staffsreg Posted 17 July , 2006 Share Posted 17 July , 2006 Dear Pals, i wanted to accurately date my rifle if at all possible, where do i look for serial no.s, markings, which may help? Ivan. I also have a bayonet in perfect condition a Sanderson 1907. ** both are my pride and joy ** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 17 July , 2006 Share Posted 17 July , 2006 hasn't it got a date on it? stamped on the right side of the buttstock socket. the serial numbers are stamped on the receiver, barrel, bolt, nosecap and forestock. Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staffsreg Posted 17 July , 2006 Author Share Posted 17 July , 2006 Im at work at the moment Mick, will find all no.s and continue thread tomorrow, now I know where to look. all I know is thats it's a de-ac and has DP stamped on it in a couple of places, and I have seen the foreend serial no.. Cheers my friend, Ivan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 17 July , 2006 Share Posted 17 July , 2006 DP means it has been used for Drill Purposes. Past its useful life as a firing weapon and used for drill, where it wouldnt matter if its occassionally dropped, banged hard on the ground or otherwise tortured. Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staffsreg Posted 17 July , 2006 Author Share Posted 17 July , 2006 Mick, I tell you what mate, it hasn't been dropped in my 18 years of care , i treat it like a small child, and woe betide any of my offspring or better 'arf, should they touch it! LOL! Just holding the rifle and cocking the action makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up, it's awesome. I do remember a 1960 engraved into the rifle, this cannot be the date of manufacture surely??? It is definitely a no.1 mark 3! Ivan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnr.ktrha Posted 17 July , 2006 Share Posted 17 July , 2006 With the date 1960 on it, it could be an Indian one. Regards, Stewart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 17 July , 2006 Share Posted 17 July , 2006 Up to 1962 I believe, when they changed to 7.62. this calibre was made up to ?1975 according to one source. This source also states they were produced in both .303 and 7.62 NATO. There was sufficient parts already on the shelf, so, .303 rifles were assembled from stock on hand for a while. A few, (very rare) .303 examples dated 1965 have been observed. Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark holden Posted 17 July , 2006 Share Posted 17 July , 2006 After the Mumbai bombings there was a clear TV footage of an Indian Policeman carrying a MKIII SMLE. regards Mark Up to 1962 I believe, when they changed to 7.62. this calibre was made up to ?1975 according to one source. This source also states they were produced in both .303 and 7.62 NATO. There was sufficient parts already on the shelf, so, .303 rifles were assembled from stock on hand for a while. A few, (very rare) .303 examples dated 1965 have been observed. Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 17 July , 2006 Share Posted 17 July , 2006 I believe they are used by the Indian police in 410 shotgun calibre mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyE Posted 17 July , 2006 Share Posted 17 July , 2006 They were indeed issued in .410, but not the normal .410 shotgun cartridge. The round was the Indian Pattern .410 Musket and consisted of a straight un-necked .303 case, usually loaded with either a single round ball or buckshot, see picture. When we gat the details of Ivan's SMLE I will do my best to help, but it does sound like an Ishapore job. Ivan. Does it have a woodscrew through the fore-end in front of the magazine? If so it is definitely Indian. Regards TonyE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staffsreg Posted 17 July , 2006 Author Share Posted 17 July , 2006 now i have spoken to more knowledgeable gents, i think you are right. my bubble has well and truly burst! i imagined a Tommy carrying this rifle around with him, if not in the Great war then in the Second at least. my dreams are at an end. i will send some pictures if i am able..here goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staffsreg Posted 17 July , 2006 Author Share Posted 17 July , 2006 Sorry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staffsreg Posted 17 July , 2006 Author Share Posted 17 July , 2006 and another Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staffsreg Posted 17 July , 2006 Author Share Posted 17 July , 2006 at the foreend the serial no. is J34367. Sorry about quality of pictures! Ivan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heatseeker Posted 17 July , 2006 Share Posted 17 July , 2006 at the foreend the serial no. is J34367. Sorry about quality of pictures! Ivan Looking at the reinforcing strap at the base of the fore end (behind the trigger, as seen on No4 .303s) and the screw through the stock forward of the magazine, I'd say that's an Ishapore rifle, or at least a rifle that's been rebuilt by Ishapore. If you raise the bolt handle you should see a manufacturer and date on the strap underneath. It is not unusual for rifles (Lithgow, BSA etc) reworked at Ishapore to be denuded of all their markings and re-stamped. The ghost of that rifle may indeed have served in the great war, but if that's the case, it's almost certainly as Ishapore re-build. However, if the date 1965 appears, I'd say it's a modern Indian rifle. Indian made 7.62 NATO version of the SMLE on new actions (the .303s couldn't take the higher pressure), but they also made new .303 SMLEs as late as 1980 to bolster the huge stock of weapons in that calibre still in service. Apart from its modern pedigree for you, a Great War collector, that is a perfectly good rifle which is part of the long SMLE story ... many people malign the "Ishys", but they are robust, servicable and accurate rifles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staffsreg Posted 18 July , 2006 Author Share Posted 18 July , 2006 Thanks Heatseeker, you have at least made me feel a little better! it is denuded of all 'Crown/official markings but has 1960 RFI impressed in. thanks again Chums, Ivan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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