Probably Latvia, interwar years. The saddle is a British UP1902 or close copy.
Probably Latvia, interwar years. The saddle is a British UP1902 or close copy.
That photo has been discussed on other forums previously.
It is usually described as showing "Soviet Partisans" on the North West Front.
Some variation on the CLLE. The sling modification would be a very unlikely thing to be have done in wartime to rifles captured from the Baltic republics. That suggests either the rifles were ex-White Army and reworked in the 1920s or 30s, or else the modification was done by one of the Baltic republics in that period.
It would be an interesting choice if purchased by one of the Baltic states considering there were millions of surplus SMLE's in store after WWI. Was the heavier barrel preferred or just the lower price of the older rifle?
Last edited by Surpmil; 04-24-2024 at 01:24 PM.
“There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”
Edward Bernays, 1928
Much changes, much remains the same.