Markings on enfield no1 mkIII
- Thread starter JTF#
- Start date
Your pictures are a little blurry but I can make out some detail. The SSA marking on the top of the wrist indicates Standard Small Arms. It is what’s called a peddle scheme rifle which had parts made at SSA and then was fully assembled at BSA. It started life as No1 mk3* and then had the * barred out when it was FTR’d ( factory thorough repaired). It has been FTR’d more than once judging by the left side of your wrist 1935 and 39 at least. Looks like the barrel was replaced in 1944. There are also lots of various proof marks from the factory. The 18.5 2.22 tons are proof marks done in the UK that we’re done before it could be sold/exported to the public. Clearer pictures would help.
No problem. I’m by no means an expert but as far as sporters go you got an interesting one. SSA (standard small arms) and NRF (national rifle factory) are the rarest enfields of the ww1 british production. There was somewhere in the region of 250,000-300,000 made between the two which is a pretty low number compared to total war production. Plus yours has lots of history with all the FTR stamps on it. Forgive me if you already know about the process but with FTR the rifle went back to the factory and was checked by an armorer. Anything that wasn’t 80% up to spec was replaced. Your rifle saw lots of use judging from the multiple FTR’s. You did well. What condition is the bore in?
- Location
- WMU247 near Edmonton
35 and 39 are inspection marks, so the rifle was inspected in 1935 and again in 1939
I cant make out that other mark but it looks like a 5C
and it looks like it was retrofitted with the cutoff… post war FTR I suspect, with the * cancelled out.
but then the barrel is a refit, dated 1944. Looks like that rifle has had an interesting life.
I cant make out that other mark but it looks like a 5C
and it looks like it was retrofitted with the cutoff… post war FTR I suspect, with the * cancelled out.
but then the barrel is a refit, dated 1944. Looks like that rifle has had an interesting life.
Here is another 1918 SSA for comparison.
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I do not see any FTR marking and it would appear a '18 on the barrel.
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One of Corwin Arms imports
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This one was sent to Italy from Canada and spent time in their Navy.
I do not see any FTR marking and it would appear a '18 on the barrel.
One of Corwin Arms imports
This one was sent to Italy from Canada and spent time in their Navy.
BSA did a large No1 FTR in 1953 and they all ended up being surplussed to the civilian market. Rumour has it they were originally meant for a foreign government but the deal fell through and they were sold off. There were multiple post war FTR programs after world war 2 that included no1’s, no4’s etc. Again some sold to governments and also to keep the workers busy and employed at the arsenals.
