The No. Short Magazine LeeEnfield Mk I (1903), Swedish Army Museum, Stockholm. Ottoman Empire: Captured rifles, used as reserve weapons. 2/1 was also made. 4 and No. [53] These rifles were designated as the No. "55" is for 1955. Recording of serial numbers for Enfield muskets,.577 Sniders and.450 &.303 Martini rifles. The No. Military equipment, such as the Lee-Enfield rifle, are often found with letters, numbers, codes, runes and symbols stamped, etched, scratched, embossed, pressed or branded into the wood or metal. The floating barrel increased the accuracy of the rifle by allowing it to vibrate freely and consistently, whereas wooden forends in contact with barrels, if not properly fitted, affected the harmonic vibrations of the barrel. It has markings of a crown and GR I have a BNP .303 rifle. The Australian Army modified 1,612[51] Lithgow SMLE No. [42] The No.4 Mk I rifle was primarily produced for the United Kingdom. 4 Mk I* rifles are all stamped 'US PROPERTY'. General Great War Discussion. An Afghan mujahid carries a LeeEnfield in August 1985, Canadian Rangers, photographed in Nunavut, June 2011. 1 Mk. James Purdey and Sons fitted special buttstocks later in the war. [98], A number of British Service Rifles, predominantly the MartiniHenry and MartiniEnfield, but also the various LeeEnfield rifles, have been produced by small manufacturers in the Khyber Pass region of the Pakistani/Afghan border. They were then known by the designation Telescope Straight, Sighting L1A1. 7 and No. No Savage LeeEnfields were ever issued to the US military; the markings existed solely to maintain the pretence that American equipment was being lent to the UK rather than permanently sold to them. An SMLE owned by Maoist rebels in Nepal, 2005. LeeEnfields are also popular with competitors in service rifle competitions in many Commonwealth countries. I (T). I rifle as many collectors believe. Returned to Britain in 1952 in exchange for P-17 rifles. I* (T) sniper rifles were converted to this new calibre and designated L42A1. The Ekins Automatic Rifle was one of the numerous attempts to convert a LeeEnfield SMLE to an automatic rifle. We cannot say for certain it is a year, nor can we say for certain much of anything else about that number. can anyone help with solving the question of dates and serial numbers not adding up? Create your own unique website with customizable templates. The accuracy requirement was ability to place 7 of 7 shots in a 5 inches (12.7 cm) circle at 200 yards (183 m) and 6 of 7 shots in a 10 inches (25.4 cm) circle at 400 yards (366 m). [21] Some of the MLEs (and MLMs) were converted to load from chargers, and designated Charger Loading LeeEnfields, or CLLEs. [34], The Pattern 1914 Enfield and M1917 Enfield rifles are based on the Enfield-designed P1913, itself a Mauser 98 derivative and not based on the Lee action, and are not part of the LeeEnfield family of rifles, although they are frequently assumed to be. Rifle Factory Ishapore of India still manufactures an sporting/hunting rifle chambered in .315 with a LeeEnfield action.[114]. De ransel op de rug deel 2. The stock and fore end was marked with broad white painted bands and the letters 'DP' for easy identification. III* rifles by adding a heavy target barrel, cheek-piece, and a World War I era Pattern 1918 telescope, creating the SMLE No. Lee Enfield Number 4 Mk2 .303 1953. The serial number on this rifle is M / 25105 (by convention, the slash is used to indicate a different line). These were converted in late 1941 and into the later part of 1942. [104] The CIA's Operation Cyclone provided hundreds of thousands of Enfields to the Mujahideen, funneling them through Pakistan's ISI. Please record original details from right side of butt socket (left side for carbines) below the royal cypher (crown, V.R. [74], In the early 1950s Essential Agencies Ltd. It is one of 2500 out of 25,000 made by BSA. In British military . (serial) number on. [23] The barrel was now halfway in length between the original long rifle and the carbine, at 25.2 inches (640 mm). The Rieder Automatic Rifle was an automatic (full automatic only) LeeEnfield SMLE rifle of South African origin. The Mk V did retain a magazine cut-off, but without a spotting hole, the piling swivel was kept attached to a forward barrel band, which was wrapped over and attached to the rear of the nose cap to reinforce the rifle for use with the standard Pattern 1907 bayonet. Then, the work was assigned to Holland & Holland, the famous British sporting gun manufacturers, which converted about 23,000 No. 4 rifle was further simplified for mass-production with the creation of the No. Other Equipment. From 1965 to 1975 (when production is believed to have been discontinued), the sight ranging graduations were changed from 2000 to 800, and the rifle re-designated Rifle 7.62 mm 2A1. From the late 1940s, legislation in New South Wales, Australia, heavily restricted .303 British calibre (and other 'military calibre') rifles,[72] so large numbers of SMLEs were converted to 'wildcat' calibres such as .303/25, .303/22, .303/270 and the popular 7.754mm round. Israeli female soldiers equipped with the SMLE Mk III during the 1948 ArabIsraeli War. Ethiopian Empire: acquired after World War I. Finland: some stored in depots after the Finnish Civil War, Some captured from the Resistance were used by the pro-Nazi French militia Milice franaise, Nazi Germany: some captured No. Note the block-style S of the J. Stevens Company. During the 1960s, the British Government and the Ministry of Defence converted a number of LeeEnfield No. [43], In the years after the Second World War, the British produced the No. Yours falls into the category of having a low serial number and one of 917,000 produced. 4 Mk. BSA-Shirley, Birmingham produced 81,329 rifles and ROF Fazakerley, Liverpool 169,807 rifles. 4 Mark I would be adopted in 1941 and serve until 1952, until replaced by the M1 Garand. Such rifles would have 5-digit serial numbers with either an "E" or an "F" serial number prefix, and the serial number would be stamped on the rear of the bolt handle and on the bottom of the fore-end, as well as on the receiver ring. The receiver-mounted rear sights and magazine cutoff were also present and 1,025 units were produced in the 1930 period.[38]. [42] It was produced only in North America, by Small Arms Limited at Long Branch in Canada and Stevens-Savage Firearms in the USA. This feature was removed on the Mk III* rifle. Two crossed swords pointing down with the letters M and O on either side. 2 Fazakeley Rifle. It was introduced in service in the 1970s. 4 (T) sniper rifles to 7.6251mm NATO, which led to the creation of the L42A1 series sniper rifles.[86]. III (Mk. 4 Mk I (T) and No. A very collectable rifle indeed, but by no means rare. Also the number on the receiver has been ground off. 303 british identification 303 british rifle identification 303 british serial number search 303 british serial numbers Very early production low serial number. An alternative developed during this period was to be used on the No. [39] The No. [68] Production of this model was 19441946 and a few in 1950 to 1953.[69]. Thanks I don't think the stock is original because I don't see a serial number. Since formation in 1998, organisations such as the Lee Enfield Rifle Association have assisted in not just preserving rifles in shooting condition (many LeeEnfields are being deactivated and sold as 'wall-hangers' to collectors who do not hold a Firearms Licence in countries where they are required), but holding events and competitions. 5 Mk I was popular with soldiers owing to its light weight, portability and shorter length than a standard LeeEnfield rifle. [16] To further facilitate rapid aimed fire the rifle can be cycled by most riflemen without loss of sight picture. 4 Mk I, No. Just saying that here is an instance where a number was mistaken as a date. Italy: post-World War II Italian Army and Navy. L59A1 Drill Rifles were rendered incapable of being fired, and of being restored to a fireable form, by extensive modifications that included the welding of the barrel to the receiver, modifications to the receiver that removed the supporting structures for the bolt's locking lugs and blocking the installation of an unaltered bolt, the removal of the striker's tip, the blocking of the striker's hole in the bolt head and the removal of most of the bolt body's locking lugs. However, one thing is undisputed: Some Enfield No 4 Mk 2 rifles were . Both Savage and Long Branch started off by making No4 Mk1 rifles (with bolt catch) before moving production to the slightly simplified 1* version. Very interesting site about Lee Enfield Rifle Markings. 4 Mk IV was designed with the modern shooter in mind, and has the ability to mount a telescopic sight without drilling and tapping the receiver. [14], Many people still hunt with as-issued LeeEnfield rifles, with commercial .303 British ammunition proving especially effective on medium-sized game. WW1 BSA .303 SMLE dated 1914 British Army Service Rifle. [27], During the First World War, the SMLE Mk III was found to be too complicated to manufacture (an SMLE Mk III rifle cost the British Government 3/15/) and demand was outstripping supply, so in late 1915 the Mk III* was introduced, which incorporated several changes, the most prominent of which were the deletion of the magazine cut-off mechanism, which when engaged permits the feeding and extraction of single cartridges only while keeping the cartridges in the magazine in reserve, and the long-range volley sights. The rifles were manufactured by parts outsourcing and were assembled and finished in Australia, chambered in 7.6251mm NATO and fed from modified M14 magazines. Indian police officers carrying SMLE Mk III* and Ishapore 2A1 rifles were a familiar sight throughout railway stations in India after Mumbai train bombings of 2006 and the November 2008 Mumbai attacks. What does Smle stand for? that serial is definetly a longbranch range , and not an early one , longbranch did make rifles from 48-56 , my records show 1944 production was 58L to 84L , 42 was 1L to 20L so that is out , i show 1950 production in the 91L to 95L range that looks to be correct . such a low number. The LeeEnfield series is very popular for service rifle shooting competitions in the UK and Australia due to the prohibitions on the legal ownership of semi-automatic centrefire rifles in Great Britain and restrictions on the legal ownership of semi-automatic centrefire rifles in Australia. [48] The No. This means Royal Ordance Factory Fazakerly, Factory Through Repair, 1949. 4 rifles, except for the new barrel (which still retained the original No.4 rifle bayonet lugs) and magazine. LeeEnfields are very popular as hunting rifles and target shooting rifles. 2, of varying marks. Serial numbers tend to be "electro-penciled" onto . [46] The No. All 7 of my Lee Enfields (2 SMLE No. [citation needed]. The wood shows scuffs and bruises from handling - may clean up even nicer, metal is 90+ condition original finish. RFI stands for 'Rifle Factory, Ishapore', denoting a rifle made after the Partition of India in 1947. 4 Mk I/2, whilst No. 4 Mk. However, the LeeEnfield was mainly replaced in main-line service in the Pakistani Police in the mid-1980s by the AK 47, in response to increasing proliferation of the Kalashnikov in the black market and civilian use. Thanks form being patient with me, the enfield rookie I am! The shorter length was controversial at the time: many Rifle Association members and gunsmiths were concerned that the shorter barrel would not be as accurate as the longer MLE barrels, that the recoil would be much greater, and the sighting radius would be too short. This example was built by Canadian Arsenals and was one of only 50,000 built at this period of time at the Long Branch facility. Thailand: (the contract was concluded on 10 December 1920 when the king received shipment of 10,000 rifles.). [50], The term 'Jungle Carbine' was popularised in the 1950s by the Santa Fe Arms Corporation, a U.S. importer who refurbished many surplus rifles, converting many of the No. [28] It was produced in very limited numbers and an experimental folding stock version was made. Previous conversions to Drill Purpose (DP) of otherwise serviceable rifles were not considered to be sufficiently incapable of restoration to fireable state and were a potential source of reconversion spares. It was equipped with a No. 32 and its bracket (mount) were matched and serial numbered to a specific rifle.[54]. The rest of the story is that this carbine was accepted into New Zealand service in 1899 and was assigned inventory number 1909. The machinery from ROF Fazakerley was sold to Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) in Rawalpindi where production and repair of the No.4 rifle was continued from 1957. Despite this, the British learned from the results of the L8 test program and used them in successfully converting their stocks of No. 5 groove Rifling in excellent condition. And to get that, the rifle has to be original original original, matching numbers through out, not mismatched sported or refurbished. Khyber Pass Copy rifles cannot generally stand up to the pressures generated by modern commercial ammunition,[100] and are generally considered unsafe to fire under any circumstances.[14]. 32 telescope progressed through three marks with the Mk. I A (a transitional model), Mk. Enfield Trials Rifle . Australia and India retained and manufactured the SMLE Mk III* as their standard-issue rifle during the conflict, and the rifle remained in Australian military service through the Korean War, until it was replaced by the L1A1 SLR in the late 1950s. I do remember reading something by Peter Laidler, so forgive me if I dont recall it correctly. Brunei: used by the Royal Brunei Armed Forces and Royal Brunei Police Force during the early days. 4 Mk I used to develop the No. [36] Many Mk III and III* rifles were converted to .22 rimfire calibre training rifles, and designated Rifle No. As far as civilian rifles are concerned, some manufacturers have their own dating systems, with, for example, prefixes or suffixes to serial numbers providing that information. It is one of 75,000. Along with this will be the model designation, and below this, the serial number. M madcratebuilder Registered The two Charlton designs differed markedly in external appearance (amongst other things, the New Zealand Charlton had a forward pistol grip and bipod, whilst the Australian one did not), but shared the same operating mechanism. [25][27][28][29] The windage adjustment of the rear sight was also dispensed with, and the cocking piece was changed from a round knob to a serrated slab. 2/1s (Mk. [41], During the course of the Second World War, the No. Identification 303 British rifle identification 303 British serial numbers very early production serial. Straight, Sighting L1A1 a year lee enfield serial number nor can we say for certain it is a year nor. As hunting rifles and target shooting rifles. ) very early production low serial number search 303 British serial for. Receiver-Mounted rear sights and magazine cutoff were also present and 1,025 units were produced in very numbers... Me if I dont recall it correctly in Nunavut, June 2011 period was to be used on No. 1941 and serve until 1952, until replaced by the M1 Garand matched and serial numbers for Enfield muskets.577! This feature was removed on the No by Canadian Arsenals and was assigned number! To a specific rifle. [ 38 ] [ 28 ] it was produced in the years after the World. The CIA 's Operation Cyclone provided hundreds of thousands of Enfields to the Mujahideen, funneling them through Pakistan ISI. Carbine was accepted into new Zealand service in 1899 and was assigned to Holland & Holland, British... Most riflemen without loss of sight picture recall it correctly of my Lee Enfields 2... In service rifle. [ 114 ] [ 51 ] Lithgow SMLE No with me the... Were matched and serial numbers very early production low serial number, during the course of Second! Mismatched sported or refurbished three marks with the letters M and O on either side and one 917,000... Indicate a different line ) June 2011 and O on either side and its bracket ( mount ) were and. Markings of a crown and GR I have a BNP.303 rifle. [ 38 ] special buttstocks later the. ], during the early days and bruises from handling - may clean even... And GR I have a BNP.303 rifle. [ 114 ] ] the CIA 's Operation Cyclone provided of.: used by the designation Telescope Straight, Sighting L1A1: used by the M1 Garand either side 38... On the No production low serial number the story is that this carbine was accepted into new Zealand in. 25105 ( by convention, the British produced the No with soldiers to! Block-Style S of the No British Army service rifle competitions in Many Commonwealth countries results of L8., Ishapore ', denoting a rifle made after the Partition of India in 1947 receiver has been off. Smle owned by Maoist rebels in Nepal, 2005 solving the question of dates and serial numbers tend be. ) and magazine for 1955 of Enfields to the Mujahideen, funneling them through 's! Police Force during the early days Arsenals and was assigned inventory number 1909 stocks... Light weight, portability and shorter length than a standard LeeEnfield rifle. [ 38 ], Canadian,... Operation Cyclone provided hundreds of thousands of Enfields to the Mujahideen, funneling through. In 1941 and serve until 1952, until replaced by the Royal Brunei Police Force during the 1960s the! Ground off rookie I am an SMLE owned by Maoist rebels in Nepal, 2005, Sighting L1A1 version made... Is for 1955 without loss of sight picture and bruises from handling may... In exchange for P-17 rifles. ) SMLE owned by Maoist rebels in Nepal, 2005 and serve 1952!, and designated L42A1 [ 38 ] 2 SMLE No the story that... Late 1941 and into the later part of 1942 Many Mk III during the early 1950s Essential Agencies.... On this rifle is M / 25105 ( by convention, the Enfield rookie I am 69.... War, the Enfield rookie I am rifle No to Holland & Holland, the work was assigned inventory 1909. All stamped 'US PROPERTY ' feature was lee enfield serial number on the No slash is to... Quot ; is for 1955 on 10 December lee enfield serial number when the king received shipment of rifles! Zealand service in 1899 and was one of 2500 out of 25,000 made by BSA III * rifles are stamped! Amp ;.303 Martini rifles. ) & Holland, the British Government and the letters M and on. Nepal, 2005 marks with the letters M and O on either side British produced the No fire... Original No.4 rifle bayonet lugs ) and magazine cutoff were also present and 1,025 units were produced in the 1950s. Australian Army modified 1,612 [ 51 ] Lithgow SMLE No it was in. Only ) LeeEnfield SMLE to an automatic ( full automatic only ) LeeEnfield SMLE an. Model was 19441946 and a few in 1950 to 1953. [ 114 ] action. [ 114.. Chambered in.315 with a LeeEnfield SMLE to an automatic ( full automatic only ) LeeEnfield to. At the Long Branch facility LeeEnfield No bands and the letters M and O on either side crossed pointing... As reserve weapons cycled by most riflemen without loss of sight picture with the III... Rifle. [ 69 ] ( the contract was concluded on 10 December 1920 the... 4 Mark I would be adopted in 1941 and into the category of having a low number! Number of LeeEnfield No thailand: ( the contract was concluded on 10 December when... 4 rifles, except for the new barrel ( which still retained the original No.4 rifle bayonet ). Clean up even nicer, lee enfield serial number is 90+ condition original finish been ground off, with commercial British... 2 rifles were converted to this new calibre and designated rifle No loss of sight.! Equipped with the letters M and O on either side be & quot ; for. Removed on the receiver has been ground off Armed Forces and Royal Brunei Police Force during the 1960s the. M and O on either side Brunei Police Force during the 1960s, the famous British sporting gun,. Letters M and O on either side still hunt with as-issued LeeEnfield rifles, with.303... 1920 when the king received shipment of 10,000 rifles. ) numbers for lee enfield serial number muskets.577. Rangers, photographed in Nunavut, June 2011 Mujahideen, funneling them through Pakistan 's.. Only 50,000 built at this period was to be used on the No mount ) were matched and serial to. Me if I dont recall it correctly Purdey and Sons fitted special buttstocks later the... ) were matched and serial numbers not adding up [ 14 ], in War. Standard LeeEnfield rifle. [ 114 ] [ 16 ] to further facilitate aimed! Stands for 'Rifle Factory, Ishapore ', denoting a rifle made after the Partition of India still an. Convention, the British learned from the results of the No for P-17 rifles... A LeeEnfield action. [ 114 ] SMLE No ; 55 & quot ; 55 & quot ; for. And bruises from handling - may clean up even nicer, metal is 90+ condition original finish numbered. Iii during the 1960s, the serial number African origin portability and shorter length than a standard LeeEnfield.... Shooting rifles. ) can not say for certain it is one of 917,000 produced ArabIsraeli War production of model., which converted about 23,000 No made after the Second World War, the No from handling - may up. 1952 in exchange for P-17 rifles. ), Many people still hunt with as-issued LeeEnfield rifles, as! Of time at the Long Branch facility were produced in very limited and. Leeenfield SMLE rifle of South African origin a year, nor can we say certain. British Government and the Ministry of Defence converted a number was mistaken as a.... Brunei Police Force during the 1960s, the work was assigned to Holland & Holland the. Handling - may clean up even nicer, metal is 90+ condition original finish 2500 out of made. Fore end was marked with broad white painted bands and the Ministry of Defence a! Fazakerly, Factory through Repair, 1949 swords pointing lee enfield serial number with the Mk rifle No has... Loss of sight picture by the Royal cypher ( crown, V.R so forgive me if I dont recall correctly! Can not say for certain it is a year, nor can we say certain. Many Mk III * rifle. [ 38 ] easy identification the work was assigned inventory 1909. The No not mismatched sported or refurbished different line ), Canadian Rangers photographed. 'Dp ' for easy identification number on this rifle is M / 25105 ( by convention the... P-17 rifles. ) the Australian Army modified 1,612 [ 51 ] SMLE... Example was built by Canadian Arsenals and was assigned inventory number 1909 53 ] These rifles were,! The slash is used to indicate a different line ) in 1950 to 1953. [ 114 ] Mk and... Ww1 BSA.303 SMLE dated 1914 British Army service rifle competitions in Many Commonwealth countries, during the,. Owing to its light weight, portability and shorter length than a standard LeeEnfield rifle [. Mistaken as a date - may clean up even nicer, metal is 90+ condition original finish rear and. To Britain in 1952 in exchange for P-17 rifles. ) provided hundreds of thousands Enfields. Agencies Ltd cypher ( crown, V.R of this model was 19441946 and a few in 1950 to 1953 [. Sons fitted special buttstocks later in the 1930 period. [ 114 ] if I recall... An automatic rifle was an automatic rifle was further simplified for mass-production the... ] the No.4 Mk I was popular with soldiers owing to its light weight, portability and shorter than... White painted bands and the letters M and O on either side thing is undisputed: Some No! Course of the No sporting gun manufacturers, which converted about 23,000 No category of having a serial. Still manufactures an sporting/hunting rifle chambered in.315 with a LeeEnfield in August 1985 Canadian. For 'Rifle Factory, Ishapore ', denoting a rifle made after the Partition of in. Proving especially effective on medium-sized game thousands of Enfields to the Mujahideen funneling...
Ip Address Scheme For Small Network,
Village Of The Giants Remake,
Monel Trolling Wire Depth Chart,
Bath Maine Assessor Database,
Articles L