Les Jones: Gun Links #37 - Lee-Enfield Edition

April 14, 2005

Guns > Gun Links #37 - Lee-Enfield Edition

Buy a Gun Day is tomorrow. Just in time, Publicola ofers some rock-solid advice for the guns every shooter should have.

Nigel, the .303 British Lee-Enfield No. 1

This is my Buy a Gun Day purchase. It's a Lee-Enfield No.1 rifle in .303 British, also known as a Short Magazine, Lee-Enfield (SMLE or "smelly"). Looking at pictures around the net, it appears to be a Mark III, which was a World War I wartime variation that made the gun easier to manufacture. Stampings on the wrist socket indicate the Lithgow arsenal in Australia in October, 1942. Whether that's a manufacturing date or a re-arsenaling date, I'm not positive, though I'm guessing it's the latter.

The Lee-Enfield is supposedly the fastest-firing bolt action every used by a military, with a sustained rate of fire of up to 40 rounds per minute. It loads from a 10 shot removable magazine. The magazine can be reloaded with single cartridges or by using a five round stripper clip (which the British called a charger).

The gun was $149, but since the store was going out of business I got it for $100 even. Not bad. The ammo isn't terribly expensive as centerfire rifle ammo goes. CheaperThanDirt has UMC ammo at $11.72 per 20 rounds. The cheap Sellier and Ballot stuff is $7.99. That's higher than 5.56mm and 7.62 x 39mm, but it's on par with .30-30 and other sporting ammo.

What next?

Seeing as how the gun could be nearly 100 years old and I'm not sure that it's seen a gunsmith since 1942, it's going to a gunsmith for a checkup. If nothing else I want the headspace checked. Then I'll snag some ammo and take it shooting. I also need to get a book that covers the history of the Lee-Enfield, variations, and proofmarks. The gun is heavily proofmarked, and those marks will help unravel the gun's history.

I've seen beautifully-restored Lee-Enfields. Those old wooden stocks can be refinished to gorgeous condition. Even though my rifle's stock is grungy I'm not in a hurry to refinish it, but it's a possibility for the future once I learn more about the gun.

Other Lee-Enfield options

If you want a Lee-Enfield in a different caliber, you've got a couple of choices. One is the Ishapore, a genuine Lee-Enfield in 7.62 NATO (.308), made at the arsenal in Ishapore, India. India's use of the Lee-Enfield was a vestige of the British colony there. When an independent India modernized its army they chose automatic rifles in 7.62 NATO, but they couldn't afford to issue them to all of their troops. Rather than having two different rifle calibers they created a Lee-Enfield in 7.62 NATO. Ishapores on GunBroker.com start at about $250.

Over the years various companies have offered modified Lee-Enfields, typically with a shorter barrel. Here's one converted to shoot 7.62 x 39mm Russian with AK-47 mags. Some are good and some aren't, apparently. Check the SMLE discussions at SurplusRifles.com.

Your other option for a Lee-Enfield action is the new No.4 Mark 10 from Australian International Arms. There are rifle and carbine versions. You can get them chambered for 7.62mm NATO with M14 magazines, or in 7.62 x 39mm Russian with AK-47 magazines. That's the carbine with AK-47 magazine above. Roger Marsh has a review at ChuckHawks.com.

There are also some options to re-chamber an existing Lee-Enfield in everything from .45 ACP to .45-70.

Gun Pic of the Week

Here's hoping that when you make your Buy a Gun Day purchase you get to bring it home in one of these fine shopping bags.

Previous Gun Links

Posted by lesjones

Resistance is futile! linked with Carnival of Cordite #9
Publicola linked with Cordite, Enfields & Garands - Oh My!

Comments

Thats a fine looking bag and not such a bad looking rifle.

Posted by: countertop at April 14, 2005

Come over to Libercontrarian and see the fine SMLE (actually an FTR Fazerkerly) that I picked up from a shop - UNISSUED - for $175!

Posted by: Libercontrarian at April 15, 2005

That is an Australian made Mk. III, and it was made in 1942. Nice rifle.

Posted by: staghounds at April 20, 2005

That is an Australian Lee Enfield made at the Lithgow arsenal in New South Wales, and the stamp indicates it was made in 1942. An interesting fact about the mark 3 SMLE is that Britian switched to manufacturing the mark 4,
which has the same action and magazine, but a different outline, in about 1940, and their army phased out the mark3's during the war. However, Australia never bothered to change to manufacturing the mark4, and was making mark 3's right up until the mid 1950's. Because of this, anyone interested in picking up a good condition mark3 should get an australian made weapon, as it is more likely to be more recently made, and there are still stocks of unissued weapons for a reasonable price.

Posted by: Set at May 20, 2005

http://www.telusplanet.net/public/philqgbr/enfield.html

Some information on enfields you might want to check out.

Yes Lithgow made the No1MkIII* in 1942 and for a few more years after that.

Posted by: woodchopper at July 07, 2005

Can someone please assist me? I have a SMLE #1 MkIII. I am trying to obtain magazines and charger clips for the rifle.

The rear of the magazine is different from the other Enfield .303's. Will the other type of magazines work in my SMLE#1 MkIII?

Can someone recommend a source for these items?

Thanks, Fred.

Posted by: Fred at July 26, 2005

Love the bag is there any way i can get one?
peace out and keep collecting weapons,
Jim

Posted by: Jim at October 04, 2005

i have a british 303 i am haveing a hard time tell what all the marking are can someone help or send me in a dirtion on what all the marking are ? thanks

Posted by: lloyd brockert at February 12, 2006

I have a Lithgow Enfield dated 1942 and all of the serial numbers and other markings match. And the stock is stamped Australia. As far as I can tell, it was made in 1942.

Posted by: Bryan at June 18, 2006

I've got an enfield 303 from 1917 and i've looked all over the internet trying to find another one like it and i've had no luck. The rifle incredible marking all over such as (FR) stamped on the but of the stock and a crown with (GR) on top with two swords crossed and a P on the bottom. I've found similar rifles, but the stock runs all the way down the barrell, and this one stops about half way and also with brass ball mounts right behind the action on the stock. If anyone has any information about this rifle please email me and help me find what type of beutiful piece of equitment i have in my possecion. Thank You

Posted by: Randy Cochran at October 19, 2006

Need help please. I understand that the windage (lateral movement) is adjusted by moving the front sight. I have just about run out of adjustment on the front sight and am still shooting to the left. Is there any way to move the rear sight for windage? Thank you.

Posted by: Fred Brightman at November 14, 2006

I am looking a magazine for my 303. I do not know who made it the markings are, M 47 C
1944 B3 84 84 R any helpwith locating a magazine would be helpful. Thank You

Posted by: Todd Patrow at November 19, 2006

I'd like to know what type of wood the Lee Enfield 4 mk 1's stock is made of.

Posted by: Leon at April 19, 2007

i recently inherited an old rifle. i dont know alot about them and the nearest i can tell i have a g.r hb mkII with 1942 stamped on it. but it doesnt look like all of the rifles ive seen when i researched. mine is longer i think and the barrel extends abour a foot past the wood id love to know the model and caliber of this rifle please contact me at lpriaml@yahoo.com if you can help. thanks in advance

Posted by: clint at May 21, 2007

Back in 1992 I purchased a Lithgow made .303 Mark III which was in excellent condition. The stock did'nt have a dent or scratch on it. The metal was in near perfect blued condition. The only thing that was missing was the cleaning kit in the butt hollow and the circular plate.
It was a beautiful shooting rifle and accurate as hell. I spent many an enjoyable Saturday afternoon plinking away in a granite quarry outside of Atlanta, GA.
Like a complete idiot I ended up trading it in for a Swedish Mauser 6.5 mm which ended up being defective.
If anyone out there in Lee Enfield land finds one with "Fernandes"scratched in block letters on the butt and a modern british pound coin glued into the circular notch on the butt, please take good care of her.
One of these days I will go out and get another "Smelly". Maybe this time a #4.

Posted by: Al at June 26, 2007

i have an SMLE made in lithgow, mine is from 1920. i have only shot 20 rounds out of it and its accuracy was terrible at 100 yds. i dont know what the problem is with it and my bolt clicks as im pulling it back. anyone have any ideas about what is a wrong with it? oh yea the bore is also in great shape, so thats not the problem.

thanks

Posted by: Tom at July 02, 2007

Looking for a stock (actual rifle doesn't have to be operational) for a 1907 Mark I*** Enfield. As a youngster I converted it to a sporter and would like to restore it to go with my Mauser, P-38, and M-1 carbine for my WW II collection.

Posted by: Dan Jensen at August 02, 2007

yea i have a brittish 303 m47 1943 weird markings all over says england just trying to find out any thing about if you may know something please contact me a mia4life187@yahoo.com thank you

Posted by: old brit at October 22, 2007

I have a model 98 (24775 b) with a byf 44 stamped on top and a nazi warbird stamped on the side.
Is this a german 7mm mauser??
Any info ? please e-mail me.

Posted by: Matt at December 03, 2007

I have a model 98 (24775 b) with a byf 44 stamped on top and a nazi warbird stamped on the side.
Is this a german 7mm mauser??
Any info ? please e-mail me. @ blflh98@hotmail.com

Posted by: Matt at December 03, 2007

Is any one looking to sell a Lee-enfield world war 2 rifle, I would like to buy one, send me a message at LordBeorn_1@hotmail.com, if u want to sell one

Posted by: J.D at January 06, 2008

I HAVE A 1919 LEE-ENFIELD BRITISH WW1 RIFLE WITH
ALL INFORMATION QUITE LEDGIBLE, AND IT'S FORSALE.1ST300$ GETS IT. IT IS IN GREAAT SHAPE.

Posted by: ROBERT TUCKER at April 03, 2008

I HAVE A 1919 LEE-ENFIELD BRITISH WW1 RIFLE WITH
ALL INFORMATION QUITE LEDGIBLE, AND IT'S FORSALE.1ST300$ GETS IT. IT IS IN GREAAT SHAPE.

Posted by: ROBERT TUCKER at April 03, 2008

HI, iam looking for a good british 3o3 priced reasonable I really don"t have a need I just like the looks.... Help anyone

Posted by: J Lacks at July 19, 2008

I RECENTLY ACQUIRED A SMLE THAT HAS INDIA STAMPED ON THE LEFT SIDE IF THE RECEIVER AND HAS RIFLE 7.62mm2A R.F.I. 1964 ON THE RIGHT SIDE TRIGGER GUARD AREA OF THE REAR RECEIVER. CAN ANY ONE TELL ME THE SPECS ON THIS RIFLE? THE STOCK HAS BEEN MODIFIED AND IT HAS DOVE TAIL TYPE FRONT SIGHT AND A MILITARY STYLE SLIDE REAR SIGHT. IT HAS A 10 ROUND MAGAZINE! I TRIED A 7.62x39 ROUND--DIDN'T LOOK RIGHT. IS THE 7.62 NATO ROUND BIGGER THAN 39? CAN YOU HELP?!>

Posted by: BILL at October 15, 2008