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Aren't those Thai markings?
@browningautorifle post #12 I do not think so as I have a RAMA VI rifle and the markings are completely different and the marks shown do not look like Thai script
Just looked it up, yes it's Nepali...
I was wondering what do you think a value for it would be. I was thinking of selling. There aren't any other examples to compare it to.
There is a section on these in Ian Skennertons TLE starting at the bottom of page 371 with photos on pages 372,373 & 374
They are quite rare & certainly no "Khyber pass" value will be whatever a collector is willing to pay, i for one would pay more than twice the price of a normal SMLE for one & still think i did well if not think i stole it!Quote:
Originally Posted by tdarmo
I see they used the RFI SMLE type forend tie plate, similar to the No4.
So I guess they copied an RFD example.
I don't think the rifles were "copied"; they were actual licensed production (or assembly).
IIRC the Nepalese were given drawings, tools, gauges and expert help (from Enfield and /or Ishapore) by the British so that they could attempt a short manufacturing run. It could be that the action bodies themselves were donated - it would be interesting to make a detail comparison with contemporary Ishapore or Enfield.
Edit: the version in the OP post has been restocked (badly) with Ishapore wood. The originals have standard 1930s forends without the tie plate.
Fascinating, thanks for sharing the information, great idea for a side by side comparison that would be very interesting exercise