SMLE Markings

G

gyates93

Regular
Rating - 100%
11   0   0
Location
NS
My BSA made 1918 No.1 Mk.III* has some really strange markings on it. Anybody know what any of these may mean?

DSCF1240.jpg


DSCF1241.jpg


(In front of the barrel serial number, on the right?)
DSCF1242.jpg


Also, what does a U stamped on the bolt head mean? Thanks in advance for anybody that can help, and if you want a different picture, just let me know and I'll try to get one.
 
Last edited:
Strange cos incomplete markings

Some of the strange markings I can recognise as being poorly struck or worn markings.

I can read your rifle and tell you a story.

Started out in 1918 built by BSA in Birmingham as part of a military contract. Receiver ring has King George V cypher military proof mark (Crown over GR over crossed pennants over P) and a poorly struck BSA inspector stamp (crown over number over script B) on receiver.

Then in 1941 it went through Enfield in London and had a new barrel fitted which was numbered to match. Barrel has King George VI military proof and Enfield inspector mark (crown over number over E). Brit Govt London style acceptance broad arrow marks and a 41 date.

Rifle was then transfered to Canadian military service. Broad arrow inside C Canadian Govt acceptance mark.

Sometime, probably after the war for whatever reasons, the rifle was back in England again, this time surplused and sold off to the public. To sell to the public there was (still is) a legal requirement for all commercialy sold arms to have a civvy proof test. So it went through a London proof house and was tested and marked. 303, NITROPROVED and a London proof house mark (symbol is actualy an armored arm brandishing a scimitar, hard to see but I recognise it). Rifle was sold off before 1956 (when civvy proof marks changed).
 
Wow, thanks a lot! The rifle is sporterized/bubba'd, does this fit in anywhere along the way?
Also, what are all the arrows for? (Not the ones in the Canadian markings, but all of the other arrows that seem to be randomly placed?)
 
Last edited:
Broad arrows

The broad arrow is a British Government property mark. It was used on all manner of things, not just firearms. At one time even prisonors wore a uniform with arrows on it to show they were considered property and 'guests' of the Govt.

Each and every part of a rifle is inspected. They usualy have a factory inspector stamp (crown over number over letter) unique to each inspector. If Brit service an arrow might also be added as a final view mark.

I have a few older Lee Enfields and I think that almost every single component has the arrow on it somewhere.

There are two styles of arrows. One is made of three straight lines, which is the style used by Birmingham facilities (typicaly by BSA), the other has curvey lines at the arrow head edges which was used by London (Enfield).

Other commonwealth countries had variations on the arrow theme, usualy combined with letters. eg arrow inside a capital C denotes Canada.

Rifle was no doubt sportered after it was sold off to the public.
 
Thanks a lot. It's really interesting to know what the rifle's been through. Do you have any idea what the stampings are on the barrel, forward of the serial number, or are they also inspectors markings?

DSCF1253.jpg


Would you say the bolt is probably original, or added when the rifle was rebarreled?

DSCF1227.jpg


Do you think the rifle would be a good candidate for restoration?

Edit: There's also a number on the sight...
DSCF1243.jpg
 
Last edited:
Bolt handle has been filed down and renumbered. Font looks the same as on the barrel, so it was likely done when the rifle was rebuilt with the new barrel; the bolt is correct. If the rifle were mine, I would be looking to restore it. Because it was redone during WW2, a rebuild would actually be a bit easier than if the rifle had not been redone during its period of issue.
 
Barrel manufacture

The markings ahead of the serial number on the barrel I believe are factory process or factory batch markings. There might be more on the underside of the barrel.

Yes, I would restore it. It is a WWI war horse that probably saw so much use that it needed its worn barrel replaced. Since it was refurbed in 41 in an effort to get rifles into the hands of soldiers, it no doubt saw service in WWII.

At the factory where the refurb was done, any rifles coming in would be inspected and if found to be beyond practicle repair they would be stripped down for serviceable parts to be recycled in other rebuilds. So to restore this rifle, it will be easy to find parts, any mix match would be 'correct'.

Boggles my mind to think how many rounds it might have fired in combat. Just imagine what has been in its sights.
 
Where would one be able to buy the parts needed to restore this rifle, and what would be needed?

I'm thinking it needs.. forward handguards, new forestock, barrel band, sling swivel, nose cap, and a few screws (including a king screw, the current one is in hard shape)

Oh, also, it's kind of non-essential, but would I be able to get a stock disk?
 
All the parts that you will need are floating around. There were literaly millions of these rifles made, so used parts are easy to find and relatively inexpensive.

Get surfing and you can find everything without leaving your chair. Hunting for parts is a big part of hobby. I could tell ya where to go but that would spoil your fun.
 
Restore it and have fun with it.

You have a genuine piece of Great War history that served on again through Hitler's War. Where it has been, what it has seen, you likely will never know. But you know that it has BEEN THERE, DONE THAT....... and it's time you gave it a new T-shirt...... or a new suit of wood. Hardest part will be to find wood, but it is out there.

As to nose caps, I note that Springfield Sporters in the States has UNNUMBERED nose-caps for sale at 8 bucks....... most nosecaps in circulation have been numbered.

These things can really be made to shoot, too! With a little glass-bedding compound and The Damned Crack fixed, you will be well on your way to having a ball in the increasingly-popular military rifle shoots.

Keep smilin', have fun!
 
It appears that Marstar carries all the needed parts. Is this a good source for parts to restore a SMLE?

Edit: The Damned Crack? I don't think I'm familiar..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom