The New Zealand CLLE Mk1 mystery

[Roy]

So i've managed to get another CLLE mk1 here in NZ, this one is 'range pattern' length but is matched all over including the rear sight.

From the three observed CLLE mkI with NZ provenance (two in my collection) all have a '15 over stamp on the action, and my matched one has a '15 on the barrel indicating a probable fitting and conversion in 1915. None have factory conversion stamps (eg ENFIELD 1910) But all have a BM on the action, and the matched one has BM on the knox form and bolt knob. There seems to be no proof what BM is, though BR according to Skennerton is Birmingham repair.
All examples are 'N' Navy marked as well as being Home Guard marked to Auckland, (1/HG) and Whangarei (3/HG)

The matched CLLE has an interesting charger bridge in the fact it extends below the level of the ejector screw, though i'm not sure what the standard CLLE was like as the one on my other CLLE appears to have been replaced as part of a prior restoration. The rear sight is graduated to 1800 yards

Does any one else have a CLLE mkI with the '15 and BM stamps but with no factory conversion mark? or did that whole batch end up in NZ perhaps aboard a ship transferred to the NZ Navy?

Regrettably the buttplate tang markings are scrubbed.

Any insights are appreciated.

Roy

CLLE MkI by Roy Kum | Photobucket

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