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After WW1 ,Canada had large stocks of SMLE rifles supplied by the Brits,..i was wondering if Canada aquired more SMLE rifles from the Brits after Canada went to war in 1939...the No.4 rifle didn't go into production till 1941, and all the troopies were issued the SMLE at Hong Kong 1941,& Dieppe 1942
In the internet history of the Perth Regiment of the Canadian First Divsion, it is noted that the regiment's SMLE rifles were withdrawn before debarkation and the troops were issued U. S. Enfield Model 1917 rifles while in training in the British Isles. These stayed on issue until the unit was reequipped with British manufacture No.4 Lee Enfields for service in the Mediterranean Campaign.
Thanks for your reply,..always wondered if our Canadiantroops were issued new SMLE's from British arsenals
My father carried a #1 through Italy, he told me about it. He didn't tell me what he had from the D-Day invasion onward.
While Canada did not make any SMLE's, we sure made a pile of barrels and spare parts at Long Branch during WW II. Records show we made one pile of barrels for a refurbishing program.