My neighbor has this SMLE

My neighbor across the street is an old army veteren and he has this SMLE that he wanted me to get some info on. On the right side of the grip on the metal band it has from top to bottom: a crown, 1906, and then 2 lines of letters I can't remember. The stock looks almost new, I gave it a quick once over and I didn't see any markings on the stock, should there be? The bbl is even with the end of the stock so I didn't see any importer's stamp, where should I look for those? He also has a P-08 and a couple P-38's that he's gonna show me in a couple days. Thanks for the help!! :beerchug:

Most likely its an SMLE (Short Magazine Lee Enfield) Mark 1*** if its a .303 caliber. These are the most often encountered rifles from 1906 that I've sen in the USA. It'll be marked on the bottom line of the right hand butt socket with the designation. Check for import stamps on the receiver sides.

Mark 1 *** photos, on the left is a BSA CO 1906 Mark 1*** and on the right is another Mark 1*** with the first two serials lined out on a Enfield 1904. The Irish prefix could be ER or CR with other variations

i think neil is correct in his analysis , but you need to know that most of what you couldnt recall was what we needed to answer your question ,

while not meant as a flame , id think writeing it down might be part of loooking at it ?

theres a good bit of info that can be had from the very things you failed to take note of , could you look again we are very much interested in what he might have , and photos would be a huge help if possible

Enfields from 1906 are a small and highly prized collectible. Its probably a no1***, and if its in original military wood etc rather than sporterized its one of those rifles we'd all like to own one day. Its the predecessor to the no1mk3, which became the battle weapon of millions, and as the predecessor it has several features that were omitted in laters years to ease mass production. With fully adjustable sights and other what nots, they're a real rifleman's rifle, in my 'umble opinion.
If you're friends rifle is sporterized it is still a very interesting rifle to read about and own.

it's nonsporterized but I think it has "new" maybe 20-30 yrs old military wood

a few of the details mentioned above would be -

rear sight [watkins-speed] with bone inlays

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ifles028-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...fles0261-1.jpg

and of coarse the sight protection ears mounted to the handguard


the bolthead/charger half

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...fles0271-1.jpg

cutoff , and volley sights of coarse , and front handguard is diferant as well

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...fles0311-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...fles0301-1.jpg

variations of the Mark 1*** from 1904 to 1907, only two are with original serial number, the rest having the ER, CR or G prefix with a new serial

Nice clunker, have one myself BSA 1906 unissued. Yeah i fluked that one. What sets these apart is the workmanship on them. Well done.