My son's graduation present

Some weeks ago I asked some questions about a SMLE I was looking at to buy for my son's Basic Training Graduation. With help from the kind, knowing folks on this site I was able to determine that this rifle was a dispersal rifle.
I promised pictures ... unfortunately my wife had the good camera at his graduation and I had to wait for her return.
Well now I have some pictures and would appreciate any responses since the only Enfield I have in my group is made by Eddystone and is in 30.06.
My son also has access to a computer now and then and should be joining this site to see his new present.

BEAR

See that FTR on the wrist? Look for a date nearby, or a '52 etc, it means the rifle was overhauled at that time by the military. Interesting rifle, a 1944 date on a no1mk3 shtle is not common at all.

A diamond in the rough. It should clean up nicely and give a few (read, many) more years service yet. The one I got from Frankonia Jagd in Hannover in the mid 90s was just like it. Mine's a 1941 dispersal.

RJWT32, I noticed that unusual dating as well. I was unaware of any No1Mk3 rifles made in England during WWII. I suspect that this rifle was re-dated perhaps as some point. I am with you on this point. I would look for a date from about 1946-53 for that FTR stamp, but, then I have only been collecting Enfields since 1961, so I have yet to learn all there is to know about these wonderful rifles. Incidentally, I still have the first No3MkI I ever bought (by mail, no less) in about 1964 and it was an awesome FTR I still have in the safe. Like new then and still is.

Bear, your rifle is a fine example of the type and should clean up into an outstanding piece. I hope you and your son enjoy it for may years.

Mack, 'only collecting since 61 and have yet to learn all... lol, thats very funny.
I relate and sympathize, enfields, the never ending story ...

Re ww2 dates; I've seen BSA no1mk3's with 1939 and rarely with early 40's dates, and I have a feeling I've heard of dispersal rifles being made though the war, I wonder if there's actually something special about Bear's rifle...take a look at that crown over the GR, doesn't it look like a circular grinding mark around the outside of it? If it has been restamped there what on earth would have been there first?
oh, wait a minute...go back and look at the left side of the fore end, the pad for the front volley sight is still there albeit sanded flat, its got a 1915 or earlier front end there.
Now, if its an older rifle that been rebirthed then it usually would have multiple serial numbers, especially on the barrel.
In the finest of enfield traditions, no humble enfield rifle has a boring background, there's always something to look into...

Here are some comparison photos. The rifle on the left is Krinko's dispersal rifle and the one on the right is mine(my son's). They are almost carbon copies of each other. What other photos can I supply?
BEAR

The serial number is J8101. These are all the places I found the serial number.
BEAR

These 2 markings I am not familiar with at all. The first apears to be a Broad Arrow with an "o" on both sides.
I am not sure what the barrel stamp shows, maybe an importers mark?
BEAR

Hopefully Krinko will come along with more information on the dispersal story, somewhere I recall him making a post about dispersals and making the statement that the 1944's were made on recycled receivers - hence the old cypher being ground off and it being restamped

Best graduation present ever... :D

Good job getting that one; fun to see an "all matching" No1MK3!

Lou

It just gets better and better...so many serial numbers in one place, thats very hard to find these days, that ww1 fore end baffles me, maybe if the receivers were recycled early ones then maybe other parts were too,...but hang on, if this is a recycled receiver then all those serials wouldn't match, would they? Were they in the business of refurbing early rifles and getting them back in action again?
Hey there Mr Bear, take a very close look at the fore end underside, just behind the nosecap and see if the serial number is there too. It might be very faint , or a partial as the linseed and time had a habit of rubbing stuff away.

If I remember correctly the theory was that the receivers were old stock so they never were serial numbered. Being old stock, they had the cypher from a previous King on them so grinding that cypher off and adding a new one for George VI - the current King in 1944 was the proper thing to do.

OK, thanks for that I get it now...

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Originally Posted by RJWT32

It just gets better and better...so many serial numbers in one place, thats very hard to find these days, that ww1 fore end baffles me, maybe if the receivers were recycled early ones then maybe other parts were too,...but hang on, if this is a recycled receiver then all those serials wouldn't match, would they? Were they in the business of refurbing early rifles and getting them back in action again?
Hey there Mr Bear, take a very close look at the fore end underside, just behind the nosecap and see if the serial number is there too. It might be very faint , or a partial as the linseed and time had a habit of rubbing stuff away.

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Well, I looked on the stock behind the nosecap and with the aid of a magnifying glass I think I see a partial serial. Many dings and dents so it could be those or it just may be wishful thinking on my part. Could not get a good photo. Camera doesn't see what I see.
BEAR

Other stock markings I found.

More markings

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Originally Posted by BEAR

More markings

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hey Dad, Hey every body. she's amazing! thank you for all the info you guys have provided. I have been interested in and have wanted a n1m3 for years. thanks to you dad I now have one. if you could continue to give us info on the rifle I would very much apritiate it.
:beerchug:

You are most welcome, son,
And since I won't see you home until October or November I guess I'll take it to the range and shoot up all the ammo I bought you. And your No4 bore has dust bunnies so I'll have to shoot those out also.
BEAR (Dad)