SMLE WWI Sniper with PPCo dovetail mount and scope

[Roger Payne]

Would it be an obstacle to get the rifle CIP proofed Promo? I am regularly back & forth to Birmingham Proof House with SMLE's..........In fact I have three there (plus a No4) being done at the moment. I only take in the metalwork so as to avoid the risk of damage to forends/butts & so on.

My Evans mounts came from the same place as my SMLE/Aldis/H&H rifle body - Fultons' junk box, although admittedly that was thirty years ago & I doubt there's much WW1 treasure left in there now. More recently a most kind Aussie forummer let me have a super set of rings as those on my Evans scope had been slightly modified & then functionally, but not very prettily, repaired.

You mean you're not going to try & buy the Evans single mount from the IWM?!*?

[mrclark303]

IWM you say Roger, you bring the ski masks and crow bars and I'll supply the fast car....

[Roger Payne]

It's the only known surviving example on the planet, or at least to the best of my knowledge it is................could raise some tricky questions when we come to sell it!

[Promo]

Would it be an obstacle to get the rifle CIP proofed Promo?

No. But it is a risk too. Over-pressure. And what for? I would not be concerned on factory .303 Ammo. Not on the rifle, but on the scope. And after all, this only to be able to shoot it once or twice? Plus knowing that many collectors (at least over here) would not want a rifle with CIP proof? So basically spending money to have something worth less money.


Maybe UK could issue the Evan's Single Mount to some unit who looses it in the field ... ? I'd be there to capture it and bring it to somewhere where it isn't to be issued again . Nah, just kidding. Was referring to the Evan's Double Mount. The Single Mount would be impossible. I mean I'd really dare to copy the mount, but would already need a scope for this. Maybe I'll therefore go with the No. 42 mount for the P.14 first, if I really want to go into the weird stuff .

[Roger Payne]

I may have been lucky Promo but I must have submitted a few hundred SMLE's to Proof over the years & have yet to have one fail. Mind you, I'm saying that with my fingers crossed in view of the rifles that they have of mine currently!
They get thoroughly cleaned, bore inspected for any serious pitting, bulges etc., & head spaced before I take them in........saves disappointment later.

I know some people are offended by current civvy proof marks but it is an offence over here to transfer a firearm that is not in proof. I have long accepted it, it is just a legal requirement, end of. Mind you, if you ask the Proof House nicely they will often position the markings as discretely as they can.

[Promo]

A British weapon with British CIP proof may not look as disturbing as a British rifle with a foreign CIP proof . Not going to shoot this rifle anyway, so I will not have it proofed and I'm perfectly fine for being able to keep it this way!

[Roger Payne]

Yes, I understand your feeling entirely. I have a few rifles that are not in proof & that are valuable, but, ironically, before I come to part with them I will have to get them proofed (& accept the risk) in order to sell them legally under current UK law.

[Alan de Enfield]

Yes, I understand your feeling entirely. I have a few rifles that are not in proof & that are valuable, but, ironically, before I come to part with them I will have to get them proofed (& accept the risk) in order to sell them legally under current UK law.

You could always 'give them away' and no need to have them prooved.


The Proof Acts lay down that no small arm may be sold, exchanged or exported, exposed or kept for sale or exchange or pawned, unless and until it has been fully proven and duly marked. The maximum penalty is £5,000 for each offence. Higher penalties where, for instance, the sale of a number of guns constitutes one offence, can apply.

[Roger Payne]

Give them away? I don't think so............my wife's already got the money spent!

[mrclark303]

It's the only known surviving example on the planet, or at least to the best of my knowledge it is................could raise some tricky questions when we come to sell it!

Sell it Roger, I'm thinking I can use it Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, you Thursday, Friday and Saturday and each of us every other Sunday....