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Thread: BSA Very Early SMLE No.1 Mk.III

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    Contributing Member bravo2zero's Avatar
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    BSA Very Early SMLE No.1 Mk.III

    Hi All, I have just recently acquired the above rifle which I find very interesting and having searched Milsurps, the internet and the reference books can find very little information about the rifle.

    It’s a very early configured Mk.III with long rage volley sights marked LES III and with the No.2 magazine with full matching numbers of 5333 on the bolt, action, barrel, rear sight and cocking piece although it has a further serial number of 646A on the barrel and action as well as a marking of those areas of “Sale Permit” and over stamped with AG Parker.

    Looking at how the rifle is made with component parts in 1911 the likes of the volley sights and magazine was changed.

    There is also on the brass disc the following “12 LR 301”

    Anyone seen anything like this before or offer any explanation on its background or better still have one just like it.

    It’s a lovely looking rifle although the woodwork does have usually bruises from use. There appears to be no military markings on this at all but the addition serial number is interesting along with the sale permit markings

    Welcome people’s comments and views

    Many thanks
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    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.
     

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    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
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    What a nice looking rifle that is...
    Regards, Jim

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    Contributing Member bravo2zero's Avatar
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    Thanks it really is a wonderful rifle in great condition

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    Contributing Member NORTHOF60's Avatar
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    Looks to be a commercial rifle - probably explains why it is in such good condition.
    Some do, some don't; some will, some won't; I might ...

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    Contributing Member bravo2zero's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by NORTHOF60 View Post
    Looks to be a commercial rifle - probably explains why it is in such good condition.
    Yes agreed but it have a second serial number and also the sale permit stamped which I’ve not seen before

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    Legacy Member Alan de Enfield's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by bravo2zero View Post
    Yes agreed but it have a second serial number and also the sale permit stamped which I’ve not seen before

    Standard (pre WW2) UKicon markings used by the Chief Examiner of Small Arms

    Item 14 on the attached :

    "Serviceable rifle suitable for competition shooting for sale to the public"
    Last edited by Alan de Enfield; 03-11-2021 at 10:25 AM.
    Mine are not the best, but they are not too bad. I can think of lots of Enfields I'd rather have but instead of constantly striving for more, sometimes it's good to be satisfied with what one has...

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    Legacy Member MasterChief's Avatar
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    You invited comments.

    I just discovered that one cannot utter aloud the word "Wow!" with one's tongue hanging over one's lower lip...

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    Legacy Member Mk VII's Avatar
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    I've got a very similar one. The second serial is part of the government viewer's mark, so that it is eligible for S.R. (a)

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    Contributing Member NORTHOF60's Avatar
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    I would hazard that this may have been a club rifle, accurized (and sold) by A.G. Parker, and that the 646A serial number is Parker's.
    Some do, some don't; some will, some won't; I might ...

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    Advisory Panel Lance's Avatar
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    Very nice rifle! Yours is 400ish rifles older than mine and I do not have any AG Parker marks, well done.

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