Help on Identfying an No. 1 Enfield

[mdrim13]

Check out this link if you haven't already done so.

Milsurps - 1907 ShtLE (Short Lee-Enfield) MkI*** Rifle

I did check out this link. In fact before I was ever even a member. It is an interesting article but it sounds like that guy has alot more going on than myself, but im ok with that because mine appears to be all original.

[smellie]

The big thing about the SMLE Mark I*** is that there are VERY great differences between rifles which are perfectly original and authentic; as ar as I know, it is the only rifle of the Lee-Enfield series with which this occurs.

This was my reason for asking about possible Navy markings on your rifle: the Navy seems to have done things differently..... but only on some rifles. I have an Army Mark I*** (LSA 1904, same make and year as yours) and I have a Navy rifle built by Enfield in 1907. They are completely different, but both are correct and authentic. In the case of my rifles, the Army one is done up exactlylike a Mark III and the Navy rifle is only about halfway there, but it is still farther along the road toward a Mark III than is your rifle. My Navy rifle HAS the full bridge-type charger guide but it ALSO has the early-model rear sight with the bed screwed to the barrel instead of on a band and it still has the windage-adjustable sight with the water-buffalo-horn adjustment buttons, as yours. On the other hand, my Navy rifle is stocked with Mark III wood and nosecap, so it is a complete bastard. Shoots nicely, though.

These things are a complete can of worms.... but they are also very interesting worms, well worth inspecting very closely.
.

[jrhead75]

Another Question regaurding the rifle. There is "T" above the original SN for the gun. Does this mean anything or is it just another factory code? The picture is above if there are any questions about what I am talking about. Thanks again guys.

mdrim13

The 'T' is the prefix to the original serial number. The serial numbering scheme went 00001-99999, then A00001-A99999, and so on...

[mdrim13]

just another question guys. there is a small screw in the left side of the reciever just below the charger guide. it holds nothing in and is flush on the inside of the reciever. any ideas on what should/was there? thanks once again

[Dad]

Sounds like the ejector screw.

[mdrim13]

Sounds like the ejector screw.

That is what I thought too but it does not hold an ejector in. Is the ejector the screw itself? If not it is just a screw that holds nothing?

[Dad]

The screw is the ejector itself. If you look inside the receiver you will notice that the end of the screw actually protrudes into the receiver (unless it is totally worn out). The end tip of the ejector screw is what tips the empty cartridge off the end of the bolt since it is opposite the extractor claw as the empty cartridge is withdrawn.

[jrhead75]

Actually the ejector screw is for ejecting unfired rounds. There bit of a "divot" (for the want of a more technically correct term) machined into the left side of the bolt track/receiver wall that flips an empty case out before it reaches the screw.

[Dad]

True, should have said unfired cartridges......