Lee Enfield - what do these #s mean?
- Thread starter DN
- Start date
1- MA: Mangrovite Arsenal (Secondary production arsenal)
Lithgow: Lithgow Arsenal in Australia
S.M.L.E. : Short Magazine Lee Enfield
III* : Model Number (N0.1 MKIII*)
1944: Date of manufacture
On the breach:
BNP (with a little crown over top): British commercial proof marks, tested for safety for resale in UK
Lithgow: Lithgow Arsenal in Australia
S.M.L.E. : Short Magazine Lee Enfield
III* : Model Number (N0.1 MKIII*)
1944: Date of manufacture
On the breach:
BNP (with a little crown over top): British commercial proof marks, tested for safety for resale in UK
DN said:
Your rifle is Australian made under supervision by Lithgow Arsenal
Short Magazine Lee Enfield (Rifle No1, MkIII*) The little star indicates an alteration from the original MkIII pattern, in this case elimination of the magazine cut off and modification to the rear sight. This pattern (Mk III*)
was first introduced in 1916. 1944 is the year of manufacture of the receiver.
BNP is a British proof mark showing it passed through Britain at some point after being released by the Australian Government and therefore subject to commercial proof at Birmingham. BNP = "Birmingham Nitro Proof". Rifle has been proofed to fire the .303 cartridge (if not altered
to another round - unlikely). On the barrel you should find stamps indicating the calibre, case length and firing pressure in tons per square inch.
Thanks a lot!! When I saw this rifle for $89 I snapped it up. It is in excellent condition. Too bad the cleaning kit wasn't still in the butt. I was surprised at the accuracey of this thing with iron sights when I was shooting out to 300m. Not the most comfortable gun to shoot with the brass butt plate.. but who cares.
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
Correction needed:
MA is not Mangrovite Arsenal. Mangrovite only ever made small parts an M1907 bayonet scabbards.
MA has been often disputed, Ian Skennerton suggests it was either "Made in Australia" (less likely), or "Munitions and Armament (department) of Lithgow Small Arms Factory" (more likely).
In any event, ALL WW2 era Lithgows have the MA mark and it is definitely an Australian made rifle.
MA is not Mangrovite Arsenal. Mangrovite only ever made small parts an M1907 bayonet scabbards.
MA has been often disputed, Ian Skennerton suggests it was either "Made in Australia" (less likely), or "Munitions and Armament (department) of Lithgow Small Arms Factory" (more likely).
In any event, ALL WW2 era Lithgows have the MA mark and it is definitely an Australian made rifle.
- Location
- Tucson, Arizona
BNP Birmingham Nitro Proof (smokeless powder)
You will find Mangrovite stamped on leather bayonet scabbards.
MA Lithgow small arms factory, New South Wales
SAF Small Arms Factory (lithgow)
MAO Orange Small Arms Factory
OA Orange Small Arms Factory
BA Bathurst Small Arms Factory
WA Wellington Small Arms feeder Factory
FA Forbes Small Arms Feeder Factory
SLAZ Slazenger annex, Sydney (Wood)
You will find Mangrovite stamped on leather bayonet scabbards.
MA Lithgow small arms factory, New South Wales
SAF Small Arms Factory (lithgow)
MAO Orange Small Arms Factory
OA Orange Small Arms Factory
BA Bathurst Small Arms Factory
WA Wellington Small Arms feeder Factory
FA Forbes Small Arms Feeder Factory
SLAZ Slazenger annex, Sydney (Wood)
