1915 MK III - my first Enfield!

[BBB.ACB]

New to the boards and gun collecting. Went with my dad last month to a firearms auction and after seeing some of the old guns there, and I've been hooked since. Something about items that have historical value always intrigue me.

Yesterday we went to a gun show in Macon and I decided to finally buy my first gun (if you don't count the 2 shotguns I got as a kid). I more than likely overpaid for it, but it was in my budget at $250 and I love the thing. I've been reading up and googling every little thing I see on this gun and so far I've found (I could be wrong on any of this, so input is appreciated):

It's a 1915 Enfield No. 1 Mk III* with the * crossed out
Barrel either replaced or gun accepted for service in 1918
Rear sight, barrel, and receiver match
Nosecap and bolt each have different numbers
Bolt has the crossed flags on it (Ishapore bolt?)
Fore-stock has the "Ishy screw/bolt" on it covered in black enamel
Fore-stock has discoloration on the places where the wire wraps would be
Barrel and rifling is in great shape, very little to no corrosion from what I can see, just dirty
Got all/most of the markings in the pics for those who are more experienced with these

I'm guessing it was an Mk III* turned into a Mk III noted by the crossed out *. It was later sent to Ishapore and re-stocked, re-bolted, and re-nosecapped.

On to the pics:

Side views of the gun:
Attachment 21043Attachment 21058

Stock and brass plate:
Attachment 21055Attachment 21054

Butt sockets:
Attachment 21056Attachment 21051Attachment 21044Attachment 21047

Receiver markings:
Attachment 21045Attachment 21059

Barrel markings:
Attachment 21052Attachment 21048

Rear sight:
Attachment 21053
Attachment 21057

Bolt serial # (Ishapore flags?):
Attachment 21050

Marking on the underside of the nosecap:
Attachment 21046

Rifling in the barrel:
Attachment 21049

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[user1]

Thats a very nice rifle for your first Enfield BBB, You have done your homework ! I bet you cant stop at one

[jmoore]

The "IS" mark inboard of the S/N on the bolt indicates Ishapore mfg., so, yah, you are correct about it's origins.

It's still in Mk. III* configuration, or has been returned to it. It looks like a good rifle overall.

Don't let it run off, or you'll be talking about it w/ some regret for years. (I've still got my first one.)

[fergs]

welcome to the world of 303s you have a good start as youve already started to research what you have, now the hook will be set. where it finishes is anybodies guess, enjoy the new toy.
Fergs

[RJW NZ]

well done and welcome to the forum, I think you paid OK, not high. There's a lot of very knowledgable people here and with your grasp of the enfield language lol, you're going to fit right in.
A useful website is enfield resource.com, 150 links to everything enfield,
plus,
a non intrusive technique to use on old enfields is to let them get hot in the sun eg in a car, and the old oils will come to the surface and you can wipe it all off with paper towels. Some folks will wrap the gun in paper towels and let it get hot for the same result. Its a great way to get some of the ingrained dirt and old oil off the rifle.

[BBB.ACB]

Thanks for the comments!

I know I can't stop at one, and I'm already thinking about a No. 4 mk I at a local place. Need to spend more time on this one first (cleaning and hopefully shooting it once I check the headspace).

I believe it is still an MK III, not III*. Reason it took me this long to notice is because the slot for the cutoff is hidden by the stock (red line shows where a III's stock would be).
Attachment 21087

Thanks for the tip RJW, I'll have to try that when it gets a bit warmer (which will be here soon unfortunately).

[enfield303t]

For sure buy Ian Skennertons book, then mortgage your house and start trying to get everyone shown. JUST KIDDING.
Welcome, collecting Lee Enfields I find very addicting and the dream of owning a example of everyone built is always in the back of my mind. Then I read more of Ian's book and reality slaps me in the face.

[gsimmons]

Don't you wish it was a catalogue!

[jmoore]

It started life as a SMLE Mk.III* in all likelihood due to the "*". It may have had the cut-off installed originally, or not- no way to tell. However, * status wasn't an all or nothing kind of thing. Long range (volley) sights, windage adjustable rear sight, and cut-off were all part of the "no-*" package- any one or more missing and it's a "*". It allowed production to continue w/o being held up for components that didn't add a lot of utility in the trenches. Post WWI, rifles that continued in active service may have been upgraded in all or part to full "no-*" status.

[jmoore]

Although, being a 1915...Could go either way. About the first thing to go were the long range sights. Gonna rethink that a bit- that's the drama of not having the references at hand.

---------- Post added at 12:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:33 AM ----------

Late-ish 1915 is when the SMLE Mk.III* mods started to appear, I think, so it depends on exactly when your rifle was assembled. Anybody have a S/N breakdown?