SMLE without post war proofing

[.45colt]

The WW1 era SMLEs I have come across have the usual post war proofs like BNP, 18.5 tons, 2.222 and so on.

Are there any WW1 guns still out there without these post war markings? If so are they higher priced or what is the deal?

 

[JP]

"BNP, 18.5 tons, 2.222 and so on"

Those are commercial proof marks, British Laws requires rifles sold as surplus on the british market be proof tested before sale, even if they are to be exported at a later date.

 

[buffdog]

The WW1 era SMLEs I have come across have the usual post war proofs like BNP, 18.5 tons, 2.222 and so on.

Are there any WW1 guns still out there without these post war markings? If so are they higher priced or what is the deal?

Most of the SMLE and other rifles coming from England had to be proof fired and marked. After 1968, the "England" stamps complied with USA import laws.

However, other countries that used SMLE rifles that were bought by the major arms dealers did not have to comply with the British proofs. You will find Australian, Canadian, Arab, and other European Countries that used the SMLE did not stamp the Commercial Proof Markings on a lot of their Surplus rifles.
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