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Brass Marking Disk for SMLE #1 Mk III
This disk was purchased by my son for his SMLE. As he understands it the disk served to identify the rifle to the unit it belonged to. Can anyone make heads or tails of the markings on the disk? The first 3 letters appear to be BFI or RFI. It's hard to tell. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Don
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04-26-2011 11:13 AM
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Yep. The RFI stands for Rifle (Royal) Factory Ishapore. It looks like it was commissioned in February 1914 (Marking 2 14). The 119 T is probably an indian regiment marking. It's an Indian regiment's rifle for sure. Any other makings on the rifle (butt, butt socket, butt plate etc.)? Any pics of the rifle?
Steve
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Unless I have misread what was said I think that the disc was purchased seperatly to the rifle therefore the rifle markings will not be relevant......
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The marking disk is not original to the rifle which came without a disk, only a place where one had been. The rifle is now 5 hours away from where I am so it will be awhile before I can take pics of it. Thanks for the information.
Don
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Markings on early IP R^F upgrades
Attachment 22823Attachment 22824Attachment 22825Attachment 22826Attachment 22827Attachment 22828I have a Mark 11* BSA 1904 IP upgraded R^F 1917 and a Enfield Mark 11* 1903 IP upgraded R^F 1914. Each rifle has an unmarked disk !
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The Indian Army fought with distinction in the Great War, and the 119th Regt was a good example of this: from Wikipedia I learn that:
The 119th Infantry (The Mooltan Regiment) were an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. The regiment traces their origins to 1817, when they were raised as the 1st Battalion, 10th Regiment of Bombay Native Infantry.
The regiments first action was in the Battle of Ghazni during the First Afghan War. After Afghanistan they were involved in the Siege of Multan in the Second Anglo-Sikh War. They then returned to Afghanistan again and took part in the Siege of Multan, in the Second Afghan War. During World War I they were attached to the 6th (Poona) Division and served in the Mesopotamian campaign. They fought in the Battle of Basra, the Battle of Qurna, the Battle of Es Sinn before being delivered a setback at the Battle of Ctesiphon. Following this engagement, they withdrew to Kut. Trapped in the city during the Siege of Kut they were forced to surrender after 147 days.[1] A second battalion was raised from men on leave and reinforcements and sent to Mesopotamia.[2]
After World War I the Indian government reformed the army moving from single battalion regiments to multi battalion regiments.[3] In 1922, the 119th became the 2nd (Mooltan Battalion), 9th Jat Regiment.[4] After independence they were one of the regiments allocated to the Indian Army.
The disc is thus from rifle number 416 of the 1st battalion of the 119th regt. That rifle was brought into service in Feb 1914. It would be perfect for an early-dated SMLE.
Last edited by RobD; 04-27-2011 at 07:30 AM.
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To QUOTE - RobD
"The disc is thus from rifle number 416 of the 1st battalion of the 119th regt. That rifle was brought into service in Feb 1914. It would be perfect for an early-dated SMLE."
Excellent summary. Perhaps what is throwing people here is that the Regimental Number has the Battalion Number stamped UPSIDE DOWN. The "1" is being mistaken for a "T", and the seperation is provided by the period. Read "119.1 " over "416".
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