1917 SMLE III* Target Rifle

[Buccaneer]

This old war horse was obviously sold out of service when it came to the end of its army life only to be reborn as a very nice .303 target rifle. It retains its original metal work, the bolt, receiver and nose cap all match, but it has been fitted with a B.S.A. heavy target barrel and new woodwork. The work appears to have been done by "Fultons" as there name is stamped on the knoxform "Regulated by Fultons". It appears to have been bedded in some sort of laquer / resin that is still soft, you can push a finger nail into it. I have only removed the top wood as I did not wish to disturb the main bed. The nose cap has been relieved to ensure that there is not contact with the barrel itself. The 5A PH sight is in very good condition as is the rest of the rifle, the iris eyepiece has a variable appature and coloured filters but is only marked "Made in England" so I don't know who made it, but I am sure someone will...
The foresight cover is marked "ALFD PARKER" and carries a list number 100 the rearsight cover is marked "PARKER-HALE" with a list number 146Y it also carries the AGP triangle trade mark. The cover will not fit properly with the present iris / eyepiece so I guess it must have had one of the standard fixed flat eyepiece at one time.
All in all a very nice rifle and whilst not in "original" condition is a good example another branch of the "Enfield" family tree.

Information

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[superbee]

Nice rifle.
I have been trying to find a parker hale rear sight PH5 cover for years.Anybody know where to buy one?

[bigduke6]

Nice rifle.
I have been trying to find a parker hale rear sight PH5 cover for years.Anybody know where to buy one?

Ebay probably the best bet, I won a bid on a PH5 lower part (main body part) other week, so I can build one up from the bits I have, luckily it will do but need to take a small amount of meat off from the recess for the elevation screw.

An Austral rear sight went for a good price also last week, (I just need the mounting plate).

[Gingercat]

Very nice Buccaneer and even nicer to have a SSA 'peddled rifle' too.

I bought one similar to yours a couple years back and it shoots very well. Mine is based on a Lithgow receiver (the Australian proof marks are still there and the serial number would date it around 1914) and it has a standard barrel. I haven't taken the wood off for fear of ruining the bedding...

Does yours have a 'L' butt too? Being 6' tall, I find the long butt more comfortable.

Best wishes for Christmas


Mike

[Buccaneer]

Does yours have a 'L' butt too? Being 6' tall, I find the long butt more comfortable

I'm 6' 4'' and have gorilla like hands so I tend to use a slip on butt pad on most service rifles that I shoot so that the index finger on my right hand does not smack me in the mouth on recoil....

[Mk VII]

I've seen the rear cover several times over the years and bought and sold a few. It doesn't seem to have been as widely used as the front cover, which turns up frequently.

This one is on a Standard Small Arms receiver.

[A square 10]

very nice rifles , thank you for sharing them with all of us , i dont get to see these around here much ,

[Father Ted]

What a find.

[Simon P]

What I find interesting is the various bedding methods used on these rifle, have several at the moment, this is one I rebuilt a while back

[Simon P]

What I find interesting is the various bedding methods used on these rifle, have several at the moment, this is one I rebuilt a while back

Its definitely not a Military cross screw.

Notice the extra surface created forward of the magazine well, its built up with lead.

Its quite common on these type of Target rifles, have another by Fulton's and it is exactly the same.