Info please 🙏
Printed From: Enfield-Rifles.com
Category: Enfields
Forum Name: Enfield Rifles
Forum Description: Anything that has to do with the great Enfield rifles!
URL: http://www.enfield-rifles.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14348
Printed Date: March 26 2026 at 7:42pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.07 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Info please 🙏
Posted By: Snax
Subject: Info please 🙏
Date Posted: January 08 2026 at 9:54am
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I just inherited an old friends 303 British and really know nothing about it     Can anyone tell me anything about the markings on it? Is it valuable as a collector piece? Should I clean it the same way I would a hunting rifle? For some reason I'm not able to upload the image of the full rifle 🤷♂️
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Replies:
Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: January 08 2026 at 10:14am
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From your pictures you have what was an SMLE, Rifle No1 Mk III* However its been turned into a sporting rifle & so any collectable value is gone. This doesn't mean it isn't a perfectly nice $150.oo sported rifle if it shoots well. In its original configuration it would have looked like these more-or-less.  You should check for the serial numbers on the receiver, bolt, barrel & maybe magazine, matching. There was a LOT of hand fitting done to make them a good shooting & safe rifle. ------------- Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force) |
Posted By: Sauron
Date Posted: January 08 2026 at 10:18am
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Unlikely to be very valuable. The first image isn't clear enough for me to make out anything other than what looks like SMLE. A clearer image of that might help a bit along with a picture of the entire rifle. It's not clear if it's been sporterized from this pic. It could just be missing the clip-on handguard piece that snaps onto the barrel behind the rear sight. Best, |
Posted By: Snax
Date Posted: January 08 2026 at 10:34am
| Thanks so much for the info. For whatever reason I keep getting an error that the file's too big to upload on the image of the full rifle but from your images id say for sure it's been upgraded to a hunting rifle. I appreciate you letting me know as my plan was to clean it up and try it out but just didn't want to take it out shooting if it turned out it was a collection piece. |
Posted By: britrifles
Date Posted: January 08 2026 at 11:37am
| I think there is a file size limit for posting individual photo's. You should be able to select a lower resolution to be able to post it. |
Posted By: A square 10
Date Posted: January 08 2026 at 2:10pm
| sounds like it might fit your shooting needs perfectly , might be a goood shooter as well depending on the barrel and chamber conditions , |
Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: January 08 2026 at 3:05pm
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Yes IIRC the file must be under 1.5 Mb? ------------- Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force) |
Posted By: DisasterDog
Date Posted: January 08 2026 at 6:41pm
| It’s a WW2 BSA “dispersal” MkIII*, lots of inspection marks & 40 barrel date on the left, serial & London commercial proofs in the right. |