What’s your Lee Enfield Holy Grail?

[ThunderBird]

Can anyone shed a bit of light on the markings on my P-14?
Thanks..
Gerry




Attachment 38383

[baldeagle1951]

Hi Gerry,
1. The broad arrow is the British Government inspection and acceptance mark
2. The crown over GR over flags over P is the British military proof mark
3. The crown over N is another British inspection mark
4. I think the .303 Nitro Proof is a British civilian re-proof mark, indicating that the rifle went abroad at some time and was reproofed when returned to the UK.
5. The '17 is the date of the barrel. This is a British mark (not American) so would indicate the year of British proof but most likely the year of manufacture as well. P14's were only made in 1916-1917.
Hope this helps....
Roger

[mfzr01]

My holy grail is now a Lithgow No1 MkIII sniper. Dont think I'll ever have the $8000 they seem to be commanding these days.....

[tas]

Just a Note..about 2 yrs ago I posted a Pic of a Saxby and Farmer Short Rifle/Pistol with discharge cup attached...The Cup was stamped Saxby and Farmer as well as the wood stock on the rifle itself..I was attacked and told no mention was in the Bible "The Lee Enfield Story"
Good New..after sending the Author a Pic and Note..And on Christmas..He confirmed there was indeed a Saxby and Farmer listed...and suggested the rifle was converted for Indian Use. By perhaps Saxby and Farmer.
Thank You Ian for Your help in this matter.
It was a lively conversation when I orginally posted this Item. I ran! As I was made to feel very shady...With No ability to defend.
I'm Glad I waited to hear from the Source.
Tas

Hi from the sunny Gold Coast in Oz,
References in the 2007 enlarged & updated 'Lee-Enfield' book, under Discharger, Smoke in the index. pp196, 228, 416. Illustrated on p. 416 in both No.1 & No.4 rifle conversions.
Discharger cups are described pp. 410-416
The item was a smoke discharger for use on AFVs, your sample appears to be an Indian conversion.
Saxby & Farmer are listed as suppliers to the War Office, add. 53 Victoria St., London SW1, supplying signal mountings, &c.; discharger cups and conversions were done on private contract rather than for the War Office.
Interesting that Saxby & Farmer is marked on the wood stock too, they likely did the conversion as well.
The rifle looks like an Ishapore so maybe that particular contract was for India rather than the War Office, hence the different style of markings and absence of the broad arrow.
Merry Christmas,
Ian Skennerton

[smith3006]

New to this forum as usually stick to Edge Weapons but I am being educated by an existing member/ friend. It takes a fair amount of time to read 26 pages.

My Holy Grail up to three weeks ago was a No.4 Mk1(T) in its chest and was feeling very happy. However, along came a Lithgow Shortened & Lightened in the grease, numbered XP27. Fell in love and just had to have it. The cause was helped along by the fact I had the bayonet for it.

[Son]

New to this forum as usually stick to Edge Weapons but I am being educated by an existing member/ friend. It takes a fair amount of time to read 26 pages.

My Holy Grail up to three weeks ago was a No.4 Mk1(T) in its chest and was feeling very happy. However, along came a Lithgow Shortened & Lightened in the grease, numbered XP27. Fell in love and just had to have it. The cause was helped along by the fact I had the bayonet for it.

Glad you found a suitable reward for spending a week in a vehicle with "you know who".

Welcome to Lee Enfields Will we get to see pics of the XP?

[smith3006]

Its a small world and this post reminds me that I must be very careful of what I say because someone can always work out who you are. or should I say who you associate with. Due to WA licencing requirements the said longarm is still in the gun shop awaiting licencing; however, as I work in that said shop I guess I can take some pics. Yes I do own a camera and whats more I know how to use it not like some other said members.

[coggansfield]

11 Jan. 2013
2:50pm

I've been very lucky with my finds as well. I have some pretty scarce stuff, if I say so myself. But what I would really like is a Lee-Metford mk. I (no star) with Lewes sights.

Two cars, two kids and one wife offered in return.

Coggansfield

[bearrowland]

My holy grail is now a Lithgow No1 MkIII sniper. Dont think I'll ever have the $8000 they seem to be commanding these days.....

Ditto, or a No 4T in its wooden packing crate with the issue accessories.

[cooltouch]

I can't really say that I have an Enfield "holy grail" rifle -- or pistol, for that matter. But I can say that I wish I would have fleshed out my collection a bit better before the prices for Enfields climbed so high. I already own a couple of No.1 Mk III's and a No.4 Mk II. I'd just like to add three more to my collection: a No 4 Mk I, a No 5 Mk I, and an Ishapoor in 7.62 NATO. Once I've added those three, I'll be relatively content. The really rare variants are definitely cool, and I'm kinda glad to see they're enjoying the collecting attention they've always deserved, but I've never really been all that interested in owning one. I'd be afraid to take it out and shoot it, and I like shooting my Enfields.