SMLE Clinometer for grenades

**Nigel** · 03-31-2021 10:49 AM

Forgive me if I have posted these pictures before from La Boisselle, France icon

. They were unearthed as part of the archaeological dig that Roger and I worked on between about 2011-2013. As you can imagine, when they realised that Roger was an expert at identifying manufacturer markings and dates on cartridge cases and that he and I had a passable knowledge about WW1 rifles and grenades we were given the task of cleaning up some of the artifacts - somebody has to do it. We were like pigs in ****.

We soon realised that the rifles earmarked for grenade launching in the early stages of the war were the older 'obsolete' models as you can see from inspecting the original sights. The clinometer is very rare. We also found loads of aluminium tubes with a hole in the bottom. It was only later that we realised that they were for transporting rodded grenades.

About 7 bodies were exhumed and we soon learnt how to identify them from their leather boots. One still had his 1914 Pattern leather equipment on. Part of the project was to explore the 8.5 km of tunnels that the British icon

dug - 80'-120' underground. Check out the BBC Four documentary - The Somme: Secret Tunnel Wars. The hand pressing the handle of the detonator box is mine.

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**Highly Recommended** · 03-31-2021 10:49 AM

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.

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**Alan de Enfield** · 03-31-2021 01:35 PM

Presuably the inclinometer was marked in yards rather then 'degrees'.
(Certainly the numbers don't seem to align with degrees)

I have never seen any reference to this, presumably it was to be used with the "No3 Grenade Launcher" (for the No23 grenade) as the 'Cup Discharger' distance was set by opening / closing the slider.

Was this an official addition, any documentary evidence available ?

Now I know how little I know, I know I need to know more !!!

**WillSarchet** · 04-01-2021 01:43 AM

Alan, p.409 of Skennerton icon

's Lee Enfield has some information on them.

**Warren** · 04-01-2021 03:16 PM

This is what you are looking for.
I don't know of too many others out there.
Sorry for the housekeeping...

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