Lee enfield MK-III 1917

[WW2Hunter]

Is there a member who can help me find out more about this beauty?

Thanx,
Steven

[talltom]

i don't know much about the smle but it is missing the butt disk to stop cracks it does look very nice is it a deact

tom

[WW2Hunter]

Thanx tom,
I knew he was missing something but didn't know what it was, also the upper woodwork isn't from the same period.
This baby is still live and kicking.

Cheers,
Steven

[reneblacky]

all I can say on this is the 303 Brit marking was add at a much later date

[4md]

hello steven, i tell you what i can see,
lee enfield no1 mk3* made in 1917
the markings- 303 british and 9ka are not factory or military markings.
d26 looks like a military marking probably a rack number. the broad arrow above is a government ownership mark.
the factory it was made is not stamped in the usual place....is it marked on top of the action near the bolt SSA or NRF?
the wood beside the rear sight has been removed or broken
the lee enfield is a beautiful rifle i have 7 of them

[WW2Hunter]

Thanks 4md,
I was thinking that the 303 Brit and 9Ka were inport markings for civillian use.
I will have to verify the makers stamp when I'm home.

Cheers,
Steven

[WW2Hunter]

Hey 4md,
The makers mark is SSA and is on the leftside of the bolt.
Also the #'s are a match on the bolt, nosecap and barrel.
The wardepartment arrow is also marked on the sling buckles and there is a III marked on the safety.
Gonna get the bayonet for it this weekend with a box of deac .303's and one clip, all from the great war.

Cheers and thankyou guys for the info,
Steven

[lithgow]

The brass disc is for unit markings-nothing to do with preventing cracks in the butt wood-post 1920 made rifles don't have them as markings were then stamped directly onto the wood-the best book on the subject is 'The Lee Enfield' by Ian Skennerton if you're interested in the type.

[Redgemak]

The Eagle over N, the shield and the 9KA are german proof marks, the rifle was imported by Franconia arms (see the vertical) FWW under Brit)

[ian]

strangely inof
i have a 1944 no4 with a blank butt disc on it ? , its the only no4 ive ever seen with a butt disc
cheers ian