Need Assistance Identifying a Lee Enfield ShtLE MkIII* in The Lee Enfield Forum Forum

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Need Assistance Identifying a Lee Enfield ShtLE MkIII*

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kellyus2	Need Assistance Identifying a Lee Enfield ShtLE MkIII*	Lead	[-]
Posts: 10 Jun 3 12 2:08 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Tags : None I was given a Lee Enfield ShtLE MkIII* which I have learned was first manufactured as the MkIII* in 1915 before the nomenclature was changed to No 1 MkeIII* in 1926. I would like to learn as much as I can about the rifle in order to narrow down the year and location of manufacture as much as possible. I have attached some photographs with some identifying numbers. Any help in uncovering more details about this rifle is appreciated.
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Ed Novak		#1	[-]
Posts: 4318 Jun 3 12 4:02 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Welcome, Kellyus2. I don't see any photos. And, yes, the nomenclature was changed from SMLE Mk. III* to Rifle, No.1, Mk. III* in January 1926, except in Australia. Start the questions! Lots of help here! ed NRA Endowment member LECS #2 Air Force Association Life Member MOAA Member
A square 10		#2	[-]
Posts: 1920 Jun 4 12 7:41 PM Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	the date should be marked on the right wrist below the mfgr ID , we can also determine some info from the serial number in many cases , the itty bitty markings are inspectors marks that dont tell much , closeups will help a lot In these times 'I'll keep my God, my freedom, my gun and my money. Anyone that supports this insanity can keep "THE CHANGE".
kellyus2		#3	[-]
Posts: 10 Jun 18 12 10:33 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I am having difficulty reading the date of manufacture. It's quite worn but appears to read 1947. My question is how can that be possible if the make and model reads Shtle MkIII? If the nomenclature was changed to No 1 Shtle MkIII in 1926, would all rifles manufactured from that year forward bear that stamp instead? It seems like it should read 1917 considering the years (1915-1926) that the rifle was identified as a Shtle MkIII*.
Bear43		#4	[-]
Posts: 982 Jun 18 12 11:12 AM Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	You are making an assumption that the stamping changed when the nomenclature changed. It did not for the most part. It changed on later Indian rifles and that's about it. Never assume anything with Enfields. You have not said who the manufacturer is. What is the entire stamping on the wrist? Knowing the manufacturer can tell us if it could possibly be a 1947 date and not 1917.
kellyus2		#5	[-]
Posts: 10 Jun 18 12 11:17 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts
kellyus2	Shtle MkIII* photo	#6	[-]
Posts: 10 Jun 18 12 11:19 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	This is the manufacture information I found on the rifle. Can't make out the manufacture location but the year appears to read 1947.
kellyus2		#7	[-]
Posts: 10 Jun 18 12 11:30 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I'm also trying to figure out a way to trace the serial number on the rifle to anyone to whom it might have been issued. Any ideas about that process are helpful.
kellyus2		#8	[-]
Posts: 10 Jun 18 12 12:34 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I am also trying to determine what type of wood is used for the stock and fore stock.
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Ed Novak		#9	[-]
Posts: 4318 Jun 18 12 1:00 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	That * reminds me of the Lithgow star but is not unique to Lithgow. I believe that I see "GR". ? There is NO way to trace the serial number to ANYONE; these rifles were issued, reissued, sent out to the rest of the Commonwealth, issued, captured, lost, found, issued and reissued... Even if you found some identity paper in the buttsocket you'd only know one of possibly dozens of squaddies who held the rifle. Good photographs of the rifle are necessary to determine anything of value regarding the rifle. If a 1917, Walnut. If a Lithgow it could be walnut, queensland maple or coachwood. If a late BSA it could be beech. Start with clear photos of the right buttsocket and of the receiver ring and barrel next the receiver and the backside of the bolt handle, Photos of the buttstock, right-hand side for evidence of markings (even though butts could and were changed out to meet needs) and any markings on the fore end wood and any markings inside the barrel-channel of the fore end and handguards...lots of work to do there and then, maybe we can help. NRA Endowment member LECS #2 Air Force Association Life Member MOAA Member
kellyus2		#10	[-]
Posts: 10 Jun 18 12 5:41 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	thanks for the info. i am going to take digital photos of all markings, including the letters FR stamped on the right side of the stock and post them for you on thursday. this has been really helpful.
kellyus2		#11	[-]
Posts: 10 Jun 19 12 6:50 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts
kellyus2	more photos of the enfield	#12	[-]
Posts: 10 Jun 19 12 6:51 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts
kellyus2		#13	[-]
Posts: 10 Jun 19 12 6:52 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts
5th Batt		#14	[-]
Posts: 87 Jun 19 12 2:50 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I would say its a 1941 Dispersal, the * is correct for a dispersal, the M prefix is correct, that third number definitely looks like a 4 & the last number could be a 1. You wont find a 1947 British made No1, the latest date known at this time is 1944. Last Edited By: 5th Batt Jun 19 12 2:58 PM. Edited 1 times.
Ed Novak		#15	[-]
Posts: 4318 Jun 19 12 3:18 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	kellyus2 wrote: thanks for the info. i am going to take digital photos of all markings, including the letters FR stamped on the right side of the stock and post them for you on thursday. this has been really helpful. Aw, the dreaded "FR" (read the archives here and on the Gunboards Lee Enfield forum). You might consider rubbing some white chalk or grease-pencil into the right buttsocket markings to make them more visible for us. The full-length photo provides no detail but reminds me of my 1917 BSA that saw Australian service and survived with its, assumed original walnut butt and fore end but with replacement Coachwood handguards. ed NRA Endowment member LECS #2 Air Force Association Life Member MOAA Member Last Edited By: Ed Novak Jun 19 12 3:23 PM. Edited 1 times.
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