+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: SMLE Mark I

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Legacy Member Giove's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Last On
    Today @ 06:52 AM
    Location
    Italy
    Posts
    255
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    01:07 PM

    SMLE Mark I

    Here we have a SMLE Mark I (not mine), make by BSA for the civil market.
    It has some features of the Mark I*. It was downgraded, at a certain date, to D.P.
    It has a strange butt disk.

    What do you think?

    Thanks.
    Giancarlo
    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 Giove For This Useful Post:


  3. # 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.
     

  4. #2
    Legacy Member Strangely Brown's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    Today @ 06:03 AM
    Location
    Wiltshire UK
    Age
    72
    Posts
    551
    Real Name
    Mick Kelly
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    12:07 PM
    The butt disc is simply the owners name and his location in southern Englandicon (not far from Bisley).
    Mick

  5. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  6. #3
    Legacy Member superbee's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Last On
    03-21-2024 @ 11:00 AM
    Location
    Newfoundland,Canada
    Posts
    325
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    09:37 AM
    Super rare piece.That is only the 4th SMLE MK I commercial rifle I seen in 30 years!

  7. #4
    Contributing Member 303 Gunner's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 11:20 PM
    Location
    Maine, United States
    Age
    34
    Posts
    181
    Real Name
    Joshua
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    08:07 AM
    Gorgeous and rare rifle! Thanks for posting it. I wonder how, as a civilian rifle, it came about it’s DP marking?

  8. #5
    Legacy Member Brit plumber's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Last On
    03-25-2024 @ 02:00 PM
    Posts
    1,807
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    01:07 PM
    It could have been donated/taken in to service in an emergency (WW1, Post Dunkirk etc.) or perhaps it was a commercial sale to foreign military who follow Britishicon practices.

    I suppose it could also have been a private purchase by a wealthy commanding officer. I can’t think of an example off the top of my head but I mean something along the lines of a Lord setting up his own battalion and buying equipment privately. I’m sure I read this happened at the start of WW1.

  9. #6
    Legacy Member Giove's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Last On
    Today @ 06:52 AM
    Location
    Italy
    Posts
    255
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    01:07 PM
    Thread Starter
    Thank you all.

    Yes, I also thought of a "volunteer" rifle.

  10. #7
    Advisory Panel
    Jc5's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Last On
    02-23-2024 @ 12:54 PM
    Location
    West Coast, USA
    Posts
    203
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    07:07 AM
    Wow---super rare commercial MkI.

    I'm going to guess that this was originally sold to private owner sometime around 1906 to 1910 (after getting proved at the Birmingham Proof House), and then at some stage it was donated or drafted into government service (probably 1914-15), and then later downgraded to DP and officially Sold Out of Service back into private hands.

    Do you know the owner? I would like to arrange for some hi-res photos of this rifle to use in the Lee Speed book. I don't have a good example of one like this. Thanks!
    .
    .
    Researching Lee Speeds and all commercial Lee Enfields. If you have data to share or questions, please send me a PM.

  11. #8
    Legacy Member Giove's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Last On
    Today @ 06:52 AM
    Location
    Italy
    Posts
    255
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    01:07 PM
    Thread Starter
    jc5icon, I should go to see the rifle in a few days.

    If I like it, I'll take it, and then I will send you the pics willingly.

  12. Thank You to Giove For This Useful Post:

    Jc5

+ Reply to Thread

Similar Threads

  1. SMLE Mk III* Sword and Knight Mark question
    By kc9aop@ in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 03-13-2014, 05:48 AM
  2. A scarce No.1 Mark III SMLE ?
    By buffdog in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 02-20-2011, 07:17 PM
  3. Smle Mark 1 series nosecap
    By Amatikulu in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 01-10-2010, 11:19 PM
  4. Proof mark or import mark?
    By buchkshot in forum M1 Garand/M14/M1A Rifles
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 04-15-2009, 03:34 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