Printable View
Hi
would some of the forum members kindly help by explaining what the marks on my SMLE mean. The rifle has the large S for sale and came with a couple of verniers. The butt has DP crossed out on it and the letters MT added. There are unit and makers marks on the butt. The action has T stamps on it and I would be interested to know if these refer to telescope or are just inspection stamps. Shoots well. Thank you for any help.
You have an SMLE Mk.III made by BSA in 1915.
The EFD means Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield Lock, Middlesex , England. The Board arrow above it is a Government ownership mark.
2 ESR = 2nd Battalion, East Surrey Regiment?
"S for Sale?"
The rifle has the large S between two arrows which I believe means it has been selected to be sold on.
The butt on your SMLE is off a MLM Mk II* made at Enfield which was down graded to Drill Purpose and then reactivated by the addition of a .22 cal barrel insert, a Morris Tube (MT) most likely in 1906. The "T"'s on the receiver are not a telescope marking as they on "T" marked No.4 snipers from 1943 onward, what it means on your rifle I have no clue.
If you ever want to replace the butt on your rifle please let me know as I am missing that exact butt :yikes: (see pic's it would be perfect) off my converted Enfield MLM Mk II* to DP to MT and then to a solid BSA .22 barrel. Somewhere down the road the butt got replaced most likely to fit a shooter's preference.
The two opposing Broad Arrows are the "Sold out of Service" mark.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kingsburyshot
BTW, it looks like it has a Crowned BNP - post-1954 Birmingham Nitro Proof mark as well.
Sorry, what does MLM stand for ?
MLM = Magazine Lee Metford - the earlier version of the British service Lee rifile, with Metford form rifling in the barrel