SMLE No.1 MkIII Questions

[Khristiensan]

Hi guys, can you tell me which year did the SMLE No.1 MkIII go into production? And which year were they stopped being made?

 

[Claven2]

1907 - beginning of production. Examples (in .303 - not 7.62) have come out of Ishapore as late as 1987 from personal observation - perhaps even longer.

 

[John Sukey]

They stopped making them? I think India still does. At least into the 1980's and their faactories still make sporting versions.
They certainly served in WW2.

 

[Skippy]

I've also got a question.

Before independence, would the Indian SMLE's have been issued to British troops? Or were all Ishapores kept within India. I've got a 1933 No.1 Mk.III with magazine cut off, and I'm wondering who it served with.