New Addition

[303 Gunner]

I picked up another oddball (an Enfauser! ) for the collection and it followed me home from the shop today!

It's all matching numbers (from the Turks at least) built on a 1912 Enfield-made Mk III which once belonged to the 6th Battalion of the Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own Yorkshire Regiment. They served in Gallipoli from August 1915 to January 1916.

Looking forward to hearing your impressions!

Attachment 107474

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.

[22SqnRAE]

That is pretty impressive! A lot of work gone into making that one. Kinda wonder if buying .303 ammo wouldn't be a lot more economical, given the cost and time required to fiddle around with the steel and furniture.

I'm guessing that this would have been a training rifle, or a second line issue? If so, my thoughts on retaining .303 are reinforced.

Very interesting. You've proven that in the world of Lee Enfield, one must quickly dispense with the words "always" and "never" from their vocabulary.

[303 Gunner]

It's really amazing how fond the Turks were of fiddling about with non-standard captured and contract equipment. I'd definitely second it being some sort of second line issue, as it has a very fresh looking bore. You'd really think leaving it in .303 would've been easier!

[smle addict]

Very nice! I would love to have one; never seen one here on the west coast even after 25 years of collecting.

Especially neat that it's marked to the Yorkshire Regiment. Assuming the disc is original to the rifle (which it appears to be) the Yorkshire Regt did see service in Gallipoli, and were then withdrawn in 1915 to the Suez, then the western front in 1916.

thanks for posting

[mrclark303]

That is an absolutely fascinating piece of history and a wonderful addition to your collection.

I've only ever seen pics in books, never seen one in the flesh, I would love one.

[mmppres]

wow so cool to find . More pictures please

[browningautorifle]

Every now and then you see one of these Turk mods but as stated, usually not in the flesh. I'd like to get my nose right over it to see what they did. Looks like they modified the charger guide too? Wouldn't mind shooting it too...

[lithgow1918]

Great find! I think my 1914 Lithgow turkish capture bayonet is as close as I'll ever get to having one.

[303 Gunner]

I took it out back this afternoon and got some more photos of it. The modifications I've noticed so far, aside from the obvious front end:

- The magazine well has been attached directly to the trigger guard with a Mauser-style release for the floor plate.
- The floor plate looks to have been adapted from an older rifle, as the numbering is in Ottoman script. From what I've read, Turkey eliminated that style of script in 1928. It additionally leaves two small gaps on the corners at the back of the plate.
- The oft mentioned "reinforcing bar" is actually hollow and attached to the receiver only along its lower edge. It looks to serve as a guide for the bolt head, which has had a deep slot cut into it which runs along the bar.
- As this rifle started life as a Mk III, it would have had a rear volley sight prior to conversion. The spacer that replaced it looks handmade, but analogous to the factory-made spacers seen on standard Mk III*'s
- Good eye on the charger guide. It looks like they built it up and recut it for 8mm Mauser chargers. There are also what look to be a couple metal pins in the left side of the bridge with some additional metal filled in on the left rear.
- The receiver ring has had a notch cut to allow for the longer 8mm Mauser cartridge.

Attachment 107539Attachment 107530Attachment 107531Attachment 107535Attachment 107536Attachment 107538Attachment 107537Attachment 107540Attachment 107532Attachment 107534Attachment 107533

[harry mac]

Great rifle. Will you be shooting it?