Samtosh22 Posted 6 May , 2022 Share Posted 6 May , 2022 Hi everyone! new to the forum and hoping to get some help in dating/identifying an Enfield rifle I purchased. Please ignore the sporter stock…the goal is to put a proper one on in the future. I’ve tried to attach as many relevant pictures as possible in identification. Any help in giving the story of this old girl would be awesome. TIA! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMB1943 Posted 6 May , 2022 Share Posted 6 May , 2022 Sam, Welcome to the Forum. If you lift the rear-sight leaf, you should find a serial number on the underside. One of the resident experts @4thGordons et al will be along shortly to fully ID your SMLE that was made at the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield (RSAF) in Middlesex, England in 1917. Regards, JMB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samtosh22 Posted 6 May , 2022 Author Share Posted 6 May , 2022 Wow! Outstanding, had no idea that was there…looks like M51098. Thanks for that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 6 May , 2022 Share Posted 6 May , 2022 (edited) Not much more to add really - the photos are rather small and indistinct But from what I can see it was produced as a MkIII* in 1917 as JMB but was refinished to MkIII standard (probably inter-war) - with the addition of the cut-off slot. This is why the * is lined out on the wrist. The serial number on the barrel and the receiver appear to match and should also be repeated on the underside of the rear sight (does not appear to match from what you say) and also on the flat at the rear of the bolt handle. One interesting element is that it has an earlier windage adjustable rear sight (but be very careful -- many of these are pinned in place so they are NOT adjustable and you will break them if you try.) This is probably a post service replacement which is why the number does not match (in service it would have been re-numbered. It also appears to have UK civilian proof marks (on the right side of the barrel knox form) and also an early (pre 1968) import mark (ENGLAND) showing the country of origin. If you look on the left side of the barrel knox form at about the level of the wood you might well see a broad arrow and a date in the form apostrophe and 2 digits. If it is the original barrel it will be '17 but it may well have been replaced when it was refinished to MkIII standard (so I would guess at a date in the mid 30s) I cannot make out the stampings in your picture -- they are too small and blurry If there is no date on the barrel and it is possible it was rebarreled and refinished in India (they had quite a big program inter war) the proof marks would reveal this but as I said I cannot make out the stampings. So basic life would be produced in 1917 as a MkIII*, refinished inter war as a MkIII, sold through the gun trade, imported into the US (before 1968) and then sportered at some point. Chris Edited 6 May , 2022 by 4thGordons add detail Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samtosh22 Posted 6 May , 2022 Author Share Posted 6 May , 2022 Chris, I apologize for the poor quality of the photos! Let me reupload them. It may take several posts, but I can get them at better quality! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 6 May , 2022 Share Posted 6 May , 2022 Thanks! those are much clearer OK so re barreled in 1928 it would seem and done at Enfield. (see last picture) - so not an Indian update Confirms UK civilian proof stampings on right side of barrel. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samtosh22 Posted 6 May , 2022 Author Share Posted 6 May , 2022 Thank you so much! How fascinating! I truly appreciate all the help! I am hopeful to restore the stock to its former glory. The barrel needs some cleaning inside, but it’s such a beautiful piece. I greatly appreciate all the help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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