German WWI capture marked Enfield No. 1 Mk.III

When we recently had discussed the German captured Enfield rifles, I shortly previous had bought one of these, but it was not here yet. Now that I have it, as well as a few days off, I finally found time to take pictures of it.

The front end of the front handguard is missing, unfortunately. But I might somewhen find a part that I can cut apart and use as spare. Also the rifle has a rather unique "conversion" of the magazine. Instead of a magazine it features a plate that simply closes the bottom even. It can be opened using the normal magazine catch. A bit odd, almost like an empty brass catcher, but very well could also be a former German "single shot conversion", since I bought it in Germany.

The most important part is anyway the near pristine stock that carries the DEUTSCHES REICH capture stamp in it. The brass disc also has an unit marking of which I'm sure the members in here will be able to tell me who had carried the rifle.

The rifle otherwise is all matching numbers, including the bayonet lug which I had forgotten to take pictures of. It has very nice original blueing and no modern firing on it :).

Post 1881 Abbr LEIC = The Leicestershire Regiment Pre 1881 Abbr = 17th Foot Source The Broad Arrow MkII Pg 116.

Looks like you are also missing the bayonet boss bottom screw. Interesting mag mod or repair because it was lost.

That mag mod opens interesting possibilities...

Very nice rifle. I'd love to be able to have a closer look. Very nice catch.

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

Very nice rifle. I'd love to be able to have a closer look. Very nice catch.

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Feel free to visit me and inspect in person :). If you however have any picture wishes, just let me know!

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Originally Posted by Promo

Feel free to visit me and inspect in person

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I'd even bring white gloves. The "Looking" closer part is mostly to be able to look at the whole affair and perhaps manipulate. Feel and smell also have play here...

Sure, absolutely no problem. Once that COVID madness is over and we can travel again would welcome you!

Remarkable to find any SMLE of that age in such original condition. A veritable time capsule in fact.

From the 1910 date of the rifle and the marking disc it seems reasonable to conclude that this is a rifle captured early in the war; it doesn't look like it spent any time in muddy trenches. The Retreat to Mons perhaps?

Notable that it doesn't seem to have had much use after it was captured either. Very little shrinkage of the wood too, perhaps suggesting whoever put the platform on the mag well perhaps took good care of it.

Possibly the mag was lost at some point and being hard to replace in Germany between the wars, this was put on instead? Or is the ramp from the mag and part of the spring in there still?

What is the half-round cut-out ahead of the band?

I'm guessing the handguard was removed to approximate the Mannlicher style sporting stock?

There is also a piece missing from the Boss behind the sight protector.