another what is this enfield marking thread

[neal]

sorry for the bad picture I will update picture when I get this home with my actual camera not my cell phone, I was at the range today and bought a smle no1mk3 but don't pick it up until sunday since I didn't have the cash on me, it is a 5 groove barrel full wood matching numbers rifle but I haven't seen this marking before.

It is marked caliber 7.7

and below it is a star shape with some small squigles with 1956 below the star

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[sunray]

Too much light reflected to see anything but the star. 7.7 is mm's. .303 in metric.

 

[superbee]

Indonesian

 

[smellie]

Yes, Indonesian for sure.

These were not new rifles (as were the Siamese "Smiling Tiger" rifles) but were Commonwealth-made and used for clearing the Japs out of a lot of their conquered territories. When the War ended, the Dutch tried to re-establish control in the old Dutch East Indies and did so for a while. Yet another revolution followed, the Dutch were out, local crooks now were in control (replacing the foreign crooks) and all was to become sweetness and light. Finally, it was time to re-equip militarily and, with massive foreign aid flowing in, the older stuff was refurbed (as this rifle) or sold off..... or one followed, few years later, by the other.

Indonesian SMLEs are not common in this country. I have seen only a handful, including my own (which is in a state only slightly-removed from Dofasco).

You have hit upon a minor Treasure, friend!

DO enjoy!

 

[neal]

Man I do seem to have the good luck with finds, I will post detailed pictures when I pick it up Sunday.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[rjw nz]

Interesting, I never heard of these before...

 

[RRCo.]

Agree, Indonesian.