First SMLE - What can you tell me

Hi all, been lurking a while so finally joined and here is my first post.

I just bought a 1917 SMLE III* and waiting to take delivery (interstate) but would like to press my luck here and see if anyone can tell me more about my acquisition than what I assume I know. From what I can tell which is probably the obvious to most, is that it's a Lithgow SAF built SMLE MkIII* (lightly pitted barrel) built in 1917. I beleive the woodwork has been restored/refinished. Is there anything else that you cn tell me from the pictures that have been sent to me from the current owner?

http://imgur.com/gallery/qa8XffA

Additionally what would be tbe correct sling for this rifle to keep in true to age?

Thanks all!

It looks to be a 1917 Enfield produced No 1 Mk 3. It would say "Lithgow" on the butt socket if it was produced by them. Looks there are some markings that have been barred out on top of the receiver at the rear of the barrel (where is screws into the action).

If you carefully pop off the rear hand guard you should be able to see some barrel markings with dates and inspectors marks.

I'm sure others will be along soon to chime in.

Brian B

Your rifle looks really nice. The wood is in terrific shape so I wonder if it has been replaced sometime in its life. It has the correct cocking piece for a 1917. Have you checked to see if all your numbers match?

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Originally Posted by Singer B

Your rifle looks really nice. The wood is in terrific shape so I wonder if it has been replaced sometime in its life. It has the correct cocking piece for a 1917. Have you checked to see if all your numbers match?

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I've been advised that the action, bolt and nose cap all match. To look at it I would also assume the wood had been refurbished at some point.

---------- Post added at 05:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:43 PM ----------

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Originally Posted by Brian B

It looks to be a 1917 Enfield produced No 1 Mk 3. It would say "Lithgow" on the butt socket if it was produced by them. Looks there are some markings that have been barred out on top of the receiver at the rear of the barrel (where is screws into the action).

If you carefully pop off the rear hand guard you should be able to see some barrel markings with dates and inspectors marks.

I'm sure others will be along soon to chime in.

Brian B

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I'm a little hesitant to go pulling things apart, I'm really a newb when it comes to these older firearms. I have been advised by a friend that it is most likely a British built MkIII* NOT a Lithgow as I first thought. Enjoying learning lots though I must say!

Nice looking rifle.

The rear top wood is only held on by spring clips, just carefully lift it up and off, that will tell you if the barrel is original to the rifle. A two digit date marking will be apparent on the left (could well be 16 dated on a 1917 rifle), plus many military markings.

The woodwork is most definitely replaced, looks to be well fitted though, but screaming for oil!

Make sure you give it a good coating of raw linseed oil.

Fit a wide pre 1921 piling swivel, brass handled pull though and Enfield marked brass oiler in the trap, plus the right sling, not forgetting a good 1907 pattern bayonet, with the correct pre WW2 tear drop scabbard and she will look great!

Ps, just a small point, but using .303 ball ball ammunition is most definitely against the rules in Snooker! Either that,or it's a very small gallery range!

Its not a Lithgow as there is no shield on the wrist and no 7 pointed star with A in it (See pics of my 1916 Lithgow.), it looks like an enfield to me has the correct back sight as the windage sights were I think deleted about the same time as the mag cut offs around mid 1916 could be wrong probably am, furniture looks great though may need a drink of 50/50 RLO (Raw Linseed Oil) & Mineral Turpentine usually best done with the wood off the rifle so you can get into the under areas you can also check for rust ect on the under barrel ect then coat it in the appropriate grease reassemble and away you go.
Now a quiet word a correct period sling will set you back a pretty penny I brought a black (Period correct) 1916 Wrights sling and it stung the wallet badly but I was on a quest to get my 1916 back to how it was in the day almost everything has the star on it but what a slog thankfully the main components were original to the rifle (Barrel change in 1937), anyway I digress be mindful of how far you want to go.
An EFD Pattern '07 bayonet in good condition with good scales (Grips) probably set you back a bit but bargains are out there here they are fetching $240 - $290+/AUD with the correct scabbard tear drop, the wide piling swivel go for $45+/Aud if you do get a sling make sure its not a Bren gun sling they are too long the clasps nearly touch each other when tightened up anyway use the search function top Rt on the home page for all the info on the 303's welcome to the club and you'll never stop at one its called Enfielditis and allot of us here have it......good luck!

Welcome to the club! As previous postrrs have mentioned, some linseed oil on the stock is a must.. Other than that, good on you for posting here- you have plenty of resources to assist with your new addiction.. :madsmile:

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Originally Posted by CINDERS

Its not a Lithgow as there is no shield on the wrist and no 7 pointed star with A in it (See pics of my 1916 Lithgow.), it looks like an enfield to me has the correct back sight as the windage sights were I think deleted about the same time as the mag cut offs around mid 1916 could be wrong probably am, furniture looks great though may need a drink of 50/50 RLO (Raw Linseed Oil) & Mineral Turpentine usually best done with the wood off the rifle so you can get into the under areas you can also check for rust ect on the under barrel ect then coat it in the appropriate grease reassemble and away you go.
Now a quiet word a correct period sling will set you back a pretty penny I brought a black (Period correct) 1916 Wrights sling and it stung the wallet badly but I was on a quest to get my 1916 back to how it was in the day almost everything has the star on it but what a slog thankfully the main components were original to the rifle (Barrel change in 1937), anyway I digress be mindful of how far you want to go.
An EFD Pattern '07 bayonet in good condition with good scales (Grips) probably set you back a bit but bargains are out there here they are fetching $240 - $290+/AUD with the correct scabbard tear drop, the wide piling swivel go for $45+/Aud if you do get a sling make sure its not a Bren gun sling they are too long the clasps nearly touch each other when tightened up anyway use the search function top Rt on the home page for all the info on the 303's welcome to the club and you'll never stop at one its called Enfielditis and allot of us here have it......good luck!

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All good points Ron, perhaps just get a nice (cheap and plentiful) 37 pattern sling while looking for a WW1 original.

Two options for a sling, the rare and very collectable WW1 canvas sling with brass mounts. Caution needs to taken here, as there are many tatty 37 pattern slings have been faked up with false dates, you really need to your research here, obvious detail differences when you know what to look for, before you buy.

The other option, still rare, but more widely available and cheaper, is the leather (pattern ?) Sling, I've a Cole Brothers, 1916 dated example on my 1917 Enfied.

Thanks mrclark and CINDERS, your input is really appreciated, I am definately a newb in this field and anything anyone can tell me is information that I welcome.

As I posted in response to a previous post, I agree that it appears to be a Enfield (British) production as I found out for bothering a friend with a miriad of questions.

I have, for the short term, purchased a period correct repro sling but intend continuing the search for the correct original sling. Also looking for the correct period issue oiler. Bayonet is certainly on the list but not a high priority right now.

I have been going through threads and online information sources to determine the best factory ammo to use until I buy dies for reloading. I know loads can be a very opinionated topic so i haven't asked that just yet but as for factory loads I have been told to lean towards something like the PPU 174gn rounds. Happy for opinions on this topic though!

Thanks again so far everyone, the info is greatly appreciated.

Next step it seems is to find a how to on the strip of the woodwork to treat it and clean the underlying components.

There are several excellent videos on You Tube reference how to remove the action/barrel from the wood. It is really very simple. If you decide to start taking things apart like the safety (which I don't recommend!), then you can start running into problems. You can also search this site and I am sure you will find plenty of threads with excellent advise reference how to disassemble and reassemble your Enfield. You also may be surprised at what you find under the wood, such as notes and other personal items. Enjoy!