SMLE No. 1 Mk III* Enfield 1917. Canadian C-broad-arrow marked on the receiver, knox

The arm and sword .303 2.22 and crown over entwined are post 1954 commercial proof marks of the London Proof House.
 
Your pictures show the serial number (2154), year of manufacture (1923), and the proof marks for export. These are the "knife in the hand" with an "NP" below it and the the verbage ".303 2.22" 18.5 Tons per square inches" or in its short form. The Canadian Broad arrow is there as well/. Your rifle was originated in the Uk; saw service in the Canadian Forces and was sold out of service then imported into Canada...reason for the 1950's proof. Most likely sporterized? If you have the brass disc in the stock it will should have stamping that will allow you to see which unit it was assigned to at some point in its life. Hope this helps. Ron
 
Hi,i dont have the disc,so what i understand,this rifle made in uk,use by canadian during the war,after they import it to sporterized,what about the 1917 years stamped,did you know something about it,thank it was very interesting
 
The RIFLE date is on the Body (what the Americans call the 'receiver) of the rifle and it is 1917. That is the year that it was built as a RIFLE.

Following the First World War, it was rebuilt, at Enfield, and given a new barrel. The new barrel was installed in 1923, and that is where the "'23" on the chamber comes from.

It is a First World War rifle, rebuilt in the 1920s and put into stotage so as to be available a few years down the road, which is when that nice Mister Hitler began goosing and stepping about the landscape. Our politicians woke up (about 6 years later) and started rearming. Fortunately, this rifle was available, having already been rebuilt.

There is a LOT of information in proof marks, ESPECIALLY British ones, once you learn to read them.

Have fun!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom