1915 SMLE by BSA with Aldis Bros 1916 scope ….( f 629 ) SOLD

British SMLE 1915 by BSA for Government Contract with 1916 Aldis Bros’ scope

One of the main British War Department choices to counter to the threat of the German sniper during the First World War.  The British, Short Magazine Lee-Enfield scoped sniper rifle.  Chambered in .303 with a ten shot detachable magazine and scoped with a Birmingham built Adlis Brothers telescopic sight and Purdey-type mounts.  Scope magnification is about two and a half times with an effective optical range of 100 to 600 hundred yards.  The rifle would easily out range the scope but, this was the required set-up and judged to be most effective.  The scope was held off-centre by two rings formed into strongly fashioned mounts which allowed rapid re-loading from stripper clips fed in from above.

N.B. It is believed that most of these rifles were dismantled at the end of the conflict in the hope that they would never have to be used again; so, it will remain the readers responsibility to decide on the veracity of the object on offer.  If I thought this was a 100% genuine piece I wouldn’t even offer it for sale!  It would remain out of general public view – though it is very tempting to keep!  On the other hand it may stand as an object which is as close as possible to the real thing, or as close as possible to the real thing that the likes of you and I will ever get.  The main components are genuine pieces but suspension of disbelief has to be practiced to fully enjoy owning one of these for the mere mortal.

The serial number of the rifle is “W 70643” and is marked on the RHS of the receiver just above a clear War Department broad arrow or “Crows Foot.”  The rifle is 44″ in overall length.  The barrel is 25.1/4″ long and the trigger pull on this particular example is 12.3/4″ to center.  The markings on the RHS of the wrist are as follows;- “Crown / G.R. / B.S.A.Co’ / 1915 / SHT.LE / III”.  The rifle is stocked in the standard walnut stocks and hand-guard but, an extra square opening has been cut in the rear hand-guard to accommodate the  forward, rectangular, dovetail mounting of the scope.  Otherwise, the stocks are in excellent condition for a rifle of this age and lineage.  The underside of the fore-arm has been marked with a. n. other rifle number, at some stage, and this has been struck out and this rifle’s serial number stamped in below it.  The stocks wear an pleasing, semi-matt patina and sport a fine array of dings and dents associated with military life.  The cut-outs for the long range volley sight fittings are still in the woodwork although the rear component has been completely removed and only the dial and arm remain of the front part.  It would be very difficult to use that particular piece of equipment on this rifle with the off-set scope to look over / around / or through!  Unfortunately, there are no unit markings on the stock disk.  The butt-plate is brass and the trap for the cleaning equipment has been repaired.

There are other signs of the rifles earlier guises in the older fittings still in place on the weapon.  The front sight protector wings are the early “pinched” type.  The cocking piece is the early round D-shaped fitment; marked with the broad arrow and an Enfield E/Crown inspectors mark.  The bolt is marked with the serial number in a (sans-serif type face.)  The action retains the magazine cut-off device.  The safety catch is marked with a “III” marking.  Moving forwards, down the rifle, the rear-sight protectors have the indents and are correctly marked with the broad arrow and another inspectors stamp.  The rear sight is a non-windage type graduated from 200 to 2000 yards.  The fore-sight protector and bayonet stud, as mentioned earlier are the original early pinched type with a very good clear Enfield / Crown inspectors mark and the serial number is stamped in to the front of the stud. Stacking swivel also present.  Two sling swivels have a good BOYT leather sling with brass fittings attached, there is even a build up of verdigris around the claw fittings.  Condition and quality suggests this must be a reproduction part, but will allow proper usage of the item, whereas a period item would break immediately.

The Scope fitted to the rifle is the Aldis Brothers item on Purdey mounts (thought to be reproduction items).  On arrival it was found that the mounts had simply been fixed to the tubes with a modern adhesive!  The scope was stripped down, a new horizon wire fitted and the tube professionally soldered to the mounts which was tricky to say the least as it was discovered that the melting points needed varied massively between the mounts steel and the original tube steel.  The scopes’ overall length is in the region of 10.1/2″ depending on the adjustment required by the user.  The rear or ocular lense is 1.7/16″ across and adjusts on a fine thread.  It was finished in gloss black and is marked as follows: “ALDIS  BROTHERS / BIRMINGHAM / No 70571 / 1916”.   This part of the scope also displays the War Department broad arrow. Approximately  1″ tube with short adjustable object lens of  1.1/8″ external diameter.  The front lens is locked into place by very small screws.  There is a single elevation adjustment turret which is graduated from 1 to 6 this represents yardage in 100 yard increments.  There is a sliding cover in the top LH quadrant of the scope barrel which adjusts the focus of the reticule.  The reticule is a standard post and rail type which seems in good order.  The cross rail is a replacement.  The scope is clearly engraved towards the rear of the barrel and reads : “RIFLE  W  / 70645.”  Using the same type face the rearward mount is also engraved; “J.PURDY & SONS.”  Under close inspection the cutter used to engrave the different components looks to be the same.  The mounts are numbered with the serial number of the scope.  The optics of the scope are excellent.   Windage is effected on the front mount by releasing and adjusting opposing screws under the dovetail.  With the rifle is a very good contemporary copy of the correct chamois lined leather scope carry case.  The fittings are brass and there is even a copy of the original instructions pasted into the lid.

Action cycles well and is mechanically fine.  The bore is in excellent condition with strong, bright and deep LH twist five-grove rifling.  This is a rare opportunity to fill that difficult position in the most serious of military rifle collections and to have something very unusual on the firing point.

Ask for Stock  No f 629

£ 4500. SOLD

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