SMLE MkI Rifles upgraded prior to and during WW1

[Ridolpho]

As everyone knows, rapid evolution of ammunition, tactics, etc, after the turn of the century led to some interesting re-use/ upgrading of Lee Metfords, Lee Enfields and the early SMLE's. Here I show three MkI's upgraded before or during WW1. The lower rifle is a MkI***, originally built by BSA in '05. The upgrades (1912) render it usable with Mk VII ammo but leave the Mk I bolt head set up. This rifle has an excellent bore and everything matches. The middle rifle is an Ishapore upgrade/ salvage of an '05 Enfield MkI (mainly the action body) during 1915. The MkI**IP emulates the MkIII although this one doesn't have volley sights suggesting the matching forend was a later addition. The bolt doesn't match on this one but the bore is decent. The upper rifle is marked only as a MkIII built by RSAF Enfield in '16 but it is clearly based on a re-used Mk I body (as mentioned and illustrated by Stratton, pg 32). My rifle appears to have kept it's original barrel judging from proof marks (ie. Edward Rex) and you can see wear marks from the two different inner band positions on it. The bolt matches although I can't tell if it dates to the original MkI.

These conversions and upgrades are fascinating. Unfortunately, I don't see too many for sale up here. Anyone else have something interesting along these lines? Feel free to show it in this thread!

Ridolpho

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