Lee Enfield marking
- Thread starter H4831
- Start date
I have that marking on several early SMLEs. It seems to have fallen out of style during the Great War.
But it is definitely as detailed above.
Long rifles were marked "LEI" or "LEI*" and Carbines were marked "LECI".
Then they came up with the SHORT rifle, which was very much an innovation..... so they marked it clearly. Only in the rush of things did it get shortened yet again, to "SMLE".
If you ever asked a Great War veteran what type of rifle they carried, they would say, "Short Lee-Enfield": the "Short" was ALWAYS there.
Hope this helps.
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Be kind to a pussycat; Lady Bast will smile upon you.
Winter is coming to Manitoba; please support Global Warming!.
But it is definitely as detailed above.
Long rifles were marked "LEI" or "LEI*" and Carbines were marked "LECI".
Then they came up with the SHORT rifle, which was very much an innovation..... so they marked it clearly. Only in the rush of things did it get shortened yet again, to "SMLE".
If you ever asked a Great War veteran what type of rifle they carried, they would say, "Short Lee-Enfield": the "Short" was ALWAYS there.
Hope this helps.
.
.
.
Be kind to a pussycat; Lady Bast will smile upon you.
Winter is coming to Manitoba; please support Global Warming!.
Sadly, we will never be able to speak to a Great War veteran again. We should all take what little time we have left to speak with the WW2 veterans that are left. They are a great source of inspiration, and knowledge that we may never have the chance to get to know if we don't take the opportunity soon.
