Pre-WW1 SMLE No.1

[Patrick Chadwick]

No, not a MKIII
But a comparatively rare No.1 MKI, BSA 1905, with the charger guide mounted on the bolt.
See:
http://egun.de/market/item.php?id=4881520

I am posting this link to a current auction because someone out there might just have a family historical connection to this rifle. According to the seller, the stock disk is marked
9.14
3 COR
1638

9.14 is the date of the rifle being assigned.
1638 is the rack number
3 COR ought to be 3rd Batt. Connaught Rangers.
However, according to online regimental info, this was a reserve battalion that never left the British Isles.

So is it a different unit? If so, which one?

(Of course, the seller may, have misread the disk, and the story may be family legend)

Information

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[browningautorifle]

What a neat rifle and story attached.

[Roy]

The rifle looks in excellent condition except the 'impact damage' and is interesting to compare with the battle damaged rifle in the Knowledge Library. Must have been a memorable moment for the Grandfather to take the banged up rifle rather than a nicer one which would certainly been there for the taking.

[Anzac15]

Wow. Other than the short bit in English, I unfortunately can't read the rest of it. Would definitely like to own this one.
Wonder what that translates to American dollars....

[jrhead75]

So is it a different unit? If so, which one?

Just about any 3rd Battalion of the time was the reserve battalion, largely tasked with training replacement drafts at home for the active service battalions overseas. I guess a lot of different scenarios could be possible though, given the times.

[Patrick Chadwick]

I guess a lot of different scenarios could be possible though, given the times.

Rewording my query: is there any other possibility for COR as a unit/regimental abbreviation on a pre-1918 SMLE, other then Connaught Rangers?

[RobD]

Patrick,
I don't have Peter Laidler's book on stock disc identification. However, quite a good source for identifying stock discs is http://www.martinihenry.com/units.htm
According ot them, Connaught Rangers have the abbreviation CT
Have you seen a picture of the disc? I suspect the person has transcribed wrongly, for example 9.14 3COR 1638 may in fact be 9.14 3CO RI 638 (Issued September 1914; 3rd Company, Royal Irish Regt, rack No 638).

The Royal Irish Regiment had a very active WW1 record - see Royal Irish Regiment - Forces War Records

This rifle has fresh shrapnel damage; I can't conceive of anything else causing that appearance. Thus it was definitely on the front line. But I reckon the report that it was owned by a dead soldier "who was still holding the carbine in his hands" is a tall story - surely it have been sent flying by the impact.

To me it looks totally honest and if I were you, I'd buy it.
Rob

[browningautorifle]

sent flying by the impact.

I agree on the story being a story. But shrapnel will kill for quite a distance without the explosion being right beside the victim. I've seen quite a few examples. This could have been quite a distance from the burst and still had that effect on the wood. We'll never know for sure. I'd love to have it as well.

[gsimmons]

I have a MkI type 2 P1888 bayonet marked:
M
4.CT
120
If it's any help.

[jrhead75]

Rewording my query: is there any other possibility for COR as a unit/regimental abbreviation on a pre-1918 SMLE, other then Connaught Rangers?

The most likely answer would be that the 'C' is a worn/poorly stamped 'G', which would fit the 3rd battalion of the Gordon Highlanders to a tee. They spent the war in Aberdeen training replacement drafts.