Enfield MKIII* identification
I just recieved an Enfield No.1 MKIII* and need help identifying its markings. Anyone with any information such as manufacturer etc. please let me know.
On the reciever ring from top to bottom: crown with G.R. underneath (not G.R.I.), B. followed by an S. can't make out rest, 1944, SHTLE, III*
It has the first variation cocking piece (round), and Englands BROAD ARROW on almost every part. Trigger guard has a base for a swivel on the nose.
Serial No. is A17xx if that helps. It is an FTR 1953 with BNP marks.
Mainly wondering about mfg. since I was told MKIII* wasnt made in England during WWII, and if these markings were rare or not, being that they don't realy match "Ishy" or Lithgow.
Any help would be greatly appreciated, Thanks jbw1776
On the reciever ring from top to bottom: crown with G.R. underneath (not G.R.I.), B. followed by an S. can't make out rest, 1944, SHTLE, III*
It has the first variation cocking piece (round), and Englands BROAD ARROW on almost every part. Trigger guard has a base for a swivel on the nose.
Serial No. is A17xx if that helps. It is an FTR 1953 with BNP marks.
Mainly wondering about mfg. since I was told MKIII* wasnt made in England during WWII, and if these markings were rare or not, being that they don't realy match "Ishy" or Lithgow.
Any help would be greatly appreciated, Thanks jbw1776
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Thanks 65GTO, I saw a pic. of another one that matched mine and it was B.S.A. co. Yours is made in India at the arsenal in Ishapore, and the CAI ST ALB VT on yours is the US import mark for Century Arms International. Thanks for the info.
Still wondering, if mine is BSA, I was told Lithgow and Ishapore were the only mfg. during WWII. Anyone know? jbw17760 -
My take on your rifle is that it's a W W I era SMLE that was either reworked, or rebuilt from remaining parts in stock, circa 1944.
The initials "G.R." denote the English King, George the Fifth who died in 1936. "B.S.A" was the manufacturer, which would have been marked directly under the kings initials. Then the date under that. These were the standard markings used during the W W I.
One of my references ( from England ) notes that No. 1 Mk III's were built from remaining parts as late as 1943. It's possible they continued reworking rifles salvaged from the battlefield after that date?
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Thank rufe-snow, That is extremely helpful. Any idea on a value without seeing it. Bolt, reciever, and barrel all matching no.'s A17xx. Wood not matching but in unissued shape. Also is there a reference book that can give the original date of mfg. by looking up the serial no.? Anyone? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by jbw1776
Thank rufe-snow, That is extremely helpful. Any idea on a value without seeing it. Bolt, reciever, and barrel all matching no.'s A17xx. Wood not matching but in unissued shape. Also is there a reference book that can give the original date of mfg. by looking up the serial no.? Anyone?
Unfortunately some of the larger Milsurp dealers/wholesalers are selling #1 MK III, SMLE's for $120. Because of this it would be difficult to sell your rifle for much more, unless you could find a collector who would want it specifically for it's unusual markings/history.0
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