Lee Enfield No1 MkIII made at Standard Small Arms (SSA)

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dauph197

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Hi Guys,

Just bring back my dad's old .303 this week. It is a shame, that I was not aware about the true origins of this rifle. I was sure it was a No4 MkI and I was not understanding why the front sight was looking like that. This is with my work at the Museum that I realized its true nature.

The rifle is a sporterized Lee Enfield, ShLE, No1, MkIII* made in 1916 by Standard Small Arms (SSA). I will try to restore it, to make it look better than its sporterized look which made the rifle ugly. Only the numbers on the barrel/receiver and the rear sight match. The bolt is not showing any marks and of course, the nose cap is not there anymore. Will I try to get some canadian parts? I don't think so, there is no C/arrow on any metal pieces.

What I would like to know is a little bit more about SSA. If any of you have more details, I would appreciate it.

I will post some pictures soon. I will try to explain step-by-step the restoration project. It may be redundant and out of interest... feel free to let me know if it's the case.

Martin
 
The SSA rifles were also known as the Peddle Scheme Rifles. I had one some years ago and it was a fine example. They are relatively ( remember millions were made ) uncommon. Skennerton addresses these rifles in his volume.
 
I have written up the SSA rifles several times in this forum. Try the SEARCH function and see if it tosses anything up.

You are a MUSEUM. Wonderful! Springfield Sporters in the States has UNNUMBERED nose-caps for this model, something like $20 and brand-new. Last time I checked, they don't deal with us, but that might have changed. On this side of the razor-wire, anyway, a Museum can bring in ANYTHING. They also have a lot of parts, if they can be persuaded to part with them. Prices are good, too, if you are in the USA.
 
Yes Smellie the info you've provided us over the years has been phenomenal, thanks. Some info I received from you happen to be on this pretty numbers matching SSA girl




Good luck on restoring your dads rifle, if I remember correctly SSA is responsible for producing 2% of smle production, having a peddle scheme in any condition is a great score.

Cheers
 
Hi Guys,

You are scaring me with your comments regarding my old Dad SSA rifle... Is that scarce? Do we know if those SSA were marked with the C/arrow? My receiver and barrel are not marked with any canadian markings so I was thinking this rifle was without real interest, you are changing my mind.

I'm lucky enough to have louthepou coaching me at distance. I'm really thankful. Even more with live4therut comment!!

This rifle will be my first modern rifle and, I'm scared, the first symptoms of a new disease... So, to all of you who have great experience in the hobby, would you try to find canadian parts to restore this one or, at the end, it was England made? What would you use to restore it? C/arrow markings or not?

Smellie, I did try to find your post about the SSA but either the search function is not working well or it is not there anymore. My last option is going through your 7 699 posts to find the good one! ;-) Also, this SSA rifle is mine, so I will not use the Museum advantages to restore my rifle, it would not be professional. I do not mix hobby and profesionnal job.

live4therut, yours looks fantastic. This is what I want for mine! I also find the perfect bayonet to use on it! Look forward to have it in my hands.
 
It makes sense... the bad news for my wallet is I will have to try to find an original canadian marked Lee Enfield No1 Mk III... danm... I just got a new disease!! My wife will kill me!! And believe me, there is enough weapons here, she has the choice! I can die in old 18th Century style and soon, WWI style. :-S

Martin
 
Well, well, well... Since I know about the true origins of my Dad's rifle, my learning curve is very sharp. Working at the Citadelle's Museum and be a member of the R22eR I try to become knowledgeable about the Régiment and the weapons they used. I do realize that I have a huge gap to fill between my 18th Century interest and the brand new one I am discovering since the last weeks.

I have to look in the archive to know if Vandoos were using the clips to reload the magazines? If yes, is there any place where we can find those clips today?

Thanks.

Martin
 
If you have access to skinnertons book look at pages 153-157, should bring you up to speed. Numbers of standard small arms receivers were 200,000. National rifle factory (would absolutely love to own one) numbers about 50,000. Very little considering the 6 million smle's produced for WWI, who knows how many survived the wars and bubba? Probably not to many.
 
I really need this book! Don't have it and not even able to find it on Abebook... If anyone has one for sale, let me know!

Martin
 
live4therut said:
No there are c broad arrow marked SSA peddle schemes out there, I wish I had one but beggars can't be choosers.
Click to expand...

Don't know how well the markings show, but here is a 1917 SSA Mk.III* Canadian marked. It's also got an iron disc in the butt and is marked "EY". It's interesting enough to be on the board for a restoration. Say, any of you guys have a beat up dark walnut forearm for this old girl?

 
Just a note, SSA NEVER made a complete rifle. Barreled recievers,and some other bits. These were shipped to BSA to be completed. Basicaly SSA became a "feeder factory" though it was never originaly intended to be
 
Also, technically, wouldn't a C^ marked No1 have been marked like that in WWII? I thought the WWI Canadian SMLEs were lent to us by Britain after Ross was pushed out?
 
I have a 1916 BSA No.I Mk.III* that has an SSA stamped trigger guard:



and a Fianna Fail stamp, too:

 
So, here my S.S.A. Lee Enfield in its sporter look. This will change soon and its true military origin will come back to the surface. This weapon didn't see a single bullet for the last 30 years. I took the picture as is.





Disassembled





All the markings























Bolt













Magazine







Feel free to leave any comments.

Martin
 
Your rifle was made at the RSAF Enfield & not by SSA, you just have a SSA trigger guard.
The factory name on SSAs appears at the rear of the boltway & stamped on the on the wrist (butt socket) Crown GR 1916 ShtLE III* with no factory name, yours has Crown GR ENFIELD so its a Enfield made rifle.
 
Always someone to destroy my dreams!! ;-) (Just kidding!!) You are right, I didn't pay attention to what was stamped on the wrist. A beginner's mistake... Now it confirms that my rifle has nothing related with canadian service. So be it, I will have a true English Lee Enfield No1 Mk III*.

Now... how can I find a true canadian No1 MkIII without ruin myself?! :)
 
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