millitary rifle
Hello. I am new on this board, because as a rule, I usually only read posts. But, my nephew brought a rifle to my home, and wants me to id it for him. Most of the stamping is worn, but I can make out "England 303"2"22", srial #" and some more numbers on one side. On the strap around the stock, attached to the trigger guard, is stamped, " 1918 a crown some letters I cannot make out, and the serial #". I can email pics, if necessary, but I did not know how to insert them here. Oh, and he is not wanting to sell the gun, just id it, and maybe hang it on the wall. Thanks in advance for any help.
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Maybe?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee-Enfield
Post some pictures, there is a stickied thread at the top of the forum page that will show you how.0 -
Ok, I get to show my ignorance of forum "chat". I do not see where I can post photos!! Help, please!! 0 -
Ok, see if this works!! 
I fixed it for you...0 -
Apparently you didn't look too hard...s'ok though. I keep the pic below on hand just for these instances. [:I] :
However, your pics, while they did not imbed, do work via links. It is a lee-enfield no 1 mk 3. Appears to be sporterized or otherwise missing the handgaurd. Not worth a lot in that condition, maybe $100 or so.0 -
Great!! Thanks for the info. I wondered if it was an Enfield, but could not find it. I have researched many, many pages of millitary firearms, which was un and interestig. As for the picture uploading, I did not realize I was being directed back to the initial page. I kept looking for the "stickie" on the page where I was posting!! Oh well!! I am ignorant on forums and blogs, since normally I only read them, to glean info about firearms. I am sure glad you guys are out there! Again, thanks. 0 -
Sam- your photos do appear to be a SMLE- or Short, Magazine, Lee-Enfield. Info for you at surplusrifle.com- PS get the headspace checked, your rifle is nearly 100. Good shooters. http://www.surplusrifle.com/smle/index.asp 0 -
Please pull (and turn clockwise) the cocking handle
on the back of the bolt prior to closing it.
Not meant to insult, but my knowledge of the
poster's experience is zero.
If it does that on its own, (slide into the position
shown in the photo when the bolt is opened), then the
bolt is worn, and it, until fixed, will remain a 'non-shooter'. Thanks! Joe0 -
The red paint on the magazine may mean the gun was condemned or something. Better find out from an expert. Also, look for the letters DP. They mean the gun is only still good for Drill Purposes, i.e. not shooting.
Your rifle has been sporterized. Someone cut down the stock to make it lighter.
You can get a replacement SMLE no.1 mk. 3 stock and handguards for it. You will also need a nose cap and a sling swivel band. They are available used.
I find givette's instructions unclear. Pull the bolt handle back as far as it will go, then pull back on the little knob on the back of the bolt until it stops, then twist it 90 degrees clockwise and lower it. The bolt should now close. The rectangular thing on the right of the bolt which keeps it from closing should be on the bottom of the bolt.
It's actually the firing pin and sear. In order to close the bolt after you twist the firing pin 90 degrees clockwise, you'll have to cock the firing pin. That rectangular piece (which should now be on the underside of the bolt) will enter the rifle's mechanism and stop on the sear, and you'll have to close the bolt against the weight of the firing pin spring.
You can decock the rifle by holding the firing pin and pulling the trigger, but Lee-enfields weren't made to let you do that when the gun was loaded. They probably put a knob on the end of the firing pin so you could strike a stubborn primer a second time since ammo was less reliable back then but opening a bolt on a hang-firing round could be dangerous.
I prefer to just close the bolt while pulling the trigger when putting the gun away.
Any gunsmith should have headspace gauges because .303 is the #8 most loaded factory round in the US. However, before I put money into an old military gun I would try to find out if the bore was shot out. Some of these were used heavily, then cast off to 3rd world nations which may not have maintained or rebuilt them when needed. Also, surplus military ammo used to be dirt cheap and you could get a thousand round crate of the stuff and plink like you had a .22 back then. 303 ammo was especially hard on barrels.0 -
I sure thank all of you, for expert advice. I am not a collector, by trade, or a dealer. As I said in my first post, my nephew brought this gun to me, to id it. I an honored that he thought I could, but I couldn't, without your help. I do own a Jap Arisaka, and a Russian Mosin-Nagant. Also a millitary revolver from Budapest, 1937. I do like my firearms!!
So, God Bless, and keep up what you are doing. You guys are great!!0
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