Info on Lee Enfield SMLE Mk. III rifles

[WWGunslinger]

I picked up a Enfield SMLE Mk. III .303 caliber at the gun show today. This is my first historical military weapon purchase.
Everything is original, but the stock was refinished.

Anywhere I can find more info about them, specifically what the marks and stamps mean? Any info on taking care of it and any other general info would be great too.

I picked up some .303 British ammo at the show too. Looks to be maybe military surplus. Any info or suggestions on ammo?


Pics:
Enfield1
Enfield2
Enfield3
Enfield4
Enfield5
Enfield6
Enfield7
Enfield8
Enfield9
.303 ammo

[Pector55]

First.. nice rifle. The Enfields sure shoot nicely.

Here is information on the identification: http://enfieldrifles.profusehost.net/in2.htm

[762xIan]

Good for you.

Good info here:

http://www.surplusrifle.com/smle/index.asp

All kinds of info on Surplus rifle.

[egon12]

I took a good look at your pictures and I did a little cross checking with Ian Skennerton's book on the lee enfield and I can give you some info. It looks like your smle had a very eventful life in the past 90 years. First off it looks like your rifle was orginally built at enfield in 1918 and it went through refurbisment the the Ishapore rifle factory in India in 1920. That info was taken from the buttstock socket of the reciever. Now for the slightly bad news it looks like the wood furniture was changed out much more recently. The forend looks exactly like a new old stock selection from springfield sporters. I have one exactly like it in my spare wood pile. You can tell by the chatter marks especially where the reciever and wood forend meet. Also the buttstock is from an Indian 2A1 .308 lee enfield made in the 1960's. This is because of the cupped aluminum buttplate. The original buttplate was a brass material and flatter not cupped. Overall if the price was right I would have picked it up, but it is what enfield collectors call a "bitser", and its value should be placed with its shootablilty. The ammo looks like Pakastani. When you open the box see if it has a pof headstamp. If it does be careful when firing it has a lot of click.....bangs. It is good to test if you have a flinch reflex. It also has corrosive primers so you need to hit the barrel with hot soapy water after your shooting session, otherwise it will rust up like a sewer pipe. Enjoy your new enfield they are addictive little buggers.

[WWGunslinger]

Originally Posted by egon12

I took a good look at your pictures and I did a little cross checking with Ian Skennerton's book on the lee enfield and I can give you some info. It looks like your smle had a very eventful life in the past 90 years. First off it looks like your rifle was orginally built at enfield in 1918 and it went through refurbisment the the Ishapore rifle factory in India in 1920. That info was taken from the buttstock socket of the reciever. Now for the slightly bad news it looks like the wood furniture was changed out much more recently. The forend looks exactly like a new old stock selection from springfield sporters. I have one exactly like it in my spare wood pile. You can tell by the chatter marks especially where the reciever and wood forend meet. Also the buttstock is from an Indian 2A1 .308 lee enfield made in the 1960's. This is because of the cupped aluminum buttplate. The original buttplate was a brass material and flatter not cupped. Overall if the price was right I would have picked it up, but it is what enfield collectors call a "bitser", and its value should be placed with its shootablilty. The ammo looks like Pakastani. When you open the box see if it has a pof headstamp. If it does be careful when firing it has a lot of click.....bangs. It is good to test if you have a flinch reflex. It also has corrosive primers so you need to hit the barrel with hot soapy water after your shooting session, otherwise it will rust up like a sewer pipe. Enjoy your new enfield they are addictive little buggers.

I got excited when you said it led an eventful life but it wasn't quite the type I was hoping for.

The stock thing is bad to hear. What does the S, up arrow, A stamped on the butt stock mean? The guy selling the gun and his wife made sure to point that out. I forget exactly what she said about it, but she made it seem important.

I paid $350 for it. Did I get ripped off? I haven't shot it yet so I don't know how it shoots.

Looks like I'll have to pick up that book. What is the exact title of the book? Looks like he wrote several.

I assume the head stamp on the ammo is on the rear end of the casing? It has R /|\ L, 52, and 7 stamped on it. Those are the only markings on the ammo itself.


Thanks!

[Pector55]

I don't know anything about the Mk III pricing but I got my No4 Mk.1 for $159. It's a great shooter and the bolt is simply amazing compared to the other guns of the time.

[WWGunslinger]

Does anyone know of any Enfield experts in the central PA area that I could take it to and get it identified for sure?

[britisharmy]

The s (up arrow) A mark, means India post independance is that the one you were refering to?
I would not have paid $350, my original no4 cost me $150
But a rifle is worth as much as someone is willing to pay for it, if you are happy with it and im guessing you were as you bought it, then thats ok.

[WWGunslinger]

Originally Posted by britisharmy

The s (up arrow) A mark, means India post independance is that the one you were refering to?
I would not have paid $350, my original no4 cost me $150
But a rifle is worth as much as someone is willing to pay for it, if you are happy with it and im guessing you were as you bought it, then thats ok.

I'm also not knowledgeable about these things either. I had no idea what to look for or anything. I went completely based off what the seller told me. Had he mentioned any of the things that have been posted now, I might not have purchased it or might have looked for something less expensive.

Guess I'll chalk this one up to a learning experience. At least I learned a good bit and can use this towards future purchases.

[WWGunslinger]

Also, any good places to get accessories for it?