No.1 Mk.3* 1952 FTR

[jmoore]

Looking at an SMLE of 1916 vintage that went through FTR in 1952. New Enfield fore end, Canadian No.4 buttstock, and looks like South African property mark on the front of the rear handguard (but Enfield marked underneath).

Suncorite finish(I think). Renumbered throughout to match, except the barrel and rear sight.

Odd duck. Interesting, though. No camera right now, sorry!

Information

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[jmoore]

According to Skinnerton, the No.1 rifle was declared obsolete in 1947, but "reinstated" in 1956. So why the effort to rebuild and install "new" wood in '52? It also has the post war "ENGLAND" export stamp, and aside from the small "U" w/ broadarrow on the front scallop of the rear handguard, no signs of commonwealth issuance.

[Edward Horton]

Mr. jmoore

I have a 1916 No.1 that went through FTR in 1953 and is in mint condition, the only thing original is the receiver and all the rest of the parts are new.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but it is my understanding that this No.1 FTR program was just "busy work" to use up the remaining inventory of No.1 parts and sell off on the open market.

Note: Raw linseed oil was used to finish the 1953 FTR (hot dipped) The shiny butt is a original untouched South African marked Mk.2 with BLO, and was center bedded by the South Africans for competition shooting.

[Beerhunter]

Cadets (CCF) had them to my certain knowledge because my school was mostly 'armed' with No1s until the early sixties when we got No4s.

Additionally, I would say that the U broad arrow means that it was in South Africa who probably did not declare No1s obsolete until a long time after the UK did.

[jmoore]

If the receiver or any other parts were South African marked, that would be fine. It looke primarily of English origin, though, including some inspector marks on the barrel that seem to be mostly found on 1950's rebuilds. (79GA bisected by a broadarrow in this case.)

Cadet use seems likely, I thought there was some reference in previous threads, but no joy finding anything yet.

All the wood seems quite newish, similar in colour and grain to the blonde No.4 Mk.2s, but turning darker now.

[Beerhunter]

If the receiver or any other parts were South African marked, that would be fine.

I have an SMLE that has been to South African and is only SA marked in the place that your rifle is. All other markings are UK type.

As to cadet use, I can assure you that even though you were unable to find reverences here, I did not make it up. If you need more information on how long SMLEs were in use by UK Cadet Forces (and therefore maintained) you may want to search on "The last Lee Enfield" - the L59A2.

Personally, I can't see anything particularly usual or odd about your rifle.

[bradtx]

jmoore, Sometimes we have to pigeon hole our rifles into the 'OTHERS' box. Often FTRs are made with serviceable preused small parts. The cadet service pigeon hole seems the likely place for yours.

Brad

PS Just recalled reading that some schools had their own ad hoc armourers, just to muddle things further.

[jmoore]

Mr Horton's rifle is pretty dadgummed close in appearance to this one. I like it!

It shows that they still had a place (however minor) in the service after all those years. (And not just with all those "wild colonials".)