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Steve.AES
Newbie Joined: January 15 2023 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 9 |
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Posted: January 15 2023 at 5:20pm |
Hi all new to this site
I have a SMLE MKIV and was looking for any information on it. The serial No is F19242 and from what I have found out about it so far is very limited and I think it was manufactured at ROF Maltby and other than that thats its can anyone on here help with any history of it? TIA Steve
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The Armourer
Senior Member Joined: June 23 2019 Location: Y Felinhelli Status: Offline Points: 1246 |
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Are you sure it is a SMLE MkIV - these are extremely rare. What calibre is it ? Maltby never made the SMLE MKIV but they did manufacturer a Lee Enfield No4 Mk1 could it be that you have the 'MK' and the 'No' mixed up ? Can you post some pictures ? I suppose it could be a No2 MkIV, but that was a .22rf 'Training Rifle' - but - again non were manufactured by Maltby. .22
SHORT RIFLE Mk IV Approved 19th November 1921 (LoC 24909) for Land Service, this rifle starts out with a used SMLE Mk III or Mk III* but uses a solid, not tubed, barrel. Total number of conversions done by RSAF Enfield unknown. RIFLE No.2 Mk IV* Same rifle as above; just a change in nomenclature adopted in 1926. This rifle was the principal trainer for the next thirty years and was widely produced by in Britain, Australia and India. Issued in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland and India, a variety of issue and ownership marks can be found on these rifles. At least 30,000 conversions made by the various factories. |
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A square 10
Special Member Donating Member Joined: December 12 2006 Location: MN , USA Status: Offline Points: 14452 |
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please note that nomenclature here means a lot to us , i understand if your new WELCOME to our merry band , its a case of the no4 were never referred to as the SMLE , the no 1 rifles were the actual SMLEs , after that , and there is a difference were no4 or no5 etc , this is a picky side of our site yet we allow for all the sported riffles , its just that we purists are a bit more "picky" if you will ,
having said that , WELCOME AGAIN , we will help you with your questions , all of my serial number info now resides with bear here as i gave him all my data , i suspect he will be interested if this is a malby , i think he will chime in altho he is less requent here than he used to be , there is no animosity to anyone here , if you post photos we can help a lot more , our intent here is to be as helpful as losible - all of the info above is good but probably is not answering your original post question ,
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britrifles
Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Atlanta, GA Status: Online Points: 6539 |
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Welcome Steve.AES, you have come to the right place. I second the comments made by A square 10.
I suggest posting some photo's of the entire rifle, and of the left side of the action body (receiver); that will tell us what your rifle is, where and when it was made. It is most likely a No. 4, if it was indeed manufactured at Maltby.
The most common "mistake" people make in Lee Enfield rifle nomenclature is to call the No. 4 rifle a "Mk IV or Mk 4". For some people, the "mark" nomenclature of the LE seems impossible to shake off. The Brits changed the small arms nomenclature in 1926 from "Mark" to "Number"; so the SMLE Mk III became the No. 1 rifle. The new service rifle manufactured and issued during WWII was the No. 4, a variant of Lee Enfield that was built in the UK, Canada and the US. The US did something similar when they changed to "Model" in the 1930's, the M1 Garand becoming the first rifle named under the new nomenclature. Design changes to the basic rifle "Number" were then identified as Marks (Mk). The first No. 4 rifle was identified as the No. 4 Mk I. Minor variations on that became the No. 4 Mk I*. Then after WWII, the No. 4 Mk 2 with changes to how the trigger was attached was introduced. Confusing? Why is this important? Well, if someone wants to know all about their Mk IV rifle, we are going to give you the wrong information, we are talking about two very different rifles, the Mk IV vs No. 4. The same goes for the No. 5 rifle; the Mk V is a very different rifle from the No. 5. |
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Shamu
Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 17608 |
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Maybe this will help. These rifles are in original, as issued, condition with the exception of target model sights added later. Many were modified to "sporter configuration" after the war so yours may, or may not look like this. Rifle No1 MkIII* also known as the SMLE, or the ShtLE. Depending on which factory made it. All the same rifle though, just different naming conventions. Rifle No4 Mk2 (or Mk1, or Mk1*), again minor differences, but essentially the same rifle. Major difference to aid spotting variations. Sights on barrel in front of action SMLE Sights behind boll on top of receiver. Rifle No4 Muzzle flush with big cast metal nosecap SMLE Muzzle sticks out about 1 1/2" from small sheet metal nosecap Rifle No4
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Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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Steve.AES
Newbie Joined: January 15 2023 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 9 |
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Sorry yes it is a no4 mk1
I will take some pictures and post later TIA Steve
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Steve.AES
Newbie Joined: January 15 2023 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 9 |
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Goosic
Senior Member Joined: September 12 2017 Location: Phoenix Arizona Status: Online Points: 8792 |
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A very nice example of a 1942 Maltby made No4Mk1 that looks to have a new forend installed along with an aftermarket Parker Hale PH5C rear target sight, a Parker Hale King Screw and a Parker Hale front sight cover...
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scottz63
Senior Member Joined: November 08 2021 Location: Mid Mo Status: Offline Points: 829 |
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So, what is the purpose of the Parker Hale King Screw? It appears to be a third sling attachment point. Why is this needed and how is it to be used?
Thanks, Scott
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14EH AIT Instructor-PATRIOT Fire Control Enhanced Operator/Maintainer
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britrifles
Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Atlanta, GA Status: Online Points: 6539 |
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It is used for the wide target sling, allowed in SR(b) matches.
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scottz63
Senior Member Joined: November 08 2021 Location: Mid Mo Status: Offline Points: 829 |
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Got it. Thanks!
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14EH AIT Instructor-PATRIOT Fire Control Enhanced Operator/Maintainer
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britrifles
Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Atlanta, GA Status: Online Points: 6539 |
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Steve, this rifle was likely set up and used for Service Rifle competition, the reason for the PH 5c rear sight and Parker Hale trigger guard screw sling swivel. This configuration was popular after WWII once No. 4 rifles became available up to the late 1960’s in the Commonwealth countries.
The forend wood (which looks to be in very good condition) may have a barrel bearing (wood or composite) fitted which applies upward pressure to the barrel. Is the barrel free to move in all directions at the muzzle? Are there any other markings on the receiver, such as “Parker Hale” or “Fulton Regulated”? I don’t see the usual wood dowels used by Fulton at the back of the forend, so a previous owner may have installed the sight and swivel himself. If you’re lucky, it has a good 5 groove barrel that was cleaned regularly. If so, the rifle should be a good shooter. |
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Zed
Special Member Donating Member Joined: May 01 2012 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 5586 |
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That looks like a very nice condition rifle. With the target sights is also a bonus!
Enjoy it! and please show us a range report when you get the chance.
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It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!
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britrifles
Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Atlanta, GA Status: Online Points: 6539 |
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Yes, that rear sight is probably worth more than $250 by itself. It has the 1/4 MOA elevation and windage adjustment knobs too. Not sure if it has the adjustable 6 hole eyepiece, I don't recognize it.
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Steve.AES
Newbie Joined: January 15 2023 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 9 |
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thanks for that info the rifle looks to be in mint condition considering its age with very few scuff marks and the rifling and barrel look like it's hardly been fired (but that's about to change) the fella that had it before me had it stored all through the eighties and nineties had a look at it in 2003 then put it back in his safe till he then decided to sell it and I snapped it up at 900 AUD my next question is, does anyone have any info on reloading as to keep costs down I am going down that route so any help would be good as a starting point for a ladder test and then seating depth. I can get 174gr .3115 projectiles which as I understand it is the optimum weight.
Steve
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Steve.AES
Newbie Joined: January 15 2023 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 9 |
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It doesn't have to adjustable eye piece but good catch
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