Info on BSA commercial SMLE Arab contracts

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MPR42

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Hi,
I am trying to decide on wether to buy a BSA commercial contract SMLE on the EE that has Arabic writing on the stock disc. I have owned a Bahrain contract BSA SMLE in the past and it was so beautiful and virtually unused. The Bahraini ones have a rack number on the disc, but the one I am interested in, although it's condition is excellent and looks almost identical to the Bahraini that I had, has Arabic writing on the stock disc. It must be a commercial contract to another Arab country, but I am concerned that the stock disc writing might indicate a problem or something negative about the rifle. Any information from one of you Lee Enfield experts would be greatly appreciated.
 
Stock disks

Generally, stock disks were put on military firearms for information. In the case of Swedish Mauser 94 and 96 type rifles, the information is about the rifle. It gives the bore condition, the bore diameter, and a compensation for the two different types of ammunition in service.

Early British military firearms, including the early Lee Enfields, had a projection on the top of the butt plate that extended into the stock. This was stamped with Unit ownership markings. The later SMLE did away with this projection and added the stock disk, where this information was stamped. The stock disk was done away with as a wartime production measure in the No.1 Mk III*. However, some of the Commercial Contracts specified that the stock disk be added.

Information on the condition of the rifle itself, for British military firearms is generally stamped on the barrel of the firearm. There are specific letters, marks, and symbols to show condition, along with proof marks, maker,s marks, dates, etc. For example HV marked on a barrel or rear sight signifies the sights are calibrated for Mark VII ammunition.

To find out the actual condition of the firearm in question, you would have to look at the barrel markings.
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Agreed - on Brit guns, typically the stock disk contained things like the rack number or the unit the rifle was on issue to and the issue year.

Things like bore condition were stamped on the knox form (an * denoted the barrel had rusted at some point) and any special sighting or throating arrangements were stamped just behind the rear sight (e.g. HV SC).

HV = High Velicity ammo sights (MkVII or MkVIIIz ammo) and SC = short cone = chambered for the spitzer round and not the earlier and longer RN bullet.
 
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