Enfield SMLE MK 3

[Daniel7629]

Hello, 

I was looking for some help in trying to understand origin of rifle given to me when I was younger .. I’ve attached photos ..

Thanks in advance…  

[4thGordons]

It is a MkIII* (mark three star) Short, Magazine Lee Enfield. Produced by the Enfield factory in 1918.

The woodwork has been replaced with WWII vintage Indian wood. The stamp on the buttstock is Indian (from about 1941 on) and the foreend with the metal reinforce at the rear is also Indian.

2146 is the serial number which should also be stamped on the rear of the bolt handle, on the barrel, on the underside of the rear sight and on the bayonet boss of the foresight protector.

A couple over overall shots showing the entire rifle may allow more observations,

Chris

[Daniel7629]

Thanks for the info Chris … more photos below … 

Let me know if anymore requires 

[4thGordons]

Hi Daniel - thanks for the pics

OK so if you carefully pop the short (upper) handguard off (it is held in place with spring clips) you will see the barrel knox form and there will probably be a lot of stamping on there which might reveal more - so pics of that would be good.

In particular look out for DP markings on the top of the receiver/barrel

Do the serial numbers match (bolt handle, receiver, barrel, sight, and bayonet boss (under muzzle of rifle)?

There are two possibilities

1) this rifle has been restored using Indian wood (perhaps because it had been sporterized earlier - ie had the wood cut down to be used as a hunting rifle)

or

2) It later saw Indian service in WWII or later (my bet would be this based on the appearance of the finish on the metal)

The wood seems to have been stripped back and refinished but it has been done well. The transverse screw in the fore-end is typical of WWII and later Indian too (it is known unofficially as the Ishy (Ishapore) Screw - it was intended to stiffen the foreend and prevent cracking. The fingers (fragile projections on the handguards) have been trimmed off (common in Indian Service)

By WWII (wearing this wood) it would be unlikely to have the piling swivel at the font but overall it looks to be a nice example.

Chris

[Daniel7629]

Hi Chris, 

Followed your instructions I think .. see below photos .. 

please let me know if this is what you meant ..

[Daniel7629]

Sorry I now understand what you meant.. see below photos .. serial numbers don’t match 

[4thGordons]

Ok that set shows what I thought, it appears to have a replacement Indian barrel (or at very least has been reinspected in India (GRI stamp) but I think from the markings we can see (and those that are not present!) that it is a replacement Indian barrel

There also appears to be a 1926 ('26) reinspection stamp on the left side or the receiver by the safety.

So although produced in the UK in WWI it is highly likely the rifle saw Indian service during/after WWII.

Chris

[Daniel7629]

Thanks for your help Chris, it’s much appreciated .. both myself and my dad have always wondered it’s origin … 

Now I’m torn on wether to part with it or keep it ..