1959 British enfield no. 1 mk iii drill rifle-display

[Midmichigun]

Guys,

I recently acquired this critter. It was advertised as a "parts rifle" or for display. Mind you, every surface is stamped "DP". So it would take a bit of work to remove these marks, and to fully use them in other rifles...

BRITISH ENFIELD NO. 1 MK III DRILL RIFLE-DISPLAY

So here are some photos of it:



Magazine painted with stripes...





DP marked bolt.



Drilled hole in receiver through barrel.... Otherwise the rifle is intact. The barrel isn't welded in... no extra "clip" off the receiver.



DP marked nose cap.



Handguard repair! Small chunk falling out of it.



Rear sight is nice and clean, but has the DP mark.



Here is the receiver side. I can't quite make out who imported (?) this none rifle. I think it says:SPR SP(?) PN RN PA. There are additional markings about 2inches ahead of this... but I can't get a good photo.





The stock is stamped with various marks... and the DP stamp!



Here we have the brass buttplate. Sadly I checked to see if there were any hidden goodies... and its a no-go!



Thought or comments???

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[conec]

Excellent wall hanger, well described...

[browningautorifle]

I think it's perfect. If you have a collection of Lee Enfields and you don't have this one, then you're missing one.

[Midmichigun]

Guys,
LOL! This is my second Enfield... so not quite a collection yet!
I am actually interested in the history of this (non) rifle. I have been following some of the threads on this forum, and see that there is much depth to collecting and understanding the Enfield. Any comments on "wrong" parts... or provenance would be appreciated. If I get a chance, I will try and "white out" some of the markings for better photos!
Most people readily discount "drill rifles"... but they were shooters at one time... and still have much history beyond what they can do at the range!

[browningautorifle]

If Peter Laidler will comment, he's dealt with a bucket full of these I think. Others here too. Don't worry about "correct" parts. It is what it is. A collection starts with one. You have twice that already...

[muffett.2008]

Looks good and fills a niche, I'd bet there are a few large collections that have overlooked this important part of the big picture, good start.

At least you know that this firearm was downgraded after long use in the service of it's country, not just slashed and welded like some De activated one, destroyed because of political stupidity.

[Mk VII]

Looks like it's a Springfield Sporters import. I would expect at least the firing pin to be cut.

[Midmichigun]

Ah.... MK VII, I suspected that Springfield Sporters may have been the importer based on the markings... but I wasn't so sure if they ever imported such animals... I will look and see if I can find further information on this angle.

I also regard this as a "light demill" (although destructive) compared to 1903 Springfield's that I have seen.

When I figure out how to take the bolt apart, I will look for the clipped FP. The bolt is stamped DP in multiple locations, of which some are worn from use.
I must say that the barrel is awesome (despite the addition of extra holes)! I don't have a 303 for a "bullet test" at the muzzle. However, I must say that I think that "this" has a better barrel than my Jungle carbine that I posted here for ya' all to look at.
Browning,
I am just treating this as a learning curve, for when I put on my "big boy pants" and go shopping for "real" Enfields! I believe that if I can spot a rifle that isn't correct or wrongly repaired, I could save money when building the collection later one. I figured that an "Enfield was an Enfield" until reading through this forum! You guys have taught me a whole lot already!!

[Peter Laidler]

If I had this rifle Middy, I'd be thankful that I have something that is reasonably unusual, well marked, usually unloved but another of the genuine lineage of Enfield Rifles that would fit well within any Enfield collection anywhere in the world. And guess what........... I bet VERY few of them have a genuine DP rifle. You have a grand old lady in your hands that has been in a Training Regiment for many, many years and has seen more parade grounds, training areas, recruits and bayonet galleries than the rest of us all put together

If I had it, here's what I'd do. I'd carefully strip the rifle down and set about getting rid of all of that grotty varnish with some chemicals or a sharp scraper, followed by some fine wire wool, remembering to keep the edges perfectly square then finishing it off with lashings of linseed oil.

Then I'd send the metalwork away to be bead blasted and phosphated and painted with a deep satin finish hard baked paint.

THEN I'd research, on this forum, the correct Indian Army colour codes/combinations of their DP rifles and accurately repaint the rifle as it would have been. The difference is that hopefully you'll use a proper paint brush whereas the Indian storemen use an old floor brush to paint with. Carefully assemble it then stand back and admire it.

You’ll soon find that as your Enfield enthusiast friends see it, you’ll get one of two reactions. The unknowing will just shrug their shoulders and make some off-hand comment. To those, you can just say words to the effect ‘……… that rifle isn’t a rifle any more. But do you realize that it’s probably seen more action as a DP than any of your rifles have ever seen on the battlefield. But even before it was a DP, it’d seem many years of service but STILL had sufficient life to be downgraded to the training role’. You could also mention that before anyone even picked up his service rifles, they’d done their square bashing and initial training with your DP. You won’t have to say anything to the knowing and wise will hold it in that way that lets you know that while they know a lot, they FEEL it too.

Yep, another TRUE variant from the Lee Enfield stable. Enjoy………..

[jss]

If I had this rifle Middy, I'd be thankful that I have something that is reasonably unusual, well marked, usually unloved but another of the genuine lineage of Enfield Rifles that would fit well within any Enfield collection anywhere in the world..........

I agree with this statement almost entirely as the "dodgy" rifles I have acquired have been the source of most interest and learning. My own No1 has gone through EY to DP and back to "In proof" NOT!. Unfortunately from what I can gather, at least where I live, there is lately apparently no concept of "collecting" for many of us, so we must use the rifles we own.
Should all DP rifles perhaps be de-activated when Identified to avoid dastardly folk from grinding of the DP marks and selling them on as shootable with the possible associated risks?.
I wonder if it is legal in England to sell on a DP rifle as I don't see how they could be considered to be "In proof" when so obviously been condemned by the experts!. Or could it actually be re-proofed in civvy street when covered in DP marks?.
Is there any point in having a live firing DP rifle when you can't shoot it?.
Just the thoughts of a confused and naive beginner.