Lee Enfield No. 1 & No.3 Mags
- Thread starter Golfer1
- Start date
Friend, I am not even certain what you HAVE.
Can you post a photo shwing the right sides and the backs? Instructions are on the Stickie at the top of this Forum.
As to Lee-Enfield magazines, the Mark I should be the magazine for the Lee-Metford Mark I rifle: double-into-single-column feed, 8 rounds.
I do have a magazine Marked 3; it has the RH forward feed-lip HINGED and well-predates War One. I keep it in my 1907 Mark I*** Navy rifle.
The vast majority of Number 1 Rifle magazines are marked 4 on the backstrap.
All Number 1 magazines should have the full-length backstrap, with safety springs on at least the 3 and 4.
RIFLE Number 3 was an Enfield but not a Lee and had an internal magazine.
NUMBER 4 Rifle magazines had a single half-length backstrap/latchpiece.
None were supposed to be NUMBERED except for SOME of the NUMBER 4 mags.
In the Magazine Marks 1 and 2 period, Magazines were CHAINED to the rifles; spares were not even issued for the Mark II rifles although they were for the oldest type; the 8-round LM-I mags.
See why I'm confused?
Can you post a photo shwing the right sides and the backs? Instructions are on the Stickie at the top of this Forum.
As to Lee-Enfield magazines, the Mark I should be the magazine for the Lee-Metford Mark I rifle: double-into-single-column feed, 8 rounds.
I do have a magazine Marked 3; it has the RH forward feed-lip HINGED and well-predates War One. I keep it in my 1907 Mark I*** Navy rifle.
The vast majority of Number 1 Rifle magazines are marked 4 on the backstrap.
All Number 1 magazines should have the full-length backstrap, with safety springs on at least the 3 and 4.
RIFLE Number 3 was an Enfield but not a Lee and had an internal magazine.
NUMBER 4 Rifle magazines had a single half-length backstrap/latchpiece.
None were supposed to be NUMBERED except for SOME of the NUMBER 4 mags.
In the Magazine Marks 1 and 2 period, Magazines were CHAINED to the rifles; spares were not even issued for the Mark II rifles although they were for the oldest type; the 8-round LM-I mags.
See why I'm confused?
Ah, but. Smellie, you know too well that from confusion will emerge enlightenment. 
Golfer, I will go out on a limb and guess that, chances are you have:
1. A magazine which will fit on any of the Lee Enfield No4 rifle variations, as well as the No5 carbine ("Jungle" carbine)
2. A magazine which goes on the No1Mk3* Lee Enfield.
Both of which sell for $30, or more (but I think that asking for more than $40 even for a really nice one is pushing it)
Lou
Golfer, I will go out on a limb and guess that, chances are you have:
1. A magazine which will fit on any of the Lee Enfield No4 rifle variations, as well as the No5 carbine ("Jungle" carbine)
2. A magazine which goes on the No1Mk3* Lee Enfield.
Both of which sell for $30, or more (but I think that asking for more than $40 even for a really nice one is pushing it)
Lou
Smellie, 3 Enfield minutia questions for ya.
The No.3 and No.4 body mags had their numbers marked on the bottom of the spine. Was this the case with the No.2 mag body (I don't have an example on hand)?
No.3 body was fitted with the No.2 platform (platform so marked), the No.4 body was fitted with the No.3 platform. Both had zigzag springs, correct?. So which platform was fitted to a No.2 body? Was it also a No.2 platform?
Have you ever noticed that some smle mags are flat bottomed and some are curved?
The No.3 and No.4 body mags had their numbers marked on the bottom of the spine. Was this the case with the No.2 mag body (I don't have an example on hand)?
No.3 body was fitted with the No.2 platform (platform so marked), the No.4 body was fitted with the No.3 platform. Both had zigzag springs, correct?. So which platform was fitted to a No.2 body? Was it also a No.2 platform?
Have you ever noticed that some smle mags are flat bottomed and some are curved?
Type 1 SMLE magazine: Introduced with the Mk1 SMLE. Hinged front feed lip, link loop front of case, Case, platform, auxiliary spring all un-numbered
Type 2 SMLE magazine: Introduced with the Mk1* SMLE. Hinged front feed lip, no link loop, deeper at front to help charger loading, new type of auxiliary spring, same platform as type 1 so un-numbered, case & aux spring stamped with 2.
Type 3 SMLE magazine: Hinged front feed lip, No link loop, conversion of types 1 & 2 for MkVII ammo, left feed lip cut out & a new spring steel lip riveted in place, new type of auxiliary spring, platform modified to clear new LH lip, case & auxiliary spring stamped 3, platform stamped 2
Type 4 SMLE magazine: New magazine for MkVII ammo, no hinged front feed lip, no ling loop, new type of auxiliary spring, new platform, case & auxiliary spring stamped 4, platform 3.
Only Type 3 & 4 have the small spring steel bit riveted to bottom of the back rib.
Type 2 SMLE magazine: Introduced with the Mk1* SMLE. Hinged front feed lip, no link loop, deeper at front to help charger loading, new type of auxiliary spring, same platform as type 1 so un-numbered, case & aux spring stamped with 2.
Type 3 SMLE magazine: Hinged front feed lip, No link loop, conversion of types 1 & 2 for MkVII ammo, left feed lip cut out & a new spring steel lip riveted in place, new type of auxiliary spring, platform modified to clear new LH lip, case & auxiliary spring stamped 3, platform stamped 2
Type 4 SMLE magazine: New magazine for MkVII ammo, no hinged front feed lip, no ling loop, new type of auxiliary spring, new platform, case & auxiliary spring stamped 4, platform 3.
Only Type 3 & 4 have the small spring steel bit riveted to bottom of the back rib.
