Lee Enfield SMLE passed down

[Drizz86]

I had an Sht LE Mk III passed down to me, my grandfather came into it many years ago and I do not know where (he does not remember).

Someone from gun values referred me here as the rifle was presented in Newfoundland sometime during or soon after WW1.

If anyone could tell me more about this rifle I would appreciate it greatly. I had it cleaned, despite my weapons cleaning experience I did not want to affect anything and, have fired approximately 40 rounds through it (although I am not sure it was ever fired previously).

Thanks everyone, hopefully someone has some more info on the rifle, or any information related to the plate and disc on the stock.

-Justin

Information

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[Badger]

You might want to check our Google CSE (Custom Search Engine) located in the top right corner of the web site, where it says Search Milsurps.Com….

It uses Google’s special techniques to search ONLY our site for past information on the user specified search parameters.

For example, in your case type in the words newfoundland enfield and you’ll find pages of results.

The first one I noticed was this, which is a rifle similar to yours...

Lee Enfield used by the Newfoundland Regiment in WW1

Hope that helps …

Regards,
Doug

[Drizz86]

Thanks! I didn't realize the search was up there.

[Sunray]

I'd guess J. Haxter was a 2nd Batt. guy. Or a retired Brit Army guy who helped train the Regm't. The name doesn't appear on the Regm't's Nominal Roll.
The R Nfld. R's were raised in Nfld., for W.W. I(lotta previous history dating from 1795 though), starting in 1914. Newfoundland was an independent Dominion in those days. Do a net search for 'Beaumont Hamel' for more info on the Regm't. Brits killed nearly all of 'em on 1 July, 1916.
The Royal Newfoundland Regiment

Otherwise, it's just a typical, in very good condition, No1 Mk III*, Lee-Enfield made by Birmingham Small Arms in 1918.

[Lee Enfield]

If you blow the photo up to a reasonable size, the name is clearly "J Baxter"

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Very nice/interesting piece.

[browningautorifle]

although I am not sure it was ever fired previously

I promise you the rifle was fired in the past. Not just a little. They don't show wear, they show abuse. If this one just shot and lived in a rack signed out ti a clerk or Sgt Maj, then it won't have seen the same were a rifleman applied. They were shot and patterned at the factory for instance, some took a bit to sort out... Nice rifle, good catch.

[CINDERS]

The butt or fore woods may have been replaced due to the different coloration to each other, interesting it seems in the pic to have had the the front volley sight hole plugged just in front of the rear sights.
I gather it has a magazine.
Nice example of a WWI workhorse

[#1oilman]

Very nice!!! NFLD is abbreviation for Newfoundland

[bigduke6]

The butt or fore woods may have been replaced due to the different coloration to each other, interesting it seems in the pic to have had the the front volley sight hole plugged just in front of the rear sights.
I gather it has a magazine.
Nice example of a WWI workhorse

I think its all original Cinders and just the light etc, there will be some slight variation as its just oiled, a lot of SMLE's I have had in the past had a dark area around the rear of the fore-end and is probably due to it being the end grain and soaking up anything that gets there.....