he!!o! New SMLE owner and forum member here - I collect ww2/old firearms in general and the SMLE is a new one for me that I just acquired. It was for sale for a decent price with matching bolt/receiver/rear site serial numbers and a really crisp looking barrel so I decided to purchase it & add to the collection. However, I didn't realize that the nose cap was also a serialized part on these and it does not match, and I also noticed it has the "DP" markings on the nose cap and the hand guard cap above it. I'll insert some pictures to show this. I believe, it was marked DP because the nose cap screw (not the one that is at the 6 o'clock position but at the 9 o'clock position) is missing, rendering it for "drill purposes"? I haven't seen any evidence to confirm this - so I am curious if that is the case and wondering if it's worth trying to find a replacement nose cap and fit it to the rifle. DP markings do not appear on the bolt/receiver or anywhere else on the rifle that I can find. 

 An educated guess would be someone before you restored it with what ever he/she could acquire, DP marked or other wise.

 How ever, DP marked rifles, where ever the marks are found do put up red flags. Whether marked on the breach/receiver, bolt, stocks or what have you; they were marked for one reason only. Deemed un-serviceable.

 So back to my first comment, is it a refurb, or untouched armorers determination. Who knows, 50/50 crap shoot. I`m a shooter and will not buy any rifle to use marked DP.

 Yes all the appropriate screws should be in place and properly tightened.

 Just my humble opinion, others may vary.

 At the very least have it checked by a knowledgeable smithy who knows Enfields

I'm with shiloh on this.

a few things that may be helpful to you.

"DP" is not "deactivated"!

A "DP" rifle is restricted to Drill Purposes (only), this may be for several reasons, but it is frequently just worn out & so relegated to training only to save "Square Bashing" stresses on a good new rifle! Frequently out of spec, or parts that "failed Gauge" are used in the construction. This obviously means you need to be doubly cautious & get everything checked as some DP parts may have been used to converted a sported model back to original configuration. Also things like snipping off the tip of the firing pin may have been done, necessitating a replacement.

A "Deact" is a different kettle of fish entirely.

It has been deliberately made incapable of firing. It has been intentionally rendered difficult or impossible to reactivate! Parts may be intentionally damaged modified or disabled & depending on the time , place, & level of deactivating required (there are several over the years) welded shut or otherwise destroyed as a functioning firearm.

Yes, be suspicious of anything marked "DP", & have it checked by a competent & experienced 'smith but its not as drastic or bad as deactivation. This is particularly so if the metal such as the action body or barrel shows no "DP" marks.

Put simply Be suspicious & cautious with anything "DP", but definitely avoid anything "Deact" except as a decorative item.