A buddy brought a 1949 GRI MKIII Lee Enfield over last night to get a ATI stock put on.It has been previously bubba'ed with a B-Square side mt.Not sure how that will hold up?Wood cut down and heavily scarred obliterating most markings.Would this be an Indian made gun?The bore looks very good so it should shoot at least minute of tennis ball.............Harold
1949 mkiii?
- Thread starter mbogo3
- Start date
Yes.
Rifles with the crest GRI (Georgius Rex et Imperator: George King and Emperor) were built at Ishpore Arsenal in India.
The GRI was left on for a time, supposedly standing for "Government Rifle factory Ishapur", then was replaced by the new factory marking of the capital of the Tower of Ashoka.
The finish on the outside of Ishapore rifles was not up to proper British standards, y'know, old chap, but it is the INside of the barrel that does the shooting. Their barrels were just as good as English ones and the Proof testing was exactly the same.
Nothing wrong with an Ishapore. They can shoot, allright.
Have fun!
Rifles with the crest GRI (Georgius Rex et Imperator: George King and Emperor) were built at Ishpore Arsenal in India.
The GRI was left on for a time, supposedly standing for "Government Rifle factory Ishapur", then was replaced by the new factory marking of the capital of the Tower of Ashoka.
The finish on the outside of Ishapore rifles was not up to proper British standards, y'know, old chap, but it is the INside of the barrel that does the shooting. Their barrels were just as good as English ones and the Proof testing was exactly the same.
Nothing wrong with an Ishapore. They can shoot, allright.
Have fun!
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Indian continued building the SMLE because they didn't have the tooling to make the Number 4. They tried to set up for the Number 4 back in the 1930s but were assured that it was only another experimental, so they didn't convert.
They continued building the old SMLE up into the 1960s, then reworked the actions, using modern steels, and turned out those 2A1 SMLEs in 7.62 NATO.
The old SMLE continues in service with both the Indian and the Pakistani Armies to this day, although with a lesser role all the time.
Interestingly, India and Pakistan both continue to manufacture new parts, including woodwork, for the old rifles.
Just WISH I had a ticket!
They continued building the old SMLE up into the 1960s, then reworked the actions, using modern steels, and turned out those 2A1 SMLEs in 7.62 NATO.
The old SMLE continues in service with both the Indian and the Pakistani Armies to this day, although with a lesser role all the time.
Interestingly, India and Pakistan both continue to manufacture new parts, including woodwork, for the old rifles.
Just WISH I had a ticket!
I've heard this many times, about the modern steel. Somewhere, I read about someone who did metallurgical and hardness tests on both an Enfield No 1 mk III in .303 and the 2A1 in 7.62...couldn't detect a difference.
Can't swear to the accuracy of that and sure can't remember where I saw it.
Can't swear to the accuracy of that and sure can't remember where I saw it.
mbogo3: If you're really worried about the stock-bolt not holding when you do it up w/out the spring washer, slop on a smear of your wife's nail polish. Works just like Locktite, won't back off, it's cheaper AND it comes off easily when you want it to. Old Harley 45 trick from 'way back.
cantom: I hadn't heard that about the steels and it is VERY interesting. Can you find the article... or can anyone else fill us in on this? The way I heard it, they used a high-nickel alloy on the 2A1, straight old carbon steel on the SMLE.
cantom: I hadn't heard that about the steels and it is VERY interesting. Can you find the article... or can anyone else fill us in on this? The way I heard it, they used a high-nickel alloy on the 2A1, straight old carbon steel on the SMLE.
It's only a problem if the bolt protrudes so far that it comes ahead and splits the forend.
It really won't do up with the washer present?
From Brian ####:
(note Warminster- meaning probably checked out by Peter Laidler)
http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?59508-Go-no-go-gauges-for-7.62x51
7.62 L.E. headspace
I would use the tight L42A1 specification of 1.628 GO and 1.635 FIELD reject to headspace any of the Lee Enfield 7.62 conversion or new build rifles. The Ishapore 2A and 2A1 series rifles are NOT manufactured of any special higher strength steel contrary to popular belief and the tighter you keep it the better, (safer), it'll be. The better steel myth was soundly defeated a couple of years ago by testing 6 or 8 2A/2A1 rifles at random with a Rockwell hardness tester at the HQ,SASC in Warminster. The RFI receivers are no different than their WW1 and WW2 production variants in .303.
(note Warminster- meaning probably checked out by Peter Laidler)
http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?59508-Go-no-go-gauges-for-7.62x51
7.62 L.E. headspace
I would use the tight L42A1 specification of 1.628 GO and 1.635 FIELD reject to headspace any of the Lee Enfield 7.62 conversion or new build rifles. The Ishapore 2A and 2A1 series rifles are NOT manufactured of any special higher strength steel contrary to popular belief and the tighter you keep it the better, (safer), it'll be. The better steel myth was soundly defeated a couple of years ago by testing 6 or 8 2A/2A1 rifles at random with a Rockwell hardness tester at the HQ,SASC in Warminster. The RFI receivers are no different than their WW1 and WW2 production variants in .303.
Whoof!
Well, there's another perfectly good legend down the tubes.
Cantom, I do thank you for digging that up and posting it. Good to have it right out where everyone can see it. Basically, it means two things:
1. the old SMLE is stronger than commonly believed, and
2. if you're gonna do it, keep 'em TIGHT.
Again, thank you.
Well, there's another perfectly good legend down the tubes.
Cantom, I do thank you for digging that up and posting it. Good to have it right out where everyone can see it. Basically, it means two things:
1. the old SMLE is stronger than commonly believed, and
2. if you're gonna do it, keep 'em TIGHT.
Again, thank you.
