Trying to establish authenticity of a SMLE - serial number font question

Hi folks,

Quick question - could a nosecap have a serial number of a different font than the action and barrel?

Lou

Yes, VERY easily. If it was changed at an Armourers shop for some reason. Stripped thread, broken ear(s). To us changing something like that would be no different to changing a damaged numbered fore-end. Fit replacement (not necessarily new either I hasten to add, bar out old and renumber anew

Thanks Peter, much appreciated!

Best regards,

Lou

Or if it were changed by a "restorer" who wanted to sell a matching number rifle.
An armourer would bar out the original number, not dress the surface down and restamp.

I'd say that, these days, a mismatched number font on a nosecap is a 99% indication of a recent civilian rebuild or restoration. The fact would certainly mean that the rest of the rifle would have to be looked at very closely - if it was, for example, being sold at a premium price as "all matching/original as it left service", etc.

The next thing to look for would be the presence, style and originality of the rifle number on the underside of the forend. If that is correct, then the nosecap may well be a service replacement (I imagine that they are a part that did not break very often!). If the forend number is missing , or is a fresh modern stamp, then... its another clue in the provenance story. And so on down the checklist...

The rifle in question was advertised with a very carefully worded description. It is apparent that it is far from being what it appears to be.