SMLE mk I** IP

I picked up my rifle yesterday. In a previous post from 2 weeks ago, I found this at a LGS. 1990's import at a decent price.

1904 Enfield produced SMLE Mk I*, converted to the IP** pattern in 1917 by RFI. Receiver, sear and trigger are EFD components. Everything else is RFI marked, inlcuding the rear sight. Nose cap looks to be "straightened" from the Mk I* to the Mk III pattern.

Spent 6 hours last night cleaning it. This thing was FILTHY. Years and years of dried/caked/solidified grease and dirt. Some minor pitting, but nothing too bad considering its age and where it served. Gave the bore a good scrub. Throat shows some wear, but the rest of the barrel is bright with strong rifling. I did find the broken stub of the cut-off plate in its slot. Replaced that with spare one I had.

Once it cools off, I'll take it to the range for a shake-down.

Really nice for being 117 years old!!

My Enfield 1903 Mark 1** IP rebuilt RFI 1914 is serial number 37988. New barrel (nice bore) is numbered
to match action body, Fore-end matches also, front dial plate ground down. Not certain but belive the rebuilds
started in 1913 ? Windage works too, could not believe it

Not sure there is a more interesting series of military rifles then the SMLE. They all seem to have that "been there done that several times over look".
Nice example BTW.

Some units stillAttachment 118792 favored the Pattern 1903 bayonet long after the Pattern 1907 was adopted

I always like the look of those, had one myself.