Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Auction Company is pleased to present this very collectible World War I bolt action rifle today for a penny start auction; this is the Enfield SMLE III*!
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SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Enfield
Model: SMLE III*
Serial: 50405
Date of Manufacture: 1918
Caliber: .303 British
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 25 1/4"
Optics/Sights: Winged protected blade front with an adjustable sliding ramp rear sight
Stock/Grips: Smooth walnut
Action: Bolt Action
Markings: Standard / Plate above trigger stamped "G.R Enfield 1918 SMLE III*", right side of receiver stamped "CAI ST ALB VT No.1 Mk III .303 U.K", left side of receiver stamped with British proof marks
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The best-known Lee–Enfield rifle, the SMLE Mk III, was introduced on 26 January 1907, along with a Pattern 1907 bayonet, and featured a simplified rear sight arrangement and a fixed, rather than a bolt-head-mounted sliding, charger guide. The design of the handguards and the magazine were also improved, and the chamber was adapted to fire the new Mk VII high-velocity spitzer .303 ammunition. Many early models, Magazine Lee–Enfields (MLEs), Magazine Lee–Metfords (MLMs), and SMLEs, were rebuilt to the Mk III standard. These are called "Mk IV Cond.", with various asterisks denoting subtypes.
During the First World War, the SMLE Mk III was found to be too complicated to manufacture and demand outstripped supply; in late 1915, the Mk III* was introduced, incorporating 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 windage adjustment of the rear sight was also dispensed with, and the cocking piece was changed from a round knob to a serrated slab.
Rifles with some or all of these features present are found, as the changes were implemented at different times in different factories and as stocks of parts were depleted. The magazine cut-off was reinstated after the First World War ended and not entirely dispensed with in manufacturing until 1933; some rifles with cut-offs remained into the 1960s. The inability of the principal manufacturers (RSAF Enfield, the Birmingham Small Arms Company Limited, and London Small Arms Co. Ltd) to meet military production demands led to the development of the "peddled scheme," which contracted out the production of whole rifles and rifle components to several shell companies.
The SMLE Mk III* (renamed Rifle No.1 Mk III* in 1926) saw extensive service throughout the Second World War, especially in the North African, Italian, Pacific, and Burmese theatres in the hands of British and Commonwealth forces. Australia and India retained and manufactured the SMLE Mk III* as their standard rifle during the conflict, and the rifle remained in Australian military service through the Korean War, until the L1A1 SLR replaced it in the late 1950s. The Lithgow Small Arms Factory finally ceased production of the SMLE Mk III* in 1953.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Model: SMLE III*
Serial: 50405
Date of Manufacture: 1918
Caliber: .303 British
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 25 1/4"
Optics/Sights: Winged protected blade front with an adjustable sliding ramp rear sight
Stock/Grips: Smooth walnut
Action: Bolt Action
Markings: Standard / Plate above trigger stamped "G.R Enfield 1918 SMLE III*", right side of receiver stamped "CAI ST ALB VT No.1 Mk III .303 U.K", left side of receiver stamped with British proof marks
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The best-known Lee–Enfield rifle, the SMLE Mk III, was introduced on 26 January 1907, along with a Pattern 1907 bayonet, and featured a simplified rear sight arrangement and a fixed, rather than a bolt-head-mounted sliding, charger guide. The design of the handguards and the magazine were also improved, and the chamber was adapted to fire the new Mk VII high-velocity spitzer .303 ammunition. Many early models, Magazine Lee–Enfields (MLEs), Magazine Lee–Metfords (MLMs), and SMLEs, were rebuilt to the Mk III standard. These are called "Mk IV Cond.", with various asterisks denoting subtypes.
During the First World War, the SMLE Mk III was found to be too complicated to manufacture and demand outstripped supply; in late 1915, the Mk III* was introduced, incorporating 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 windage adjustment of the rear sight was also dispensed with, and the cocking piece was changed from a round knob to a serrated slab.
Rifles with some or all of these features present are found, as the changes were implemented at different times in different factories and as stocks of parts were depleted. The magazine cut-off was reinstated after the First World War ended and not entirely dispensed with in manufacturing until 1933; some rifles with cut-offs remained into the 1960s. The inability of the principal manufacturers (RSAF Enfield, the Birmingham Small Arms Company Limited, and London Small Arms Co. Ltd) to meet military production demands led to the development of the "peddled scheme," which contracted out the production of whole rifles and rifle components to several shell companies.
The SMLE Mk III* (renamed Rifle No.1 Mk III* in 1926) saw extensive service throughout the Second World War, especially in the North African, Italian, Pacific, and Burmese theatres in the hands of British and Commonwealth forces. Australia and India retained and manufactured the SMLE Mk III* as their standard rifle during the conflict, and the rifle remained in Australian military service through the Korean War, until the L1A1 SLR replaced it in the late 1950s. The Lithgow Small Arms Factory finally ceased production of the SMLE Mk III* in 1953.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping $65.00
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
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