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This rifle isn't anything spectacular, but I don't see many of them around and I quite like it. It is a 1915 SMLE, still in the original configuration, matching. It has its share of dings and repairs, but the bore is good, and I think it will shoot nicely if I ever get time to go to the range.
Ed
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If he could only talk.....
Curios, what # front sight post?
Attachment 42982Quote:
Originally Posted by WarPig1976
Unusual rounding of the bayonet boss is it not?
Good eye,
A very good eye. I hadn't noticed that myself. I've compared it to all my other SMLE's. My minty FTR's of course have nice sharp bayonet boss shoulders, probably 'cause they've never been used. My other pre-WWI and WWI issue beasties have more rounded shoulders presumably from use. This one is the most rounded, slightly more on the side of the 5 than the side of the 6. There is a trace of a scuff there too, so I wonder if it might have gotten "dinged" at one point a long time ago and needed some buffing to smooth it out. The patina on it is old. The sides are straight, and it fits a bayonet quite well still. Interesting.
Cheers
Ed
Several of my SMLE bayonet boss's have been reused and renumbered and show evidence of having the old number ground off, they have sharp edges. The ones which have rounded edges show no signs of being molested.
That's a rather uncommon repair to the butt as well. The finish is really in very good original condition, with a good scrub it would come up even better, but there is something to be said for leaving them just as they are too.
Must have had a quiet life somewhere back of the lines in both world wars. Original barrel?