SMLE III (No. 1 Mk. 3) Lee Enfield

[5thBatt]

[browningautorifle]

1911 BSA

Nice rifle, once again.

The volley sight recess looks like a recent addition.

I agree, it doesn't look quite right. (The second gun)

[mrclark303]

I would have to agree, it doesn't look quite right (you can never tell from only looking at pictures of course) but I would guess it is the original, just heavily sanded and the plate fitted out of alignment??

Some careful reworking to the woodwork would make a huge improvement and have her shipshape again.

Sorry to sound negative eaglelord, but its all fixable with a bit of enjoyable work and you get to put your own stamp on her too

[henry r]

I love the stamping on the buttstock 5th.

i'm fairly sure I've been to Upokongaro and the Wanganiu area, for me, was the scene of one of the most memorable firsts of a young mans life.

[Eaglelord17]

Don't worry I am not concerned with the judgment on it, half the reason I asked was because I know it isn't a sterling example and I want to know what is wrong with it. In fact I am a bit happy it isn't a sterling example as I can shoot it without worry. Another plus is that this only cost me a K31 (ok slightly more than what I got out of my K31) so in that regard I am far ahead in terms of value for this rifle.

So the good news, the bolt, barrel, receiver and sights match. The stock I do believe is a No. 1 Mk. 3 stock as it has the cut-out for the magazine cut-off and the volley sights, it is just heavily sanded. There was also very few markings on the forestock however those few I found (took photos) aren't something a reproduction is going to try and duplicate. It is exceptionally smooth, and it is going to be a blast once I get it shooting (hopefully this weekend).

Its funny you mention putting your own marking on it, as when I looked around the barrel knox (I believe that is the correct term), it appears everyone in the peacetime pre-WWI army placed there markings there (ridiculous number of proofs). I do have a question about that heart marking with a 'P' inside it, does anyone know what that one means?

Overall I am happy with this addition to my WWI collection, now does anyone know where I could get a original pointer and rear aperture for the volley sights?



























Apologies for the slightly confusing order, however I am done fighting with photo bucket today (also apologies for the photos being turned around, they were right side up when I tried to upload them).

[mrclark303]

that heart marking with a 'P' inside it, does anyone know what that one means?

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=58777 Check this thread out for the Heart info.

You have yourself a well travelled rifle there, you can read the social history of the early 20th century from those markings! We have England to Australia to the US and finally over the boarder to Canada!

Nice looking rifle, it will come up very well indeed..

[Eaglelord17]

I understand the British markings (the Broad arrow in particular), and I understand the England marking generally meant it went to America, but what makes you say Australia? What I was getting from that thread was that the 'P' with a heart around it meant a parallel bore, which was a rifling test by the UK to see what type of rifling preformed the best. Is it possibly another marking saying that, or was I misreading that information?

[Ridolpho]

Eaglelord: the stars with numbers are Lithgow inspection markings. The italic B's are BSA views. Confusing as there are both BSA and Lithgow view marks on both barrel and receiver. There also appears to be a second (non-commercial) proof above the GR proof on the barrel but can't really make it out. The matching 413's are in an unusual location with no visible ground off number in the usual spot. It will be interesting to hear how everyone interprets all this.

Ridolpho

[Homer]

I doubt this was a volley sight forend originally. Looks like the recesses were added in more recent times.

[Maxwell Smart]

Australian made barrel, and also have my doubts about the fore-end.

Photo 5 of post #25 doesn't seem to show the right shapes around the dial plate inletting.