Smle????

Had a kind of neat find.... A training SMLE rifle... made of a solid wood stock, cast iron trigger mech, cast nose piece, lead weights inserted... strange rear sight.... Any ideas as to providence... Only has K.A.W.S. marked on butt by steel butt plate....

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...IMG_2236-1.jpg

Trigger group.. solid cast iron with lead insert painted where magazine should be:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...IMG_2237-1.jpg

Rear sight:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...IMG_2238-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...IMG_2239-1.jpg


Cast nose piece (SMLE bayonet fits perfectly):

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...IMG_2240-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...IMG_2241-1.jpg

Inserted lead weight (making rifle actual weight):

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...IMG_2243-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...IMG_2244-1.jpg

Only markings:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...IMG_2242-1.jpg

None of the parts appear to be actual SMLE parts including the sling swivels.

Looks to me like a "fencing musket" i.e. bayonet practice weapon, but made in Kabul:madsmile:
In which case: KAWS stands for Kabul Arsenal Workshop Special;)

Just a theory, until someone comes up with a better one!

Patrick

These were offered by IMA several years ago. There is some variation in the design but they are all very similiar. The ads said they were from India.

We haveone of these at Warminster. They're genuine(?) but not an official issue and purchased privately by the local Home Guard. Ours was taken from a public school that bought them for the Cadet Force when their rifles were removed in 1940. On that basis, I wouldn't mind betting that KAWS stands for K (King/s) Axxxxx Wxxxxx School

There's a list of the possible schools in a litttle booklet that BDL has

How well does it group at 100 yards and what is the head space set at. :rolleyes:
(I'm asking these questions for Mr. jmoore) :rofl:

I think that the metal parts on the one at Warminster are made from sintered/compressed steel as it's pretty fragile now

Kashmir Army Weapons School?

Very nice addition.While on the subject of training weapons there is an interesting colour film of the home guard training with various weapons (dummy and live) HERE
Mods please delete if not appropriate.

KG

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Amatikulu

Kashmir Army Weapons School?

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Amatikulu, think British with a Commonwealth twist. :D

Kiwis Against Wimpy Substitutes :yikes:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Edward Horton

Kiwis Against Wimpy Substitutes

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Ah yes, The Bledisloe Cup :dancingbanana:

They have to have a workable bayonet stud so the cadets can learn Fix and Unfix without damaging the real ones.

I remember the Aldenham public school's .22 range had a whole load of dummies standing in a rack in the corner (much less sophisticated than this). Weighted to the right weight for teaching drill and not mattering much if they were dropped.