The stacked rifles are BSA's imprint, the rifle also has BNP (Birmingham Nitro Proof) proof marks. The H.V. means the rifle is proofed for the "High Velocity" .303 round filled with nitrocelulose, not the original black powder .303 round intended for the Lee-Metford introduced in 1888. Putting the black powder round in a nitrocelulose gun wouldn't cause a problem, but loading the nitro load in a Metford probably isn't a good plan. Unlikely you'd find that round in the British inventory after 1900, but elsewhere, you might find both rounds in service.
SMLE identification
- Thread starter Rocket_James
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