Were there any No1 MkIII made in Ishapore? Looking at another gun, and just need some general info. I'll get numbers and such on here as soon as I see pics of it.
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Were there any No1 MkIII made in Ishapore? Looking at another gun, and just need some general info. I'll get numbers and such on here as soon as I see pics of it.
According to Edwards, the answer is yes. He further states "they are very rare in original configuration." Almost all of them were "updated" to Mk III*.
Ok great. Any Particular dates of manufacture? Serial prefixes and suffixes?
This is an Ishapore No.1Mk.III dated 1911, serial No. 24717 with South African military markings. It had its barrel replaced while in South African military service but otherwise appears to be original. Ishapore No.1Mk.III* rifles with South African military markings are occasionally found, but this is the first Mk.III that I have come across.
Hopefully these pics will post up.
Any thoughts from more experienced collectors?
CC, Ishapore, like many of the other SMLE manufacturers also manufactured a modified Mk.III in the 1920s, then as WWII broke out returned to the Mk.III*. Ishapore 'exported' many of it's rifles at the start of WWII, but as Japan became more of a threat kept many more for the home based troops.
Brad
CelticCollector, what is your No.1 Mk.III* dated? (It's no longer a Mk.III even if it stared life as one.)
I dont know. I have not been able to work out a deal with the guy yet.
According to my book a AD suffix serial number would be 1980's production (1987 by the book) so will be a MkIII*
And that's what the photos look like. Expect a good bore, greasy wood and crappy black paint on the metal.Quote:
Originally Posted by 5thBatt
I've owned many Ishapore MkIII's from 1919 to 1924 or so that had the cutoff, but no volley sights. I've never owned a pre-1918 Ishapore that had not been updated to at least post-war pattern (e.g. volleys removed and new forestock).
They are rather rare.