1918 L.E III

[GHines85]

I recently threw a person to person transaction purchased a very old Lee Enfield... rust and mildew.. very poor condition looked to have been sitting in an attic for a long time... I've used flitz metal polish to clean the gun best that i can.. i want to know if anyone can identify the year and also how to make sure i dont have an illegal firearm. The pitting is quite extensive but I've managed to pull some numbers of... G.R, B.S.A.C(there a little c with a line under it next), 1918 SHT. L.E III, 15855, 937, V69570 on the sight... and I48492 on the barrel and receiver.. thanks for any help.. sorry it's a long message..

 

[Stevie]

It's a BSA(and Company) made LE No.1 Mk.III rifle. A prolific maker of British armaments over the years. I own 2 1889 dated Martini Henry Mk.II rifles both made by BSA&Co

The earlier production rifles were designated 'Short Lee Enfields'..soldiers having fun with the initials stamped on the gun(SHT.L.E) came up with all sorts of names for their rifles! Later these same rifles were just No.1 Mk.III rifles.

Some of these wartime(WWI) rifles had an asterisk after the model *....and these were simplified production versions lacking the cartridge cut-off. Some rifles had these added post war...some not.

I own the same vintage gun made by SSA(Standard Small Arms)..a short term maker..but these rifles were made by numerous factorys and lasted in production until at least the 1960's in India(Ishpore Arsenal)

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Short Magazine Lee Enfield, SMLE pronounced "smelly". The predecessor had Medferd rifling (which is for jacketed bullets with Black Powder) and a 7 shot Magazine, when they settled on a Cordite load they went to Enfield rifling, a shorter barrel length and a 10 shot magazine. I have only seen arcive pictures of the origanal Lee rifle, I do wish I had one. Ivan

 

[Cyrano]

I'm surprised that Britain was still producing the Mk III in 1918, instead of the Mk III*. The Mk III had a magzine cutoff, a windage adjsutment on the rear sight, and volley fire sights on the left side. Does your rifle have these?

 

[GHines85]

Thanks everyone for your help... it does have a fully adjustable rear sight. For wind and yardage. No volley fire sight. And it might have the star after the III but the pitting in that area was excessive. But to my amazement the bore looks almost immaculate.. is that normal for just the outside metal to go?

 

[GHines85]

Also there are three screws that seem be locked.. someone's messed the heads pretty bad already.. any tips for breaking those loose?

 

[LVSteve]

Also there are three screws that seem be locked.. someone's messed the heads pretty bad already.. any tips for breaking those loose?

Which three screws? There is one on the SMLE that does not require removal to get the action out of the stock. It retains the rear sight protector.

Also, you need to remove the buttstock BEFORE attempting to remove the forend wood. You will need a very long and large screwdriver or a big thick screwdriver bit on the end of a socket extension. These are also often frozen.

New looking bore could suggest a 1930s rebuild if there are no refurb shop marks.

 

[Big Stick]

Which three screws? There is one on the SMLE that does not require removal to get the action out of the stock. It retains the rear sight protector.

Also, you need to remove the buttstock BEFORE attempting to remove the forend wood. You will need a very long and large screwdriver or a big thick screwdriver bit on the end of a socket extension. These are also often frozen.

New looking bore could suggest a 1930s rebuild if there are no refurb shop marks.

A long screwdriver, with a vice grips on the shaft, and another person makes that go lots easier.

 

[GHines85]

Was able to get it off without much problem. But the brass plate on the but those are stuck. Also one on the inner trigger working.. which i don't really need to mess with but will allow for better cleaning...

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

There is a penetrating oil called Kroil the is great at stuck screws. Let soak 12 to 48 hours, and use the best fitting screwdriver you can. Start with a good rap on the screwdriver with a 16 ounce hammer to break free the threads. Ivan

 

[Cyrano]

Here;'s a Mk III acesory you don't see very often; a front sight adjuster. This one is marked with a broad arrow so it was military issue.