+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: MkIII peened windage slide and bolt serial number

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Legacy Member BBBQ's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2018
    Last On
    02-04-2023 @ 09:18 AM
    Location
    Saskatoon
    Posts
    5
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    04:57 AM

    MkIII peened windage slide and bolt serial number

    Hi all, it's my first post of milsurps.com!

    I'm working on restoring a MkIII and have a question about features and bolt markings.

    My rear sight windage slide is peened so that it can't move side to side more than 0.5 - 1 mm. The mechanism on the back would work if not for the peening. I've post a photo here,
    Ross - Google Photos

    I've also seen another members rifle posted in this forum that has this feature,
    https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=57218

    From what I understand this was not an official change to the rifle... but there is more than one that has had this done. So I was curious to know if anyone know who did this work?

    Also, the back of my bolt has a stamped combination of three numbers on top of two letters, the same as shown in photos of another members rifle posted in this forum,
    https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=57218

    From what I understand there should be no stamped numbers/letters here from the factory. I was curious to know if anyone know who did this work? Maybe it's related to question 1. I've poked around using the search function for answers to these questions and so far have not come up with anything. Thanks all.
    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
    Contributing Member boltaction's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Last On
    10-02-2023 @ 12:21 PM
    Location
    BC Interior
    Posts
    642
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    03:57 AM
    Good morning:
    I am not familiar with the peening but have to admit I haven't looked closely at my various Mk III to see if they have it or not. It may well have been something done in the field to prevent inadvertent movement--I do know on one of my early production Mk IIIs the windage can move with vibration. It may just have been done to keep the average soldier from p-ing around with it too once the rifle was sighted for standard ammunition.

    You are correct that the bolts were not stamped by the RRCo. However, many Mk III rifles ended up in Britishicon hands in exchange for the SMLE's, and the British issued them to the Royal Navy Marines--stamping such as PH for Priddy's Hard, CRB for Crombie, PLY for Plymouth spring to mind and those are often found on the bolts. Some of those rifles ended up on HMS Canadaicon which went to Chileicon and those rifles acquired DA numbers on the bolt and receiver. Still others went to Lithuania where they largely were swallowed up in the following years. Quite a few went to India where they acquired VERY long serial or armoury numbers stamped on the top of the receiver and I have seen bolts stamped. So, I would bet your two letter bolt stamping is a Royal Marine stamp. Depends what it is.

    Ed

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #3
    Advisory Panel Surpmil's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Last On
    @
    Location
    West side
    Posts
    4,651
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    03:57 AM
    The peening or rather center-punching of the backsight windage adjustment was U.K. standard I believe. Sort of a "if everyone can't have it, no one can have it" sort of thing. The argument being that "the men aren't trained to use that etc." and of course neither were the NCO's trained to teach it. Which was true, but you'd think the average soldier could be trained and trusted to periodically check that the lines lined up, and adjust the little screw accordingly if not; but no...
    “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.

  6. #4
    Legacy Member BBBQ's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2018
    Last On
    02-04-2023 @ 09:18 AM
    Location
    Saskatoon
    Posts
    5
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    04:57 AM
    Thread Starter
    Hi, I've uploaded some photos to this website for future reference.

    My restoration is pretty much complete! The bayonet band and its screw are reproductions from altadiver. After some sanding, cold blue and steel wool, it looks just right. It's a great product. The stock is black walnut off a duplicator from Alberta Gun Stocks, another great product, which I finished myself. It took quite awhile to get the fit just right. The finish is an espresso gel stain followed by 2 coats Minwax Tung Oil. I used 0000 steel wool after each coat to get the look of BLOicon.

    Every other part is original to the rifle including the handguard. It has the later 0.043" thick wall mag, large bolt stop, E mark on barrel above the chamber, last revision of the extractor cut on the bolt head, bolt sleeve has the rivet, and late version of the buttplate door. So seems like its a later production, but the original stock was heavily sporterized so no idea about the serial number and year of manufacture.

    Thanks for the info about UKicon service gents. Yes it must have been in UK service at some point, as it has Birmingham proof marks, crown-over-BM, on the barrel, receiver ring, bolt head and bolt sleeve. There is no "Not english made" stamp anywhere.

    Also there are no PH, CRB, PLY markings... however along with the 3 numbers over 2 letter marking on the back of the bolt handle, there is also a large two letter mark "TZ" on the front of the bolt handle. Has this one been seen before? Cheers

  7. Thank You to BBBQ For This Useful Post:


  8. #5
    Legacy Member BBBQ's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2018
    Last On
    02-04-2023 @ 09:18 AM
    Location
    Saskatoon
    Posts
    5
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    04:57 AM
    Thread Starter
    On second look the T in the TZ mark on the front of the bolt handle is more like an I. So it's really IZ, or ZI. Still don't know what it might mean, or how common this is.

    Here's something related to the center punching of the rear sight from Page 50 of the Ross Rifle Story,
    "About this time, Ross suggested discarding the windgauge of his screw elevating rear sight. The idea was considered and dropped as was his request to have the sight replaced by the new Britishicon War Office pattern made up for the 100,000 Mark III B Rosses Britain had ordered September 15, 1914."

+ Reply to Thread

Similar Threads

  1. Dating Enfield SMLE Bolt by Serial Number
    By 68rs327 in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 04-09-2016, 07:12 PM
  2. LB No4 MkI* Bolt Serial Number
    By Banjo1928 in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 02-17-2015, 05:09 AM
  3. SMLE bolt & nosecap serial number stamping
    By gc1054 in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 02-19-2014, 04:35 AM
  4. found early NS bolt with serial number
    By RCS in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 01-03-2012, 01:12 PM
  5. serial number on bolt
    By Randy A in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 22
    Last Post: 09-28-2009, 11:47 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