They also made Lee-Enfield rifles for the British, the other Savage.303. After the fall of. Serial numbers on the Savage rifles include the letter C for Chicopee as the second or third character. The British use an * to indicate a change from the previous model that is too minor to require a new Mark number.

Thanks for the responses and as promised here is an updated list. Keep your eyes open and we can fill in more of the gaps. With the numbers of Savage #4s turning up at shows in the US perhaps it is time to try to refine some of the serial number ranges. I know, as an author, that rifles are not completed in strict numerical order but perhaps we can narrow down the ranges. Here is what I have seen so far and picked up from another forum.

All are marked US PROPERTY unless noted. Note: we have an overlap between 1943 dated and no date rifles, need more observations in the 51Cxxxx to 60Cxxxx range.

Be sure that the year is not scrubbed off. One Savage #4 MKI, serial number 17C5233, 1942 date, has turned up.

It is a confirmed MKI not a MKI*. Does anyone else have a MKI with a serial number higher than 13C2752.

Wonder if Savage was using up some surplus receivers held back as parts? I have added some serial number observations about Savage snipers and unfinished snipers. 0C1 - 1941 MKI lowest # 1941 date 0C2804 - 1941 MKI highest # 1941 date 0C3870 - 1942 MKI lowest # 1942 date 13C2752 - 1942 MKI highest MKI # 1942 date 13C2845 - 1942 MKI* lowest MKI* # 1942 date 36C1916 - 1942 MKI* highest MKI* # 1942 date 38C2632 - 1943 lowest MKI* # 1943 date 60C7797 - 1943 highest MKI* # 1943 date 51C7693 - no date lowest MKI* # with no date 0C63110 - no date highest MKI* # with no date OC1 was converted to a sniper and is shown in Skennerton's book. It appears that 3,000+ rifles were serial numbered in 1941 but according to Skennerton only 1,325 were completed (accepted?) It appears that around 132,800 MKIs were made. Need rifles in the following serial # ranges to further narrow the gaps.

0C28xx to 0C38xx for 1941 - 42 changeover. 13C27xx to 13C28xx for MKI - MKI* change over. We now have a gap of only 93 at the change over point!

36C19xx to 38C26xx for 1942 - 43 changeover. 51Cxxxx to 60Cxxxx for changeover to no date. 0Cxxxxx - any serial number with 5 digits following the C ie:- 0C30228 Lend Lease legislation was passed 11 March 1941 while the first Savage(0C1?) was finished 22 July 1941 so it appears that all Savages were marked US PROPERTY. Some had US PROPERTY and other marks scrubbed when they went into service. The one millionth Savage was presented to Brig. General Guy Drewry 18 May 1944. The last Savage was produced 22 June 1944.

All Savages with 5 digits after the C were made in 1944, probably between sometime in April and end of production in June. Savage snipers or unfinished snipers(mount bases only, no 'T' stamped, may have cheekpiece.) 1941 dated rifles - 10 noted, 3 are complete snipers with 'T' markings and scope numbers on stock, 6 have the bases installed, 1 is a standard rifle. 1942 dated rifles - 3 MKIs in the 0C3xxx to 0C5xxx range have the bases installed. 9 MKI*s in the 13Cxxxx to 15Cxxxx have the bases installed. Gene Edited by - GeneM on 6:31:01 PM.

My 1942 Savage No.4 MK I (not I*) is 5C80XX. Yes, it does have 'U.S. Property' on it.

South African issued. WIll post pics sometime. BTW- The first several thousand were NEVER (Not 'scrubbed') marked 'U.S.

Property' as they were pre-lend lease. Now keeping track of that serial number range would be cool as well.

Edit- The above paragraph has now been debunked but I have kept it in order for the postings below to make sense. EDIT- Here are two pics. All accesories are either South African made or issued, or Savage made. Download Attachment: 288.8 KB Download Attachment: 285.88 KB 'You don't throw away a whole life just cause he's banged up a little.'

- Chris Cooper as 'Tom Smith' in the Movie 'Seabiscuit' Edited by - theleftboot on 1:22:59 PM. In an effort to start a truly congenial and intellectual discussion on a topic I thought I would submit the following in which I partly based my earlier comments. (Please read as I actually typed it all in!): Page 289 of Ian Skennerton's 'The Lee-Enfield Story' 'British approval was required for such changes and manufacturing concessions to components because a sizeable percentage of the Long branch rifles and virtually all the Stevens-Savage rifles were to fill British orders, and were therefore subject to acceptance by the British Inspectorate. In the initial Savage production, many rifles were rejected by the British inspectors; this was not properly resolved until a Lend-Lease agreement was formulated between the British and U.S. Under the new agreement the British had less control in the initial inspection and refusal of rifles; conditions for payment were changed also which further reduced some of the controls Britain previously had.

The Lend-Lease rifles are marked 'U.S. Property' while those produced earlier under the direct purchase system were not so marked as they were for a direct British contract.' I wonder if some of these early rejected contract rifles were back at the factory when the agreement switched to lend lease and before they went out the door a second time they were given the 'U.S. Property' marking like their latter made counterparts. Just an idea. EDIT- Okay, because I am really bored tonight, here are three pics of my 1942 South African issued Savage No.4 MK I.

Please note in the first pic the SA made sling, 1942 Savage action cover, SA bayonet and SA made frog. Also note the Belgian made grenade launcher and case that are both SA issue marked.

Download Attachment: 288.8 KB Download Attachment: 285.88 KB You can faintly due to my newbie photography, can see the 'U.S. Property' marking and the SA issue marking on the receiver ring: Download Attachment: 278.77 KB [/quote]. Arado, I have a MkI Savage (T) less scope in the 13C S/N range and a MkI* (T) in the 16C S/N range. Has anyone ever been able to determine when the changeover to MkI*'s occured at Savage? The rest of my Savage rifles fall within the known S/N ranges and are nothing remarkable. All of them ar marked with the US Property stamp. I tend to believe the story about the first 1000 rifles to be just that, a story.

There is quite a bit of hard evidence to the contrary from surviving examples within that particular S/N block. That being said, I own an example of a SA property stamped Savage that has had the US property stamp neatly filed off and the area (or reciever)reblued. Who and why remain a mystery. More info then: 2-groove bbl, early button cocking piece (using up old parts at end of production?), has US property stamp. Flaming bombs on left receiver wall and on right bayonet lug. No date stamp - but that's pretty obvious given that it's a 1944. Stock wood is all birch and all savage marked.

Magazine is serialled to the rifle and there is a small repair to the heel of the buttstock, but rifle is not FTR marked. Probably a british field repair b/c the patch is beech. No import or export marks, so this one was probably surplused from somewhere other than Britain. It's been in Canada a long time, not a recent import. For those who don't know, after serial number 99C9999 they started over at 0C00001.

I think most people now acknowledge that the written references to early rifles not being US property marked is wrong. The most plausible theory I have heard is that some british units in the early days removed the marking from their rifles - as I recall there were even standing orders to do so at one point. From Moderator: Know a retired British armourer. He told me that in his armourer shop, they removed the 'U S PROPERTY' mark from thousands of Savages. Their Colonel did not like seeing it.

I think some of the confusion about being property marked or not stems from the dates of the initial contract vs. The initiation of Lend/Lease. From what I've been able to acertain, the first contract run was indeed to be a direct purchase from the UK. However, delivery was not made and neither had payment when L/L was initiated and the contract was covered retroactive. Therefore, the initial contract run in production and still on US shores was US Property marked so Savage could receive payment from the US government.

It took a while for that initial contract to be signed BTW, since Savage was actually the third US arms manufacturer to be approached. That was only after Remington and High Standard were both forced to decline. Too bad the original Savage records are lost or we wouldn't need to dig so deeply. Leftboot, I have photo's of 0C17 and it is indeed marked. Afterall, I'm the one who posted them to the other board.

I have Savage No4Mk1 ser# 70c59xx all Savage all matching. The serial number has a letter 'B' stamped under it on the socket of the reciever. It is stamped U.S. 2 groove barrel flaming bomb stamped.

It also has BLR stamped on the top of the wrist, 172 over FR stamped on right side of the butt stock. The wood appears to be birch. The bayonet lug is stamped with a 'P' and the muzzle is marked with British proofs, ie: measured in tons. I do not know the date of manufacture of this rifle. The rifle has no import markings as it was purchased prior to GCA '68. The rifle was bought at a large surplus shop in Atlanta Ga in 1966 or 67 for the pricey sum of $17.00 (I have the reciept from when it was bought).

I forgot to mention the rifle is in mint condition at least 95% with perfect bore. Mauser_dude Gunboards Premium Member 240 Posts Posted -: 11:18:03 PM Show Profile Reply with Quote Savage No.4 Mk I*: 57C7415 No date. All Savage marked parts. Flaming bomb marked. Well, that's my 2 cents.30 April 2007 is apopt a M1 carbine day from the guvmnt for $517.Do you know where your paperwork is?? Go to Top of Page 505PIR Starting Member USA 3 Posts Posted -: 11:33:24 AM Show Profile Visit 505PIR's Homepage Reply with Quote The five point star might be the Indonesian import mark, would make sense with the cresent as well since that country in a Muslim nation. Quote:Originally posted by vintagerifle Savage No 4 Mk1* S/N 66C68XX B under serial number No Date Matching Bolt and Receiver Has a 5 Point Star on the top of the buttstock just behind the receiver.

Has a small crescent moon shaped mark under the S No4 Mk1* on the left side of the receiver. Bolt marked with a P on the bolt head and handle. P also on right side of receiver. Go to Top of Page johnggrg Gunboards Super Premium Member USA 265 Posts Posted -: 1:31:24 PM Show Profile Reply with Quote I hope someone can give me some information on my rifle.

I recently bought a Savage Enfield serial# 72c2986 with a B stamped under it. It is U.S Property marked with no date. What I could gather from the forum is this a 1943 the stock only has what looks like a star stamped right behind the bolt.

On the left side of the reciever it has a flaming bomb then S No4 Mk1* NO cresent moon under S. It is all matching. The only problem with it is the butt stock is loose and needs to be tightned. If you can give me any information it would help me alot. Edited by - johnggrg on 2:05:04 PM Go to Top of Page wpflgun Starting Member USA 7 Posts Posted -: 6:36:31 PM Show Profile Reply with Quote Savage No4 Mk1*: S/N Receiver 65C8157 ('B' under S/N) S/N Bolt 61C7958 No date All Savage marked parts Flaming bomb marked Import marked (Century) Excellent condition, some patina, mirror bore, very nice stock. Leather sling appears to be cobbled together from a couple of belts, some stitching, and wire, like a Turk only worse.

Bought from Century last summer. Go to Top of Page Capt Zorro Gunboards Moderator USA 1029 Posts Posted -: 6:58:28 PM Show Profile Reply with Quote Here's an Odd-Ball, Savage US Property marked no date 2 groove barrel, flip sight. Has Siamese Churka? On top of rcvr. Bolt and Rcvr. # match 80C5810 B. I bought this at a gun show about 12 yrs.

Ago it's in very good cond. Think I gave $75.00 for it. Adios Amigos, Go to Top of Page wpflgun Starting Member USA 7 Posts Posted -: 10:49:20 AM Show Profile Reply with Quote In addition to the previous post, I checked my records for another four Savages that came with a lot of five purchased last summer. Although I no longer have them, here are the other Savage No4 Mk1* serial numbers from a lot of five I got from Century: 56C59 71C79 One was in outstanding condition, two excellent, and one very good. They either had no sling or cobbled-together pieces of leather. All had flaming bombs, but one of them had an area of pitting over the bomb as if there may have been a crued attempt to gouge it (the rest of the receiver was in pretty good shape, 'US Property' mark easily visible).

The new owners have reported satisfaction in all cases. Edited by - wpflgun on 10:53:19 AM Go to Top of Page fairlane Gunboards Premium Member USA 110 Posts Posted -: 8:10:08 PM Show Profile Reply with Quote Only have one savage. Square S NO 4 Mk1*. Number on wrist is 73C1872. No date anywhere. All matching. So many rifles - So little time!

Now this is a C&R! Go to Top of Page kpaintner Gunboards Member USA 43 Posts Posted -: 11:55:28 PM Show Profile Reply with Quote I have a US Property marked No.4 Mk1*, no date, everything marked S, number 60C5208 with a B below the serial number. Scratch Crusaders Rar Extractor there.

Bolt, bolt head and receiver marked with flaming bomb. I did not see a date on it.maybe I missed it. I am knew to Enfields. Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance. Go to Top of Page sniperfreak Gunboards Premium Member USA 205 Posts Posted -: 01:10:00 AM Show Profile Reply with Quote I just purchased a 'U.S. PROPERTY' marked No.4 Mk.1*.

1942 dated, all parts 'S' stamped, serial # is 33079xx. Has both British Crown and U.S.

'Flaming Bomb' ordnance markings, as well as Lend-Lease stamps on barrel. Go to Top of Page flygrimm Starting Member USA 9 Posts Posted -: 5:54:48 PM Show Profile Reply with Quote Just purchased Savage 66C73xx from SOG. There is a B below the serial number. A Christmass present to myself. Matching Ser. No's on bolt and receiver. #1 bolt head.

2 grove barrel. Flip type rear sight. Magazine was not marked. Overall good conditon, finish is pretty worn and stock has some dings, but mechanically very sound. Had to replace the extractor spring, the one in it was weak and did not even look right. Probably a field repair gone bad.

Also, the front sling swivel was replaced, the sling part kept sliding out of the swivel part. Cleaned up pretty good, but took quite a lot of grease (the elbow kind) to clean the barrel. Nice and shinny now. Hope to get to the range after my next trip.

Stuart Go to Top of Page windage Gunboards Member USA 90 Posts Posted -: 4:00:22 PM Show Profile Reply with Quote Just got a No4 Mk1* from Phoenix Dist. Marked C.A.I. Under the Sn. Everything is square S marked. Don't see a date, but I'm not an 'Enfield guy', where should I look? Edited by - windage on 4:03:53 PM Go to Top of Page jaz5833 Gunboards Super Premium Member 366 Posts Posted -: 12:57:01 AM Show Profile Reply with Quote My 1943 No4 Mk1 is Serial No.AM 17393 and does not have the US Property marking.

It also came to me from J&G Sales with a green homemade naugahide sling. Go to Top of Page cariboupete Starting Member USA 4 Posts Posted -: 7:44:52 PM Show Profile Reply with Quote Hello Gents, My Savage No. 4 MKI* is numbered: 71C0832 and has the letter B stamped under the serial number. Thanks cariboupete Go to Top of Page cariboupete Starting Member USA 4 Posts Posted -: 7:49:26 PM Show Profile Reply with Quote quote:Originally posted by cariboupete Hello Gents, My Savage No. 4 MKI* is numbered: 71C0832 and has the letter B stamped under the serial number.

Thanks Oh yes, It also is Marked US Property. Cariboupete Go to Top of Page Radom Platinum Bullet Club USA 3210 Posts Posted -: 11:52:51 PM Show Profile Reply with Quote S No4 Mk1, 9C4775, England, flaming bomb.

Pads installed (over US Property), cheek pad, S51, milled off sight peep. Appears unused. Steven M Henderson Go to Top of Page hdscooterman Gunboards Member USA 16 Posts Posted -: 1:48:34 PM Show Profile Reply with Quote Savage No. 4 MK1* T s/n 13C4215 dated 1942 receiver. Scope pads intact no scope or T marking.

S51 underside of Butt, a square S and a crown over X8E. Handguards have s/n penciled inside. Round cocking piece. Knox marked E/45 with two crown proofs one crown over 43. Receiver marked 'england'. Butt has holes for cheek pad but had been removed.

I replaced it with a repro that lined up perfectly. Bill Go to Top of Page DaWoof Gunboards.Com Gold Star Member USA 1074 Posts Posted -: 11:24:05 PM Show Profile Reply with Quote Savage #4MkI* Ser# 13C3164. Scope pads not staked 1942 square S between ser# and 1942. Flameing bomb under date. U.S.Property mostly covered by front pad.

Crown stamped on top of bolt. (Matching) England and Crown on top of receiver. Square S on flip up sight and SM on nosecap, otherwise unmarked. Oh yes, last 4 of ser# stamped where scope number should be. Has seen some use, but barrel is shiney inside.

Go to Top of Page cmpman Starting Member 1 Posts Posted -: 12:35:14 AM Show Profile Reply with Quote I guess you have a new low for a #4mk1*. Serial number 12C6226. Had the US Property mark scrubbed off the receiver.

Go to Top of Page Tikirocker Gunboards.Com Silver Star Member Australia 567 Posts Posted -: 9:07:35 PM Show Profile Reply with Quote OK. I have a Savage No4 Mk1* ( No Date!

) - normal S marking before SN on bolt handle; square S on butt stock and receiver + Savage Bomb proof on left side of receiver - matching serials on bolt and receiver = S91C95XX with B beneath serial. Also has US Property stamp on left receiver and ZF right butt stock + R over REME stamped on left Butt. Rifle is a 2 groove barrel has a star stamped on the barrel knox form as well. Has ENGLAND stamped on top edge of right side receiver.

660/Steyr 1939 K98 - 1945 No5-MKI Jungle Carbine - 1927 Lithgow SMLE No1 MKIII - 1942 Lithgow No1 MKIII* Heavy Barrel - 1941 Lithgow SMLE No1 MKIII* - No date Savage No4 MKI* - 1944 Ishevsk M44 Mosin Nagant - S.W Silver & Co Patent Transvaal Martini.22 Edited by - Tikirocker on 11:22:06 AM Go to Top of Page bacl2000 Starting Member USA 7 Posts Posted -: 6:57:45 PM Show Profile Reply with Quote One savage No 4 Mk 1dated 1941. Matching bolt and receiver bolt marked OC2357 with a partial P stamped sideway after the number. The receiver marked england at the top fron of the receiver. The angled area on the left side of the receiver is marked US Property. The area on the receiver where the rear stock is attached is OC2357T. The receiver appaers to have been drilled for the sniper pads but they are missing. Someone mounted a william sight on it.

Also the barrel had been sporterized (AKA) cut. Do not know if this one is for real, but I will at least restore it to a MK4 no 1 Go to Top of Page windage Gunboards Member USA 90 Posts Posted -: 3:24:36 PM Show Profile Reply with Quote Recently got a C.A.I. Import thru Phoenix Dist. PROPERTY (Flaming bomb) S no4Mk1* C.A.I.etc. 7 (larger font size)3C2331. Bolt 4767 Haven't had it apart, but all visable parts are Savage, except cocking piece, which is marked N67 MK II on bolt handle side. This has very noticeable finish wear between mag and rear band.

Two groove rifling. Go to Top of Page cbanker101 Gunboards Member USA 62 Posts Posted -: 6:12:07 PM Show Profile Reply with Quote Just picked up a nice looking No4 MkI* today. Serial 42C6181 S 1943 B Was a Savage, marked US Property.

I'm assuming the B is a British inspection mark? As an aside, it looks like Century Arms just released a bunch of un-issued Kar98's. I looked at one for $499. Was 1943, all matching, never fired, and had original Nazi stamps.

Go to Top of Page TomcatPC Gunboards Member 53 Posts Posted -: 8:17:18 PM Show Profile Reply with Quote Hello I have one run of the mill Savage No.4 MkI* 'Lend-Lease' Rifle. 'US Property' marked 1942 built.

Rifle Number: 15C7512 Bought for $100 at Turpin Guns in Anchorage, Alaska in the Autum of 2000. Had been 'sporterized', now restored to what it should have looked like in 1942, with the exception of holes tapped for telescopic sights. Original butt stock (which I still have) was marked with Canadian Broad Arrow. Somewhere along the line it had the Mk.3 rear sight installed. From what I have seen at shows here in the Lower 48 (Ohio) it seems the Savage made rifles are fairly common.

I hope to grab an English built No.4 Mk.I sometime in the future. Why do some of the rifle numbers listed here have X's in their numbers, I don't think I have ever seen one marked that way before. Mark Go to Top of Page Michael Jon Littman Gunboards Moderator And Polka Band Leader USA 4378 Posts Posted -: 12:41:32 PM Show Profile Reply with Quote 46C5487 Hand selected by myself at Springfield Sporters in 1996 or 1997. Appears to be totally Savage marked and correct, dated 1943. Has been FTR'd but all I see that has been altered are the markings; from No.4 MKI* to No.4 MKI. Edited by - Michael Jon Littman on 12:42:50 PM Go to Top of Page littlecleo Starting Member USA 2 Posts Posted -: 09:58:38 AM Show Profile Reply with Quote (2) Savage Enfield No 4 Mk1*'s, serial #'s: 86C07 Go to Top of Page johnggrg Gunboards Super Premium Member USA 265 Posts Posted -: 8:40:02 PM Show Profile Reply with Quote What will all this information be used for? I just wondered because there is alot of serial #'s here.

Mine is a Savage Enfield No4 Mk1* serial# 72c2986 with a B stamped under it. It is U.S Property marked with no date. What I could gather from the forum this is a 1943. John Go to Top of Page blackshoe Gunboards Member USA 25 Posts Posted -: 11:41:37 PM Show Profile Reply with Quote my two cents, I have a No4Mk1* all savage marked, wrist s/n 60c9934, B under s/n, bolt s/n 42c8307, no date, Flaming bomb marked and import marked by century.

With a #1 bolt head. Go to Top of Page BradB Moderator USA 3021 Posts Posted -: 7:08:45 PM Show Profile Reply with Quote Pre-68 import. No4 MKI* sniper, no 'T', Pds, cheeck mount, correct rear sight, S51 (Holland and Holland). Download Attachment: 9.78 KB Download Attachment: 20.34 KB Download Attachment: 25.78 KB Download Attachment: 19.62 KB Go to Top of Page BradB Moderator USA 3021 Posts Posted -: 7:09:02 PM Show Profile Reply with Quote Pre-68 import. No4 MKI* sniper, no 'T', Pds, cheek mount, correct rear sight, S51 (Holland and Holland). Download Attachment: 9.78 KB Download Attachment: 20.34 KB Download Attachment: 25.78 KB Download Attachment: 19.62 KB Go to Top of Page Spike_DD Gunboards Premium Member USA 206 Posts Posted -: 07:56:33 AM Show Profile Reply with Quote I have 1 more to add here: 2C5282 Mk.I David Edited by - Spike_DD on 08:03:07 AM Go to Top of Page Rob_S Starting Member Australia 1 Posts Posted -: 02:58:46 AM Show Profile Reply with Quote Hi Guys, I'd just like to add my No4's details, in a post on page two of this thread by pneps 'Quote OK, here goes: 13C2582 MkI 1942 date US Property ground off. 14C4286 MkI*T 1942 date US Prop marked 38C5351 MkI* 1943 date US Prop marked 53C2268 Mk1/3 1943 date US Prop marked 7.62 NATO tgt rifle 61C3926 MkI* No date US Prop marked.

We need to get this thing stickied! Unquote' In his post pneps show a rifle dated 19 (note dated) I have rifle 53C2272 (4 rifles later) and it has no date of manufacture evident anywhere.

Its savage marked everywhere as it should be, with matching numbers across the board. It was issued to the New Zealand army and carries a second set of matching serial numbers as well as the NZ defence arrow marks. The odity is it has a Mk1 sight and not the Mk2 battle sight. The sight appears to be a long branch sight but its missing the L portion of the LB stamp. Is it pssible that the rifle came out of the factory with a Mk1 sight? It just seems very strange that such a nice clean matching example would be messed about in the sight department only.

Or maybe the NZ army preferred accurracy over simplicity? Anyway just thought it might help close the gap between change over from dated to undate 1943 modles. If I could work out how to attach a picture I would. Heres a link to another thread were I have posted shots.

Lee Enfield No1 MK3 The Lee Enfield Lost and Found; Mismatched Lee Enfield rifles and parts seeking a home. USA Reloading Information Markings on Lee Enfield rifles and equipment Cartridges, Bayonets, Oilers, Bore Viewers, Brass Disc Info, Rifles, Slings, Nuts and Bolt Threads,, RSAF;. Threads used on Lee Enfield rifles.UK;.

Markings on leather and webbing slings.;. Ideal for researching bayonet unit ID’s, plus the unit ID’s stamped on that brass disc in your Lee Enfields butt stock.

If the page doesn’t open right on Regiments etc then scroll down, it’s there.. A really good bit of info on these interesting tools.;. Increasingly detailed site. Markings – manufacturers, government, unit, armorers, misc, marks on Lee Enfield oilers, plus rifles/bayonets/oilers for sale.;. The 303 British Service Cartridge UK; Headstamps of the.303;. Headstamps and markings on.303 ammunition, great site well worth a visit.

UK; Makers marks/government/ unit/regimental/armorers/miscel marks.. Very interesting site about Lee Enfield Rifle Markings. No4 serial numbers too.

(Jay Currah’s site);. Large excellent founding site with photos and explanations of types. Technical info, wrist markings, pictorial of Lee Enfields from 1888-1975, facts about serial numbers, sporterized Enfield info, photo ID of types... Name says it all, excellent, thorough site. Lee Enfield Reading & Research; Interesting and and growing site dedicated to the NZ owned and marked Lee Enfields, as well as NZ use and history.;. Unique and excellent match up service for rifles missing parts, and parts astray from their rifles.;. Not Lee Enfield specific but very useful.

/.Various books on Enfields, UK.;. Site devoted to Lee Enfield Enforcers.; This is the head page connecting to, ‘Serials for no4 Lee Enfields’, ‘Enfield No1MkV survivors’, and, ‘Enfield No1 MkV1 survivors’.;. Enfield.22′s, and small bore info.UK;. Comprehensive site on Lee Enfields, many pictures.; Links directory and more. UK; Excellent reading.. An excellent, expanding reference library of text and pictures of both common and rare Lee Enfields.

Classifieds for guns and parts. Lee Metford information and pics.;. Excellent information on early Lee Enfields and peep sights, PH, AGP, BSA, etc.

Home of the well known author of ‘The Lee-Enfield’, and many others books.;. Major site with many, many Lee Enfield rifle (and other military rifles) articles, shooting reviews, including.223 conversion, highly recommended site.,. Interesting collectors page with pictures. Wikipedia’s entry on Lee Enfields. Government site useful for its rules and regulations about C&R rifles. US; Interesting info on looking after C&R rifles, including wood restoration.

US; Name says it all, where to go to bid on government surplus, including military. US UK; The NRA’s main website. US ================================== No1 Mk1 -Mk3, The Short, Magazine Lee-Enfield, (SMLE). Background The Boer war of 1899-1902 was going to be a steep learning curve for the British forces. This conflict would see in the era of smokeless powder and a skilled, modern, proficient, and equally armed adversary. Furthermore the methodology and mechanisms of war were changing, becoming more efficient. Months prior to hostilities, Boer General Joubert purchased 30,000 Mauser magazine rifles, a number of modern artillery field guns and automatic weapons from the German armaments manufacturer Krupp and the French firm Creusot. The British forces would have to adapt quickly to the corresponding new tactics of the Boer forces would employ.

The Boers use alone of modern smokeless powders and magazine feed weapons would be telling, but when coupled with outdated British tactics and questionable leadership, the results were disastrous. In fact one could very well argue that had it not been for the Boer War that future european conflicts would have seen the British empire in even graver peril of defeat. The Director-General of the Ordnance, Sir Henry Brackenbury said of that time that Britain was “attempting to maintain the largest Empire the world has ever seen with armament and reserves that would be insufficient for a third class military power”. An example of the of this was that in July 1899, 66 million rounds of MkIV ammunition were fouling barrels so badly that it could not be used, that was 40% of the reserves. Brackenbury was to prove correct on many levels. The Boer war needs to be mentioned so that to understand the sudden and urgent requirement to upgrade to the current battle rifle of the day.

The need to rethink many aspects of the rifle, be it the rifling, the ramifications of smokeless powder, to tactics and formations of troops. It shows the urgent need for a rapid departure from the Lee Metfords and Carbines to the something new and improved. Introducing The SMLE. The SMLE itself was approved in 1902, this also saw the conversion of the older out dated Lee Metfords and Lee Enfield’s to the new pattern. Further updates gave the ability to use more modern ammunition, better sighting systems and the introduction of charger loading.

Introduce in LOC 13853 dated 26 January 1907 the Mk III SMLE included a number of changes designed to improve its effectiveness and also simplify manufacture. This included the addition of a charger bridge to replace the charger guide on the bolt, a blade foresight with more open protector wings, a stronger rear sight assembly with U notch and finer graduations and repositioned protector. The inner barrel band was also repositioned.

As a result of the introduction of the Mk VII ammunition in 1910 changes were made to the sights of the rifle to accommodate the lighter pointed bullet and flatter trajectory. These were introduced in LOC 15638 dated 1 October 1911 to govern alterations to existing rifles and new manufacture. This included altering the profile of the rear sight bed, re graduating the dial sight and altering the magazine plate and cases. However it did not result in a change of the rifle mark designation, but altered rifles were marked HV on the barrel immediately behind the back sight.

The SMLE Mk III* was introduced by LOC 17622 on 2 January 1916 and was brought about primarily to speed up war-time production. These changes included omission of the cut off, long-range sights, windage adjustment on the rear sight, swivel lugs in front of the magazine replaced by wire loop, and later omission of the brass butt disc.

However some Mk III* rifles were fitted with a cut off. It should be noted that the changes to the design of the rifle were not always implemented immediately following the LOC and many examples will be found unmodified and made at a later date or upgraded during FTR (Factory Thorough Repair). For example Lithgow SAF did not introduce the changes for Mk VII ammunition until November 1917. In 1926 the nomenclature was changed from SMLE Mk III* to Rifle No 1 Mk III* Production of the SMLE No 1 Mk III* continued at BSA until 1942 and at Lithgow and Ishapore until after WW II New Zealand Service The Defence Report of 1910 states “A further supply of MLE short rifles Mk III is on order from England” implying that some are already in the country. Rifles have been observed marked N^Z xxxx/09 indicating their first appearance in New Zealand in 1909. 7,000 of the new rifles were ordered in 1911 and by 1912 8,000 were reported to have arrived that year. This allowed for the arming of the RNZA, Territorial Field Artillery, Garrison Artillery, Engineers and Mounted Rifles with the Mk III, while the Infantry was armed with the MLE.

Genetica Molecolare Umana Pdf Editor on this page. It is understood that SMLEs supplied to New Zealand prior to WW I were not upgraded to the Mk VII ammunition, since that ammunition was not manufactured here and the manufacture of most of the rifles pre date the change. Another factor was a matter of logistics: the large number of MLEs on issue that were sighted for the Mk VI cartridge.

A further 2,000 Mk III were imported in 1913 and stocks of this rifle then stood at 11,895. The New Zealand Infantry went off to fight in WW I armed with the Magazine Lee Enfield Mk I and Mk I* (Long Tom), however, on landing in Gallipoli many Kiwis picked up SMLEs from fallen Australians (3). In March 1916 the New Zealand Division in Egypt were armed with SMLE Mk III and MK III* from British 11 th Division (4). These British issued rifles may well have come back to New Zealand with returning troops after the war, in fact it has been reported that they exchanged their battle worn rifles for new ones from stores before returning and a number of NZ marked rifles with manufacture dates of 1918 have been noted. In 1917 the Colonial Ammunition Company in Auckland began manufacturing MK VII ammunition for the New Zealand Government as required for the MK III and III* rifles and a further supply of these rifles was received in the country upgraded for the new ammunition and thus marked HV. In 1919 SMLE Mk III were issued to Camps and Districts within New Zealand.

MLE Mk I and I* held in store were converted to charger loading and sighted for Mk VII ammunition.(2) A programme of stripping, cleaning and preserving stocks of SMLE Mk III* was undertaken in 1937/38.(2) In 1939 a supply of SMLE Mk III with heavy Lithgow barrels was received from the Australian Government for sale to members of the Defence Rifle Clubs.(2) The SMLE Mk III and III* remained the service arm of the New Zealand forces until they were replaced by the No 4 rifle at the end of WW II. MKIII* SMLEs were still in use by the RNZA in the late 1950s, by the RNZAF till late 1960s and the NZ Police for several years after that. The rifles below are No1MkIII and MKIII* and are a combination of various years and makers. They also include two NZ marked SMLE’s.

Note the variations in the woods. Whilst it is common to get wood sets (furniture) of the same colour, such as the bottom two. It is equally common to get sets that have some variations. Remembering of course that these rifles went through two world wars and countless other Policing actions, damage to the woodwork did occur. When such damage occurred the local armourer had two options, repair or replace. Replaced items merely had to function, looking pretty was a bonus! Yet to be restored – always a project.

These include Peddled schemed rifles, an all matching Navy marked, a NZ marked CLLE and a particularly nice marked early Lithgow. All again in varying states of repair!

However these all represent an aspects of No 1 production that are worthy in their own right of being restored. A good example of this is the Peddled scheme rifles. Specific ations of the SMLE MKIII Calibre.303 Rifling and Twist 5 Groove left hand Barrel length 25.2 inch or 640mm Total Length 44.5 inch or 1130mm Weight 8lb 10oz or 3.9kg Magazine 10 round.