Hello to the entire community as this is my first post.

I had a question about the SMLEs issued to the Britishicon soldiers fighting in Europe and North Africa during WW2. As I understand it, the SMLE was standard issue in the European Theatre from the start of the war, through N. Africa, and was gradually replaced by the No.4 Mk.I during the invasions of Sicily and Italyicon.

So would the Brits who fought in that portion of the war been issued WW1 dated SMLEs brought out of war stores? I've also heard of BSA producing some SMLEs dated 1939 to 1941, are those a possibility as well? The war dated BSA rifles seem to be quite rare, at least in comparison to the number of war dated Lithgowicon or Ishapore SMLEs I've come across.

Cheers,
Higgs
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