SMLE Mark I

[Brit plumber]

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 British 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.

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[Giove]

Thank you all.

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

[Jc5]

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!

[Giove]

jc5, 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.