question on barrel dating

I have two rifles, one is marked ER BSA Co 1904 SHTLE 1 ** other side R^F I 1917, the second rifle is ER Enfield 1903 SHTLE 1 ** other side is R^F 1914




Both of these Mark 1** being upgraded to Mark 111 with the charger guide, Mk 111 nose cap and handguards. The fore-end on the Enfield 1903 still has the dial sight plate L.E.S. 111.

Both barrels have the Mark 111 rear sight with the windage adjustment and these barrels have the HV and are serial numbered to each receiver serial number - but my question is why are these barrels without dates ?

Because the leftside marks are Ishapore rebuild marks and the barrels would most likely be RFI made replacements, which are not generally dated.
Look for an Ishapore proof.
-----krinko

PS> Don't these rifles have an "I.P." at the bottom of the rightside butt socket?

These barrels do have the Ishapore proofs. Thanks for the information. Would these rifles still be considered collector's rifles with the R^F rebuild/upgrade to Mark 111 ? The wood has the old patina color and the bores are very good.

"Would these rifles still be considered collector's rifles with the R^F rebuild/upgrade to Mark 111 ?"

Absolutely. They should be marked "I.P." for "India Pattern" on the rightside of the buttsocket---but even if they aren't*, anything from India of that date is extremely hard to find. The Indian Army rebuilt and reused everything until it was used up completely---early stuff disappeared due to this practice.
-----krinko.


*There are variations in the way MkI**I.P. rifles are marked.

I forgot to post the I P stamp under the 1** of both rifles
matching on the BSA is the nose cap, rear sight and fore-end
matching on the Enfield is the rear sight and fore-end
Thanks for the information R. Seccombe

The British rebuilt their old Mark I* and Mark I * * rifles to Mark III specs, called them the Mark I * * * . Army rifles were done at Enfield, Navy rifles were done at various Naval depots.... and they were different! Army rifles stayed with the specification, but the naval depots tended to be a little more hit-or-miss, depending on parts availability at any particular time.

And so now we discover exactly the same conversion, except done in India.

My question is simply, "What in Hell do we call these things? Mark I, 2-1/2*?"

These are really interesting old rifles which pack a LOT of history around with them. If only we knew exactly what....

Congratulations on a couple of FINE toys!