Greetings and Mk3* markings

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   he!!o everyone! So happy to join this group! I'm Matteo, writing from Italy! I've just bought a Mk3* from 1941 and I'd like to discover more about the history of this piece! Here's some pics! 
Thank you so much! 

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Themat633 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: September 21 2023 Location: Italy Status: Offline Points: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote Themat633 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply *Topic: Greetings and Mk3 markings** Posted: September 22 2023 at 12:49am
	he!!o everyone! So happy to join this group! I'm Matteo, writing from Italy! I've just bought a Mk3* from 1941 and I'd like to discover more about the history of this piece! Here's some pics! Thank you so much!

Sapper740 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: July 15 2021 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 1737	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sapper740 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: September 23 2023 at 5:27am
	It's a 'Dispersal' No. 1 MkIII* rifle assembled by BSA in 1941. Dispersal rifles had various parts made by other manufacturers which were then assembled by one of the major rifle manufacturers. Some people are surprised to learn that the Brits were still making new No. 1's as late as 1944.

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: September 23 2023 at 12:27pm
	There should be a serial number "M77700" matching the ones on the barrel & action on the rear face of the bolt handle. This is important because many parts were hand fitted to individual rifles, the bolt being one of the most important. Check the gap between the rear of the forend wood & the front of the "ring" (butt-socket), it seems excessive & could cause undue wear on the internal recoil surfaces.
	Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)

A square 10 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Special Member Donating Member Joined: December 12 2006 Location: MN , USA Status: Offline Points: 16998	Post Options Post Reply Quote A square 10 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: September 25 2023 at 7:41pm
	im going to you got a nice early dispersal 0 this was mine say

Themat633 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: September 21 2023 Location: Italy Status: Offline Points: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote Themat633 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: April 08 2024 at 8:32am
	Sorry to reply back so late. It has Indeed too much space. In facts I had to reglue a piece of Wood that broke while shooting, because of a metal part recoiling back in it. Any idea how to fill the gap? By the way: whatabout the ISA and FA (this one may be wrong) markings in the stock? I also found this markings hidden under the buttplate. Any clue?

BrianBDL Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Special Member Joined: April 01 2024 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 20	Post Options Post Reply Quote BrianBDL Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: April 08 2024 at 10:35am
	Those are Indian service markings.

shiloh Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: January 08 2019 Location: Ontario, Canada Status: Offline Points: 3049	Post Options Post Reply Quote shiloh Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: April 08 2024 at 10:39am
	the butt stock is Indian possibly??

BrianBDL Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Special Member Joined: April 01 2024 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 20	Post Options Post Reply Quote BrianBDL Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: April 08 2024 at 11:03am
	It could be that only the buttstock is an Indian replacement. Looks like a nice rifle. Is it one of the Italian Navy surplus rifles from the past 20 years? Maybe Matteo can elaborate? There were some very nice rifles, both SMLE and No.4, in that batch.

Themat633 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: September 21 2023 Location: Italy Status: Offline Points: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote Themat633 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: April 08 2024 at 1:24pm
	Honestly I think this was not a Marina Militare SMLE. Those have very distinctive markings. At this point, only god knows what this rifle has seen�£. Being a 1941 it could have seen some fighting in the Italy invasion (1943). But that does not explain the indian markings. Who knows...is shoots great tho...😍

Sapper740 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: July 15 2021 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 1737	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sapper740 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: April 09 2024 at 2:53pm
	[QUOTE By the way: whatabout the ISA and FA (this one may be wrong) markings in the stock? I also found this markings hidden under the buttplate. Any clue?[/QUOTE] That may not the original butt stock to your rifle. The 'M' prefix and date on the butt socket and receiver ring shows it was a dispersal rifle assembled by BSA.