1908 Ishapore

Hey all, I was just curious to learn a bit more about my rifle. It's dated 1908 Ishapore and may be somewhat rarefrom what limited info I could find about it. Any info and possible value is much appreciated!

Here's some photos

It is interesting. I am far from an expert but I believe it is a No1 Mk1*** type (I can't recall the correct asterisk configuration) since it has Mk III rear sight on a Mk1 rifle. The SN is interesting, CR (and ER) prefixes indicate rifles that were provided to Ireland by England during their 1921 Civil War but from what I've seen, typically the original SN is cancelled and a new CR number added. Again, I am FAR from an expert, and could be wrong, but it is definitely a nice early example, I haven't personally seen an Ishapore that old.

What a nice old hard to find rifle. I'm not much interested in Ishapore anything but that one would be nice to have.

Definitely a rare find that ended up very far from home. The Mk I*** designation refers to the sights being updated to reflect the ballistics of Mk VII ammo. The rear sights and handguard were switched over to Mk III style prior to being sent to the Irish to make them easier to distinguish should they turn up in the wrong hands. This is *by far* the oldest Ishy I've ever seen and the first Irish Enfield I've seen without a cancelled serial number. Very nice piece!

Sounds like a very interesting rifle! I can add more photos if anyone would like them for reference. Thanks for the help.

Here's some barrel pictures.Attachment 105724Attachment 105725

[quote=Colek98;468561]It's dated 1908 Ishapore and may be somewhat rare [quote]


Between 1906 and 1909 Ishapore only produced 3000 Mk 1 rifles, so shall we say "by no means common".

Very nice and very rare. I have only seen around 6 Ishapore Mk I marked receivers that escaped India's upgrade to Mk I** IP status.

Rear sight wings are the wrong way round.

Not surprisingly, once ordered to transfer rifles to their late enemies, the British ordnance establishment used to opportunity to offload all their old and non-standard types. The repairing with Mk.III parts is typical of the efforts the Irish army made to keep these old types going way past their use-by date.

Very, very nice. As stated surviving Indian Ishapore MkI's are rare and not many of them were made in the first place. I have only seen a very few even including Ishapore made receivers that were upgraded to MKI** IP rifles and I think I have seen one of those that was later converted to a .410 Musket. You should check out all the Irish rifle threads and stickies that tickle your fancy here on milsurps.
Irish Mk1 rifles should still mostly have Mk1*** parts except the CR series with the MKIII* rear sight and Backsight Protector unless they were messed with.
The reason there appears be no cancelled serial number is because interestingly these early Ishapores only had their serial number stamped on the barrel shank and not on the receiver ring, so you can only see the original crossed out serial number with the Rear Handguard removed. You can see it in Colek98's later picture.

CR prefix indicates Cork Regiment from my understanding.

Just think on this, a weapon made in INDIA in 1908 is still superior to what is being used these days in the world. Ah the good old days of empire.

Real question to ask, what is the condition of the chamber, throat, and rifling? be fun to see how well it has managed all these years