Why did this C-broad-arrow SMLE get its receiver info scrubbed?

[louthepou]

Hi folks, I posted this on Canadian Gunnutz, but thought some of you may also find tihis intriguing.

I refurbed this No1Mk3* which shows a couple of nice C broad arrows, and the right side of the receiver was scrubbed. I can only suppose this was done when the receiver got a new barrel (it's dated 1943 and is quite nice)? Or could this be from a third party when the rifle got soporterized? Typically, I think when the Brits were refurbing Lee Enfields they took the time to write FTR on it; could this scrubbing be the result of simpler procedures for an armourer here in Canada (i.e.: "Hey, there, just screw a new barrel in this one, scrub the receiver, and let's go for a beer!")

Thanks for any input!

Holiday-Happy-Lou



(C groad arrow on barrel, and upside-down 43)

Information

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[gsimmons]

I think it was done by whoever sporterised it. Yes it was the practice of India to linnish marks, but not Canada or the UK.

[Peter Laidler]

I think Gary is correct. There is never (?) a reason to linish marks off a firearm except in specific circumstances, such as a complete FTR to something else such as No4T to L42 when the complete designation changed. Even the old Brens and L4's retained their markings as did the old M1919's when converted to L3's. But when the 1.5" signal pistols were changed to baton guns, they were linished clean and re-designated. They used to call them 'naughty guns' because while you were meant to fire them at the hard ground in front of the crowd, very occasionally, they'd slip and............ Well, boys will be boys...........

The Army investigators used to say that it was the first thing they looked for in gun crime/fraud because it always indicated 'mens-rea' or guilty knowledge.

[Bindi2]

Q Were the Indians the only ones to put that rear forend plate on No1Mk3s and they scrubbed marks big time.

[jrhead75]

Q Were the Indians the only ones to put that rear forend plate on No1Mk3s and they scrubbed marks big time.

I believe that the Indians were to only ones to do this. It's also worth noting that the "dreaded Ishy screw" is there as well. Is there anything stamped below the safety on the left side of the buttsocket?

[louthepou]

Jrhead75, the forend was a spare one so it's not original to the rifle; I should have mentioned this in my earlier post. Nothing has been stamped on the left side unfortunately, so I'm leaning towards this scrubbing having been done by one of the shops turning sporters in the US or Canada having done this a few decades ago... in any case, it's an unfortunate element to this otherwise nice SMLE. Shoots good too, went to the range with my two boys a couple of days ago; windy and cold, still managed about two inches at 100 yards.

Lou

[Peter Laidler]

To be honest and from a practical point of view I think that the fore-end tie strap on the Indian No1 rifle fore-ends is a good idea. I'm sure that if it wasn't for the protruding stock bolt (easily remedied) and stock bolt plate we'd have done the same as a modification. Or just utilised a screw-tie fore-end as per the No4 Mk2.