because the serial number was stamped later in production and stamped on the body and breech bolt too. On MLM, MLE and earlier SMLE rifles, the batch letter will be noted sometimes above or below the serial no. in Aussie service '3.M.D.' (3rd Military District) '10381' (the Military District or unit rack no.) On some rifles, particularly the SMLE, these unit or rack issue numbers were stamped on the top of the action body as well, e.g. were not recorded, rather that rack numbers were assigned and stamped on the butt or butt-plate tang. This is a reason that upon unit issue, serial nos.
#LEE ENFIELD SERIAL NUMBER DATES SERIES#
It is interesting that different rifle and carbine Marks recommenced with the no letter and A-Z series with each new model, so it is possible to find carbines/rifles of different Mark designations with the same serial number. These commenced with no letter, then progressed A thru' Z, often nominated for different contractors, RSAF Enfield, RSAF Sparkbrook, BSA Co., LSA Co., and the peddled scheme during WW1.
#LEE ENFIELD SERIAL NUMBER DATES SERIAL NUMBERS#
British Enfield Serial Number LookupĮarlier SMLE and previous MLM & MLE rifles & carbines initially had the action body batches allocated a letter, before the serial numbers were stamped (to 9999 in each series).
Keep in mind that the * could've been added at a later date.hard to say much in that regard as the factory original wood is long gone.SERIAL NUMBERS. Does your rifle have the slot for the cutoff milled into the right side of the body? Stratton has the changeover from MkIII to MkIII* at RSAF Enfield occurring sometime between s/n Q7916 and s/n R4858 in 1916 (the MkIII* was authorized in the LoC in Jan of 1916, although it's considered pretty certain that some were produced in 1915). With the production rates as they were during the WWI period, the entire alphabet was gone through quite a few times. The fact that the rifle has a renumbered forestock would suggest to me that it has likely gone through an Indian FTR (perhaps during WWII) or shortly thereafter. It is only the later ones that can be rough - and even then it tends to be a product of use rather than original finish IMO. Inter-war Ishapores are, in my opinion as well finished as almost any you will find. While many Ishapore rifles come to us today in rather 'careworn' condition, the finish on them originally, at least up until the late 60s in my experience, is as good as any. Yes some Indian forestocks were indeed numbered (I have several). A couple of the other places to look would be the underside of the backsight leaf, and the underside of the fore-end just behind the nosecap. Serial numbers weren't often applied to magazines except in Indian service. As muffett mentions, knowing the manufacturer would be of some importance. As a note on the serial number, the switchover from MkIII to MkIII* occurred during the normal sequencing of serial numbers, which started at 1, ran to 9999 or 99999, then started with letter prefixes from A-Z, then started over. It'd be great to see pictures, sounds like a nice rifle. When I have the time, I'll get some pictures. Would like to know if any of the other parts should have the number (if so, where) as it all looks pretty original and doesn't look like it saw any combat - the bore shines like a mirror and the metal is about 95%, with that deep dark blue that you just don't see anymore. I found it on the receiver, bolt, barrel, magazine and nose cap, but no where else. Its a 1915 SMLE Mk III*, which started production in late 1915 - hence it has a 2 digit serial no. Ive had this rifle for about 40 years and took it apart the other day for the first time while disassembled I checked to see what parts had the serial no. Truth be known about Enfield serial numbers is simply. Basic Enfield Identification and the Facts about Serial Numbers. Small numbers of Lee–Enfield rifles were built. British enfield 303 serial numbers.Ĭhambered in.303 British. 303 markings, armslist indiana lee enfield 303 for sale. British 303 identification help Discussion in 'Non. The conflict was the Lee Enfield No 4 Rifle Mk 1 in.303. Britain’s Lee Enfield No 4 Rifle – History By Cammack.
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