New here and in need of wisdom ;-) / No.1 Mk.III* Identification

[Beerhunter]

Beerhunter,

I have stated on three occasions on this thread of my mistake regarding the Woolrich and Weedon and how that occurred. I was quite embarrassed, I hate to put out false information and demonstrate the frailty of my memory. Thank you for kindly rubbing my nose in it in your last post.

I had no intention of rubbing anyone's nose in anything. However as you feel that I have done so I shall take no further part in this thread.

Goodbye.

[Frederick303]

Beerhunter,

That was a failed attempt to make light of the entire situation. I already said I would not take offense to any correction. You were referring to the site as Woolrich, when you and Capt. Laidler had established that it was Weedon. No offense was meant by my post, though it was not the best choice of words, ,as I read it now i see why you thought I was beings sarcastic. My apologizes if you took offense.

That said I suppose we have beat this topic to the ground.

Regards

Frederick303

[Peter Laidler]

Speaking for myself and very probably, Beery too, I never took any offence at all. Forums ain't the place to take offence, they're places to learn from - which I do every day

[SM377Y MKIII*]

hey folks!

after digging the WWW and through Stratton´s "British Enfield Rifles, Vol. 1, SMLE (No.1) Mk I and Mk III" book I found some really interesting things I want to share with you!

On the web I found Info about: Ishapor FR´d No1´s that have ebeen scrubbed as mine is, but the owners discovered non indian markings ... and were able to determine the origin of their rifles :-)


I found this :
-> The only Manufacturer that used a "Y" in their serials was BSA in 1915 (W,X,Y,Z)
-> BSA produced 1915 about ~267.000 Mk.III and Mk.III*
-> BSA changed 1915 from Mk.III production to Mk.III* during serial numbers "X81... and Y40..."

I counter-checked my theory with my other "real" ishapore from 1930 and the serials, versions and informations from the book seem to be very valid ;-)

So if I count 1 and 1 my rifle could be / or is an 1915 BSA Mk.III* that ended up in Ishapore being FR´d

What do you think? ;-)

greeetz
SM377Y

[jrhead75]

From the look and font of the serial number, I'd guess that the Indians renumbered the rifle. No saying whether or not they used the original British number, if there was one. Every once in a while there's the remnant of an inspector's stamp left under the wood somewhere, if one's lucky.

At any rate, she's a beauty.

[gsimmons]

Just to add a point regarding the date BSA changed from MkIII to MkIII*. Both mine are dated 1916. The MkIII Still has its volley sights. in fortunately the MkIII* has been sporterised.

[5thBatt]

SM377Y, the Ishapore FR reworked & scrubbed rifles of the 40s were reserialed numbered but starting with Z & then then working down though the alphabet, your rifle appears to be originaly an Ishapore rifle, identifiable by the single round gas vent on the left side of the receiver ring.

[jmoore]

...identifiable by the single round gas vent on the left side of the receiver ring...

Good clue, that. Generally one would expect to see a vertically elongated hole in that position.