BSA Very Early SMLE No.1 Mk.III

[bravo2zero]

Hi All, I have just recently acquired the above rifle which I find very interesting and having searched Milsurps, the internet and the reference books can find very little information about the rifle.

It’s a very early configured Mk.III with long rage volley sights marked LES III and with the No.2 magazine with full matching numbers of 5333 on the bolt, action, barrel, rear sight and cocking piece although it has a further serial number of 646A on the barrel and action as well as a marking of those areas of “Sale Permit” and over stamped with AG Parker.

Looking at how the rifle is made with component parts in 1911 the likes of the volley sights and magazine was changed.

There is also on the brass disc the following “12 LR 301”

Anyone seen anything like this before or offer any explanation on its background or better still have one just like it.

It’s a lovely looking rifle although the woodwork does have usually bruises from use. There appears to be no military markings on this at all but the addition serial number is interesting along with the sale permit markings

Welcome people’s comments and views

Many thanks

Information

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[browningautorifle]

What a nice looking rifle that is...

[bravo2zero]

Thanks it really is a wonderful rifle in great condition

[NORTHOF60]

Looks to be a commercial rifle - probably explains why it is in such good condition.

[bravo2zero]

Looks to be a commercial rifle - probably explains why it is in such good condition.

Yes agreed but it have a second serial number and also the sale permit stamped which I’ve not seen before

[Alan de Enfield]

Yes agreed but it have a second serial number and also the sale permit stamped which I’ve not seen before

Standard (pre WW2) UK markings used by the Chief Examiner of Small Arms

Item 14 on the attached :

"Serviceable rifle suitable for competition shooting for sale to the public"

[MasterChief]

You invited comments.

I just discovered that one cannot utter aloud the word "Wow!" with one's tongue hanging over one's lower lip...

[Mk VII]

I've got a very similar one. The second serial is part of the government viewer's mark, so that it is eligible for S.R. (a)

[NORTHOF60]

I would hazard that this may have been a club rifle, accurized (and sold) by A.G. Parker, and that the 646A serial number is Parker's.

[Lance]

Very nice rifle! Yours is 400ish rifles older than mine and I do not have any AG Parker marks, well done.