+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 15

Thread: Some Exciting SMLE Stuff :D

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Legacy Member nijalninja's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Last On
    10-09-2020 @ 07:24 PM
    Location
    Australia
    Age
    25
    Posts
    361
    Local Date
    03-30-2024
    Local Time
    12:21 AM

    Some Exciting SMLE Stuff :D

    So I am feeling pretty privileged and excited right now (perhaps showing my youth and lack of time around Enfields) after recieving some old SMLE parts from a family friend who didn't have a use for them.

    I am 100% sure that these parts all belonged to the same action prior to them coming into my posession, and that they made up a mildly accurised target rifle!

    So first thing I noticed is that the barrel is a Heavy 'H' barrel, dated '51. There are lithgow markings around the knox, but also there is what looks like a Britishicon marking with the Crown over a number or something (I forgot to get pictures of this). Is it normal for these Australianicon barrels to be marked with the crown, or would that mean that the rifle this barrel belonged to was serviced or something in Britain? That aside this barrel had an empty shell stuck in one end and some dirt about halfway down. I was quite optimistic knowing the abuse that enfield barrels can take, but after a run with a bronze brush and maybe 4 patches it came out strikingly clean and sharp. Like, it looks brand new: Lands' are still sharp, rifling is not even slightly rounded, no pitting, no marks, and a tight crown. Honestly looks like it has never fired a round in its life.
    Attachment 90113Attachment 90114

    Second thing I noticed was some cork packing in the front hand-guard forward from the mid-band. The fore-end is untouched, but has a little 'H' stamp in one of the floating points, and the barrel fits in this fore-end nicely, so I say it is a genuine issued 'H' fore-end rather than a hacked out normal profile stock. However there is no spring in the nose-cap, which may have just gotten lost at some point in storage, or could it possibly have been done away with when the cork packing was added? Perhaps to utilise only down-pressure rather than up-pressure? Nose-cap barrel hole has also been opened up generously. So maybe floated barrel with down pressure from the hand-guard or something?
    Attachment 90115

    On the fore-end there is also a nice collection of markings and even what looks like a Serial No. and some other stuff, like a 'B', '2' under an arrow, 'F', and maybe an 'M'. Serial looks like 26958 (Wood is quite dry and the stamps have shrunken so pics don't show much). The fore-end receiver bed looks pretty shiny in the forward half; any chance someone might have bedded this the traditional way?
    Attachment 90116Attachment 90117Attachment 90118

    Finally and most exciting to me is the Butt-stock: When I first saw this part I noticed the back end which has been extensively drilled out. I believed it was to be filled with lead shot to help with recoil and balance the rifle backwards (Good idea with a heavy barrel I suppose), but I mean this is pretty damn extensive, and neat. My next thought was that it might be a No5 butt-stock since they tried to lighten the rifles as much as possible (I've never seen a No5 stock before but it makes sense to me). The butt-stock also has a nice collection of markings: '11.55' (FTR date?), '2/47' (back to stores?), 'N.S.W' (Self explanatory), 'III' (MkIII), 'HV' (Ammo), 'M.A - LITHGOW - S.M.L.E', 'R', 'MA', and the interesting ones: 'S.GERR' or 'S!GERR' or 'STGERR' (Initials or something?), '5504' (no idea), 'L709' or '1709' (no idea), and finally a very swollen vein running through what looks like two inward facing arrows and an '83' (Its easier to see in person). I've never seen so many markings. The brass id plate is blank on the outside except for some scratches, but underneath is a star opening from the screw hole, and a little 'F1-91', and one other little mark that I can't make out yet. The butt also has a little gouge on the LHS which I recognise as from the screw on a set of aperture sights protruding through the wrist, and also it seems that the Butt-bolt has been cut flat, which would make sense except that the fore-end still has the steel insert to stop the screw bolt rotating. Now I remember seeing that the No5's had a cut down bolt here if I am not mistaken, couple that with the cutting out the back and I was really leaning towards the No5 theory. UNTIL, I decided to measure the butt, at which point I realised it was longer than my other butts: One of the elusive Long butt-stocks for someone of a similar build to myself. So I was confused: Why would a No5 be a available with an 'L' butt-stock if they were made in such low numbers and for the only purpose of being light, which a long stock would somewhat defeat.
    Attachment 90119Attachment 90120Attachment 90121Attachment 90122Attachment 90123Attachment 90124

    The conclusion I arrived at is that someone looked around and found this butt-stock, then coupled it with their brand new 'H' barrel, got started on some accurising techniques, then either gave up or ran into trouble and let it all go. Like I said it may be my age showing that this has me so excited but I am truly shaken by recieving these things, and I apologise for the long post but I figured some of you may feel some excitement about all of this too.
    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. Thank You to nijalninja For This Useful Post:


  3. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Age
    2010
    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.
     

  4. #2
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Today @ 09:31 AM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,839
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    07:21 AM
    If you take a look at a #5 butt through the magic of the internet you'll never again mistake anything else for one. They're vastly different from that one. I don't think it was lead filled though. Just the opposite, deliberately lightened... We have a wealth of Lee Enfield shooters from Australiaicon on board and they will be definitive for you. Some shoot this very thing...
    Regards, Jim

  5. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  6. #3
    Advisory Panel green's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Last On
    12-22-2023 @ 08:18 PM
    Posts
    445
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    09:21 AM
    The butt stock is an early SMLE type with the lightening holes. The holes were deleted about the time of the introduction of the SMLE III*.

  7. Thank You to green For This Useful Post:


  8. #4
    Legacy Member nijalninja's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Last On
    10-09-2020 @ 07:24 PM
    Location
    Australia
    Age
    25
    Posts
    361
    Local Date
    03-30-2024
    Local Time
    12:21 AM
    Thread Starter
    BAR, I had a quick look for butt-stock images but never saw anything definitive, but I'll take your word. Not sure why someone would deliberately lighten a target rifle.

    green, thanks for the heads up. Never seen one before.

    I also forgot to add the picture of the length of the butt:Attachment 90137

  9. #5
    Legacy Member Maxwell Smart's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Last On
    03-03-2024 @ 07:37 AM
    Location
    Queensland, Australia
    Posts
    411
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    09:21 AM
    The lightening holes in the butt were done at the factory for lightening purposes; not for full bore range modifications.

    The proof mark as described is correct for Lithgowicon.

  10. #6
    Legacy Member nijalninja's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Last On
    10-09-2020 @ 07:24 PM
    Location
    Australia
    Age
    25
    Posts
    361
    Local Date
    03-30-2024
    Local Time
    12:21 AM
    Thread Starter
    Cheers Maxwell. Much appreciated.

  11. #7
    Legacy Member henry r's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Last On
    09-20-2021 @ 07:13 AM
    Location
    northern tablelands nsw Australia
    Posts
    633
    Real Name
    henry.
    Local Date
    03-30-2024
    Local Time
    01:21 AM
    If you search jungle carbine butt stock (aka no5) you will see the difference. Unless you mean a Lithgowicon No6 which is a totally different beastie.

    Btw i think the marking in the bottom corner is 1/09 whick is an acceptence marking for january 1909.

    The long set of initials could be a unit marking. Note it is in the same font as the "NSW" marking.

    Edit poss 36 battalion "St Georges English Rifle Regiment".
    Last edited by henry r; 01-19-2018 at 09:47 PM.

  12. #8
    Legacy Member nijalninja's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Last On
    10-09-2020 @ 07:24 PM
    Location
    Australia
    Age
    25
    Posts
    361
    Local Date
    03-30-2024
    Local Time
    12:21 AM
    Thread Starter
    henry, thank you, also I believe you may be correct with the 1/09, and it would make sense. English Rifle Regiment sounds interesting. I'll have to take a look and see what I can find about them. If this has markings from 1909 all the way until 1955 (FTR) then this butt-stock saw a lot of work with the rifle it belonged to.

  13. #9
    Legacy Member Maxwell Smart's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Last On
    03-03-2024 @ 07:37 AM
    Location
    Queensland, Australia
    Posts
    411
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    09:21 AM
    36th Battalion sounds very feasible.

  14. #10
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Today @ 09:31 AM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,839
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    07:21 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by nijalninja View Post
    BAR, I had a quick look for butt-stock images but never saw anything definitive
    I asked google for #5 buttstocks and came up with definitive...
    Regards, Jim

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. New stuff
    By husk in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: 10-26-2015, 03:36 AM
  2. Does anyone know what this stuff is?
    By Badger in forum Ammunition and Reloading for Old Milsurps
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 02-17-2012, 06:37 PM
  3. what is this stuff
    By duggaboy in forum Ammunition and Reloading for Old Milsurps
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 08-01-2009, 12:00 AM
  4. Getting Used to Stuff
    By val4navy in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 03-02-2009, 11:27 AM
  5. Not a rifle but exciting just the same.
    By scrmblerkari in forum Book and Video Review Corner
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 02-03-2009, 05:09 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