No1 MkIII Questions

[NVGuy]

I have a Reeiver/bolt group that i pulled off a sporterized rifle. I would like to rebuild it back into its military configuration. I am ordering a new barrel as the one that was on it was cut down and the bore was pretty frosty. I am looking for a rear sight assembly and was hoping someone could tell me what the correct rear sight would be for it based on its year and make (see picture). It seems the ladder with and without windage knob may be correct?

Thank you for looking.

Information

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[browningautorifle]

You need to upload pics directly to the forum. The host you used bladed you for the pic...

[NVGuy]

Not sure why it would not work. hopefully this does.Attachment 106417

[mrclark303]

I would assume as a 1917 made No1 it would be a '*' with no windage adjustment.

What do the = lines signify guys?

[Roger Payne]

They denote something being cancelled. In this context they're usually there to cancel out a * when a Mk3* SMLE has been retro converted back to Mk3 spec (essentially the fitting of a cut off). A lot of the Italian Navy SMLE's exhibit this.

[NVGuy]

What does '*' denote?

[303 Gunner]

The "*" indicates a rifle was produced without magazine cutoff, volley sights, or windage adjustable sights. Some or all of the changes may be present on the rifle.

[NVGuy]

Ok, so does that mean the one i have would be correct with a cutoff and adjustable sights since i do not see '*' stamped on it?

[Roger Payne]

The standard issue SMLE at the outset of WW1 was the Mk3. This was possessed of a magazine cut off, a rear sight with windage adjustment, & auxiliary 'volley' sights. As WW1 progressed the need to speed up production led to one or two simplifications & omissions of the 'frills'. The volley sights went first, & then a more significant change was introduced - the omission of the cut off. This necessitated a change in designation from Mk3 to Mk3*. So, new made Mk3* rifles had no cut off nor the slot in the right side of the body of the rifle for the fitting of the cut off. However, after the war, some rifles (I gather the Royal Navy was keen on this) had their rifles retro-converted back to Mk3 spec (not with volley sights, nor necessarily with windage adjustable rear sights, but with the fitting of the cut off). These rifles had the * barred through as shown in your photo. In fact in your picture it is difficult to make out a cancelled *, but I think this is what this all is.....

---------- Post added at 08:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:55 PM ----------

Yours should have a slot milled into the RHS of the body (receiver). If it has, & with the cancellation marks, it would be correct to be fitted with a cut off, yes. You would not want volley sights, but a windage adjustable rear sight is neither here nor there, really.

[NVGuy]

ah ok i understand. Mine does have the slot milled into for a cutoff. Thank you for the info for sure. I really appreciate it.