Skeletonized SMLE magazine

[Al Diehl]

On eBay there is a skeletonized magazine body for a SMLE. It looks like it was made that way on purpose. Maybe for a cut-away training rifle. Am I right or, did they make a version like this to be used with a shooting rifle?

Al

Information

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[Peter Laidler]

Definately not for a shooting rifle! The arch enemy of magazines are dirt and dust. Thew skeletonised magazines were usually made for the skeletonised shortie rifles. LIST engineering at Dagenham converted hundreds during the early 50's. Owned by Bert List, he worked with George Patchett to perfect the L34/Mk5 silenced gun

[Alan de Enfield]

These magazines were manufactured for the No5 rifle and intended for use in the 'Jungles', the locations of the cut-aways was carefully considered to maximise the flow rate of the water during the monsoon season and avoided the possibility of 'hydraulic lock' if the chamber became full of water.

Just joking.

"Skeletonised" Armourers Training Rifles' were manufactured by several companies (and apparently Apprentice armourers as well -Peter ?)
The 'official' Skeleton rifles were given SKN serial numbers,
When I bought one I was informed by the auctioneer that he had spoken to a number of Police forces and the - ones marked with the SKN number were not classed a section 1 firearms and did not need to be shown on your FAC.

A few years ago some "Urban Archeologists" (modern word for Vandals, they break into old industrial buildings and take souvenirs and photos to 'preserve for prosterity') They broke into the old (abandoned) Parker Hale factory and found dozens of these Skeleton rifles and other assorted fireams parts.

Here is a link to some of the photos they posted on their forum

Archived Report - Gun Factory Birmingham - May 2010

And another one

Archived Report - Parker Rifles The Gun Factory Birmingham 2010

[Peter Laidler]

I started reading your thread mouth and eyes agog AdeE!!!! The words that came out were '.....what the xxxk........' and then I saw the just joking post script. Did make me chuckle though!

Only LIST made the No4's and Brens - so far as I am aware as Bert List showed me their books. They also had loads of No4 barrel muzzle ends that they eventually put in for scrap several years ago. Obviously apprentices sectioned them too but probably not many in the great scheme of things. The Army only trained about 45 Apprentice Armourers a year

[Alan de Enfield]

I
Only LIST made the No4's and Brens - so far as I am aware as Bert List showed me their books.

PH appear to have manufactured "thousands" of skeletonised No4's (did you look at the pictures on the links?)

Inside the abandoned PH factory

Attachment 52861

Attachment 52862

Attachment 52863

And these were just some of the ones they 'walked away from' when they locked the doors.

[Peter Laidler]

Ah yes, they bought hundreds from the UK MoD but didn't actually convert any. List were the contractors. Likewise Westley Richards purchased loads of skn Brens (and live Brens too) for export but didn't actually skeletonise them

[5thBatt]

These magazines were manufactured for the No5 rifle and intended for use in the 'Jungles', the locations of the cut-aways was carefully considered to maximise the flow rate of the water during the monsoon season and avoided the possibility of 'hydraulic lock' if the chamiber became full of water.

That plus the chamber being cut out of round so leaving a channel at the bottom to allow the water to drain through to the mag & of course the poms being so forward thinking drilled a hole in the side of the receiver (often mistaken for a gas vent) to allow easy access to clear away any leaves or twigs that would build up & block the drainage system.

[muffett.2008]

.........any of this information on correct drainage, can be found on the Flat Earth Society website.

[Brit plumber]

That plus the chamber being cut out of round so leaving a channel at the bottom to allow the water to drain through to the mag & of course the poms being so forward thinking drilled a hole in the side of the receiver (often mistaken for a gas vent) to allow easy access to clear away any leaves or twigs that would build up & block the drainage system.

Is that why L59 has DP on it? 'Drain Point'. I'll take it down the range in the rain and let you know how I get on.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

PH appear to have manufactured "thousands" of skeletonised No4's (did you look at the pictures on the links?)

Inside the abandoned PH factory

And these were just some of the ones they 'walked away from' when they locked the doors.

Do you have a date for the photos? Kind of makes my heart ache.