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WW2 1944 BSA Co. SMLE No.1 Mk.III* British Military Rifle in .303 British ** All-Matching & Non-Import Marked! **
Guns International #: 101672009 Seller's Inventory #: CM21-1145
Category: Enfield Rifles - Military Rifles - Non-US
Seller's Information
When emailing or calling sellers direct, please mention that you saw their listing on GunsInternational.com
Seller: Antique & Modern Firearms, Inc.
Company: Antique & Modern Firearms, Inc.
Member Since: 4/27/15
State: Kentucky
Zip: 40503
Country: United States
Phone: (859) 276-1419
Fax: (859) 278-0838
Platinum Seller
Number of Active Listings: 191
Total Number of Listings: 14860
Seller: FFL Dealer
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Visa,Master Card, Discover,Check
Description:
This is a VERY handsome and clean World War 2 British Military SMLE No.1 Mk.III* rifle in .303 British manufactured by the BSA company in 1944. It is all-matching and original after having gone thru one British Arsenal rebuild at the Royal Ordnance Factory Fazakerley in 1953, and is NOT import marked. The Short Magazine Lee Enfield rifle otherwise known as the SMLE, is one of the most well-known and respected British Military rifles of all time. First introduced in 1888, the Lee Enfield family of rifles were manufactured at various times on 4 different continents at 12 different factories during the 80 plus year production run that ended in the 1970's. The first SMLE model was adopted in 1906 as the No.1 Mk.I and underwent a continual evolution shaped by combat service to become the No.1 Mk.III* by mid-WW1 in 1916. The No.1 Mk.III* was a highly refined combat rifle, the ultimate variation of the SMLE. It would serve unchanged thru the interwar years, the entirety of World War 2, and even beyond the official adoption of the L1A1 in 1957, with widespread use in the British Armed Forces ending in the mid-1960's. As a standard-issue infantry rifle, it is still found in service with some of the Commonwealth nations which makes it the second longest-serving military bolt-action rifle still in service behind only the Mosin Nagant which is still in limited use in Finland. This particular No.1 Mk.III* is a superb example made in the last year of production at BSA Co.(Birmingham Small Arms Company), 1944. It likely saw combat service in WW2 and was then sent back thru the British Military's supply system and re-issued or stored until 1953, when it was sent to thru the "FTR" program which stood for "Factory Thorough Repair" at ROF Fazakerley. At that point this rifle was fully stripped and serviced, any parts that were worn or showed damage were replaced and renumbered to match, all of the metal parts were given a new "British stove black" finish, the stock set was repaired or replaced, and the rifle was test-fired and zeroed. After that was completed this rifle likely went into storage until it was sold as surplus and imported into the U.S. sometime prior to 1968, as it lacks any import marks. This SMLE is in excellent condition inside and out. The arsenal applied black finish rates 92 to 95%, showing only minor handling/storage marks and some finish loss on the knob of the bolt handle. The majority of these handling marks are all located on the magazine rather than the rifle itself. All of the factory markings, rebuild marks, proofs, and assorted inspection marks are clean and legible. All of the serial-numbered parts on this Enfield are matching including the bolt, rear sight, stock, and nosecap/bayonet lug, with some of the arsenal replaced parts like like the rear sight showing a lined-out old serial number beside the newer matching serial number. The bore in this No.1 is excellent, showing strong and sharp rifling throughout the barrel with no pitting or visible erosion. The factory stock set on this No.1 is particularly attractive, free from any cracks, repairs, or major damage/wear. The worst of the handling marks is a small chip of wood missing from the right side of the upper handguard, just to the right of the of the rear sight. All of the stock pieces are a perfect match to each other in every way, and all of the stock pieces are tight to the gun with no wiggle. All of the original stock hardware is intact and in great shape including the brass buttplate and the sling swivels, and all of the original stock cartouches are still nice and crisp and fully legible. The action on this No.1 is smooth, slick, and precise. The bolt turns into battery with the barrel perfectly with no grit or slop. All of the controls on this rifle are in perfect working order, including the safety and the adjustable rear sight. The un-numbered 4th variation box magazine (correct) with this Enfield is in excellent working condition and it fits snugly within this rifle. The feed lips are in great shape and the follower has strong spring pressure. This No.1 Mk.III* SMLE should still function just as reliably and accurately today as when it first left the factory over 77 years ago. If you have been looking for a high-condition World War 2 production SMLE for your military or WW2 weapons collection here is your chance to get one of the most handsome original BSA-made examples we have had in some time.
(This No.1 Mk.III* comes with a reproduction tan sling marked "J. & A. H. 1944")
SOLD
Curio/Relic: Yes
Rifle Caliber: .303 British
Manufacturer: B.S.A. Co.
Model: No.1 Mk.III* SMLE
Serial Number: A1800
Condition: Excellent
Metal Condition: Excellent
Wood Condition: Excellent
Bore Condition: Excellent
Action: Bolt Action Repeater
Finish: British Arsenal Black
Sights: Adjustable Iron Battle Sights
Manufacture Date: 1944
Extras: Reproduction Sling