Need help: 1916 Lee Enfield strange stock?

[RCAF Crow]

Good evening gents,

I've inherited a 1916 Lee Enfield ShtLE (SMLE?) III* rifle chambered in .303 brit. The bolt, sights, receiver all are matched. I've been desperately trying to find information about this rifle, and every time I try and look up information on this year and model of rifle, It comes up with your standard WW1 infantry-type rifle with full stock, bayonet, upper hand guard, etc. I can't seem to find this year of rifle with this stock. Believe me when I say I've exhausted all options. I can find pictures of similar looking stocks online, but I can't find any info about why it looks like this.

My best guess is assuming it was a regular 1916 No.1 Mk III* rifle, full stock and handgrips and later changed to this stock, or maybe the original stock was modified to this. Here are some pictures of it. If you could shed any light on the situation, or point me in the right direction It would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

~ RCAF Crow

 

[points]

The most common variety. It is just a military stock cut down to sporter style.

 

[RCAF Crow]

If I found a full stock with all the rest of the accessories that goes with it (assuming the barrel wasn't cut down as well) could I return it back to its full size?

 

[Magellann]

You could do that providing the barrel has not been cut shorter.

 

[bearhunter]

If I found a full stock with all the rest of the accessories that goes with it (assuming the barrel wasn't cut down as well) could I return it back to its full size?

Do you really want to put $400+ into that rifle to create a mixmaster worth $500 at most????

I really doubt it but is that a bag of weed behind the Coke can???

 

[RCAF Crow]

Ah, good point. It's much lighter this way too. I've held both, and it's much easier to keep the rifle steady without all that extra wood weighing it down.

 

[shortandlong]

If your looking for return of investment , don't do do it , but if you want to have fun restoring a piece of history go for it

 

[bogusiii]

No...no...it's the ultra rare lightweight trench commando SMLE only produced in limited numbers at the height of WW1!!!!

No, kidding, it's a pretty common cut down Enfield. If it's not drilled and tapped for a scope and, better yet, if the bolt matches it might be a good candidate for restoring to full military thought the stocks and hand guards are getting getting hard to find. The barrel is not cut down and the bluing looks pretty good. What's the date and maker shown on the right wrist under the bolt handle?

 

[RCAF Crow]

It's a full matching 1916. No sign of a maker. Was this common to not have a marker stamp under the crown?

And yes, it's in fantastic condition. The lands are sharp and tall. There isn't hardly a mark in the stock at all. The bluing is almost perfect. The action is as smooth as butter. I have yet to shoot it yet.

 

[mr.e moose]

It probably is a peddled scheme rifle. Look at the back of the action and see if it has a NRF or SSA stamped beside where the bolt operates.

 

[RCAF Crow]

According to http://www.allaboutenfields.co.nz/history/markings/ the 'inspector's markings' would indicate that it was made at the Royal Small Arms factory Enfield. I There's lots of *Crown* 95 E markings all over the place on it.

 

[infideleggwelder]

they are the smoothest and fastest bolt rifle (not straight pull- for arguments sake) ever made IMHO

 

[RCAF Crow]

I'm not with the rifle right now, it's at a different location. Judging by the pictures I took it appears to be "6A" just to the left of where the bolt operates. Does this mean anything to you?

 

[RCAF Crow]

Maybe it's "64" somewhat hard to tell.

 

[silverfoxdj]

If your looking for return of investment , don't do do it , but if you want to have fun restoring a piece of history go for it

^^^^ That could be said for a whole lot of our hobby's

 

[collector67]

I restored my dad's Longbranch #4 Mk1, and a 1916 #1 Mk3. It took a bit of searching for parts, but I thoroughly enjoyed it!

 

[mkrainc]

I picked up one like this a number of years ago. It also was dated 1916. The cut outs were blocked in and one of the drilled holes was fitted with (what I describe it as) a dowel. I wondered at the time of purchase who would go to this much effort on a sporterized stock, but never gave it much more consideration than that.

It would be interesting to find out if this was a one year only thing that was done.

 

[bogusiii]

I'm not with the rifle right now, it's at a different location. Judging by the pictures I took it appears to be "6A" just to the left of where the bolt operates. Does this mean anything to you?

Look closer and I bet that "6A" is a poorly stamped "SSA".