Help Identify

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   he!!o, I have just purchased my 1st SMLE and looking for someone to clear up some confusion on what I actually have.
Here is an overview of the rifle

Appears to be a 1916 BSA SMLE MK3*

Some strange things that ive noticed.

Almost everything has matching SN including
Receiver
Barrel
Sight
Nose cap

bolt has matching SN but seems to have been restamped

The brass coin in the stock has the SN stamped

Please see photos

Another odd thing is being a MK3* it doesnt have the mag cut off and volley sights but for some reason this rifle has the old MK3 rear sight with windage adjustment.

Any info anyone can provide would be greatly appriciated

Thanks.

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
Boostedbrooks Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: February 12 2026 Location: Ohio Status: Offline Points: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote Boostedbrooks Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Help Identify Posted: February 12 2026 at 7:47pm
	he!!o, I have just purchased my 1st SMLE and looking for someone to clear up some confusion on what I actually have. Here is an overview of the rifle Appears to be a 1916 BSA SMLE MK3* Some strange things that ive noticed. Almost everything has matching SN including Receiver Barrel Sight Nose cap bolt has matching SN but seems to have been restamped The brass coin in the stock has the SN stamped Please see photos Another odd thing is being a MK3* it doesnt have the mag cut off and volley sights but for some reason this rifle has the old MK3 rear sight with windage adjustment. Any info anyone can provide would be greatly appriciated Thanks.

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: February 13 2026 at 11:15am
	"FTR" There may be your answer, right there. "Factory Thorough Repair". Britspeak for a "complete rebuild & upgrade to current standards". Pop the mag out & shine a flashlight up inside the receiver, you may well find the cut for the mag cutoff is still there! If so you'll find the original forend has been replaced with the later "high Wall" style covering up the cut for the magazine cutoff. Possibly done to remove the old, discontinued Volley sights! Yes, the bolt handle has been ground down & re-serialized to the rifle. This is not an uncommon thin to find in FTR'd rifles of the period. You can verify this by checking for the absence of the "crosed seaxes" proof mark on the outside end of the bolt handle.
	Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)

DisasterDog Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 21 2025 Location: Brewery Status: Offline Points: 256	Post Options Post Reply Quote DisasterDog Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: February 13 2026 at 11:22am
	It has a faint * next to the III, so unlikely it has the cutoff slot.

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: February 13 2026 at 11:29am
	It was just a thought. 30 seconds & a flashlight will confirm or deny!
	Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)

Bear43 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Special Member Donating Member Joined: August 11 2010 Location: Doland, SD Status: Offline Points: 3500	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bear43 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: February 13 2026 at 12:26pm
	Also, having the windage adjustable rear sight on a Mk III* is not uncommon either. They used the parts available and since it is serialed to the receiver then it was a conscious decision to use that sight. Sometime you will see the windage assembly pinned, but not always.

Boostedbrooks Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: February 12 2026 Location: Ohio Status: Offline Points: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote Boostedbrooks Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: February 13 2026 at 12:27pm
	I have disassembled the rifle completely and it did not have the mag stop, I can post photos later tonight of the disassembled rifle if that would help, So regarding the FTR, would this indicate that the receiver does not match the barrel or sight? And if so why would the barrel recover and sight have the same serial number? Or when they did the FYR did they restamp all numbers

Boostedbrooks Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: February 12 2026 Location: Ohio Status: Offline Points: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote Boostedbrooks Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: February 13 2026 at 12:29pm
	Ok that makes sense, I’ve never seen this before or at least never noticed, also is there any indication when the FTR was completed? I have not found any dates

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: 16997	Post Options Post Reply Quote A square 10 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: February 13 2026 at 3:33pm
	in an FTR they wont change out anything that is serviceable and they force match the numbers , by 16 BSA should have been converted from mkIII to mkIII*

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: February 13 2026 at 3:57pm
	Whatever is the "Master Component", originally the barrel, but later the receiver, will have its serial number stamped on all the components attached to it.,
	Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)

Kennydus1918 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: February 23 2026 Location: Calgary Ab Status: Offline Points: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote Kennydus1918 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: February 23 2026 at 8:12pm
	Thats a beautiful rifle

Kennydus1918 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: February 23 2026 Location: Calgary Ab Status: Offline Points: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote Kennydus1918 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: February 23 2026 at 8:17pm
	I also have a 1918 smle 1mark 3 and on the top of the rifle , stamped just after the breech in the wood is the letters DK . Can someone please tell me what they mean or reference to . Thank you

Zed Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Special Member Donating Member Joined: May 01 2012 Location: France Status: Online Points: 6460	Post Options Post Reply Quote Zed Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: February 24 2026 at 3:52am
	It looks like a lovely example. It is a SMLE MkIII* A Mk3* is an Indian made Enfield, from a later date ( although basically the same rifle). It is important to use the correct nomenclature, especially if looking for parts or information.
	It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!