SMLE 1,3

bigdaddyjunior

February 11, 2003 15:50

What is the rate of twist in the 303 British SMLE. It looks like an old twisted barrel shotgun tube. Like maybe 1in 4? Never saw a rifled barrel like it. BDJ

the lust for power should exclude those who desire it from ever having it-Plato

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  mark christian

  February 11, 2003 16:46

  A British SMLE No. 1, Mark III would have a 5 groove barrel with a left hand twist and a 1 in 10" rate of twist.
  
  Mark T. Christian

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  rufe-snow

  February 11, 2003 19:44

  From your description it seems to me that you have a Lee-Metford rifle which was the predecessor to the Lee-Enfield.
  It entered Brittish service in the late 1880's and was chambered for a cartridge loaded with black powder.
  The Medford rifling was designed for black powder weapons it was very distinctive.The grove being much deeper and of polygonal form. This special rifleing was only used for about 7 years until the Brits adopted Cordite powder. The Cordite powder wore out the Medford rifleing very quickly. Their new rifle was called the Lee-Enfield.
  If you indeed have a Lee-Metford rifle take very good care of it, as it's quite a collectors item.It has substantial value depending on the condition and how original it is.

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