SMLE FTR'd from No1MkIII* to No1MkIII ( no star)?????

S

Selair_Chapman

Member
Rating - 100%
142   0   0
Saw an SMLE today and had to scratch my head. A 1918 No1MkIII* FTR'd with previously matching reciever and barrel re-serialed to match bolt. Mag cutoff installed and the * scratched out of the No1MkIII mark on reciever ring. Full wood matches new serial. No serial on nosecap. Never heard of such a thing as a FTR reversal to add a mag cutoff. Or am I missing something? Were there any 1918s with mag cutoffs??
 
I have a vague memory of reading that some MkIII*'s were put back to MkIII configuration after WW1. minus the volley sight. cou:
 
The LoC (List of Changes) of 1916 introduces the MkIII* that is part 2 of the LoC, in part 1 of the LoC it lists the changes made to the future manufacture of the MkIII & lists those changes such as the Volley sights being omitted, again in part 2 it states that as the MkIII* is the same as a MkIII, the changes listed in part 1 also apply so after the LoC was entered there were 2 models of the SMLE.
 
In the interwar years they did convert No. 1 Mk. 3*s to No. 1 Mk. 3. The new pattern of No. 1 Mk. 3 rifles omitted the volley sights yet retained the magazine cut-off. As many of the No. 1 Mk. 3*s made had the slot for the magazine cut-off, it was simple to add one in and strike out the *. Post-WWI they also went back to manufacturing No. 1 Mk. 3 rifles as well, again without the volley sights and windage adjustable rear sight.
 
I saw one in an LGS, I think it was 1917 mfg. nose cap was matching numbers to action & bolt.
Did not have volley sights or Ishapore screw. Star was struck out with a line.
 
Eaglelord17 said:
In the interwar years they did convert No. 1 Mk. 3*s to No. 1 Mk. 3. The new pattern of No. 1 Mk. 3 rifles omitted the volley sights yet retained the magazine cut-off. As many of the No. 1 Mk. 3*s made had the slot for the magazine cut-off, it was simple to add one in and strike out the *. Post-WWI they also went back to manufacturing No. 1 Mk. 3 rifles as well, again without the volley sights and windage adjustable rear sight.
Click to expand...

Not quite, the star barred III*s had the slot retro cut as examples include 1918 NRFs who never made actions with a cutoff slot, there was some older actions made up into MkIIIs circa 1916 which were Long Lee & Mk1 actions & these can be identified by VR & ER proofs & in the case of the Mk1 SMLE actions the bolt head charger guide stop nib on the rhs is still there, these rifles were generally marked Crown GR ENFIELD 1916 ShtLE III & not III* as they had a cutoff slot which is what defines a MkIII from a MkIII*, LSA & Lithgow both produced MkIIIs with a cutoff into 1918 & MkIIIs with a cutoff slot were made up to & including 1941.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom