Lee Enfields: South African Modifications & Manufacture

[Terrylee]

Rob, for those familiar with the rebarrelled South African Magazine Lee Enfields (Long Lees), you ask a very relevant question!

Some time back the completely flat uncrowned muzzles on my SMLE B.S.A. replacement barrels also aroused my curiosity. I have three such rifles and these muzzles suggested to me that their barrels may have been shortened.

I consequently stripped down two of them to investigate. There is now no doubt in my mind that their B.S.A. commercial barrels were of original S.M.L.E. configuration and have never been shortened or altered in any way.

I also note that the replacement B.S.A. commercial barrels on my South African military MLEs have flat uncrowned muzzles. Was this a characteristic of B.S.A. commercials??

[Frederick303]

Just got what I think to be a SA rifle for virtually nothing.

Commercial BSA carbine action with a CLLE BSA long barrel mounted, special nickel steel marked.

of course the forend was shortened.

Buttstock converted to use SMLE buttplate, not SMLE as it has no safety cutout.

Have the SA 1937 inventory marks and the rear swivel is DOW marked.

Shame the bore is rough.

[englishman_ca]

I have seen commercial 'BALL BURNISHED' barrels that appear to have a perfectly flat muzzle with no crown. However, if the very edge of the bore is examined it will be seen to have a tiny chamfer which gives it a fine perfectly round circle of a crown, as opposed to a five sided polygon shape.

If a barrel has been cut and is left unfinished, the shape of the rifled bore at the muzzle is quite apparent.