Scoping a SMLE Mk III*

[Ridolpho]

The early L E magazine had links holding it to the rifle. The feed lips are the problem with the magazines they are easily bent out of position . Mag changing is a modern happening it came about long after the Enfield system started. Loose rounds are easily loaded with scopes attached.

Of course the Remington-Lee rifles that morphed into the MLM were intended by the inventor to be used with multiple magazines that would be rapidly changed during combat. The MLM I originally came out with a second magazine and the idea was to let mag 1 hang down and insert #2 for 16 rapid fire shots. Then, strangely, the idea was shelved and the British Infantry (until the Mk I SMLE) had no ability to reload rapidly (although the mag size was increased to 10). The other fascinating deviation from the Rem-Lee guns was the 2-piece stock. I've never seen any documented discussion of why that was done.

Ridolpho