Lee Enfield MkIII* refurb markings help?

[Schwehn]

Hello all, I am a just getting started in the collection of lee enfields and I have a question about a mkIII* that I just picked up. Its a 1915 III* (or at least it was) the rifle is forced matched with the same serial with a large X above it. I assume this means factory force matched, am I right?

The reciever is enfield, and the barrel is a vickers, so I assume it was done after or during ww1. It has a ton of markings on the barrel knox, i was wondering if there is any way of knowing when this was done, or if the rifle would have been reissued in WW2?

Any info on the refurbish/reissue methods of the british in this time would be appreciated thanks.

Information

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[Steve H. in N.Y.]

Most rifles of that era have been rebuilt at least once and more often than not they won't have any markings indicating this. The X doesn't mean rebuilt-could it possibly be a letter prefix to the serial number? A few pics would help.

[Schwehn]

Thanks, I will upload some as soon as I can

[Schwehn]

Here are some photos of markings. Its clear its a refurb from markings, just curious if there is any significant signs/what they mean? I see a broad arrow with a 16 on the barrel, does that mean the barrel was made then or replaced then?

Thanks Schwehn

[Steve H. in N.Y.]

The X is indeed the serial number prefix. It got a new barrel in 1916 and was rebuilt again later, probably around WWII-hard to say for sure. All the marks with crowns and crossed pennants are various proof and inspection stamps. That's a nice rifle and you ought to get a proper web sling for it.

[Schwehn]

Thanks a bunch for the input, I love lee enfields and im trying to learn as much as possible. You have been a great help.

[englishman_ca]

Yup, the barrel is a replacement. Tis an Enfield made item. The little stamps with a crown over number over letter are factory inspectors' markings. The letter denotes the factory (E for Enfield, X for LSA, Block B for Sparkbrook, Roman script B for BSA) the number being unique to each inspector.

I can see inspector stamps on the RH side of the barrel reinforce, which I believe would have been applied when the barrel work was done. I can't read the stamps, but the letter will tell you at which factory the work was done. Not uncommon for a rifle of this vintage to have had the barrel changed more than once and could have seen service in two world wars.

The date of 16 is the date of when the barrel was made. It is possible that the barrel was changed in that year, or maybe pulled from stores at a later date.

The markings on a rifle can often read like a book and can reveal clues as to the history.

Your rifle has all matching numbers, so the bolt and nosecap might well be factory original to the rifle, although parts could be retro fitted and renumbered. The bedding of action into the wood and the fit of the noscap is important for shooting acuracey, the forearm and nosecap is adjusted to each rifle to give a measured amount of upward pressure at the muzzle end. Numbering the nosecap helped to make sure that the correct one was reinstalled. Often the wood is numbered just behind the nosecap too.

You got a nice one, good find!

But I have one question for you. What is this term 'forced matched'? Where did you get this term from? I have heard it before but not too sure as to what it means. Perhaps it means a replacement part matched and renumbered? The word 'forced' has me concerned.

[Brit plumber]

I've heard many refrences to this too. It simply means that the original number has been removed and the serial number of the new weapon marked in its place after correct fitting. I don't think the word forced means it was hammered/jammed/smashed on etc.

[Kent]

The word 'force' in 'force-matching' would mean the original serial number on the part that is being added to the rifle won't just automatically assimilate via magic. Therefore it must be forced to change its ways and X'd out (like you've seen on most refurbished Russian SKS's) or crossed out (like in Schwen's nose cap there^), and a fancy new 'matching' serial is put in its place. Voila! All matching serials!

EDIT: Yeah, like he^ said. I didn't read your post properly Brit Plumber, but you all get what we mean right?

[Schwehn]

Thanks for your help on this rifle. I am looking at another, a 1943 Ishapore No.1 mkIII*. It seems to be all original, but it has a cross bolt through the stock. Does anyone know when they started doing that? Most I have heard about it is that they added those to No.4 mkI rifles reissued after the war?