SMLE Wire cutters

[Emb145]

Is a SMLE Wire cutters in good condition worth 500 USD , I looked at one at the Tulsa OK gun show
Carl

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.

[rayg]

If it's an original one, yes. They make repro's of them. Was it in decent condition and could you read the manufacture's markings? if so, $500 would be a good price as they are scarce in the US. Ray

[smle addict]

I second what rayg said. If they are original, that is a very good price. There are repros out there, and I read here on the forums they were made in Vietnam by a Belgium gentleman. I have not examined a set of repros, but I believe they were marked only on one side, and appeared to stamp-marked instead of roll-marked.

If you type in "repro smle wirecutters" or "smle wirecutters" in the search block, several pages come up with discussions on these.

Here are pics of mine: Bought these out of a private collection in 1992, paid very little for them. Had to clean the surface rust off, but the markings are clear, both sides.

best of luck!

[Roger Payne]

I know I'm the other side of the pond but the same applies over here too. Any original rifle wire cutters in decent condition are worth a lot as so few sets have survived. They were pretty useless (cutting one strand of wire at a time, when belts were many metres thick) so many of them probably ended up in the mud.

[gravityfan]

"stamp-marked instead of roll-marked"

For those of us inexperienced, how can you tell which is which?

[smle addict]

I know I'm gonna make a mess of this, so hopefully someone more experienced will give the proper explanation, but here goes:

For roll marking, the mark is "rolled" onto the part. It is an economical solution in applications where tonnage requirements make a press too costly. Also, its a practical method where fragile parts (such as sheet metal) would be damaged by stamping pressure. This method can be used on both flat and round parts.

Press method for flat/round surfaces (such as rifle receivers, bayonets, etc). This method uses tooling for either flat or round parts, pressing the stamps or die down with great force.

Generally, roll marks are not as deep, and the pressed marks are very deep. Apologies as I know I have some of the verbiage wrong. I'm hoping someone comes along and corrects my much simplified explanation.

Corrections are welcomed!

[Emb145]

Thanks for the information I hope I can buy them at the next show
The pair I saw looked much like the photos posted
Carl

[Peter Laidler]

ROLL MARKED. The letters or marking is etched or cut in reversed format on a spring loaded roller wheel. The wheel is pressed down hard onto the material and rolled across leaving a neat clean and tidy pressed-in format.
STAMPED. 1) Individual letters hand stamped into the work. Even the best craftsman will leave tell tale signs that the marking is hand stamped using individual letters/numbers. Usually the depth or unevenness of the line etc
STAMPED 2) Where the wording format is reverse etched onto a steel plate. Die Stamping Plate set into a stamping machine of fly press and brought down with a foot lever. Almost identical to a roll marked die

[rayg]

Here's my old post on my wire cutter with some photo's of others including some of Warren's, Also an ad for one for sale, don't know the date of the adRay
http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=38646

Add
.......https://www.ima-usa.com/products/ori...nt=26169032517

[Badger]

With thanks to ~Angel~ and warren, there was an interesting entry from 2007 about these rare wire cutters.

1917 No.1 MKII Wire Cutter for ShtLE Rifle (click here)

This MKL entry includes on-line videos demonstrating how the wire cutter works when mounted on an Enfield Rifle, as well as feedback from MILSURPS.COM member "warren", who describes its operation in detail.

Regards,
Doug