So what did I just buy? (SMLE Mk III* ID help!)

[autocrash]

So I just acquired a sporterized Mk III* (1918 - BSA) and I'm hoping someone can help me with more information on the gun.


18 broad arrow stamped on barrel.

Stamp on butt - L arrow A or I arrow A in a circle.

G89 stamped on cocking knob.

With a little work, I hope to bring her back to original...

Any help appreciated!

Thanks,

Matt

 

[louthepou]

Hi Matt, the main bit of info is on the right side of the receiver butt socket. What can you read over there?

 

[smellie]

Original First World War barrel still on her; those things lasted 5/8 of forever if they were looked after.

She has been through Birmingham Repair (the old Sparkbrook plant, used as a repair plant until after the end of the Great War); the script B on the Cocking-piece tells you that much.

NICE part is that she has NO commercial proofs!

A few photos will really help with this one.

Great score!

 

[autocrash]

Socket pictures will be up later today - but from memory it says 1918 BSA, Sht.M.L.E. Mk III*

Smellie - What else can I provide pictures of?

She's rough around the edges... really rough on some edges, but every serial number I can find matches...

Thanks guys!

 

[TonyE]

Original First World War barrel still on her; those things lasted 5/8 of forever if they were looked after.

She has been through Birmingham Repair (the old Sparkbrook plant, used as a repair plant until after the end of the Great War); the script B on the Cocking-piece tells you that much.

NICE part is that she has NO commercial proofs!

A few photos will really help with this one.

Great score!

Not so, Birmingham Repair at Sparkbrook closed in 1906 and the plant sold to BSA. Government inspectors based there continued to use the italic B on the Inspectors stamps throughout WWI for components produced there by BSA. The same inspection marks can also be found on Webley revolvers.

Regards
TonyE

 

[autocrash]

A few more pictures.

Other side of the barrel:

Side of rear sight:

Another shot of the stamp on the butt stock - I still think it says I↑A.

Right side of Socket:

Thanks for all the help guys, I really appreciate it.

The more I learn about this rifle, the more I am convinced that it must be restored. The bore may be a little rough, and I need to find an extractor spring, but other than that it should be good.

 

[BUSHMAN79]

Interesting old rifle, rebuilt in India it would seem. Looks like Indian roundel on the butt. Interesting too that it has the old style cocking piece, they were not very common after 1916.

 

[autocrash]

Interesting old rifle, rebuilt in India it would seem. Looks like Indian roundel on the butt. Interesting too that it has the old style cocking piece, they were not very common after 1916.

http://www.enfield-stuff.com/regimentals/rifles/rifle_images/R213/Album/pages/R213_06_jpg.htm

Yup, I↑A over an S (that I know to look for now!)

Thanks!

So, how did all these rifles end up in India (Ishapore Arsenal) and then to Canada?

 

[Claven2]

It was not necessarily reworked in India, the ISA roundel could just indicate inspection. If it has no RFI, FI, or GRI marked parts on it, I would tend to favor the inspection theory. India was part of the British Empire until 1949 so it's totally normal to see UK produced materiel with Indian service history.

India surplused a LOT of Enfields to the west over the last 20 years or so. Bob Edwards wrote a great book about these, if you can find a copy - "India's Enfields".