Standard Small Arms No1MK3* with Australian Markings - My second Lee Enfield

[BushyFromOz]

Hi

I spotted this in a store a short distance from here a few weeks back. Not having much time to have a good look at it, i basically went :"Bolt, action, barrel, rear sight, nose cap - matching number - check.... bore pretty good? - check...how much?? To much...sorry...." and drove away. Had a change of heart that night, (maybe the beer?) rang them back the next day and said "yeah, here's a deposit"

And then spent the next 6 weeks paying it off while carrying a heavy dose of buyers remorse....

Anyway, i paid for it and brought it home today. I took out of the bag i had it in was kind of shocked to see SSA on the in the butt stock socket (i just assumed it was an RSAF Enfield), so i thought i had had a better have a proper look at it

Its a 1917 Standard Small Arms No1 Mk3* with a low 4 digit serial number. Matching bolt, matching barrel (changed in 1920) as well nose cap, rear sight (that has come off 2 other rifles and still has the windage adjustment) and....... a matching serial numbered forearm (not clear in pictures) with a nice looking armorers repair on the left side and the rear hand guard.

The butt stock had been sanded by some do gooder, and the whole thing has been covered in some god awful varnish that will be coming off. However, despite the sanding, i can still make out the HV and III* marks, as well as make out a 3 over 6 digit serial number that is also stamped into the receiver ring with DOD marking on the barrel and receiver, so i take it the butt stock was changed in Australian service. There's also an armorers repair in the heel

Here's some pics, will post updates as the stripping and cleaning comes along. It needs a couple of screws replaced and a new spring for the safety. it is also missing the fore end spring / stud assembly is missing from the nose cap.

I'm very excited, my 1923 Lithgow has a stable mate, and that buyers remorse is gone

1917 SSA No1 MK3 Slideshow by bushyfromoz1 | Photobucket

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