Smle mk v

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Originally Posted by Frederick303

I had one of the early pre 1928 Parker hale No 5 sights (not 5 A). These sights were made without the adjustable zero plates that the later No 5 A sights have, and have a slightly different shape to them. I understand this pattern of sight was made between 1925 and late 1928, being replaced by the 5a in early 1929

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Just clarifying...... The PH 5 sight came out in 1923/24 and was rapidly superseded by the 5a in 1925.
(sight collectors tend to rip your arms off when you get it wrong.)

I was under the impression that most of the Mk5s ended up in India.

Interestingly, post the second great unpleasantness, Indian troops went in as garrison troops to what was then French Indo-China.

Here they kept order alongside recycled Japanese troops who were employed as "policemen". That went down well with the locals, especially given the activities in the previous few years.

Somehow or other some of these Indian Mk5s found their way into the hands of the local anticolonialists.

There are photos of said locals armed with Mk5s in a couple of the Viet war museums. One depicts a black-clad chap pointing the rifle at the sky is what is probably a posed "PR" shot.

I found it again posted here: Viet Cong soldier with No 1 Mk V Trials Rifle

Sadly, whilst the Viets tended to throw nothing away, (just in case), a huge flood of the Red River about twelve so years ago filled quite a few stores depots with a vast amount of mud. The goodies, mostly weapons and other tech gear of US and French origin festered in a mud blanket for months and most eventually went to scrap. I saw some photos (no copies) and it was a nasty thing to see, not unlike the piles of abandoned and sometimes burned mountains of goodies in Cambodia.

I'll see if I can find any more links or images.

Finally, sort of in the same vein, there's this: Các loại súng bộ binh tốt nhất !

My friend bought eight rifles, all upgraded to Mark 111 in India during the WW1 period. These rifles were Mark 1** IP and on the other side were marked R^F and a date such as 1916 or 1917 (I did find a 1914). He bought another four more and there was a Mark V also from India but as issue, it was well used which is something you do not find with a Mark V

Attachment 33018



Attachment 33019

Mine has damage to the wood and the rear sight been dinged. But I don't know anything else about where its been etc.

Is anyone compiling a list of surviving Mk.Vs? If so they can add mine to the list.
A3588 made in 1924.
I bought it from a well-known dealer in Aldershot 20-odd years ago and he had several to choose from at the time.

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Originally Posted by Bruce_in_Oz

I was under the impression that most of the Mk5s ended up in India.

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Have heard India, South Africa and most recent, sold to the Irish army, in the late 20,s I think.

Don't forget that there were TWO variations of the Mk5. The 'new-build- at 23 shillings and the Mk3 revamped at £18 shillings.

It'd be a good idea to log the serial numbers of the survivors Ross, but to achieve what? A better idea would be for someone to collate and print/publish the whole unabridged history of them.

Any ideas what variant yours is Garry? Looks like a revamped Mk3

Sorry, I guess I really don't know. I thought it was the second variation. It was manufactured in 1924. How do I tell?

Attachment 33029
Does this help? I can try to take more phots tonight if it helps.


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Its a standard No1 MkV, have a look in the knowledge libary you can see the two examples, see link below,

Milsurps - 1924 ShtLE No.1 MkV Rifle