C^ marked 1917 BSA No1 MkIII* and C^ marked Sanderson P'07 Bayonet

[flying pig]

Been wanting a nice original SMLE for a few years now, ever since I decided to focus on as issued Canadian gear. A few months ago I had to sell a NRF that I restored over the course of a few years to help get by while I work my way through an apprenticeship. I had a stroke of luck and good timing recently when I located this one on the EE.

The rifle is a 1917 BSA No1 MkIII*. It has a C^ on the receiver and the barrel. It retains its 1917 barrel date. All numbers match, although the magazine is an un numbered No4 mag, and the rear sight has had its old number barred out and a new number applied. The rest of the numbers: bolt, receiver, barrel, fore end, nose cap and rear sight all match. The rifle has a few interesting markings, including a large T and a small R on the knox, as well as some letters and numbers on the tang on the butt plate. It also has some very interesting and neatly executed armourers repairs. It has a patch on the top of the wrist and a few slit repairs on the handguards. The stock has one of the richest red colors I've ever seen on an SMLE. Barrel looks very shootable, much nicer than the seller described (there are still good guys out there!).

The icing on the cake with this one is the Sanderson P'07 bayonet, also C^ marked. I've never had a Sanderson P'07, let alone a Canadian marked one. It also has some neat markings. Do any of you guys know what any of these markings mean?











































Sorry for the out of focus photos in places. I still need to replace the lens on our camera with something better. Most of these pics were taken from a long ways away. I'll need to locate a nice original sling for this one now.

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[mmppres]

real nice looking rifle enjoy it

[flying pig]

Thanks a bunch, I definitely plan on it. This one is a keeper for sure!

[browningautorifle]

Yup, nice looking rifle.

[SpikeDD]

Very nice combination! Enjoy.

[flying pig]

Thanks guys. Does anyone have any ideas on the markings? Specifically the T on the chamber and the bayonet markings? I assume the R on the chamber must have been a rusty bore at one time?

[Peter Laidler]

The pictures ain't star quality but if the rear of the bayonet pommell reads FRTC, then it'll be Fxxxx Recruit Training Centre. I'd suggest taking some decent pictures with a camera and not a phone

[flying pig]

Sorry Peter, we dropped my camera and broke the good lens about a year ago. Believe it or not these are camera photos and from a good camera, just with a crap lens.

It does say FRTC. Thanks a ton!