Trying to identify this one

[gsimmons]

Yes it is BSA CO. And looks like it is 1913.

[Oneshot2008]

If I am understanding all the replies, then this would mean it is a 1913 Short, Magazine Lee-Enfield Mark III, chambered in .303 British.

Is this correct?

I cleaned the rifle and did not find a stuck case. There was some crud built up in the chamber and 2 burs sticking up like someone had tried to use a screwdriver of something to scrape the crud out.
This is about the gap that the bolt did not close.

The burs were about a 1/2 before the barrel rifling end of the chamber. I used a fine curved Silversmith Riffler File to remove the burs.

I forgot to get a .303 British round from the owner. I will have to check if it now chambers after I get the round.

[muffett.2008]

I'll stick to my original view.

[jmoore]

Does the bolt close all the way without a round in the chamber? If the bolt head is unscrewed one turn the bolt may ALMOST close when empty.

[Oneshot2008]

I'll stick to my original view.

Just what the world needs. Another keyboard commando who thinks they can read someone's intent of what was posted as opposed to the actual words posted. Words have meaning. Just because you may have more knowledge of the subject, does not make you an expert. A true expert is willing to teach and inform others. You impress me as a waste of the oxygen you are breathing. If you have nothing useful to contribute to help me, STFU.

---------- Post added at 01:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:23 PM ----------

Does the bolt close all the way without a round in the chamber? If the bolt head is unscrewed one turn the bolt may ALMOST close when empty.

When he first brought it to the range, with the bolt head screwed all the way, and a 303 British round, the bolt does not close, leaving about a 1/2" gap. Nothing in the chamber blocking it.

That is why I was wondering if it could be a 30-30 or a 303 savage. The owner knows he has fired it in the past. I have to go back to his home later this week. He has some fired 30-30, 303 savage, and 303 British in the same cartridge box. I forgot to gab some when I brought the rifle home to clean it for him and try to get it identified. I appreciate all the help from all that have replied EXCEPT muffet.2008. He seems to think I am lying about trying to get it identified. Or because he does not know, then his only gratification is to post replies implying that I am lying.

[Peter Laidler]

Hey Oneshot, I wonder if you step back a bit and re-read your comments, do you ever think to yourself just how abrasive they are and how obnoxious you sound? Quite clearly, and in the nicest way, you don't know anything about this rifle. Nothing wrong with that at all and good on you for admitting it but the good people on this forum are just chipping in to offer good sound advice..............

[Oneshot2008]

Hi Peter
Prior to starting the thread I read several of your articles. Very interesting stuff. The only problem I have with muffet is he keeps implying I am deliberately not taking pictures of identifying marks. I really appreciated all those that have helped. I will be closing my account soon if I can not fix the computer problem that started after downloading one of the PDF files for m the site. I keep getting tracking cookie blocked messages and something that downloaded is blocking the privacy setting in my AVG antivirus software. Even uninstalling the software then doing a re-install did not solve the problem. And my Advanced System Care program is being blocked from opening. It does not respond to the command.

[muffett.2008]

Yep, you're right oneshot. Sometimes I come across somewhat abrasive, however, to date all your photo's have been very difficult to interpret, including the last one.
I am still debateing whether it is 1913 or 1923, there appears to be a difference in the shape of the first 1 as opposed to the next. As this photo is also blurred, and you state you have been following this forum for some time, I would have assumed, maybe wrongfully, that you would know exactly what information was required.
All the relavant information concerning chambering is on the barrel near the knox, these shots are also impossible to interpret, if this firearm has been rebarreled to another calibre, this is where this information should be, other than that, there can only be an obstruction, ie: seperated case.

[Oneshot2008]

THANKS Muffett

Actually I do not retain much of what I read. I had a severe head injury years ago and short time memory is all screwed up.

The advice in your last post is good but my camera is not. And I shake a little.

BUT, with all the advice I have received, and the date stamped on the rifle, I believe it is a 1913 Short, Magazine Lee-Enfield Mark III*, chambered in .303 British. Could be 1915, date stamp looks like a 3 in a pic, but more like a 5 under a magnifier.

I solved the bolt not closing issue. It would stop about a 1/2 inch before closing. Overlooking the obvious, I was thinking the round was too long. THEN IT FINALLY DAWNED ON ME, the bolt cocks while closing. When the trigger would catch the bolt to cock it, this is the point it stuck. It would function OK without a round in the gun. But finally last night it stuck without a round in the gun.

I made a tool to take the firing pin out of the bolt. This would be the insert tool after the bolt head is unscrewed. The firing pin/spring assembly would not unscrew. I soaked the whole thing in solvent overnight. took it apart and the spring and channel was loaded with rust. I believe that when the scale was in the right spot, it jammed the bolt so it would not cock. I polished it with some bore paste and all is fine now.

Thanks again to ALL for the advice and help with the identification.

PS: The virus was from my wife going to a site and downloading a bunch of stuff directly to her files instead of to the desktop. I always save to the desktop, then scan for virus before opening a file. In checking the download log, I saw that she had done this after I download a file from here, but prior to the next time I booted up. She rarely uses the computer so I thought I got the virus from this site.

[gsimmons]

Your rifle is a Mk III not a Mk III*. The Mk III* were introduced around 1916.