SMLE, any experts here??

[farmer7]

Just attached a few pictures of my SMLE here, just wondered if anyone can give me any information as to it's age, spec etc.

It's marked BSA on the band above the trigger but all the other examples I've seen have the model no. stamped there too. I'm assuming it was never issued as it doesn't have markings that most others do. Did they make them for private purchase? It has matching numbers on the bolt/action.

One thing I was curious about was the extra barrel band which I think I've only found one picture online which appears to have the same. Also the screw in the left hand side of the stock above the magazine doesn't seem to be there on others.

Any information appreciated.

[bnz41]

Have you taken off the rear top hand guard, to see if the barrel is dated..Normally stamped there, be careful lifting the wood from under the rear sight do not snap off the ears. (lift the sight up first). Not seen one with so many wood screws in it above the trigger/magazine.

BM stamp under a crown = UK proof marks..

They did make them for private purchases if I remember correct. Been fitted with a scope at some point so may have been a civilian owner not military.

Just noticed it has a spring under the top part of the safety they were used when target sights were fitted.

[farmer7]

Have you taken off the rear top hand guard, to see if the barrel is dated..Normally stamped there, be careful lifting the wood from under the rear sight do not snap off the ears. (lift the sight up first). Not seen one with so many wood screws in it above the trigger/magazine.

They did make them for private purchases if I remember correct. Been fitted with a scope at some point so may have been a civilian owner not military.

I haven't had it apart for years, I'll strip it down and have a look and see what is stamped there.

It was fitted with a scope, I still have the scope and mounts but took them off. I was given the rifle by my great uncle, he was an officer in Burma in WWII but as a teenager at the time I didn't ask much about it's history and just got on and shot it lots! He did use it for his deer stalking I remember though. (I shot my first Sika stag with it too!)

[farmer7]

BM stamp under a crown = Lithgow Proof Mark, Lithgow being the Australian factory that made some very nice SMLE’s. The Lithgow factory was situated at Lithgow in NSW, Australia.

Just noticed it has a spring under the top part of the safety they were used when target sights were fitted.

So made by BSA and assembled/proofed by Lithgow?

The target sight makes sense, he did say he shot at Bisley.
Were the sights an aftermarket offering or a Lee Enfield sight? Can you still pick them up? I would love a peep sight on it.

[Dark Skies]

Does it have "Regulated by Fulton" anywhere on it? I recall reading somewhere that an additional band over the foremost wood is a frequent mod on target rifle converted SMLEs. Same for additional screws for support - usually plugged though. Is the barrel bedded with cork or similar mods?

[TomH]

The wood looks to be Australian Coachwood, but is not brass pinned in usual Lithgow style. This could account for the crack.

If you lift the rear top cover to check the barrel date, have a look for any markings underneath the top cover itself.

[bnz41]

BM stamp under a crown = Lithgow Proof Mark, Lithgow being the Australian factory that made some very nice SMLE’s. The Lithgow factory was situated at Lithgow in NSW, Australia.

Just noticed it has a spring under the top part of the safety they were used when target sights were fitted.

So made by BSA and assembled/proofed by Lithgow?

The target sight makes sense, he did say he shot at Bisley.
Were the sights an aftermarket offering or a Lee Enfield sight? Can you still pick them up? I would love a peep sight on it.

Yes parker Hale made a target sight for the SMLE look on ebay under parker hale 5A not cheap though.
My error not Lithgow proof marks are UK, sorry

[ovenpaa]

It is a No1 Mk3 as it has the magazine cut-off and the cocking piece would confirm this. So the receiver is Pre 1915 build at a guess however it lacks of lot of the marks I would expect so could have been assembled post 1921 with parts at the BSA factory. The additional band was probably added to load the barrel in an attempt to accurise it however I could be wrong. It is hard to see however I assume the rear sight lacks the early windage adjustment?

[farmer7]

Does it have "Regulated by Fulton" anywhere on it? I recall reading somewhere that an additional band over the foremost wood is a frequent mod on target rifle converted SMLEs. Same for additional screws for support - usually plugged though. Is the barrel bedded with cork or similar mods?

If memory serves me it did have cork bedding, I'll have a proper look when I take it apart to check for other stamps.

Yes parker Hale made a target sight for the SMLE look on ebay under parker hale 5A not cheap though.

Thanks for that I'll have a look.

It is a No1 Mk3 as it has the magazine cut-off and the cocking piece would confirm this. So the receiver is Pre 1915 build at a guess however it lacks of lot of the marks I would expect so could have been assembled post 1921 with parts at the BSA factory. The additional band was probably added to load the barrel in an attempt to accurise it however I could be wrong. It is hard to see however I assume the rear sight lacks the early windage adjustment?

Thanks for that info David. It does have the windage adjustable rear sight though, when was that done away with?

[TomH]

By the quality of the finish of the metalwork, I'd say it's a BSA Commercial rifle produced any time up to 1940. But as Bnz41 points out lifting the rear handguard should give a barrel date and a few more stamps.