+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: "SMT.LE" marked receiver

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    dirty doc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Last On
    09-14-2019 @ 10:33 PM
    Location
    Cashiers, NC
    Posts
    6
    Real Name
    Mark Zachary
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    01:21 PM

    Unhappy "SMT.LE" marked receiver

    Hi guys & gals, My first time on thread. I've had various Enfields, mostly Mk 4 all varients and a fine shooting Mk III. I just acquired a sporterized Lithgowicon Mk III and put back original wood. I've looked at scored of these over 40+ years of collecting and this is first I've seen with this marking. Instead of "SMLE", it is marked "SMT.LE". What does the "T." stand for in the stamping? Thanks, Doc
    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    Legacy Member 5thBatt's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Last On
    02-21-2024 @ 01:40 PM
    Location
    Zombie Town, now with a H
    Posts
    774
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    06:21 AM
    It is SHTLE for Short Lee Enfield, only Lithgow in Australiaicon ever marked the No1 as a SMLE (from 1926 on), Britishicon remained with SHTLE though entire production of the No1 (the No1 MkVI being the only exception) & Ishapore switched to the marking No1 Mk3 but unsure of date.

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #3
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    dirty doc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Last On
    09-14-2019 @ 10:33 PM
    Location
    Cashiers, NC
    Posts
    6
    Real Name
    Mark Zachary
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    01:21 PM
    Thread Starter
    MANY kudos for the quick, solid answer. I collect USGI WWII stuff and all the sidelines which go with it. LOVE the #4; Sold all but my "US PROPERTY". Don't like the "flip" sights. Need to find extra adj sight. Will it plug in or am I screwed? Thank you SO much for the info. Both my #3s are WWI vets w/ exc bores and BUTT ugly. Am mostly Garandicon, Carbine & 1911 nut. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

    ---------- Post added at 12:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:31 PM ----------

    i really HOPED THAT "T" stood for "Target." Dumarse Garand nuts!!!!!!!!!

  6. #4
    Legacy Member ActionYobbo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 10:52 PM
    Location
    Flippin Arky
    Posts
    417
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    01:21 PM
    how do you know that your #3's were in WW1. Vickers were not able to produce them quick enough so mostly they stayed at home unless they were converted for sniper use. in WW2 they were mostly issued to the home guard
    1ATSR 177AD & 4/3 RNSWR

  7. #5
    Advisory Panel Surpmil's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Last On
    @
    Location
    West side
    Posts
    4,651
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    10:21 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by Mr E View Post
    how do you know that your #3's were in WW1. Vickers were not able to produce them quick enough so mostly they stayed at home unless they were converted for sniper use. in WW2 they were mostly issued to the home guard
    I think dirty doc was probably referring to his SMLE's as "#3's", rather than the P14, aka No.3 MkI.
    “There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”

    Edward Bernays, 1928

    Much changes, much remains the same.

  8. #6
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    dirty doc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Last On
    09-14-2019 @ 10:33 PM
    Location
    Cashiers, NC
    Posts
    6
    Real Name
    Mark Zachary
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    01:21 PM
    Thread Starter

    No., #, Mk, 3,1, III??; CO;OR ME STUPIT

    Quote Originally Posted by Mr E View Post
    how do you know that your #3's were in WW1. Vickers were not able to produce them quick enough so mostly they stayed at home unless they were converted for sniper use. in WW2 they were mostly issued to the home guard
    tHE ONLY WAY TO TELL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN IGNORANCE ANS STUPIDITY IS THE BLISS PART After reading a book, I meant to say No.1, Mk III, which both are. My 1 hole, 5 shot group was with my 1917 Lithgowicon #1 Mk III. My OTHER one is a WWII date, like 1943 or 4. I did have the #4(?) like my U.S. made one /1,2,3,etc but sold all but one. I apologize if I offended Brits, Chits or English arms collectors. They, unlike my U.S. martial arms, are newish to me. FINE danged beasties. Love my Mk IIIs because they have both seen battle, buy shoot like NM rifles. Thanks for putting up with my....uh.....ignorance(?)...

    ---------- Post added at 10:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:03 PM ----------

    Actually, I collected bayonets for 20 years and have spent the last 50 years trying to match up my bayonets with each's rifle. THAT'S how I wound up with 5 #4s. THEN, I realized that 2 of my 1017 bayonets were Mk III bayonets.

  9. #7
    Legacy Member 22SqnRAE's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Last On
    09-27-2023 @ 11:49 PM
    Location
    Brisbane - the middle of right side of Oz
    Posts
    304
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    03:21 AM
    [/COLOR]I collected bayonets for 20 years and have spent the last 50 years trying to match up my bayonets with each's rifle. THAT'S how I wound up with 5 #4s. THEN, I realized that 2 of my 1017 bayonets were Mk III bayonets.[/QUOTE]

    Mark,

    Thanks for your query, it does help with knowledge sharing.

    I'll help you with one little piece of advice: Despite the United Statesicon' preference for that hash mark (#) it means nothing in the world of Britishicon Commonwealth Military equipment. Pedantic? Maybe. Correct? Quite.

    So the SHT.L.E (or Short Lee Enfield Rifleicon) became the Rifle, No 1 Mk III and the Mk III*

    The Pattern 14 became (post 1926 nomenclature) the Rifle, No 3 Mk 1 and the Mk 1*

    The next 'in service' rifle was the Rifle, No 4 Mk 1 The North American produced rifles were called the No 4 Mk 1* (both Canadianicon and US)

    The subtle, but important element of each of these naming conventions is the use of No and never #

    So while you're on a steep learning curve and diminishing your apparent 'ignorance' there's another little criticality that arms you with superior knowledge to the mob.

    Hope that is of interest to you and others.
    Trying to save Service history, one rifle at a time...

  10. #8
    Legacy Member Alan de Enfield's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Last On
    Today @ 12:25 PM
    Location
    Y Felinheli, Gogledd Cymru
    Posts
    2,526
    Real Name
    Alan De Enfield
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    05:21 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by dirty doc View Post
    Need to find extra adj sight.
    There are a number of sight options for both the No1 Mk3 and the No4 Mk1 / 1*
    that are just 'plug & play' and require no gunsmithing or drilling an tapping - they utilise existing screws


    For the No1 rifle the most popular tends to be the PH5A

    For the No4 rifle there are a number of choices from the PH4, PH5C, AJP8/53, AJP 4/47

    (PH = Parker Hale, AJP = AJ Parker)


    I have included a sight that is often sold as a No4 'target sight' but IT ISN'T and it requires modification to your rifle by drilling out holes. Be aware and do not buy it by mistake.

    Examples :
    Mine are not the best, but they are not too bad. I can think of lots of Enfields I'd rather have but instead of constantly striving for more, sometimes it's good to be satisfied with what one has...

  11. The Following 2 Members Say Thank You to Alan de Enfield For This Useful Post:


  12. #9
    Legacy Member army1882's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 02:02 PM
    Location
    Ontario
    Posts
    36
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    01:21 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by dirty doc View Post
    .... Need to find extra adj sight. Will it plug in or am I screwed? Thank you SO much for the info.
    You can replace the flip sight on your Savage No4Mk1 with a Mk1 sight without any problems. The Mk1 sight is the original micro adjustable rear sight for the No4. Check with eBay or Numrich for this item.

+ Reply to Thread

Similar Threads

  1. My "new" Springfield 1903, 1910 receiver and 1905 barrel...
    By AlabamaMilsurp4 in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 03-31-2017, 04:04 PM
  2. Trials "T" with a "T" stamp on underside of receiver
    By rayg in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 29
    Last Post: 10-07-2011, 02:12 PM
  3. IBM M1 Carbine "Bavaria Border Police" with "AO" receiver.
    By vitaminsea in forum M1/M2 Carbine
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 07-12-2011, 05:30 PM
  4. "X" marked P-14 receiver
    By Calfed in forum Pattern 1913/1914 and M1917 Rifles
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 06-09-2011, 02:25 PM
  5. Replies: 6
    Last Post: 11-21-2010, 08:25 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks