Where are the 1914 SMLEs?

[sledge]

I have a 1918 SMLE that is a joy to shoot and forms part of a nice little WW1 collection I have. (model 1910 Mk.IIIb Ross, 1914 Mosin 91', M1917 1918 dated - trying to get an example of every service rifle of the great war). I have been keeping an eye out for an earlier SMLE. Preferably 1914. They just do not seem to exist. Almost every WW1 SMLE I see that goes up for sale is 1918 dated, with a handful before, but nothing in 1914.
Are they that rare? That expensive? Or was something done to the 1914 dated rifles that have made them scarce to the point of giving up my search?
Your thoughts, opinions, and knowledge always appreciated.

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[Bruce_in_Oz]

"Or was something done to the 1914 dated rifles "

I'd hazard a guess that a fair percentage of 1914 Brit. rifles ended up encased in French or Belgian mud. More than a few joined Lithgow jobs of similar vintage and ended their days on an obscure Turkish peninsula.

[Homer]

I've got one.

[sledge]

Nice one Homer - that's the kind of rifle that has been on my wish list for some time. Hopefully Santa recognizes one year what a good boy I have been.

[bigduke6]

Almost every WW1 SMLE I see that goes up for sale is 1918 dated, with a handful before, but nothing in 1914.

As Bruce says a lot still there in France and Belgium, but also as the war was thought to last only till christmas then production was not that a great issue, but come 1915 demand outstripped suppy, hence the No1 Mk111*, even then with the new battalions being formed, not only rifles but uniforms were in short supply, and many men started there initial training in civvies.

[Charlie]

Eight years ago I sold a very nice 1914 LSA. Regret it to this day and have never seen another like it.

[Gingercat]

I have a 1914 dated Enfield manufactured SMLE, which is probably my favourite in my small collection. It is all matching and retains its volley sights, with no evidence of a FTR in its life.

Given that WW1 didn't start until August 1914, production at the various factories was never geared up in the first year. Ian Skennerton's 'The Lee Enfield' (2007 edition) reports production figures for Enfield in 1914 of 51,576 rifles, compared to 640,113 at their peak in 1917 (1917 figures also include 'peddled rifles' assembled at Enfield).

Again, quoting Ian Skennerton's research - Total UK production in 1914 was 120,093 rifles, compared to 1,205,572 rifles at maximum production during 1917. This accounts for the rather more common 1917 and 1918 dated rifles we see around.

[lngstrt]

The second Enfield I bought, in 2007(?) is a 1914 BSA. It is EY marked. Still has it's cut-off.





$150 from Century. Haven't seen a 1914 at any gun shows since. I need a 1915.

1914 BSA
1916 Enfield (FF)
1917 Lithgow
1918 SSA
1918 BSA

[Beerhunter]

In 1914 the British Army was a small professional force; it did not need large number of rifles. Only the advent of large scale warfare that was the Great War caused its expansion to the several million strong arm that it became drove the need for SMLEs in large numbers. Thus the more common latter dated rifles.

[Tatanka]

And 4 years of trench warfare tends to wear out any equipment.