"F I R" 1931 India Rebuild of 1913 Enfield Sht LE III rifle

[Capt Quahog]

"F I R" 1931 India Rebuild - 1913 Enfield "Sht L E" III rifle

Would be interested if someone might have insight or information on this type of rebuilt Lee Enfield Rifle. Picked up this rifle at a yard sale in New England back in the 1990s. There are no import or exports mark to be found. Probably was an earlier era surplus import.

Left side of the receiver is marked " F I R " with the letter " I " lower with an upward facing broad arrow. Upon the right side of the butt stock is a round one-inch cartouche with the letters " I A S " having the " A " lowered and broad arrow facing upward. Appears that the rifle was re-blued at some time in a pleasing deep "fire blue" tone like that seen on vintage American military guns.

Stock wood looks to be walnut. Rear sight is from a later era. Then there is the "Ishapore Screw", which is plain to see. A casual observation would say that this pre-WWI veteran Lee Enfield rifle saw more than one factory overhaul during it's 96-year life time. The bore on this rifle is dazzling with deep grooves!

Anybody know if " F I R " stands for " Factory Ishapore Rebuild " ? Then too . . . does " I A R " signify " Ishaphore Arsenal Rebuild " ? Would suppose that being a true ENFIELD factory, England built rifle, that it was probably a British Army arm that did service in India with repair and overhaul work logically done there.

Like most of these, this rifle must have stories to tell. We can only guess at where this Lee Enfield has been. The British Empire and it's history with India is deep within popular saga and long legend. The Lee Enfield rifle itself is a key component and witness to the high drama of long turbulent history.

Does anyone here have a rifle with similar arsenal markings? Thanks in advance.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Peter Laidler]

FACTORY REPAIR ISHAPORE in 1931
You find a variation of this little mark on No32 telescopes with a FR with a large 'T' that goes up through, between the F and R and the top bar of the 'T' forms a sort of umbrella for the FR. Then the date of 1959 or just 50 etc underneath.

Another little variation is all letters the same small size but the top bar of the F, the T and the R form an unbroken straight line

ISA is Inspectorate of Small Arms

[Capt Quahog]

Thanks for the info . . . Was the "ISA" , "Inspectorate of Small Arms" a British or Indian marking? Also, heard somewhere along the way that the "Ishapore Screw". so-called, was something done later from perhaps the 1940s and beyond. I once owned a Brit made Lee Enfield No. 4 rifle with an Ishapore screw through the stock. Nobody could seem to explain that.

What's the real scoop on the "Ishy Screw"?

[jona]

ISA or SIA Small arms India. or India Small Arms. The screw was to reinforce the fore end for grenade launching.