Enfield

[WALLNUTT]

I have an Enfield ser# Made in 1918. What model/mark do I have?

[elk hunter]

There should be numerous markings on the receiver all of which mean something. More information would really help.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Probably a No.1 Mk. III*, but photos would help.

[Scharfschuetze]

As noted above, there are lots of stamps on the rifle that will mean much.

Look at the right side of the action body near or under the bolt handle and you will see the rifle's nomenclature there, probably just above the date of manufacture. Smart money at this point given the date of manufacture is with Gebirgsjager's speculation.

Look for something like this and then report back. It will tell us the not only the date, but the manufacturer and model as well.

[303Guy]

I have an Enfield ser# Made in 1918. What model/mark do I have?

Is that an Enfield or a Lee Enfield?

[Scharfschuetze]

Is that an Enfield or a Lee Enfield?

Regarding the photo above?

[303Guy]

No, the Enfield WALLNUTT is referring to. I should have used quotes! My bad. :oops: Fixed it. ;)

[WALLNUTT]

I'll see if I can get some photos on here and check markings. The fellow I got it from said it is a Smelly(SMLE) and He hates Smellys. He has several other 303s. The price was right and it shoots pretty good.

[rondog]

This is a SMLE. Short, Magazine, Lee Enfield, No.1 Mk.III. Not the prettiest rifles IMO, but dang good ones nonetheless.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/rinselman/guns/misc%20Enfields/Lee20Enfield20No120Mk320SMLE.jpg

[WALLNUTT]

rondog's photo sure looks like it.Left side is stamped MA/54. Right side A in a star over Lithgow SHT LE III 19118.

[Scharfschuetze]

My bad. :oops: Fixed it. :wink:

Ha ha! Yes, of all the members here, you would have recognized that photo in an instant. That's why I asked; I just didn't understand. All clear now.[smilie=l:

[Ballistics in Scotland]

Your first post left open the possibility that it could be the US Enfield in .30-06, a completely different rifle with front locking lugs on the bolt which was developed from a contract to make the .303 P14 version for the British. I don't believe any of the .303 version were still being made in 1918. But a rifle resembling Rondog's photo would by that date almost certainly be the Lee-Enfield MkIII* even without knowing about the stamp (MkIII with one or two wartime production simplifications, but still of good quality). "Lithgow" means it was built in the Lithgow factory in Australia, almost certainly for issue to Australian or New Zealand troops.

[Scharfschuetze]

I'm pretty sure that the Lithgow SMLE that I almost bought in the late 80s was a 1918 production rifle. Out of curiosity, I searched the web and found this photo to confirm that supposition. I ended up with a 1942 production rifle with a better bore, but I always kind of regret not getting that 1918 version. Had it been all original and not a rebuild, I'm sure that it would be in the vault today. It had been restocked (coachwood?) and had lost its volley sights and magazine block.

[leebuilder]

Nomenclature gets us all. The common term up here is 303, depending how far you go up the shore the gap gets greater. Once got a "303" of a friend of a friend's cousin, ended up being a mint m91 Finned Mosin. The price was right, did not want to get in a heated discussion so I put the rifle in a case and headed home.
1918 Lithgow, is a nice find!!
Got a.hand picked 42 Lithgow years ago for less than a hundred $. Those days are long gone
Be well

[WALLNUTT]

This one was well south of a hundred.

[WALLNUTT]

Thanks Gentlemen

[303Guy]

This is a SMLE. Short, Magazine, Lee Enfield, No.1 Mk.III. Not the prettiest rifles IMO, but dang good ones nonetheless.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/rinselman/guns/misc%20Enfields/Lee20Enfield20No120Mk320SMLE.jpg

I could live with a well battered WWI SMLE, just as a wall hanger.