Lee Enfield SMLE No.1 Mark III (Canadian Marked)

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budmancan

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I am on the hunt for a Lee Enfield No.1 Mark III.
My great uncle lost his life at the battle of vimy in WW1. From my research I have found that the Cdn force was using the Lee Enfield by this time. I want to get one to add to the collection of WW1 Vimy Ridge.
Is there anything that I need to look for to ensure that the rifle I am buying is CDN and from this time period?


The more I have read about this rifle the more I am confused on what to look for.

Thank you,
 
Hi Bud. Canadians acquired SMLE rifles by picking them off the battlefield or finally by the time of Vimy Ridge nearly all COEF units had exchanged their Ross rifles for them. Some of the rifles acquired were older pre-war made rifles but generally the SMLE Mk III* was the
current service pattern. None of these rifles were Canadian or unit marked. So to keep to your true aspiration a standard rifle will do. A deal
was worked out for a straight swap basis from the Brit Gov't for 100K SMLE rifles but these were eventually marked with the C broad arrow
upon return to Canada (and inspected) and NOT marked overseas. The RCDragoons and PPCLI did exchange Ross for SMLEs prior to Vimy
but this was the only exception to my knowledge. Every SMLE rifle I have examined over the past 50 years marked with the C broad arrow
ownership mark in various locations (normally butt right side and body left side) has been rebuilt or sometimes upgraded with post war parts.
Ross sniper rifles were used at Vimy. I hope my response will not add to your confusion. JOHN
 
Keep an eye on Corwin's website as he's sold a lot of Canadian marked No 1's over the last year. They pop up on the Milsurp exchange forum as well.
 
Actually the PPCLI used Lee Enfields in the trenches from day 1. When initially formed they were all veterans and went overseas early instead of as part of the 1st Division. They didn’t join the Canadian Corps for a year or so and fought as part of a British division.
 
Lee Enfield number 1 Mark 3 parts

Recently bought at Lee Enfield number 1 Mark 3 and I'm looking for some parts the nose cap was badly rusted and when I cleaned it up. Very badly pitted and a couple screw stripped just curious if anyone knows where I can get these parts
 
I recently bought a Lee Enfield number 1 Mark 3 Canadian and I'm looking for some parts does anyone know where I can get parts I'm looking for a nose cap and a few screws that were stripped any help would be great
 
Try Numrich, they are good. Liberty tree collectors. Western gun parts. Ellwoodepps has smle parts also. There is always the EE here too!
 
You are correct Moodie. PPCLI did use SMLE rifles in the trenches Day 1. According to the official war history by F. Duguid (Vol II. Appendix III)
the PPCLI got extensive range use and practise with the Mk III Ross at Valcartier and took those Ross rifles to England. When the 1st Division arrived the 15th Battalion had the Ross Mk II rifles they trained with as new (Mk III) rifles were not available. SMLE rifles when acquired by the PPCLI allowed the Rosses to be transferred to the 15th Batt. and the Mk IIs returned to Canada. One must remember that bayonets, frogs,waistbelts, and other such active service equipments had to be supplied with the SMLE as well. The only original SMLE rifle I have ever seen attributed to the PPCLI was made 1915 and was disc marked. JOHN
 
Thank you everybody with your replies.
I had time today to go to the 48th Highlander museum today down in Toronto. They had a display there that showed all the riles the highlanders have used throughout their time. From them and their records they say that the Ross Mk III was only till 1916 and by the time of the vimy battle they had switched out to the smle No.1 Mk III. So I guess its a toss up of what he may have been carrying.

I do suggest if people have time to go to the highlander museum in the basement of St. Andrews church. It was amazing and the gentleman who provide the tours are very informative.
 
hi,
i have a sporter cbroadarrow on the reciver and the buttstock , its not a matching number … but cbroadarrow stamped on the metal . i have also a relic . if you want ww1 Vimy items i am hunting for ww2 raid of Dieppe service rifle and militaria. my grand-father was in service and captured by germans…. and escape from camps. be carefull … the rifle must be marked on reciver means 100% canadian service !!! wood parts can be changed to fake a canadian service rifle look carefully markings , scratches ...dings....( i learn this with buying a lee on a web store and i was very sad) they are very hard to find because lots of them never come back home.

annie (vangualarien)
 
Email Martin at Corwin Arms and ask if he's got any SMLEs that are C marked. The 1918 Mk. III that I received is C broad arrow marked - which wasn't advertised...

If I remember correctly, CA still has four SMLEs on the site.
 
I'm in desperate need of a no.1mk111 BSA buttstock with the broad arrow inside the C for my 1916 BSA no.1mk111 that is all matching 95% orig cond with a 1916 dated Canadian mfg sling , Canadian property mkg on the left side of the bbl'd receiver but a clown along the way carved a ( demented looking ) Racoon rt over the Canadian property mkg. any help on where to find one would be appreciated . thanks for your time.........Bob aka ratter179
 
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