SMLE Mk I, one time Queensland Govt

[Ridolpho]

Always wanted a SMLE in original Mk I config. and this is the best I've come up with so-far. Was priced low as it was missing original rear sight leaf and lower handguard- both of which I've already managed to obtain. It's an LSA and has many LSA parts including butt, and triggerguard, lower band, nosecap, etc. Mk I specific parts include buttplate, rear swivel, and, I believe, the striker keeper screw (mismatched bolt). It also has an early forend in quite good shape with no provision for the nosecap spring/stud. The rear sight bed is original Mk VI profile. Barrel is a replacement dated 1911- perhaps in service- and has an excellent bore.

Markings include QG, on butt and, on the receiver ring, beneath "DP" and DP cancellation bars. The butt also has a faint S-13 beside the old propellor shaped sold out of service marks. Some earlier markings were ground out on the butt and D-D and the number 1, D-D, and 594 (as on receiver ring and barrel). I'd be curious to hear comments about the markings and what this rifles history may have included. Regards.

Ridolpho

Information

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[smle addict]

Its a beauty! thanks for posting

[browningautorifle]

Lots of interesting marks and cancellations on that one. Looks like it was struck from service and then pressed back into again.

[22SqnRAE]

G'Day Ridolpho,

Well, she's done the rounds, hey?

Built in the UK, issued to the Queensland Police, quite possibly not all that long after manufacture. Rack number 594. Some years as a QP rifle, then handed to the Australian Army, hence the D Crowsfoot D symbol on butt. There's a fellow on another site that seems to know a bit about QLD Police numbers, he must have access to records of rifle nos.

The Australian Army relegated the rifle to Drill Purpose as noted, then struck the delegation out prior to selling out of service to civilian property, noted by the opposing arrows on the Nocks Form (knox if you wish).

Thinking about Jim's likely comment, I haven't seen many sold out of service arrows on pre-WW2 surplus sales, but that doesn't mean they aren't around, just not ones I've come across.

An managed to travel then to Canada. Not a bad service life, hey? Treat the old lady well, she deserves it.

[Homer]

Yeah it's a beauty. Can't recall ever seeing a struck out DP stamp before.

Question for the previous poster, I thought same about being Queensland police, but can we be certain? Were the MkI QP not marked Q^P on the nocks with rack number? I've had two and can't recall now. Having some doubt but appreciate your thoughts.

[Ridolpho]

Thanks for the comments, guys. One thing I might mention is that the small 594 on the barrel reinforce appears to me to be stamped after the sold-out-of-service arrows. Could the "DP" assignment have been made post Queensland Govt usage and then overstamped when acquired for use by the federal government?

Ridolpho

[CINDERS]

So the rifle was in the QLD police dept then WWII happened so it was re-acquired by the armed services for the duration of hostilities probably for the home guard force then for some reason DP'ed finally being sold OOS as a fire-able weapon with the DP struck out, is that close to its possible life journey to date. By the way Ridolpho nice find its found the right owner now who appreciates it .

[user1]

Hi Ridolpho, every Qld police rifle i have seen has been marked Q/|\P i think your rifle was with the Queensland militia with those Q/|\G markings
Cheers

[Homer]

Hi Ridolpho, every Qld police rifle i have seen has been marked Q/|\P i think your rifle was with the Queensland militia with those Q/|\G markings
Cheers

Agreed. Usually marked like this.

[22SqnRAE]

Were the MkI QP not marked Q^P on the nocks with rack number? I've had two and can't recall now. Having some doubt but appreciate your thoughts.

I've pulled out my Long Tom and found it's a QLD Government rifle, not a Police rifle, as I thought. Seems my memory has lost a little acuity in the past 30 years...

The crows foot missing seems to be pretty evident. User1, Thread No 8, suggests it is may be Queensland Militia, noting the date of manufacture. However, on reflection and a little research, our State Militia forces pretty much changed over to the Commonwealth as of Federation. The Australian Army was formed on 01 March 1901, so a 1904 No 1 Mk III would be unlikely to have been a militia issue weapon, as any remaining Militia units would have retained the older stocks, particularly the Martini henrys and the Lee Enfield No 1 Mk 1s. Regular units, as is common, would have priority over the reserve and/or militia.

The clear owner was the Australian Army with the D crowsfoot D mark on the butt.

I've had a much closer look at my Long Tom. I'm grateful for the question Ridolpho, as it's got the grey cells active. I do need to get in contact with the local Military Historical Society and see if they have some advice on rifle provenance.

Below are photos of my BSA No 1 Mk 1* Long Tom receiver ring. The "Q crowsfoot G" is overstamped by the "opposing arrow-S-arrow" 'sold, out of service' mark. Similar to your rifle. The interesting feature is the stylised rack/inventory number applied by the Queensland Government to the receiver and bolt, different to the original sans-serif block stamping font used by BSA during manufacture. Similar to yours, so an evident behaviour of Qld Govt armourers when taking a rifle onto Government ledgers.


Attachment 85245Attachment 85246

I'll see if the Hysterical Society can help out with some specifics on rifle markings and Government ownership. I'm thinking that in the early 1900s the Post Master, Forestry workers, Rangers, Customs officers, Paymasters would be likely candidates for holding a rifle or two in a rack in their offices in little towns scattered across the state. Not just coppers, as not every town with a Government office had a copper posted to the town.

No promises, but I'll see what I can find out and share with everyone.