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Markings on 1919 BSA SMLE
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05-07-2019 08:18 AM
# ADS
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Maybe articles from here might help.
Jay Currah's Lee-Enfield Rifle Website
Regards,
Doug
Last edited by Badger; 05-07-2019 at 08:58 AM.
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Originally Posted by
Badger
Unfortunately I searched there too and tbe only one listed is the Lithgow mark, which deepens the mystery.
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hi has the smle been sent to Australia after ww1 is the a ftr stamp on the left hand side wrist
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The nose piece could be Australian not BSA.. Rifles and parts got moved around in general stores and repair workshops. Adds to the rifles history. Are there any stamps on the Butt.
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Definitely a Lithgow mark, can we see the serial number on the nose cap, has it been re-numbered?
You have to remember the rifle is 100 years old, with many years in civilian hands post service, so literally anything can be encountered at this point, re markings.
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The nosecap doesn't appear to be renumbered and the stock has no markings to indicate if it was a replacement or not, but I also cannot find a factory thorough repair mark of any form anywhere on the rifle. I attached some more pictures of different markings and the nosecap.
EDIT: I forgot to mention that the barrel, receiver, and nosecap all have the same serial and have not been renumbered.
Attachment 100338
It doesn't appear to be renumbered and there are no other markings I can find.
Attachment 100339
This is the magazine, it appears the main serial number was thoroughly stamped by the factory all over but the absence of any FTR markings perplexes me.
Attachment 100340
Here is the right-side butt socket, notice that very strange 9 that seems to be deeply stamped (possibly over another number?)
Attachment 100341
The underside of the receiver and barrel have markings of all kinds, mostly inspector's. Not sure what the 50, the W, and the 3 (under the flash) are though.
Attachment 100342
She was clearly rebarreled in 1919, but why would that be if it was made in 1919?
Attachment 100343
Another mystery mark I forgot to post, this is located on the bottom side of the stock just behind the wrist. There are no other markings on the butt-stock, not even a unit medallion.
Last edited by Jack Flat Cap; 05-08-2019 at 07:59 AM.
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Mags are not numbered at the factory. That is not a re barrel that is the original barrel but then a new 1919 barrel could have been in the rack of barrels. I would think that is a new bayonet boss that was numbered to the rifle when fitted.
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Originally Posted by
Bindi2
Mags are not numbered at the factory. That is not a re barrel that is the original barrel but then a new 1919 barrel could have been in the rack of barrels. I would think that is a new bayonet boss that was numbered to the rifle when fitted.
Adding to this, the numbering on the Nose cap is a little hap hazard, not "armourer neat"
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Originally Posted by
mrclark303
Adding to this, the numbering on the Nose cap is a little hap hazard, not "armourer neat"
Do you think a civilian owner did it?