English manufactured SMLE end dates

[BEAR]

Gentlemen,
When did the English production of SMLE MkIIIs end (1943?) and is it possible to have a 1944 stamped English SMLE MkIII? Manufacturer is unknown at this point.
TIA

BEAR

Information

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[Hank Stone]

Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Mk III

Magazine Cut-Off on an SMLE Mk III rifle—this feature was deleted on the Mk III* rifle.The iconic Lee-Enfield rifle, the SMLE Mk III, was introduced on 26 January 1907,[7] along with a Pattern 1907 (P'07) Sword Bayonet and featured a simplified rear sight arrangement and a fixed, rather than a bolt-head-mounted sliding, charger guide. The design of the handguards and the magazine were also improved, and the chamber was adapted to fire the new Mk VII High Velocity spitzer .303 ammunition. Many early model rifles, of Magazine Lee Enfield (MLE), Magazine Lee Metford (MLM), and SMLE type, were upgraded to the Mk III standard. These are designated Mk IV Cond., with various asterisks denoting subtypes.[19]

During the First World War, the standard SMLE Mk III was found to be too complicated to manufacture (an SMLE Mk III rifle cost the British Government £3/15/-)[20], and demand was outstripping supply, so in late 1915 the Mk III* was introduced,[19] which incorporated several changes, the most prominent of which were the deletion of the magazine cut-off,[17] and the long range volley sights.[21] The windage adjustment capability of the rear sight was also dispensed with, and the cocking piece was changed from a round knob to a serrated slab.[21] Rifles with some or all of these features present are found, as the changes were implemented at different times in different factories and as stocks of preexisting parts were used.[22] The magazine cut-off was reinstated after the First World War ended,[21] and not entirely dispensed with until 1942.

The inability of the principal manufacturers (RSAF Enfield, Birmingham Small Arms, and London Small Arms) to meet military production demands led to the development of the "peddled scheme", which contracted out the production of whole rifles and rifle components to several shell companies.[23]

The SMLE Mk III* (redesignated Rifle No.1 Mk III* in 1926) saw extensive service throughout the Second World War as well, especially in the North African, Italian, Pacific and Burmese theatres in the hands of British and Commonwealth forces. Australia and India retained and manufactured the SMLE Mk III* as their standard-issue rifle during the conflict[24], and the rifle remained in Australian military service through the Korean War, until it was replaced by the L1A1 SLR in the late 1950s. The Lithgow Small Arms Factory finally ceased production of the SMLE Mk III* in 1953.[19]

[Amatikulu]

To the best of my knowledge, the last "English" made No.1 rifles were produced (Dispersal Rifles)at Birmingham Small Arms in 1944. There were refurbishment programs that went on into the early 1950's.

[BEAR]

Thank you for your responses.
BEAR

[krinko]

To add to what Amatikulu said---the 1944 marked Dispersal rifles I have seen----three in person and three in photos---all seem to have been RE-manufactured rifles.
That is, new Dispersal program markings added to partly scrubbed receivers and salvaged barrels renumbered to match.
The wood has been new WW2 Beech---on three of the rifles, salvaged walnut on one, a 1953 FTR set on another and the last one unknown.

If you have one of the '44s please try to post photos here, if you can.
-----krinko

[BEAR]

BINGO!
Thank you Krinko,
The rifle markings you show in your photo are a carbon copy of the rifle I just purchased today (sans white marks of course). Pictures will have to follow next week since my wife absconded to Ft. Jackson, SC with my camera to attend my son's graduation from Basic Training.
The stock has seen better days but is still seviceable. It is walnut with 4 diagonal repairs on the upper hand guard.
The serial number is 8101J. Same number is on the nose cap, bottom of magazine and back of bolt handle, although the "J" only appears on the receiver. All the metal seems to have an excellent finish except the magazine and that seems a little worn.
The brass buttplate is also worn and the stock is missing the idenity disc and screw.
This rifle is intended as gift for my son for completing his basic military training. He already owns a No.4, Mk1.
Thanks again to all.

BEAR

[Capt Quahog]

In a forum discussion over on the old Jouster Board some time ago, somebody mentioned having a Dispersal Rifle dated 1945. I have one with what looks to be a 1943 date, but it might be 1945? The number could be either a "3" or a"5"! Since these Dispersal rifles in general have such crude lettering, it's hard to sometimes discern the actual date stamped.