My New Irish No. I, MkI***

[rayg]

New Irish No. I, MkI***

Just got this serial numer matching 1903 dated, No I, Mk I***rifle from an auction. The following is what I gathered from researching about the Mk*** rifles and their Irish service as I was not familiar with them until I saw it on auction and looked up everything. I'm sure some folks here could ad some more info on it.
Anyway, the rifle appears to have all the correct arsenal updates that are normally associated with the Mk*** series, which includes some Mk III updates like stocks, (apparenty a MkIII stock was used as a wood piece was added where the Charger bridge was), rear sights and sight protector,
The rifle had traveled to Ireland post war, via British material assistance and served with the Free Irish National Army in the early 20's during their 2nd CW. The serial numbers were restamped with Irish serial numbers. Irish serial numbers have ER, CR and possibly G preceding the serial numbers.
I believe a little over 4,000 of these Irish rifles were imported to the US in the 1960's. And every once in a while they come up for sale.
I wanted a Mk I for a while because of the early features including the bolt head charger instead of the later charger bridge and the volley sights, early style front sight protector and mag cutoff so I was looking for one. The Irish connection adds a little more history to it. Of course my quest is still unfilled as I have to get an one in it's original condition and un-modified, alas, never ending quests in this hobby, Ray

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Information

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[conec]

Beautiful rifle...

[gsimmons]

Nice rifle. Interesting that they converted the rear hand guard to the mkIII type, instead of putting a new one on.

[RCS]

Most of the Mark 1*** rifles that you find in the USA are either ER or CR with a new serial number. The ER prefix appears to have fewer Mark 111 parts. Some question about the G prefix too. Photo shows an original BSA 1906 Mark 1*** upgraded in '11 serial number s over 87176 matching barrel, rear sight leaf and bolt

[gsimmons]

My G prefix grenade launching rifle has all mkI features except possibly the upper hand guard.

[mdrim13]

I have what i believe to be an Irish as well. It is the reason that I joined this site and that is perhaps the best part about the gun. I started a thread on it a long while back. Ill post a link below so you can compair if you would like. The pictures are posted in post #8, its a ways down. If you wouldnt mind, could you tell us what you paid? If not, I understand completely. Will you shoot it? I shoot mine on a semi-regular basis and love it.

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=25273

-mdrim13

[rayg]

Nice rifle and it still has it's original rear sight. Yours also had the original stock replaced with a MkIII one as mine did.

I probably paid a bit too much for mine but I had two old guns I didn't want anymore and sold them and the money was just burning a hole in my pocket and went I saw this rifle, and as I mentioned, I always wanted an early SMLE to fill a hole in my Enfield collection so I went for it.
I wasn't sure what they were selling for currently. I ran across two a couple years ago that sold for less then $500 and then I saw the first one I linked below and what it sold for recently so it kind of gave me an idea so I bid on the 2nd one which went for a bit less though not as nice as the other one. I see yours was a gift. Good for you I couldn't think of a nicer gift to get, Ray

BRITISH #1 SHORT LEE ENFIELD-LONDON SMALLARMS 1906 : Curios & Relics at GunBroker.com

BRITISH #1 MK I ENFIELD SHORT RIFLE-1903-MATCHING : Curios & Relics at GunBroker.com

[Son]

Please open the link below to the Knowledge Library article on the MkI*** Added to the article, keep reading down the page for the observations by John Thorne, and then his "collectors feedback" on the rifle in the article. There is a lot there he has gained from his personal research and sharing with us all. Below this I have added a short explanation as to why there is no such thing as a "No1 Mk1". Before you go and say either "it is written that way elsewhere" or "we all know what we mean"... consider that if everyone calls it by something other than it's designation, then it will become known as something that it is not. It is the same as calling a No3, No4 or No5 rifle an SMLE..... WRONG....

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

[rayg]

I also stand corrected. I called it a No. I, instead of a No. 1.
Good alert to using the proper discription, Thanks Son.
Apparently there are a number of grenade launcher wrapped rifles with the "G" prefix.
From what I've read, the Irish National army was only armed with rifles and or light ordnance and the rifle grenades gave them a bit of a heavier type weapon.
Hmm, I wonder if the "G" didn't stand for Grenade in their serial number inventory. I believe all of the G rifles I have seen in my research, all were grenade wrapped or were at one time. Ray

[Son]

I also stand corrected. I called it a No. I, instead of a No. 1.
Good alert to using the proper discription, Thanks Son.
Apparently there are a number of grenade launcher wrapped rifles with the "G" prefix.
From what I've read, the Irish National army was only armed with rifles and or light ordnance and the rifle grenades gave them a bit of a heavier type weapon.
Hmm, I wonder if the "G" didn't stand for Grenade in their serial number inventory. I believe all of the G rifles I have seen in my research, all were grenade wrapped or were at one time. Ray

Has anyone ever called for info on G prefixed MkI*** rifles? There is a lot of interest in the model here, so maybe a quick survey is an option to try to get a broader sample?