german marked SMLE (real or fake?)

[Kev G]

Brian some more Luftwaffe .303's ?




pictures stolen from Ebay

Information

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[curly]

I think the bloke second on the left in the second photo is holding the fake stamps from eBay, these Australian cadets seem quite older than ours in the UK.

Curly

[enfield303t]

I think the bloke second on the left in the second photo is holding the fake stamps from eBay, these Australian cadets seem quite older than ours in the UK.

Curly

Curly, great to see you have a sense of humour. I still have a feeling the gun is legit, maybe worked on by some fool but still legit. One thing is the story I got from the present owner is legit, his reputation according to my friends is impecable.

[SpikeDD]

As Kev G ( Excellent photos ! ), Smellie and a few others have pointed out, the Germans did in fact capture many hundreds of British weapons. They were marked and used. I can't see them being used as front line weapons as the munition supply would have been a logistical nightmare, I mean, didn't they have enough trouble keeping tract of and shipping there own stuff let alone trying to remember where some poor soul's were using a .303 ? I'm thinking more likely back line service. That being said, I just thought I would remind everyone that the capturing, marking and use of the Enfield was never in debate or being denied having happened. It was this particular rifle that was in question.

I personally wouldn't be able to tell one way or another if a German marking was fake or not. I would have brought the rifle to the attention of the boards and got the answers I got. Based on those answers, and the fact that I don't know the difference, I would have had to pass on the rifle. As far as "experts" go... we sure trust those whom we consider "experts" here on the Enfield boards, don't we ? Why wouldn't the same exist on other boards ? That's not to say there isn't anyone with out fault or being mistaken... but, where are you supposed to start then ?

[jonnyc]

"I am told (although I do not have one) that the Germans actually manufactured .303 ammunition with lacquered-steel cases."

Must agree with Enfield303t, no such round has ever been reported or documented in the cartridge world. Between the .303 ammo the Germans captured in the West, North Africa, and the Baltic States, I doubt they needed to even consider producing any.

[Peter Laidler]

But so far, nobody has ever seen an officially stamped backward facing eagle thinggy or cack handed swastika. And so far, again, no one has been able to give an explanation for such a beast on the rifle. Until those queries are answered, then all of the other points to ponder are simply red herrings thrown in to confuse.

But brilliant photos KG. Can anyone identify the slings or indeed the period/year from the uniforms

[enfield303t]

But so far, nobody has ever seen an officially stamped backward facing eagle thinggy or cack handed swastika. And so far, again, no one has been able to give an explanation for such a beast on the rifle. Until those queries are answered, then all of the other points to ponder are simply red herrings thrown in to confuse.

But brilliant photos KG. Can anyone identify the slings or indeed the period/year from the uniforms

You are right Peter but possibly we are about to break new ground here. I know of one person still searching for a photo in his collection of printed material (which is beyond huge) who thinks he might have seen a photo of something similiar in regard to one of the markings. I do know the story of how it ended up in Canada is believable and true and seeing as this thread appears to have great life maybe the story will come out in the end.

[Badger]

Well, it doesn't seem that difficult to locate the stamps ...

Regards,
Badger

[bigduke6]

But so far, nobody has ever seen an officially stamped backward facing eagle thinggy or cack handed swastika. And so far, again, no one has been able to give an explanation for such a beast on the rifle. Until those queries are answered, then all of the other points to ponder are simply red herrings thrown in to confuse.

But brilliant photos KG. Can anyone identify the slings or indeed the period/year from the uniforms

The Tunic is the Flying Blouse (Fliegerbluse) dated around 1940, was issued to flying personnel only, but became popular throughout the Luftwaffe, think this is the second issue, as the first had no pockets or national emblem.

[Claven2]

Sadly true...