SMLE with modified Butt

[Buccaneer]

This 1917 dated SMLE MkIII* is a recent purchase and is in very good condition except that it had been varnished, now removed. The 5A sight was already fitted and apart from that it appeared to be a standard rifle until I removed the butt plate and saw the considerable modifications done to the inside.
I weighed the butt and it came in at 13.7oz (387g) as opposed to another albeit beech butt of the same length which weighed 22.2oz (629g). This amount of weight loss would alter the C of G considerably, I can only assume to make the front heavier and more stable for target shooting? The work looks very professional almost done at manufacture, has anyone else seen this kind of modification before?

Information

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[Roy]

Mk1 SMLE's have those four lightening holes IIRC. does it have a standard MkIII sling swivel?

[Buccaneer]

Mk1 SMLE's have those four lightening holes IIRC. does it have a standard MkIII sling swivel?

Yes the rifle is standard, it's just that I have not spotted the lightening holes before. Thanks

[stevesmle]

SMLE Mk I, I* & III all had the lightening holes bored in the butts, Long Lee butts had the holes bored on conversion to SMLE Mk II, II* & IV. The lightening holes were ommited mid WW1 to speed manufacture. This butt is from a SMLE Mk I upgraded to Mk I*, and later fitted to your Mk III*.