SMLE MkI Rifles upgraded prior to and during WW1

[Ridolpho]

As everyone knows, rapid evolution of ammunition, tactics, etc, after the turn of the century led to some interesting re-use/ upgrading of Lee Metfords, Lee Enfields and the early SMLE's. Here I show three MkI's upgraded before or during WW1. The lower rifle is a MkI***, originally built by BSA in '05. The upgrades (1912) render it usable with Mk VII ammo but leave the Mk I bolt head set up. This rifle has an excellent bore and everything matches. The middle rifle is an Ishapore upgrade/ salvage of an '05 Enfield MkI (mainly the action body) during 1915. The MkI**IP emulates the MkIII although this one doesn't have volley sights suggesting the matching forend was a later addition. The bolt doesn't match on this one but the bore is decent. The upper rifle is marked only as a MkIII built by RSAF Enfield in '16 but it is clearly based on a re-used Mk I body (as mentioned and illustrated by Stratton, pg 32). My rifle appears to have kept it's original barrel judging from proof marks (ie. Edward Rex) and you can see wear marks from the two different inner band positions on it. The bolt matches although I can't tell if it dates to the original MkI.

These conversions and upgrades are fascinating. Unfortunately, I don't see too many for sale up here. Anyone else have something interesting along these lines? Feel free to show it in this thread!

Ridolpho

Information

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[5thBatt]

Here's my 1916 ENFIELD MkIII made up on a BSA Mk1 body

[Peter Laidler]

Similar things but not probably to that extent ,on L1A1's. BSA bodies with Enfield barrels with Lithgow trigger mech housings

[RCS]

I have both a BSA 1904 and Enfield 1903 Mark 1** rifles. The Enfield 1903 was upgraded in 1914 and the BSA 1904 was upgraded in 1917. The BSA has almost all matching parts while the bolt is not matching on the Enfield. New barrels (IP) were installed and numbered to the action body during upgrade, bores are excellent.

Photos show the BSA 1904 Mark 1**Attachment 54854Attachment 54855Attachment 54856Attachment 54857Attachment 54858Attachment 54859

[Lance]

Sticking with the pre-1919 .303 theme. Here are two more .303 examples, a 1905 SMLE ConD II upgraded to a SMLE ConD II* in 1909, and a 1909 LSA SMLE Mk I* upgraded to a Mk I*** EY with relic condition grenade and holder. For the purists who notice I do have the rod for the grenade but it is too rusted up to fit in the bore for the pic.

[gsimmons]

Does the EY have a G prefix serial number, Lance?

[RCS]

From discussions years ago, it was determined that this COND 11* was build-up from a left over Mark 1 action body and not upgraded from an older rifle. Both the action body and barrel have the same serial number 6446 and the barrel is also dated '07 (exc bore) and without the SC or HV stamps and still chambered for the Mark V1 cartridge. The barleycorn front sight is original. The bolt is not matching and the buttstock has had the butt swivel bracket installed for the rear swivel. The early buttplate is interesting and has been aroundAttachment 54890Attachment 54889Attachment 54888Attachment 54891Attachment 54892

[Lance]

Rifle is re-numbered 231 from Z210, nose cap is G231, rear sight is renumberd to Z210, bolt is G221, mistake or mis-match??

[gsimmons]

Mines G538 from 8528X. The bolt is G233!

[RCS]

My Mark 1*** is serial number G 839 and so is the nosecap while the bolt is G 837

Note the faint trace of a wire wrap on the rear handguard ? was this converted back to a normal issue ? Action body is Enfield 1904 1***Attachment 54901


Note the G 839 is the third serial number