no1 mk3

"DP" means Drill Purposes (only).

Now you have some research to do as there was no "universal standard" for DP'ing a gun!

Its possible that a DP stock was fitted to a good rifle for some reason but you need to check every little thing as not all the things done to make rifle DP were visible to the naked eye. (things like se-tempering metal for example).

Good luck with the project.

Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)

Any other "DP" stamped parts. Some stamps may be concealed. I'd strip the whole thing down for a thorough checkout.

Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)

Its possible.
Check for things like short firing pin, blocked hole for pin, blocked or barred barrel & so on. Unfortunately things like de-tempering aren't visible.

Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)

"Afraid" isn't the term I'd use. More like "very cautious" just because.

Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)

As has already been mentioned... the stamping of 'DP' means the weapon has been down-graded from active service for a number of reasons. The weapon must only be used as an instructional aid . 'Drill Purpose'. Any weapon thus down-graded will have stamped into various parts of the metal:- DP... as in the example below...

On occasion, the woodwork will also be so stamped... as with your example.

During service life, normal use items and 'DP' examples are never mixed.... for obvious reasons. However, once an item has been sold into the civilian market... anything goes. I suspect that this is the case with your item. A previous owner has wanted to replace a worn or broken piece, and only had the 'DP' item to hand.

For any weapon you wish to use as a live firer, and find the dreaded 'DP' stamping anywhere upon it... either furniture or working parts.... always use caution, and examine the weapon very closely, looking especially for the 'DP' stamping upon the metal parts. If that stamping is only found upon the furnature, that's ok. If the 'DP' is found on any metal part... before use, have that weapon checked out by a respected and qualified gunsmith. The 'DP' is specific to British weapons, and will not have been placed there for the fun of it.

This is MY rifle, there are many like, but this one... is MINE!

Apart from the DP on the wood work; you also mention the bolt does not match. If you are happy that the rifle is not actually a DP rifle but only has some DP wood fitted; then you need to check the fit of the bolt. That means checking the contact between both lugs of the bolt and the receiver as well as the head space.

If in doubt, get it checked by a professional who knows what to look for in Lee Enfields.

It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!

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zmac87 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: March 14 2015 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote zmac87 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: no1 mk3 Posted: March 14 2015 at 5:32pm
	Hey guys I'm new to the group and this is my second enfield. I just picked up a 1918 no1 mk3 smle with 140 rounds. Over all condition is decent. But I noticed it has DP stamped in the wood in front of rear site. It's not stamped any where else on the gun. It locks up tight, the rifling looks great. I've read that the DP stamp is out of commission stamp. Any help is greatly appreciated

Shamu Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 20510	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shamu Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March 15 2015 at 5:36am
	"DP" means Drill Purposes (only). Now you have some research to do as there was no "universal standard" for DP'ing a gun! Its possible that a DP stock was fitted to a good rifle for some reason but you need to check every little thing as not all the things done to make rifle DP were visible to the naked eye. (things like se-tempering metal for example). Good luck with the project.
	Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)

zmac87 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: March 14 2015 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote zmac87 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March 15 2015 at 5:45am
	Can you shed a light as to what I need to research? The only number that doesn't match is the bolt. I'm still fairly new to enfield rifles.

Shamu Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 20510	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shamu Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March 15 2015 at 11:16am
	Any other "DP" stamped parts. Some stamps may be concealed. I'd strip the whole thing down for a thorough checkout.
	Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)

zmac87 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: March 14 2015 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote zmac87 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March 15 2015 at 11:18am
	I just fin is he'd stripping it down looking it over and put it back together. Found no other DP marks anywhere. The gun looks good.I'm thinking that maybe that piece has been replaced at some time

Shamu Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 20510	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shamu Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March 15 2015 at 12:08pm
	Its possible. Check for things like short firing pin, blocked hole for pin, blocked or barred barrel & so on. Unfortunately things like de-tempering aren't visible.
	Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)

zmac87 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: March 14 2015 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote zmac87 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March 15 2015 at 12:12pm
	Every thing seems fine. The barrel is the best I've seen on the enfield I own and have handled. The rifling is nice and shiny, no pitting, bolt looks good, firing pin is operational. Would yall be afraid to fire it. Guy I got it from said he has shot it

Shamu Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 20510	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shamu Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March 16 2015 at 3:18am
	"Afraid" isn't the term I'd use. More like "very cautious" just because.
	Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)

zmac87 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: March 14 2015 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote zmac87 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March 16 2015 at 3:22am
	Thanks for the help. I got a lead on a very nice sporterized 1917. Hopefully pick it up this weekend.

Sarge Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: April 20 2013 Location: England Status: Offline Points: 495	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sarge Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March 16 2015 at 9:01am
	As has already been mentioned... the stamping of 'DP' means the weapon has been down-graded from active service for a number of reasons. The weapon must only be used as an instructional aid . 'Drill Purpose'. Any weapon thus down-graded will have stamped into various parts of the metal:- DP... as in the example below... On occasion, the woodwork will also be so stamped... as with your example. During service life, normal use items and 'DP' examples are never mixed.... for obvious reasons. However, once an item has been sold into the civilian market... anything goes. I suspect that this is the case with your item. A previous owner has wanted to replace a worn or broken piece, and only had the 'DP' item to hand. For any weapon you wish to use as a live firer, and find the dreaded 'DP' stamping anywhere upon it... either furniture or working parts.... always use caution, and examine the weapon very closely, looking especially for the 'DP' stamping upon the metal parts. If that stamping is only found upon the furnature, that's ok. If the 'DP' is found on any metal part... before use, have that weapon checked out by a respected and qualified gunsmith. The 'DP' is specific to British weapons, and will not have been placed there for the fun of it.
	This is MY rifle, there are many like, but this one... is MINE!

paddyofurniture Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: December 26 2011 Location: NC Status: Offline Points: 7942	Post Options Post Reply Quote paddyofurniture Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March 16 2015 at 10:53am
	If I see a DP marking the rifle is for display use only.
	Always looking for military manuals, Dodge M37 items,books on Berlin Germany, old atlases ( before 1946) , military maps of Scotland. English and Canadian gun parts.

Zed Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Special Member Donating Member Joined: May 01 2012 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 6460	Post Options Post Reply Quote Zed Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March 16 2015 at 12:09pm
	Apart from the DP on the wood work; you also mention the bolt does not match. If you are happy that the rifle is not actually a DP rifle but only has some DP wood fitted; then you need to check the fit of the bolt. That means checking the contact between both lugs of the bolt and the receiver as well as the head space. If in doubt, get it checked by a professional who knows what to look for in Lee Enfields.
	It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!