The meaning of SMLE

[Willis McPherson]

A number of sources say that SMLE (which I have encountered in gun magazines countless times) stands for "Short Magazine Lee Enfield). I haven't encountered that usage here and I was wondering if it is incorrect.

Information

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[Stevo]

A number of sources say that SMLE (which I have encountered in gun magazines countless times) stands for "Short Magazine Lee Enfield). I haven't encountered that usage here and I was wondering if it is incorrect.

That's correct. In British military-speak it's "Rifle, Short, Magazine Lee-Enfield." The term applies to the familiar No1 type with the large nose-cap. IIRC, in the '20's British military rifle designations changed so, for example, the "Rifle, SMLE MkIII*" became the "Rifle, No1 MkIII*.

SMLE does not apply to the No4.

[Son]

Just to expand a little on Stevo's information, the previous rifles were called "Rifle, Magazine Lee Metford", then the "Rifle, Magazine Lee Enfield". These names told you that they were both magazine fed (prior to this were the single shot Martini action rifles and carbines) followed by the designer (Lee) and the barrel type (Metford, then Enfield designed rifling). It was just the natural progression in 1903 with the advent of the shorter rifle (25.2" barrel as opposed to the 30.2" barrel) that the rifle became the "Short, Magazine Lee Enfield" (a shortened model of the Lee designed, Enfield barrelled rifle)

These models started with the SMLE Mk1, then Mk1* (the "*" usually meant a minor upgrade, not enough for a new designation) There were also converted models where MLM and MLE rifles were modified to then current SMLE specs. Then in 1907 the new rifle with the fixed charger bridge became the "Rifle, Short, Magazine Lee Enfield MkIII"

The naming system was changed in 1926. The SMLE MkIII and MkIII* rifles became the No1 rifles (MkIII and MkIII*). No models prior to these were re-named as they were already obsolete.

Originally, during it's developement, the No4 rifle was called the No1 MkVI. When the final design was settled on, it was a whole new rifle, so the name "SMLE" was no longer appropriate.

[x westie]

Our U.S. milsurp fans very often refer to both the No.1 mk3 and No.4 rifle as SMLE rifles.

[Willis McPherson]

Thanks. I really appreciate the replies. Without the commas, "Short Magazine Lee Enfield" leads one to think that 'short' applies to 'magazine' rather than to the rifle. Additionally, I thought that 'Enfield' was the arsenal, or arms factory.

[Claven2]

There was a "Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield" but the "Enfield" in "Lee Enfield" refers to Enfield type rifling being mated to James Paris Lee's action design.

[Willis McPherson]

Now I have to know:
What is Enfield rifling? How is it different from ordinary land and groove?

[Stevo]

Here's a diagram from Martini-Henry.com explaining the difference between Metford and Enfield rifling.

[Gibbs505]

Now I have to know:
What is Enfield rifling? How is it different from ordinary land and groove?

Enfield rifling is the standard type that we are used to. The origional rifling was five groves, .005" deep, one turn in ten inches, left handed twist with sharp shoulders. The Metford rifling was .004" deep, with the same twist. However it was designed to deal with black powder fouling and was shallow with rounded shoulders.

For more info, I suggest that you read Ian Skennerton's book.

[Willis McPherson]

Once again, thanks for all the info. I take it that the Metford rifling is also generically called polygonal rifling.