LSA Co .303 1917

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terryj

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Hello all.
I'm new to the site and was hoping you could tell me something about a LSA Co 1917 SMLE III .303 rifle that has been in the family for as long as I can remember (48 yrs). Are they considered good guns? I like it, I've never missed a deer yet.
Thanks
Terry
 
Hi Terry,

I can only assume that you have a sporter version - with the forend extending only half way (not all the way to the muzzle). Lots of these rifles (Lee Enfield No1Mk3*) were "sporterized" from the full military configuration to the typical hunting rifle look.

If one is wondering about what the most typical moose and deer hunting rifle in Canada could be, your No1Mk3 could earn a top spot. Many, many homes have had one at one time or another over the past century!

Nowadays, "home-made" sporters are considered cheap and reliable, with a bit of folkloric flavour. Commercial sporters (by Parker Hale, for one) can be considered collectible. Parts are easy to find if anything is missing or broken.

So, in my opinion a "must" in ecery gun locker :)

Lou
 
Pictures, pictures and yet more pictures =)

LSA (London Small Arms) rifles are notable for their better fit and finish as they never reached the quantities that BSA etc. did.

Are they considered good guns? lol, good compared to...? If all the pieces are there and nobody cut up the stock it's a great gun. Being an heirloom makes it better. An heirloom you can reliably shoot deer with is best yet!
 
Lou, you are correct in your assumtion in that the stock does only go about 1/2 way to the muzzle. I will get some pic up as soon as I can.
Thanks
 
Deltasilver said:
Pictures, pictures and yet more pictures =)

LSA (London Small Arms) rifles are notable for their better fit and finish as they never reached the quantities that BSA etc. did.

LSA never reached the production of the other factories because a lot of their employees ran off and enlisted. Also, the zepplins bombed them, and also the factory that supplied LSA with barrels. They weren't put together any better or worse than the BSA or Enfield rifles, they're just harder to find.
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Here are the pics, anything you can tell me about this gun would be appreciated, Thanks.

303british001.jpg


303british003.jpg


303british008.jpg


303british009.jpg


303british011.jpg
 
kjohn said:
Ahhh, a good old Lee Enfield. Good looking old rifle!!:)
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In a moment of stupidity I sold my Grandfather's just like that one. The cgn member was going to make a wall hanger with it full wood and all the furniture. That was in the pre feedback days so I couldn't figure out who got it when I came to my senses. But I am happy to say it is in the mail as we speak coming home to stay this time. The bore is gone but it will be nice to have it back for sentiment reasons.

That will make a No1 MkIII, a Metford and an 1895 Winchester I have in 303, and not one of them will shoot straight. :rolleyes:
 
I see it was re-barrelled in 1927. It also has the old style cocking piece, an item retained on LSA rifles much later than the other makers. BSA and Enfield were using the newer flat sided, grooved cocking piece in 1916. Also looks to be a Mk.III with no *, which would be consistent with LSA production. I believe they didn't start building the Mk.III* until late in 1917. Really nice old rifle!
 
Time to do the restore. There are new SMLE stock sets on ebay. I bought one and wow, they are mint. Pricey but if you want as close to a new rifle.... I'll post some picts soon.
 
skully said:
The `27 in front of the broad arrow stamp . Nice old rifle . Got a LSA 1915 and a 1917 as well .

All the best
skully
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If I'm not careful I might just learn a thing or 2 from you kids.
Thanks
Anything about the other marks? Are they makers marks, dates? Where can I find all this info?
Cheers
 
She is in excellent shape, the metal has most of the finish and the wood looks really well looked after. Your family must of cared for it well. As mentioned above, it is an excellent candadate for a restoration to military configuration, all you would need is a new full stock and the necessary hardware. BUT since its an heirloom you would probably be better off leaving it alone. I know my Grandads old K98 Sporter he had is never going to be changed.
 
A lot of the rifles that served in the Great War were kept on strength between the Wars. Many were rebuilt/rebarreled in the 1920s; this is one.
Use during the Second War is indicated by the stamp on the bolthead: the 'N' indicates a part made under the 'dispersals' program, in the North. London Small Arms was in London. So this part has been changed, well in keeping with the rifle's history.

BTW, LSA did not produce rifles at all during the Second War.... and they only built FIVE percent of Great War production. An unusual item and a darned scarce one in ANY condition.

Give yourself a big pat on the back for being so darned lucky!
 
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