Early Manufacture?

[musketjon]

I have a No I Mk III* that was given to me several years ago. It is a 1916 BSA with the s/n 6262, no prefix. Would this rifle be considered an early production rifle?
Thanks
Jon

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[P246]

Not sure what your asking but I'll say this. The Mk III* came into being in 1916 so if that's the angle your looking at then yes. Not everyone spun over from MkIII to Mk III* on a specific date but the Brits moved over as quickly as feasible. If your looking at SMLEs in general than I would not consider a 1916 rifle to be early.

[musketjon]

Thanks P264. I guess what I'm trying to ascertain is, is it an early production No I Mk III* model? I know it was preceeded by the Mk III. What I'm trying to get at is this: using Stratton's book for parts ID. He'll say "........on Mk III and early Mk III*.................". Does that make sense to what I'm asking? Should it have the rounded cocking knob? The trigger guard/housing has the swivel boss in front of the trigger guard and is cut for the little piece riveted to the magazine. Would/could that piece be correct or does it need to be replaced? It's been rebuilt at least once. The upper wood is English walnut and has the proper British stamps but the fore end and butt stock are either Australian Coachwood or Queensland maple.
Thanks
Jon

[P246]

In my opinion any first year production ((1916 British manufactured) MK III* would be considered early production. Keep in mind many were rearsenaled and lost many or some of their original parts. Is yours still in full wood or did it get sporterized. Pics are always welcome.

---------- Post added at 08:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:33 PM ----------

Ah thanks for the pics, how bout an overall of that old girl

[SpikeDD]

The Mk III* was being produced by both BSA and Enfield in late 1915. They are the only arsenals that produced both the Mk.III and Mk.III* in that year. What I would consider one of the more difficult rifles to find is a 1916 Mk.III...no *

[musketjon]

As requested:

[Brit plumber]

I have a BSA & Co Mk3* with cutoff slot from 1917, from what I have observed, BSA were knocking out Mk3* guns with and without the cut off slot upto that year. What I need to check is if it's marked as MkIII or MkIII*. What ever it's marked as, I'm sure it left the factory as a MkIII*.

[Roger Payne]

Many of the Mk3 & 3* rifles being sold in the UK over the last few years are from ex Naval stores & were provided to the Italian Navy, prior to being surplussed. The RN seemed to dislike the absence of the mag cut-off on the Mk3* & retro-modified its rifles back to Mk3 in the inter-war period. I have several 'Mk3' rifles with cut-offs that date from 1917 & 1918. Of course they left the factory as 3*'s but were subsequently modified back, with the '*' on the butt socket being barred out. Most of them also bear a 'N' Naval property stamp on the L side of the butt socket near the safety.

[Eaglelord17]

I seem to recall reading the initial intent was to post-WWI return the rifles back to No. 1 Mk. 3 standard. After WWI they restarted production of No. 1 Mk. 3s just without the volley sights.

[browningautorifle]

Did I read correctly? Is the rifle an English rifle and have Australian wood? That would make it at least a rebuild if not a put together later. I'd just leave it alone for now. You can't increase the value by cobbling together an "Original"...