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Help Identifying SMLE No 1 Mk V |
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Gebirgsjäger 
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Joined: August 26 2025 Location: Utah Status: Offline Points: 2 |
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 Topic: Help Identifying SMLE No 1 Mk VPosted: August 26 2025 at 8:50pm |
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Hoping some of you experts might be able to help me identify this SMLE No 1 Mk V I picked up a few weeks ago from a private seller. Serial number is A 792 with bolt, receiver, and bayonet nose cap matching. The band behind the receiver does show 1924, so I am assuming at least that was changed out at some point. I’m also suspicious of the stock. I’ve seen many SMLEs of all kinds, and this one is in the best condition I have ever seen. I’m wondering if the wood was replaced at some point. I’m curious to know what I have here. I’m not afraid of my feelings getting hurt if it is a hodgepodge of mixed parts, just want to know more about it. Thanks for looking and for your expertise!
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Shamu
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Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 20510 |
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Posted: August 27 2025 at 9:02am |
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That "band behind the receiver" does show 1924 Is actually a part of the receiver, not a separate part, but don't worry that's the manufacture date not a serial number. The wood has been refinished at some point, which may explain its condition. That varnish shiny, is not a military finish. Are there any signs of sanding the surface?
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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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hoadie
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Joined: March 16 2006 Location: Niagara/Canada Status: Offline Points: 9680 |
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Posted: August 27 2025 at 2:37pm |
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Looks too good to be true.
Whats the bore like? |
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Loose wimmen tightened here
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A square 10
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Donating Member Joined: December 12 2006 Location: MN , USA Status: Online Points: 16999 |
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Posted: August 27 2025 at 9:58pm |
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im going with its a real mkV , these were in testing in that era , dunkirk resulted in them being added to production to fill the need , many were added to the service stream and all the parts became valuable in production as the war ramped up , i had a complete one at one time now resides with a fellow member who may add info if he feels the need there are a number of bits about it that make it correct , im not going to look them all up this evening but others may add , if not ill look them up and add photos as i have time ,
the rifle is complete as i see it in your photos but i cannot expand them to study details , just know that when these went to service they were mixed with the mkIII* that were already in production , so there was a bit of parts interchange going on , it could have some bits from a mkIII* but only xcareful scrutiny will ytell , yhese were produced in 22 and 24 so yours is a later rifle that ould be a pressed to service rifle at that point , ,ine was a 23 made for the trials , the rifle should have a two piece handgaurd - yours does should have nose piece w/handguard band should have a mkV safety should have a small round/grooved cocking piece , should have cutoff with viewing hole should have narrow version of the piling swivel , there were 6500 made in 22 , there were 20k made in 23c [mine was made in 23] and the rest made in 24 , the latter were put into the supply chain as in pressed into service after dunkirk ,
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paddyofurniture
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Joined: December 26 2011 Location: NC Status: Offline Points: 7942 |
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Posted: August 28 2025 at 6:54am |
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More to look for.
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Bear43
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Posted: August 28 2025 at 1:46pm |
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First picture is a good one of the front band and piling swivel, second is a good shot of the safety. This is the 1923 that I bought from A_Square a few years back.   |
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paddyofurniture
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Posted: August 28 2025 at 2:22pm |
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Very nice!
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Shamu
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Posted: August 29 2025 at 12:02pm |
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Sweet!
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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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terrylee
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Posted: August 30 2025 at 8:04am |
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And another:   |
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A square 10
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Posted: August 31 2025 at 4:25pm |
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with so few made and so many produced with mkIII* parts im pleased to see we have this many originals here ,
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