Gareth Davies Posted 8 October , 2014 Share Posted 8 October , 2014 Could the standard issue SMLE fire both the Mk VI and Mk VII round? The Regimental history of Gardner's Horse suggests not. If not why not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikB Posted 8 October , 2014 Share Posted 8 October , 2014 Yes it could, but was less than ideal with an incorrect mark under battle conditions. Mk.VI used a heavier bullet at lower velocity, so at distances of more than a couple of hundred yards trajectory differences became problematic and the sights couldn't be set to match the numbers on the slide. So rifles made for Mk.VII were (IIRC) marked 'HV' (High Velocity) and had different rearsight calibrations. There was also a difference in the magazine shape, though I don't know if that would've prevented magazine loading of the other mark, or made its feeding unreliable. Regards, MikB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Davies Posted 8 October , 2014 Author Share Posted 8 October , 2014 Many thanks Mike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc2 Posted 8 October , 2014 Share Posted 8 October , 2014 As far as I know, the rifle could fire both bullets, but the different bullet weights and shape might make the sights inaccurate. e.g. sights for the Mk VI might not shoot to point of aim for the Mk VII. Sorry, MikB and my messages passed each other in the ether. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 8 October , 2014 Share Posted 8 October , 2014 Yes it could, but was less than ideal with an incorrect mark under battle conditions. Mk.VI used a heavier bullet at lower velocity, so at distances of more than a couple of hundred yards trajectory differences became problematic and the sights couldn't be set to match the numbers on the slide. So rifles made for Mk.VII were (IIRC) marked 'HV' (High Velocity) and had different rearsight calibrations. There was also a difference in the magazine shape, though I don't know if that would've prevented magazine loading of the other mark, or made its feeding unreliable. Regards, MikB What he said. The HV stamp is just behind the rear sight. The main issue with magazines was reliable feeding. The lip shape needed to feed the round nosed MkVI as opposed to the pointed (spitzer) MkVII was different, both can both be loaded OK but reliably chambering round is an issue. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrel Posted 8 October , 2014 Share Posted 8 October , 2014 As the London Scottish discovered at Messines in October 1914 - only theirs was MkVII ammunition and an earleir mark magazine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmaasz Posted 8 October , 2014 Share Posted 8 October , 2014 The Oxfordshire Hussars were issued with different rifles for the Mk VII ammo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Davies Posted 8 October , 2014 Author Share Posted 8 October , 2014 As were Gardner's Horse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmaasz Posted 8 October , 2014 Share Posted 8 October , 2014 Couldn't find the reference for my earlier post. I have it now. The new rifles were issued on 17 October 1914. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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