SMLE marks

[Kingsburyshot]

Hi
would some of the forum members kindly help by explaining what the marks on my SMLE mean. The rifle has the large S for sale and came with a couple of verniers. The butt has DP crossed out on it and the letters MT added. There are unit and makers marks on the butt. The action has T stamps on it and I would be interested to know if these refer to telescope or are just inspection stamps. Shoots well. Thank you for any help.

Information

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[Beerhunter]

You have an SMLE Mk.III made by BSA in 1915.

The EFD means Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield Lock, Middlesex , England. The Board arrow above it is a Government ownership mark.

2 ESR = 2nd Battalion, East Surrey Regiment?

"S for Sale?"

[Kingsburyshot]

The rifle has the large S between two arrows which I believe means it has been selected to be sold on.

[Beerhunter]

The rifle has the large S between two arrows which I believe means it has been selected to be sold on.

The two opposing Broad Arrows are the "Sold out of Service" mark.

BTW, it looks like it has a Crowned BNP - post-1954 Birmingham Nitro Proof mark as well.

[Kingsburyshot]

Sorry, what does MLM stand for ?

[Lance]

The butt on your SMLE is off a MLM Mk II* made at Enfield which was down graded to Drill Purpose and then reactivated by the addition of a .22 cal barrel insert, a Morris Tube (MT) most likely in 1906. The "T"'s on the receiver are not a telescope marking as they on "T" marked No.4 snipers from 1943 onward, what it means on your rifle I have no clue.

If you ever want to replace the butt on your rifle please let me know as I am missing that exact butt (see pic's it would be perfect) off my converted Enfield MLM Mk II* to DP to MT and then to a solid BSA .22 barrel. Somewhere down the road the butt got replaced most likely to fit a shooter's preference.

[Maxwell Smart]

MLM = Magazine Lee Metford - the earlier version of the British service Lee rifile, with Metford form rifling in the barrel