I got my first Lee Enfield in 1964 from the Montgomery Wards catalog for $14.88. I recently acquired a No 1 Mk III with magazine cutoff and volley sights. It show much wear with the metal mostly bright but still smooth. There are patches in the wood showing that it was valuable enough to repair and keep in service. The breech number has been re done using two sizes of stamps. The ID Brass disc is stamped and engraved. The Arabic letters show some Ottoman style and one figure is unknown to me or my Arabic speaking friends. I know the numbers and letters with one exception at the top. The disc in the picture is rotated left 90 degrees. The picture with only four characters on it is the back of the disc and these are all numbers. either 1825 or 1875.

This is most likely a Kut or Gallipoli capture by the Ottomans 1915-16. It could also have been given by the Britishicon to Arab allies to assist in the march on Damascus. 1916-1918.

It would have had limited value to the Ottomans because it would have complicated their ammunition supply. Also I have read that the Ottomans had adequate supplies of Mausers to arm their forces with during WW I.

It is possible that its use was during and after the Turkishicon War of Independence 1919- 22. At this time Kemal and his allies needed weapons and were using a variety of small arms.

What is needed is someone familiar with unit marking abbreviations used in Turkey that could identify which number letter combination is for what type of unit designation; district, Division, Brigade, Regiment, Company etc.
I would appreciate any thoughts.
Thanks in advance
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