A scarce No.1 Mark III SMLE ?

In January of 1936, King George V passed away, thus making Edward the Heir to the British Empire. Five months later, Edward abdicated the Throne, and King George VI became Monarch.

India continued to make the No.1 Mark III SMLE rifle during this time period. The Royal Cypher on the butt stock was changed from GRI to ERI. However, production during this five month period must have been very limited.

Does anyone have any records of the ERI marked SMLE rifles?

While the present trend is to downgrade Ishapore rifles, we have to remember that India was a British controlled country until 1947, and the rifles produced there were to standards set in England, and the factory was supervised by English Officers.

Here is the marking on my 1936 Ishapore SMLE No.1 Mark III.

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https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...1/02/011-1.jpg

Nothing at all wrong with Ishapore rifles, especially pre-independence, they just tend to be "well used". I'd imagine a 1936 produced, ER marked rifle would be fairly scarce...this one's got newer (post WWII) wood on it though.

Yes on the Wood. It also has the famous "Ishy Screw", so it probably was refurbished at a later date. The cut-off slot is there, but the wood comes high enough to cover it up. The butt stock is also later made.

The barrel has good rifling, and has the "SC" markings for the short cone. The rear sight, bolt, receiver and barrel match, but the nose cap has been replaced with a DP one.

I'm just going to have to keep an eye out for some earlier Ishapore wood.
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In my opinion, it'd be worth putting her back in original dress. To this day the nicest MkIII I've ever seen is a pristine 1939 Ishapore that walked out of a local gunshop without me while I was standing there trying to figure out how to explain spending $180 to the War Department.

They're nice rifles.

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Originally Posted by buffdog

In January of 1936, King George V passed away, thus making Edward the Heir to the British Empire. Five months later, Edward abdicated the Throne, and King George VI became Monarch.

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I think that you that will find that Edward VIII abdicated in December 1936, making his reign almost a year.

As those of us who have seen "The Kings Speech" can testify to.

Good to know, thanks for pointing this out, there are some very rare enfields out there that no one seems to put a value on, good for us until 'they' figure it out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Beerhunter

I think that you that will find that Edward VIII abdicated in December 1936, making his reign almost a year.

As those of us who have seen "The Kings Speech" can testify to.

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You are right about the dates.

Edward VIII was the reigning monarch, January 20 to December 11, 1936. Although reigning Monarch, Edward VIII was never Coronated as such.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by buffdog

Although reigning Monarch, Edward VIII was never Coronated as such.

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Forgive me but the word is "crowned". On which subject, Edward the VIII coronation memorabilia is more common than that of George VI because although Edward the VIII's coronation never happened, there was more to to prepare for it than for George VI's - which did.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Beerhunter

Forgive me but the word is "crowned". On which subject, Edward the VIII coronation memorabilia is more common than that of George VI because although Edward the VIII's coronation never happened, there was more to to prepare for it than for George VI's - which did.

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O.K. You are forgiven.