at right angles to the Ts.

Pete

Oh yea, and the butt disc reads PAV 14 R D

Pete

Hi Pete,

1915 BSA rifles aren't, by themselves, rare. They are unusual though in that BSA switched to the MkIII* standard late in 1915 production before it was an authorized practice to do so. The MKIII* pattern wasn't approved until 1916 and BSA was the only maker to go against the MKIII specification before being officially allowed to. They likely would have suffered serious consequences if the anticipated switch the MkIII* production had not been approved in 1916.

MAny of the 1915 BSA rifles will have a shallow spot on the forestock where the blank was formed to permit the front volley sight to be inletted, but obviously that inletting was never cut.

They're neat guns.