Identifying a SMLE model

[vic_777]

Hi,

I am very new to the world of military rifles - so pardon my lack of knowledge.

I inherited a SMLE from my uncle. He purchased the rifle many years ago and converted it into a hunting rifle.

I have been reading about the SMLE history and would like to indentify the model and manufacturer of the rifle as well as the year of manufacture if possible.

I suspect it's a Mk III - but I might be wrong.

The rifle itself has a magazine cut-off and the cocking piece is a round knob.

On the right of the rifle is the marking "B.S.A.Co" (Is this a reference to the manufacturer, ie. Birmingham Small Arms Company)?

On the left, stamped on the barrel is:
"303" "BM" and a small crown, with "Nitro proof"

On the right of the barrel is stamped a serial number.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Information

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[Alan de Enfield]

Without pictures its difficult - but - yes it sounds like you have a No1 Mk111.
If it does not have the royal cipher and the monarchs initials (ie GR for George Rex) then it is a non-military (commercial) version.
BSA = Birmingham Small Arms
303 is the calibre (do not confuse it with Savage 303 - its totally different)
BM and crown are the civilian proof marks that any UK rifle must have to be allowed to be sold.

[vic_777]

Thank you for the info.

I've included some pictures which might help:

Attachment 5195

Attachment 5196

Attachment 5197

Attachment 5198

Attachment 5199

[Hank Stone]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee-Enf...Enfield_Mk_III

Mag Cutoff


[edit] Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Mk III

Magazine Cut-Off on an SMLE Mk III rifle—this feature was deleted on the Mk III* rifle.The iconic Lee-Enfield rifle, the SMLE Mk III, was introduced on 26 January 1907,[7] along with a Pattern 1907 (P'07) Sword Bayonet and featured a simplified rear sight arrangement and a fixed, rather than a bolt-head-mounted sliding, charger guide. The design of the handguards and the magazine were also improved, and the chamber was adapted to fire the new Mk VII High Velocity spitzer .303 ammunition. Many early model rifles, of Magazine Lee Enfield (MLE), Magazine Lee Metford (MLM), and SMLE type, were upgraded to the Mk III standard. These are designated Mk IV Cond., with various asterisks denoting subtypes.[19]

During the First World War, the standard SMLE Mk III was found to be too complicated to manufacture (an SMLE Mk III rifle cost the British Government £3/15/-)[20], and demand was outstripping supply, so in late 1915 the Mk III* was introduced,[19] which incorporated several changes, the most prominent of which were the deletion of the magazine cut-off,[17] and the long range volley sights.[21] The windage adjustment capability of the rear sight was also dispensed with, and the cocking piece was changed from a round knob to a serrated slab.[21] Rifles with some or all of these features present are found, as the changes were implemented at different times in different factories and as stocks of preexisting parts were used.[22] The magazine cut-off was reinstated after the First World War ended,[21] and not entirely dispensed with until 1942.

The inability of the principal manufacturers (RSAF Enfield, Birmingham Small Arms, and London Small Arms) to meet military production demands led to the development of the "peddled scheme", which contracted out the production of whole rifles and rifle components to several shell companies.[23]

The SMLE Mk III* (redesignated Rifle No.1 Mk III* in 1926) saw extensive service throughout the Second World War as well, especially in the North African, Italian, Pacific and Burmese theatres in the hands of British and Commonwealth forces. Australia and India retained and manufactured the SMLE Mk III* as their standard-issue rifle during the conflict[24], and the rifle remained in Australian military service through the Korean War, until it was replaced by the L1A1 SLR in the late 1950s. The Lithgow Small Arms Factory finally ceased production of the SMLE Mk III* in 1953.[19]

[Alan de Enfield]

The photos help a lot.
Its a commercial No1 Lee Enfield so probably hasnt seen a lot of use (compared to a military weapon)

It would probably have originally been supplied with 'full' wood work (as per the military version) but BSA did make 'sporters' so it could be 'as manufactured'.

Its not really possible to date the rifle but as a guess I'd say between the wars.

Nice rifle anyhow.

[vic_777]

Thank you so much Alan - I really appreciate the help.

My uncle worked for the police as a craftsman/gunsmith. Unfortunately as he passed away I don't have all the info but I know that he purchased the rifle with full wood work. The conversion was done by him personally.

He took a lot of pride in his work so I am honoured to have inherited one of his rifles.

Quite a lot of SMLE's in South Africa - some of the game farms are not to keen on hunting with this calibre which is probably due to some people using surplus military ammo.

Attachment 5200

[vic_777]

Thank you for the Wikipedia article Hank.

I have had the opportunity to hunt for the first time a few weeks ago using a Mauser 7x57 cal - also a very interesting rifle with the german eagle and swastika stamped on the barrel.

It is amazing that rifles designed so many years ago still function perfectly. The basic design must have been spot on.

[Alan de Enfield]

Vic :
Ik veronderstel dan u in SA - een groot land bent. 303 waren zeer populair met speljagers. Ik werkte daar voor een korte tijd in de jaren '80 maar kon niet de vrouw ertoe brengen om zich daar te bewegen.

[vic_777]

Alan:
Ek is inderdaad in SA - in Pretoria. Dis jammer dat julle nie hiernatoe kon trek nie. Dit is 'n wonderlike land. Daar is baie .303's nog hier.

[louthepou]

If I ever learn a third language I think it should be Afrikaan - it's just too cool!

Vic, it's fun to read about the fact that .303 sporters are common in SA. Over here (Canada), so many got the same treatment as yours got in you uncle's hands after WW2. Pretty much everyone I know has at some point a dad / uncle / cousin etc. Who killed a few deer or moose or bear with a venerable Lee Enfield!

As for "fles designed so many years ago still function perfectly", indeed that's interesting. Mind you, these were designed to work in the worst imaginable conditions - and millions were produced - so I guess we shouldn't be surprized to see so many still in good shooting shape.

Still funny when I tell non-gun folks around here that I regularly shoot rifles that are almost a century old.

Lou