Pre WW 1 SMLE by LSA & Co for 1912……………… (F 1147)

  An Early British SMLE by LSA & Co

The Devils in the Detail as the saying goes…..  Close inspection is always worthwhile with rifles of this kind of vintage and this is no exception.  Yes this is an early British SMLE but its markings give strong clues to what transformations it has undergone.  It would be almot impossible to find a rifle of these advancing years which had not undergone some form of replacement during the One Hundred and Twelve years since it was built.  This is no exception, yet to anyone who wants to shoot it, in this case, this is a plus point because, the barrel has been replaced.  Markings of the knox form show a replacement barrel produced in 1941 – which is still in very good, sharp condition.

The wrist is the next place to look for pointers on one of these, it is marked as follows; “Royal cypher/ G.R./LSA & Co/1912/ SHt LE/III”  Most of this is self explanitory, however, the fact that there is a Crown and a manufactures initials, means it was made under contract to the government of the time.  For that reason it was most probably supplied to regular Army.  All of the above markings are faint but readable.  There is some surface corrosion with mild pitting on the RHS of the action, strangely this does not extend to the LHS – could be a long term storage issue.

The replacement Enfield barrel shows a crows foot marking and a date of .41 plus other standard Enfield inspection marks. It should be noted that the date marking usually applies to the date the item was accepted into stores, not the date it was fitted – this could be much later. It has also been numbered to match the action.  The rifle shows all the pre-update (pre-star) alterations.  It is fitted with the long range volley sights, both components – dial and pointer.  The magazine cut-off, indented rear sight protection and “pinched” ears around the front sight. The mid-band with sling mount is also the hinged type.  The cocking piece has the early rounded head. No brass unit disk on side of butt.

The rifle actually carries the number “L 38605” on the LHS of the receiver but the rear of the bolt arm appears to be force-matched.  The bayonet stud on the front of the nose-cap is matching.  It is my feeling that the woodwork is all replacement as I have seen many others and the surface wear does not match the age or the condition of the metal-work; it is just too good.  However, all said, in this rifle you have a good example of an early rifle with a much younger barrel and bore, better wood so, a very usable weapon which should return good results.  Many of the components are “crows foot” marked.  Thick brass butt-plate with trap for cleaning equipment a/f.  Rear sight force-matched to rifle.  It has the added bonus of windage adjustment and is graduated from 200 to 2000 yards.

Standard specifications for time and build. Chambered in .303 with a ten shot detachable magazine.  Overal length 44.3/4″ long.  Barrel 25.1/4″ long. Trigger Pull 13.1/4″ to centre.  A very good, supple light tan leather sling is fitted to the sling swivles. BNP proofed.  A good chance to get out there and shoot WW One style…..

Stock No’ F 1147  – FAC Required

£ 1295.

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