Another Lee enfield

[MrDiesel]

I picked up this SHT Le No1MkIII a while ago and I'm wondering what the markings on it mean, mainly the FTR 1953 but wouldn't mind hearing what else you guys can tell me about it.
I believe it's all numbers matching or are there other numbers hiding under the stock?
http://imgur.com/a/829zl

 

[buffdog]

FTR 1953 means that it was Factory Thorough Reconditioned in 1953. The serial numbers seem to match, it is full stocked. Made by Birmingham Small Arms Company in 916.. You have a good one there.

If you do not know how to take it apart, then leave it as it is because you can break the stock wood if you do not do it right. DO NOT ATTEMPT to take the butt stock off FIRST as it locks into the back of the forestock, and you can easily split the forestock in the trigger/magazine area.

 

[leebuilder]

I have two now. Both have 1953 dated barrels and mint bolt heads. The headspace isn't generous and are fine shooters. Both had trimed butt stock bolts, but don't take the chance that the aren't and take the forestock off first as said.
Be well

 

[MrDiesel]

Thanks for the info. Since it was reconditioned in 1953, is it possible they changed the barrel? The rifling almost seems to good. Is there a serial number on the barrel under the stock I could check? I haven't had a chance to take it out to the range yet, I guess I should probably check the head spacing on it first.

 

[zeegler]

Yours is one year newer than mine, a 1915. I noticed that it looks like the metal is all painted black. Maybe someone can answer this, was it common for them to be painted like that? Mine isn't painted except for the magazine, and judging by the smell, I'd say it was done more recently as it smells strongly of Tremclad.

 

[tiriaq]

The black paint is Suncorite. Standard finish. A '53 FTR would in all probablility have a new barrel fitted.

 

[zeegler]

The black paint is Suncorite. Standard finish. A '53 FTR would in all probablility have a new barrel fitted.

So would my 1915 originally have been painted black too?

 

[mr.e moose]

Yours would have originally been blued, Suncorite was only used from WW2 and later.

 

[zeegler]

Yours would have originally been blued, Suncorite was only used from WW2 and later.

Aha, so the 1916 would also have been blued originally, but was painted in the Suncorite while in for the FTR. That makes perfect sense.

 

[leebuilder]

Both mine have the black paint. The barrel date should be on the barrel shank at the 9 to 11 o clock postion looking as per normal shooting, two digit number.

 

[wrenchbender4]

wondering about the differing colors of wood. A civilian rebuild of a sporterized No1?

 

[Old Albertan]

wondering about the differing colors of wood. A civilian rebuild of a sporterized No1?

Possible. Some unit armourers may have changed the wood at some point. Maybe. An FTR changed wood would normally have the serial number restamped on the forestock. If only the rifle could tell you!