No.1 Mk3 in gunstore.

[newcastle]

Just popped into the local store, which hardly ever has LEs. There's a No.1 Mk3 ,1908 from Enfield. However, serial on the receiver lined through, new receiver number matches everything else. Large NSW on top of receiver and the two meeting arrows for sold out of service. Lots of Lithgow parts and the forend nd handguards are undoubtedly coachwood, VERY tightly fitted and immaculate, as is the bore. Buttstock walnut. Any alarm bells here? It's pricey but mighty good looking.

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[Homer]

The number barred out is probably the military district number not the original serial number. Anything on the butt? what's the price?

[newcastle]

There is the remains of paint on the butt. Can't recal any cartouches but I didn't have long to look as they were closing. Can't get back to see it til tuesday 10am. Its 400+ in price (USD) but you don't get many round here. What would the NSW stand for? Also the barred out number is exactly where a serial would be.

[conec]

What would the NSW stand for? Also the barred out number is exactly where a serial would be.

New South Wales. The rifle has apparently been in Australian service. The line-out could be related to the Military District (as Homer said above) or it may be related to an FTR (Factory Thorough Repair) rehab it went through as some point in its life...

$400 may or may not be in line. Is it in fact a MkIII (w/cutoff) or a MkIII*? Volley sights? Lot's of factors involved.

[Homer]

NSW does indicate Australian service and coachwood stock with some lithgow marked parts would suggest a refurb. Is the metal finish parkerised? If it is a post war late 40's refurb, the butt should be marked R over MA and a date and serial numbers were not barred out and renumbered to my knowledge so the barred out number sounds like the MD number to me. This is very common. Also look for an FTR stamp on the action that would indicate a 50's refurb.

[smellie]

A 1908? For real?

The Mark III only went into production at the end of January, 1907, so a 1908 is a really early rifle when you consider quantities.

The Mark III* entered production slowly during the Great War, some plants shifting over as older components ran out. The process started late in 1915 and it was about the middle of 1916 that "factory" Mark III* rifles were being made. The difference involved the removal of the Volley Sights and Cutoff; a proper Mark III has both, a proper Mark III* has none... and there are "transition" rifles. It would be very interesting to see how this one has been done. Any chance for a photo?

ENTIRELY likely that it has been FTRd more than once but, to me, that just adds to the rifle. This one was no wallflower; she danced the whole night, got hauled in for repairs and was ready to do it all again. NICE thing is that the Aussies took good care of the SMLEs and still do; it was never officially obsoleted in Oz. Work will have been done by guys who knew what they were doing.

It's a tough call in some ways. The way prices are in this country right now, she would almost be worth buying just for spares. Your prices on spares are much lower than ours. I do know that if it walked in my front door, likely I would mortgage the cat or something. Important point: will the guy deal? "Three" is much easier to spell than "four", even if it has more letters.

Hope this helps in some way.

Good luck.
.

[newcastle]

Will check it out again tonight. Further posts to follow.

[newcastle]

Ok so I went down to the store at lunchtime. The number that's barred out is 18824, and underneath it there is a capital A on its side. It is a BSA No.1 MKIII dated 1908, lovely coachwood forend and handguards. no FTR markings, but it definitely has a new barrel as there is no serial on it. Barrel is marked HV SC behind the rear sight. sight blade isn't serialed but is MA stamped. Put a deposit down on it ot hold it for a week while i investigate further.

[5thBatt]

A 1908 BSA MkIII should have a U prefix serial number.

[newcastle]

It does have a U serial number - U3XXXX (not being super careful, I just can't remember the rest of it). What is the barred out number then?