Osterr Gendarmerie No1 Mk3

[Dryzen]

Good morning everyone,
Recently traded for a Enfield no I mk III* . Date was 1917. Upon reception I am a little confused as to the Osterr Gendarmerie with the Austrian blazon marking. Its all matching 7114S virgin bronze buttstock marking disk. Barrel is HV marked at the sights.

I was wondering if anyone could give me information on this model. From a quick websearch, the Austrians gained some Enfields for policing after WWII. Would this enfield have served WWI then been sold or has it lost its heritage and was renumbered for foreign service?


-Dryzen

Information

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[jona]

Austrian Police. A number of SMLEs were given to the Austrian Police right after WW II. Most of the Austrian guns had been surrendered or confiscated at the end of the war, leaving the police with no guns, so the SMLEs were given to them to use until they got their own systems up and running.

[krinko]

"Would this enfield have served WWI then been sold or has it lost its heritage and was renumbered for foreign service?"

The rifles were not altered before assignment to the Gendarmerie, so nothing has been lost. Rather an addition has been made---like the battle bars added to the old British service medals.
-----krinko

[ArizonaBeagle]

I have one of these also, although it has been "bubbafied" somewhat;
e.g. a quarter mounted in the unit disc hole in the butt-stock and a cut down stock (1 piece).
Ironically it appears to have a somewhat slightly bent barrel and yet it shoots to the point of aim.

I plan on restoring it to it's original issue condition as an unusual and different variant.

AZB

[louthepou]

Dryzden came to my place with this rifle, it's a beautiful SMLE, number matching, in great shape. Lucky man