Smle????

[Missing Something]

Had a kind of neat find.... A training SMLE rifle... made of a solid wood stock, cast iron trigger mech, cast nose piece, lead weights inserted... strange rear sight.... Any ideas as to providence... Only has K.A.W.S. marked on butt by steel butt plate....



Trigger group.. solid cast iron with lead insert painted where magazine should be:



Rear sight:






Cast nose piece (SMLE bayonet fits perfectly):





Inserted lead weight (making rifle actual weight):





Only markings:



None of the parts appear to be actual SMLE parts including the sling swivels.

Information

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[Patrick Chadwick]

Looks to me like a "fencing musket" i.e. bayonet practice weapon, but made in Kabul
In which case: KAWS stands for Kabul Arsenal Workshop Special

Just a theory, until someone comes up with a better one!

Patrick

[breakeyp]

These were offered by IMA several years ago. There is some variation in the design but they are all very similiar. The ads said they were from India.

[Peter Laidler]

We haveone of these at Warminster. They're genuine(?) but not an official issue and purchased privately by the local Home Guard. Ours was taken from a public school that bought them for the Cadet Force when their rifles were removed in 1940. On that basis, I wouldn't mind betting that KAWS stands for K (King/s) Axxxxx Wxxxxx School

There's a list of the possible schools in a litttle booklet that BDL has

[Edward Horton]

How well does it group at 100 yards and what is the head space set at.
(I'm asking these questions for Mr. jmoore)

[Peter Laidler]

I think that the metal parts on the one at Warminster are made from sintered/compressed steel as it's pretty fragile now

[Amatikulu]

Kashmir Army Weapons School?

[Kev G]

Very nice addition.While on the subject of training weapons there is an interesting colour film of the home guard training with various weapons (dummy and live) HERE
Mods please delete if not appropriate.

KG

[Edward Horton]

Kashmir Army Weapons School?

Amatikulu, think British with a Commonwealth twist.

Kiwis Against Wimpy Substitutes

[5thBatt]

Kiwis Against Wimpy Substitutes

Ah yes, The Bledisloe Cup