SMLE MKIII* .22 Caliber

Greetings

A local gunshop has a .22 caliber SMLE on the rack. The rifle is tied to the rack with a cable through the trigger guard so I could not examine it in detail. I could see the following markings on the socket: SMLE MKIII* and 1918. The rear sight is located mid barrel and has the large protective ears.

Externally, the wood and metal are in excellent condition. The bolt and magazine were not present. It is standard practice at this shop to remove these and store them in the back.

I am ignorant regarding the world of the SMLE but am fond of the type.

If I were to consider buying this rifle, what details should I look for?

Assuming it is complete, what sort of a price range for such a rifle in 85% visual condition?

Lastly, were the .22 SMLE's noted for accuracy?

Thanks and best regards,

Jim

Lance posted a nice series on the .22 Enfields ...

.22 Enfield's (Collection Photo Essay)

Regards,
Doug

Thanks Doug.

I had looked through the archives on the .22 SMLE's. A lot of excellent info. What I took away was that there are a myriad of variations out there.

I am getting the urge to buy this rifle but want to determine if it is in fact collectible.

I need to get the owner to unchain the rifle, pull the bolt and magazine out of storage and then inspect it thoroughly and record the markings and other details.

Regards

Jim

Jim,

There are a lot variations on the .22 SMLE most Early conversions were done by A G parker, Westley Richards, W.W. Greener, Parker Hale..... most had the barrel bored out to take a .22 liner (tube) the crown would have PARKERIFLED if it was tubed, have another look to see if anything else is on there, besides SMLE 111* could be an early conversion, a late unmarked one or a conversion by a regular gunsmith.

IIRC the Australian SMLE,s were still being converted in the 1950,s need to check on that in the Enfield collectors Bible (The Lee Enfield, by Ian Skennerton)

Average price for a, Sht .22 IV in the UK is Around £500, They are excellent rifles, big savings on your pocket and your shoulder!!

Try get some more info, but you cant go wrong with one, I,m at my club tonight with mine.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by NMC_EXP

Lastly, were the .22 SMLE's noted for accuracy?

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Yes, definitely.

By any chance was it marked like this?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...g?t=1288976440

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Amatikulu

By any chance was it marked like this?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...g?t=1288976440

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The rifle is closely spaced in a rack with other rifles with a cable throught the trigger guard so I was unable to lift the rifle to get a good look.

The socket marks I could see appeared to be SM LE (with a space?). Below that Mk III* . Above the SM LE are other letters and a crest or seal of some sort which I could not make out.

Regards

Jim

---------- Post added at 01:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:12 PM ----------

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bigduke6

Jim,

There are a lot variations on the .22 SMLE most Early conversions were done by A G parker, Westley Richards, W.W. Greener, Parker Hale..... most had the barrel bored out to take a .22 liner (tube) the crown would have PARKERIFLED if it was tubed, have another look to see if anything else is on there, besides SMLE 111* could be an early conversion, a late unmarked one or a conversion by a regular gunsmith.

IIRC the Australian SMLE,s were still being converted in the 1950,s need to check on that in the Enfield collectors Bible (The Lee Enfield, by Ian Skennerton)

Average price for a, Sht .22 IV in the UK is Around £500, They are excellent rifles, big savings on your pocket and your shoulder!!

Try get some more info, but you cant go wrong with one, I,m at my club tonight with mine.

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Thank you kindly.

I will get a closer look and report back.

Regards

Jim

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Amatikulu

By any chance was it marked like this?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...g?t=1288976440

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Amatikulu

After looking at the photos again, this rifle may well be marked Sht LE rather than SM LE. I recall that the 'M' looked faint or incorrect in some way and did not understand the space between SM and LE.

I did have a crest or crown above some letters I could not make out, plus the date(?) 1918 SM LE or Sht LE and Mk III*.

I look forward to a closer look. Yesterday, customers were lined up at this place and I did not have time.

Regards

Jim

Amatikulu,

Yours has VR under the crown, and would date upto 1901, so presume it started life as a MLE or MLM, was it converted to SMLE then to .22 ?

Yes bigduke6 it did start life as a MLE and was then converted to Mark III standards in 1905 as a Cond II before later being converted to a .22

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...general056.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Amatikulu

Yes bigduke6 it did start life as a MLE and was then converted to Mark III standards in 1905 as a Cond II before later being converted to a .22

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...general056.jpg

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Thanks Amatikula,

Looks an interesting rifle, would you have the parker Hiscock magazine to go with it?

No Parker Hiscock magazine but it's on my shopping list :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Amatikulu

By any chance was it marked like this?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...g?t=1288976440

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Amatikulu

I looked at the rifle again today. However, after learning the price I did not bother the owner to unchain it and bring the bolt and magazine out of storage.

The markings on the socket are:

a Crown
G.R.
BSA Co
1918
Sht LE
III*

The serial number on the right side of the receiver is AM (over) 1055. This s/n is on the nosecap as well. According to the owner, it is all matching. The shop owner is himself a collector of US and other martial arms and knows a bit about Enfield trainers.

There is a broad arrow on the lower surface of the nose with two other sets of marks I could not make out.

The barrel appears not to be sleeved.

Both the wood and metal are in outstanding condition showing only very minor handling marks.

Who knows...maybe I'll sell off something else and buy this rifle.

Best regards

Jim

p.s. Forgot to mention - there is a brass stock disk on the right rear of the butt. It is either unmarked or faintly marked.

What was the asking price of the rifle?

Funny I have picked up a similar weapon recently but mine is a BSA 1916 sht le No1 Mk3* and is Parkerrifled but has no other buttstrap markings.
8UDR