Mk I model 3* BSA 1916 markings

[Paintguy]

Hello guys, first post here . I'm not really much of a gun guy (yet), but I am a real history nut. I've just got my Canadian PAL license and I am now am now in proud posession of an old sporterized Lee-Enfield commanding a $100.00 purchase price and then a $50.00 checkout by a gunsmith to fix the headspace and then polish the bolt but it's now good to go and the action is sweet. I'll probably use the rifle as an inexpensive Deer rifle/plinker, but the markings on it (and there are a lot!) are fascinating to me and lead me to some furious googling.

I know that it's a SMLE Mk I model 3* manufactured at Birmingham Small Arms in 1916, later sporterized and exported in the 1960's. I can also see a lot of factory proof marks and government test marks that make sense to me, but also lot that do not.

I'm fascinated by the stories that this old rifle may be able to tell! A service rifle manufactured at the height of World War One, and yet still here and functional... I'd be grateful to get any insight the wisdom of the forum members here may have regarding it's markings and possible history.

Cheers,
Stephen

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Patrick Chadwick]

The action body, originally numbered 44271, has been fitted with a replacement barrel, numbered L 7026. This was an arsena/ordnance job, as the old number on the action has been lined out and the new number applied.

The bolt would also have been renumbered - if it was an arsenal job - but it simply bears a different number. So this is neither the original bolt matching the action or the barrel, nor was it arsenal fitted. The bolt was therefore added privately/commercially.

It looks like a typical commercial "sporterized" rifle. A clue is the ramp on the foresight. Take a close look (maybe provide a better photo?) and you are likely to find that the ramp is a piece of plate formed to fit around the original sight block (if you are lucky). These ramps appear to have been off-the-shelf conversion components. If this is the case, then you only have to remove it (it may be pinned or soldered in place) and fit a proper SMLE front end with nosecap to get it back into original configuration.

[Beerhunter]

I can also see a lot of factory proof marks and government test marks that make sense to me, but also lot that do not.

The arm holding a seax and the 18.5 tone marks are post 1954 Gunmakers Company (London) civilian Proof marks.

[Paintguy]

Thanks for the info guys, here's a couple more shots including the front sight.

[muffett.2008]

The barrel is full length, that's good, the tinplate cover can be removed to expose the original sightblock.
This would be an easy rifle to refurb.

[Roy]

The clear '17 is the date of the new barrel and it looks like the reciever has had some of inspection stamps well worn far more worn than the barrel. Perhaps the rifle was quite a mess when it reurned to the arsenal near the end of WW1. How is the barrel condition, do you intend to restore? Beware Enfields have the ability to multiply despite being asexual and fairly inanimate objects.

[Paintguy]

How is the barrel condition, do you intend to restore?

I'm told the barrel rifling is in good condition (it looks good to my inexperienced eye too, right to the muzzle). My intention is to shoot the rifle some and then maybe restore it a bit down the road when I can perhaps make a more educated approach to the project.

'17 is the date of the new barrel and it looks like the reciever has had some of inspection stamps well worn far more worn than the barrel. Perhaps the rifle was quite a mess when it reurned to the arsenal near the end of WW1

If only wood and steel could talk.