Printable View
Hi All
This is my first post. I'am only 20 and recently bought a 1918 Enfield no1 mk3* as a hunting rifle. Since then i have been interested in buying original accessories for them. I have recently got a SMLE Cup Launcher and i was wondering if anyone here could tell me anything about the stamps on it.
On the base it has RFI and 155 stamped on it and the other pieces it just has RFI.
Cheers
PJ
Hi PJ ... :)
I believe RFI refers to "Royal Factory Ishapore" (India).
If you want to have some fun with the cup dischargers, here's a great "fun" video in The Screening Room (click here) section of the Milsurp Knowledge Library.
http://photos.imageevent.com/badgerd...ching_0002.jpg(Click PIC to Enlarge)http://photos.imageevent.com/badgerd...ching_0001.jpg
http://photos.imageevent.com/badgerd...ching_0003.jpg(Click PIC to Enlarge)http://photos.imageevent.com/badgerd...ching_0004.jpg
It's a range video of members engaged in The Great Canadian Tennis Ball Challenge competitive match at Milcun, using WW1 Enfield Wire Wrapped Grenade Rifles and Dischargers (click here).
Make sure you turn ON your speakers and turn the volume up to hear the sound effects !
There's also another Knowledge Library entry on WW1 Enfield Wire Wrapped Grenade Rifles and Dischargers (click here), showing close up pics as well as instructions on how to use them.
Hope this helps ... :)
Regards,
Doug
Cheers Doug
I saw a video of someone shooting tennis balls out of a cup launcher on youtube and thats how i became intrigued and eventually bought 1. I also bought some Kynoch black powder blanks and i hope they will be enough to launch a tennis ball. Thanks for all the information and links.
Cheers PJ
Welcome to the forum PJ.......
"Rifle Factory Ishapore" before 1902 it was Powder Factory Ishapur (it was anglicized to Ishapore). In 1902 construction was undertaken to convert it to a Royal Ordnance Factory (ROF) that work was finished in 1905. First use of the RFI mark was on converted rifles (MLEs converted The SMLE Mk.I* I.P.) that were built during the years 1909-1914. Ishapore is still running and currently makeing the 5.56mm INSAS weapons system for the Indian Army.
155 would be an inspector number.
Welcome PJ and I'm sorry.... you are already showing the first signs of an Enfield infection, collecting the original accessories for it. It only gets worse from here :lol:
Welcome and hope you enjoy your new hobbie.
They tend to punch holes through the tennis ball.
Should be more than powerful enough to launch them clean out of sight, or as another member pointed out, punch a hole clean thru the ball itself. You might have to rig up some kind of sabot to prevent that from happening. These little things are a lot of fun, yet surprisingly powerful.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pedro243
Lacrosse balls-they're solid rubber.
Cheers guys, that's nice to know that they will launch.
But on the other extreme, could it damage my rifle at all? I have been told that these particular Kynoch blacks produce way less pressure than the proper grenade blanks so they should be ok.
Any ideas?
Should be fine in theory as long as the rifle is in sound condition. Mind you there are always risks involved. Might be a good idea to turn your face away at the moment of firing just in case you end up with some sort of catastrophic failure.
As a matter of interest, there is a CORRECT way to fit the cup discharger and that's why they were fitted to selected rifles - not necessarily clapped or worn out rifles either. In short, the cup is fitted and then the internal nozzle is screwed in or out so that the end of the nozzle is seated FIRMLY onto the end of the barrel as opposed to the rear end of the cup base being sat onto the nose cap. This way, the load of discharge is taken squarely on the barrel and therefore down through the body and into the butt. That is opposed to being taken wholly onto the nosecap screws and down into the fore-end.
A few years ago I detailed the full instructions that I'd taken from the 20's training notes and it made a few owners sit up and take note. As I recall, many didn't even know that the internal nozzle was screw-in and out-able. It is indeed and was a replaceable part. I think it was an old BSP thread too. BSP eh!............. I bet that's got a few old 40's engineering apprentices wracking their brains
When i first placed the cup on my rifle i realised the centre was moveable because it was so far out i couldn't clamp it on. I think the person i bought it off did it so i would notice. I think i may change the wood on my rifle before i try it just in case something goes wrong.
Thanks for all your tips everyone.
I just placed a piece of duck tape on the back of the ball facing the muzzle inside of the cup. That prevented holes being blown in the ball, RayQuote:
Originally Posted by Mk VII