All collectible military bolt rifles are discussed here. From all countries around the world.
Preservation forum, please no altered military surplus rifles or discussions on altering in this forum. Please read the rules at the top of each forum.
As title says got a 1918 Lee-Enfield Mk3 Star or No1 MK3 Star if you prefer. Best as I can tell she is numbers matching. I also more photos showing some more of her markings I'll upload them if requested.
Have you had it apart? I'm sure you know this, but start with the buttstock before anything else. You can damage it if you start elsewhere. Nice rifle.
“Freedom is the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.” George Orwell, English novelist, essayist, and critic, 1903-1950
Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.
Most I've done with it is take the front handguard off to try to get and idea of what the barrel looks like underneath. Outside of that no I haven't had it apart.
No1 MKIII* Nice, or short Lee as some call them because of the Sht. LE There will be lots of proof, inspection, and so on stamps all over the place under the wood, they all have them. Nice find.
Leave it as it is. The ages have been at work on it and man can only mar it.
Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit soft.
Theodore Roosevelt
Longcolt44 wrote:Good catch, I have an all numbers matching 1918 but it was made in the Darah region of Pakistan
You should post that again so folks know what to look for. Or not.
“Freedom is the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.” George Orwell, English novelist, essayist, and critic, 1903-1950
Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.
What will get your attention is the Queen Victoria proof stamp of VR on a 1918 made rifle. Queen Victoria died January 22, 1901. The proper proof stamp should be GR for King George. If you are going to collect Enfields best chase down a copy of Skenerton's book, The Broad Arrow.
I'm guessing 7 or10 years ago maybe more, Millman has a better memory. I bought the 1918 rifle on Gunbroker and started checking out all the different stamps with the help of other members here. When the VR stamp was found to be wrong for this rifle the Darah connection was evident,
I have a weak memory too sometimes. For instance I remember there was this one dude had a vintage Marlin model 60 22 rifle. Must have been 35 or 40 years old and he had never even shot it. But I can't remember who it was.
Oh man, I'm busted. Oh yeah Longcolt it was you now that I think about it. Sure is fun busting your chops about it every now and then along with Millman.