It started life as a SMLE Mk.III* in all likelihood due to the "*". It may have had the cut-off installed originally, or not- no way to tell. However, * status wasn't an all or nothing kind of thing. Long range (volley) sights, windage adjustable rear sight, and cut-off were all part of the "no-*" package- any one or more missing and it's a "*". It allowed production to continue w/o being held up for components that didn't add a lot of utility in the trenches. Post WWI, rifles that continued in active service may have been upgraded in all or part to full "no-*" status.