Lee enfield disk help

[iainvh]

Hello,
I purchased a beautiful Lee Enfield No.1 MkIII from 1916 a few months ago, and I am in need of some help with the disk.
I've been looking around on the internet for some information but so far, I've found nothing.
I'd appreciate it if someone could help me out.
Thanks

Information

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[Surpmil]

Most obvious guess for RM would be "Royal Marines", as in the Royal Naval Division of WWI fame. The fact that rifle still has that disc would suggest it "left the service" by other than the usual methods. Take off the handguard and look for two digit dates on the barrel near the receiver/body.

The Zeebrugge raid comes to mind as one way a rifle might have suddenly "left the service" and survived in such a state so long, but there are many others, in both world wars.

11 35 does look strongly like a date, but that's beyond my knowledge of marking discs.

[Brit plumber]

Nice rifle and nice with the disc. You need to put your sling on the correct way around.

[Surpmil]

Is the serial number X1825 by any chance? The Royal Navy did have some of their own methods of marking small arms. Let us know what dates you find on the barrel please.

There were both 11th and 2nd Battalions of the Royal Marine Light Infantry, confusing details here: http://www.britisharmedforces.org/li...marine_ww1.htm

[iainvh]

Is the serial number X1825 by any chance? The Royal Navy did have some of their own methods of marking small arms. Let us know what dates you find on the barrel please.

There were both 11th and 2nd Battalions of the Royal Marine Light Infantry, confusing details here: http://www.britisharmedforces.org/li...marine_ww1.htm

Sorry for the late answer.
No serial number X1825 as far as I can see, and the only date I found on the barrel is '42.

[Peter Laidler]

There is a good little booklet, available from Brian at BDLLtd in SC that details butt dosc markings. Just thought I'd mention it!

[Thunderbox]

I very much doubt that the disk is original to the rifle - you can see that it has been placed in the disk socket recently. Clean edges, no patina, no infill at the side, etc.

Someone has just been out and bought a marked disk on eBay and put into a rifle.

Probably the rifle had a wooden plug in there or a blank disk.

p.s. see the other thread somewhere where a guy asks where he can buy a nice marked disk to put on his rifle....

[Surpmil]

Quite possible. Of course some people can't resist taking such things apart to clean them or just because they can't resist. The little raised chip at around 10:30 is noticeable.

[CINDERS]

I tend to agree with Surpmil at there are noticeable detritus in some of the stamping denoting a clean but not a good one, also a indent at 6:30 may indicate a pry point but thats about all I can say, if only they could tell us of their adventures the Zeebrugge raid was quite a feat.