1936 BSA No1 MKIII* Iraqi Contract

[capt14k]

I decided to get back into collecting Enfields during this Covid-19 shutdown, and this is one of 10 Enfields I recently purchased. I believe it is an original and matching (except stock disc looks like an old marking was peened out) 1936 BSA Iraqi Contract Rifle that was made new for Iraq. The BSA crossed rifles I found to be neat. I haven't taken it apart, but I did try to capture every marking on the outside. Looks like there are multiple Iraqi Jeems on the rifle. Bore is surprisingly good. Any info or comments would be appreciated.

Information

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[Alan de Enfield]

I find it a little odd that a 1936 rifle should marked with sights that were recalibrated in around 1915.

The HV SC (high velocity short cone) modification was done when the ammunition changed over from the MkVI 215g round nosed bullet to the MkVII 174 grain spitzer bullet.

Are there any signs that it may have been a rebuild of an earlier rifle ?

[pisco]

Nice supprizingly good nick for it’s age and where it come from

[Bindi2]

If that 1936 rifle was marked ER it would be a very rare rifle.

[Alan de Enfield]

If that 1936 rifle was marked ER it would be a very rare rifle.

It must have been a very early 1936 as Edward was crowned 20th January 1936 and abdicated 11th December.

Maybe a rifle produced from a run of less than 3-weeks is actually 'rarer' that one from an 10 month production run.

[Bindi2]

Have you ever seen an ER 1936 rifle.

[capt14k]

I find it a little odd that a 1936 rifle should marked with sights that were recalibrated in around 1915.

The HV SC (high velocity short cone) modification was done when the ammunition changed over from the MkVI 215g round nosed bullet to the MkVII 174 grain spitzer bullet.

Are there any signs that it may have been a rebuild of an earlier rifle ?

I don't think it looks rebuilt, but I have only precursory knowledge of Enfields. Here are the markings under the handguard.





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On a side note I hate removing those spring clip handguards. Always worried about cracking the handguard when removing it, and often catch the webbing of my hand when reinstalling, which I just did.

[Roger Payne]

I think the HV SC became a standard marking on barrels produced for MkVII ammunition, although I'm not absolutely sure on this & would welcome confirmation. It wouldn't have that elusive 'ER' cypher as it looks as though BSA likely assembled it from NOS parts that were in store when the contract came in. If you look carefully at the butt socket markings the cypher & the '19' of the year date have all been applied together, with the '36' being added later. This is very common on interwar rifles, certainly of BSA mfr. I have a few of their 1930's dated barrelled actions & IIRC they are all marked like so. Waste not want not, I suppose!

[Bindi2]

I think the HV SC became a standard marking on barrels produced for MkVII ammunition, although I'm not absolutely sure on this & would welcome confirmation. It wouldn't have that elusive 'ER' cypher as it looks as though BSA likely assembled it from NOS parts that were in store when the contract came in. If you look carefully at the butt socket markings the cypher & the '19' of the year date have all been applied together, with the '36' being added later. This is very common on interwar rifles, certainly of BSA mfr. I have a few of their 1930's dated barrelled actions & IIRC they are all marked like so. Waste not want not, I suppose!

I agree with you on the HV SC marks. I have come to the conclusion that there was a run of BSA receivers made and stamped with the GR and 19 for future use and dated as required. It does appear that there was not a run made with the ER stamp as they were not needed. I will stand corrected when one is produced proving me wrong. Enfield or BSA. The BSA serial prefix will be after L. I would also like to see an Indian ERI 1936.

[capt14k]

So does everything look correct?