303 info please.

C

Cbob

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Got an old tube here and I know someone here can tell me something about it. I don't expect it to be special but I'm kind of intruiged with it. Not very knowledgeable with surplus riffles or any others for that matter. But was hoping someone could charm in with some facts about it. A lot of markings thanks.









 
Actually, that's a not terribly common Enfield. Long Lee converted to the SMLE standard:

https://webpages.uidaho.edu/stratton/Enhistory.htm

Beginning in 1901, trials were conducted at the Royal Small Arms Factory (RSAF) in Enfield on the new short rifle, resulting in the adoption in December 1902 of the Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Mk I. (marked "SHT L.E." and "I"). Production of the SMLE Mk I began in 1903 at RSAF Enfield and in 1904 at RSAF Sparkbrook, the Birmingham Small Arms Co. (BSA), and the London Small Arms Co. (LSA). Minor modifications led to the adoption of the SMLE Mk I* in 1906, with production at Enfield, Sparkbrook, BSA Co., and LSA Co.

In 1903, conversions of various "Long Lees" to SMLE configuration were approved. These converted rifles were designated SMLE Converted Mk II (marked "SHT L.E." and "ConD II" with varying numbers of stars, or asterisks). "ConD" is an abbreviation for "Converted." In 1907, additional conversions were approved, designated SMLE Converted Mk IV (marked "SHT L.E." and "ConD IV").
Click to expand...
 
What does it say on the right side of the butt socket, underneath the bolt handle?
Left side stamping is No. I Mk. III*, with the III badly struck.
Note the GRI proof marks. "I" is for Imperator - Emperor - Indian proofs. Rebuilt (FR) in '4?.
British proofs on right side of the barrel breech relate to when the rifle was sold off surplus, probably when it was sported.
 
It is possible, however, I see nothing to suggest that this is an early long Lee Enfield converted to the Short Magazine Lee Enfield configuration. In fact, the evidence that I see suggests that this is an Ishapore manufactured Sht.LE Mk.III*. There are clues in the pic that confirm to me Sht.LE.

On the left hand side of the barrel reinforce, it wears the factory proof marks of GRI 'Georgius Rex Imperator' which denotes, 'George, King and Emperor'. Which pegs it either King George V 1910-1936 or most likely King George VI 1936 - 1952.

On the right hand barrel reinforce, there are pre-1954 London Proof House markings from when it was re-proofed for sale to the public through the British Gun Trade.

Refurbished with a Factory Rebuild (FR) in India in 1945. Judging by the two sets of serial numbers on the right hand side, the barrel serial has been stamped with a different set of dies than the receiver. This suggests that the barrel has been changed out at the factory and numbered to match the numbers on the receiver.

There might be some useful information on the right hand side of the butt socket underneath the bolt handle. If the butt socket is blank there, that would tell us something too.

With Indian refurbishment, they pretty much re-manufactured the rifle to the current Ishapore rifle standard. This often would include scrubbing all the British (or Australian) markings replacing them with Ishapore factory marks. I don't see any markings other than Ishy. Converted arms often have one or two tiny British inspector markings tucked away in hidden places that were not scrubbed.

A Lee Enfield sporter is a classic and is my favourite deer rifle.

Howzit shoot?
 
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Pic of the right buttsocket markings will tell the tale.

How's the bore? Clean, bright and shiny or suitable for the Black Hole of Calcutta armoury?

Does the bolt number match the receiver and barrel number?

Is it drilled and tapped for a scope?
 
englishman_ca said:
It is possible, however, I see nothing to suggest that this is an early long Lee Enfield converted to the Short Magazine Lee Enfield configuration. In fact, the evidence that I see suggests that this is an Ishapore manufactured Sht.LE Mk.III*. There are clues in the pic that confirm to me Sht.LE.

On the left hand side of the barrel reinforce, it wears the factory proof marks of GRI 'Georgius Rex Imperator' which denotes, 'George, King and Emperor'. Which pegs it either King George V 1910-1936 or most likely King George VI 1936 - 1952.

On the right hand barrel reinforce, there are pre-1954 London Proof House markings from when it was re-proofed for sale to the public through the British Gun Trade.

Refurbished with a Factory Rebuild (FR) in India in 1945. Judging by the two sets of serial numbers on the right hand side, the barrel serial has been stamped with a different set of dies than the receiver. This suggests that the barrel has been changed out at the factory and numbered to match the numbers on the receiver.

There might be some useful information on the right hand side of the butt socket underneath the bolt handle. If the butt socket is blank there, that would tell us something too.

With Indian refurbishment, they pretty much re-manufactured the rifle to the current Ishapore rifle standard. This often would include scrubbing all the British (or Australian) markings replacing them with Ishapore factory marks. I don't see any markings other than Ishy. Converted arms often have one or two tiny British inspector markings tucked away in hidden places that were not scrubbed.

A Lee Enfield sporter is a classic and is my favourite deer rifle.

Howzit shoot?
Click to expand...


First off thanks for all the info. Right side shows nothing. I just got it from a friend and it was his dad's for years so I haven't had a chance to shoot it. But I will. Here's some more pics.





 
cantom said:
Pic of the right buttsocket markings will tell the tale.

How's the bore? Clean, bright and shiny or suitable for the Black Hole of Calcutta armoury?

Does the bolt number match the receiver and barrel number?

Is it drilled and tapped for a scope?
Click to expand...

It's not drilled for scope. Looks like 24" barrel which is probably standard. Bolt numbers match and Bore looks good enough to shoot which I will do soon. Starting to appreciate the old stuff with some history. Thanks all.
 
That's an interesting pattern.

I have some Indian reference books on specialized technical subjects, and the authors don't like to miss any chance to point out that something is not British; it was invented/built/discovered in India.
 
I seem to remember that once India declared independence they scrubbed some rifle off their cyphers... a way to stick it to the British crown ?
It might be so in this case... which would make it originally a British rifle ?
And again by assumptions the Y in the serial number might be associated with the BSA factory. They were the only one to use the letter Y in the serial, in 1915 ?

Just a wild guess from my part, thinking out loud... i'm probably wrong...
 
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