Newbie with a SMLE updated
Printed From: Enfield-Rifles.com
Category: Enfields
Forum Name: Info for New Enfield Owners
Forum Description: Are you new to Enfields? Check out some of the how-to's submitted by our members!
URL: http://www.enfield-rifles.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11966
Printed Date: March 26 2026 at 7:11pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.07 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Newbie with a SMLE updated
Posted By: MtnScout
Subject: Newbie with a SMLE updated
Date Posted: April 07 2022 at 9:28am
I am an absolute newbie when it comes to Enfields. I have extensive knowledge of M14's and Garands but this is a new world to me. I wound up with an ShtLE (I got that far) but am not sure what else this rifle is trying to tell me. Any translation would be appreciated. Looking forward to cleaning her up and getting it in the collection along with my other milsurps. Let me know what other pictures might be needed to help tell me what I have.    |
Replies:
Posted By: SGonger
Date Posted: April 08 2022 at 9:22am
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Howdy & welcome. A full length photo of your rifle plus the left side of the wrist action & a couple more both sides (around the knox form where the barrel & reciver mate together) with the top rear hand guard caref removed would be helpful in getting your needed (more etc) information. Cheer’s.
------------- Anyone seen the Tardis Box anywhere? 🤨 |
Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: April 08 2022 at 9:27am
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ShtLE is just another name for an SMLE in your case a Rifle No1 MkIII*. You'll probably find a lot of info with the SMLE No1 MkIII* moniker as its the more popular version. ------------- Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force) |
Posted By: A square 10
Date Posted: April 08 2022 at 10:38pm
| the date of mfgr is on photo one below the mfgr [i can see that its ROF ENFIELD] but i cannot read the date , you have what seems a very nice example , welcome to one of the most confusing and most rewarding areas of collecting military arms |
Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: April 09 2022 at 11:47am
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I darkened & enhanced the contrast I believe its 1918? ------------- Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force) |
Posted By: MtnScout
Date Posted: April 10 2022 at 8:05am
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Thank for the info. Been watching a few videos and have a better idea about the history and evolution of these fine rifles. Here are some more pics after I was able to clean her up a bit.     |
Posted By: Zed
Date Posted: April 10 2022 at 12:18pm
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It looks like a very nice example. Please post a range report when you are ready! ------------- It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice! |
Posted By: A square 10
Date Posted: April 10 2022 at 5:20pm
| i agree with ZED |
Posted By: MtnScout
Date Posted: April 11 2022 at 12:34am
| You are correct. It is a 1918. |
Posted By: bubba ho tep
Date Posted: April 11 2022 at 3:56pm
| From the barrel markings on left side looks like one proof shows a 1920's barrel date. Refurbished from battlefield salvage - very common post war on brit and french rifles.. |
Posted By: bubba ho tep
Date Posted: April 11 2022 at 3:56pm
| Also I assume bolt is a mismatch being it is import stamped ?. |
Posted By: MtnScout
Date Posted: April 11 2022 at 4:38pm
So, This is a pic of the bolt showing the same number as elsewhere so I'm not sure. Is the import stamp the smallish text on the right rear of receiver?
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Posted By: Zed
Date Posted: April 12 2022 at 1:39am
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If the bolt number matches the action; that's great news. The import stamps are on the RH side of the bolt channel and charger guide by the look of it. ------------- It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice! |
Posted By: bubba ho tep
Date Posted: April 12 2022 at 11:44am
| Hard to tell from the lighting , but is the serial is stamped on a crude ground surface that looks in the white ( no blue finish where serial is ) . If so that was done post sale to the civilian market. Headspace with unknown size bolt head would be a good thing to do. |
Posted By: MtnScout
Date Posted: April 13 2022 at 4:56pm
| I think I'll try to scare up a set of headspace gauges to see where she's at. On my M-14's we would use a go, no go. I assume you can buy the same set of gauges in .303 British ? |
Posted By: bubba ho tep
Date Posted: April 15 2022 at 3:55pm
| Many years ago I acquired two Ross issue straight pullers in 33. One the finger mag type Mk11 I think off hand and the other the charger loading type. Nice looking not reblued rebuilt clunker parts guns. They both had "chambers" reworked due to their tight tolerances and not being user friendly in the trenches. As such they were stupid hard on the shoulders and the MkII would ring once reloaded brass on second shot to make them unsafe. Got rid of them. Have had a few Smle And No4's that would swell cases at base too...and all were bolt mismatches. One of the reasons I really like Patt.14 rifles is if the bolt is a legitimate match ... they are easy on brass and brother they can shoot !. |
Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: April 15 2022 at 5:01pm
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Not quite. The GO-No Go-Field is a SAAMIi thing. The Brits had 2 TOO SHORT TOO LONG If you're doing a rebuild all you need is a 0.074" (whatever name it goes by) one. However don't get the SAAMI 0.070 as it will give you false readings. ------------- Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force) |