I recently got my enfield back from the gunsmith. I had it cleaned and looked over b/c I had previously had a primer fall out when I was shooting some surplus ammo. I've recently done some reserch on the net about the SMLE... & I was wondering if anybody here knows anything about some of these markings that I found under the rear/top handguard.. they are stamped on the base of the barrel where it connects to the reciver. I'll be posting this on some of the enfield forums also... thanks for any info... My Lee-Enfield #1 mark 3 SMLE Here are the manufaturers mark. a crown. G.R B 1942 S (looks like two light strikes) LE III (& 7pt star) best pic of the additional markings above the serial # on the upper left (in the light glare) and above the last few digits of the serial # and here is a few pic of the barrel markings (on the left of the barrel)
Very good pics Goomba. I have a No.1 MkIII 1942 SMLE. I don't know what the markings stand for, but if you sent those pics to the NRA they would identify them. I would be interested in knowing as well! Mine was stamped on the stock with the crown and "Lithgow 1942". It shoots great. What was the problem with yours? Headspace or bad ammo?
surplus ammo. I had the bolt get locked down due to a primer falling out of the casing after the round fired. I had just bought the rifle & didnt know anything about firearms, so I handed the rifle over to a buddy of mine that told me what had happened. I was then told that I should take it to a gun smith and have it looked at before I fired it again... & until recently, she has been sitting in the corner, just sitting there. I'm hoping to get some ammo in for it soon. & then I get to go to the range and play with it some . after that I hope to go to my first high power match shoot and use my enfield to compete.. I have heard several good things about this rifle design as well as the .303 british round.
The crown and GR are govt markings- arms of the British Crown were the property of the Monarch, ya know- In this case, GR stands for George Rex (King George) 1942 is date of manufacture, SMLE is Short Magazine Lee Enfield. You may also find the "Broad Arrow"- 3 marks that make an arrow- British equivalent to the US Flaming Bomb mark- indicates govt issue. A common problem on older "Smellys" is that they have excessive headspace- rear locking lugs and worn weapon does that. Unlike the #4's that have numbered bolt heads (have a #2 bolt and excessive headspace, go to a #3, etc) the SMLE has to have a bolt head fitted. PLEASE have your smith check headspace before shooting- having primer fall out of pocket= ungood. also see surplusrifle.com for some more info on your rifle.
Be sure to have the headspace checked WITH A HEADSPACE GAUGE. The problem you describe is more of an indication of a headspace problem than an ammo problem. Primers, especially military primers, just don't fall out under normal circumstances...hot gasses in your face and eyes are not worth it.
enfields I just had primer almost come out on a mauser,I think the gun is ww1.there are no markings as it was sporterized probably in the 1920s as germany is stamped on reciever. the enfields were often sold in cases with bolts separate in box so the bolts were mismatched,bolts are fitted to the rifle thats why the bolt heads.I bought a #4 and split the cases shooting at a deer,til one case took the head off.had to change the bolt head.#4s are easy I dont know about #1s. thereis a book on enfields by north cape publishers northcapepubs.com.mine is on #4 but there is on on the #1and they have others.
I have the exact same markings on my Lee. Im still curious what the B. stamp means. I searched all over but cant find that info.
It kinda looks like this one. B.S.A. co (Birmingham Small Arms Co.) I think yours with just the B. would be a BSA made at the Shirley plant. Most of the AUS made ones are stamped Lithgow like this one. Great old rifles.
The "S" could denote Stevens - Savage, Mass,USA and the "HT" may mean that it's fitted with a heavy barrel for range work.On top of the knox form there should be a "H" stamped on it denoting this and the if there's a HV stamped on the stock it means it can use the high velocity machine gun ammo The arrow with the < in it means that it's accepted into service,regards
The ShtLE means Short Rifle, Lee Enfield........ It is a No I Mk III with the star or * means with upgrade.....
