SMLE Magazine Variations and Dates of Introduction

[Bindi2]

L E magazines are not swap in out to rifles they are fitted to a rifle. Any combination will be found every where. Except the 6 & 8 round they were model specific and early ammo types. The mag models are more to do with the ammo being used. Mark 7 needed a different mag to Mark 6. When the rifles were converted to Mark 7 the mag had to be converted as well. Depending on who converted the mag depends on what was done. Hence the different mags out there doing the same job for Mark 7 ammo.
You may have a No1Mk3 rifle that started life using Mk6 ammo which was converted to Mk7 needing a new mag, putting a Mk6 mag back in is incorrect as the rifle will have the SC stamps showing it has been converted.