SMLE No1 Mk VI

[Buccaneer]

As requested I have at last obtained so more pictures and also some of the know history of this rifle. It was cleared from an old gun shop between ten and fifteen years ago as part of a pile of "scrap" that had been stored under a bench. From the amount of greasy gunge, wood shavings and general rubbish that was piled on top it had been undisturbed for years. At the time it was not recognised for what it was other than looking like a No4 rifle, the forend finish was badly affected by something that had dripped on it, it also had extensive fungal growth that resembled dry rot, those of you that have seen the pictures of the inside of the old Parker factory will have some idea of what I am talking about.
Fortunatly once cleaned the forend was found to be sound, it was not discovered to be a MkVI until the cleaning was completed, all the parts are as found except for being a lot cleaner and it the case of the forend somewhat discoloured, the mag was missing but everything else is original to the rifle as found. The wood is of the No4 type probably a "post Dunkirk" job as so many of them were.
For those cynics out there in forum land it is not a case of "buy the rifle not the story" as it is not for sale and will not be. It just goes to prove once again that all those years ago when nobody cared about old service rifles they were treated as worthless, at least this one was saved from the scrap heap...........