Help Identify
Printed From: Enfield-Rifles.com
Category: Enfields
Forum Name: Enfield Rifles
Forum Description: Anything that has to do with the great Enfield rifles!
URL: http://www.enfield-rifles.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14423
Printed Date: March 26 2026 at 2:51pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.07 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Help Identify
Posted By: Boostedbrooks
Subject: Help Identify
Date Posted: February 12 2026 at 7:47pm
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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.
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Replies:
Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: February 13 2026 at 11:15am
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"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) |
Posted By: DisasterDog
Date Posted: February 13 2026 at 11:22am
| It has a faint * next to the III, so unlikely it has the cutoff slot. |
Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: February 13 2026 at 11:29am
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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) |
Posted By: Bear43
Date 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. |
Posted By: Boostedbrooks
Date Posted: February 13 2026 at 12:27pm
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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
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Posted By: Boostedbrooks
Date 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 |
Posted By: A square 10
Date 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* |
Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: February 13 2026 at 3:57pm
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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) |
Posted By: Kennydus1918
Date Posted: February 23 2026 at 8:12pm
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Thats a beautiful rifle |
Posted By: Kennydus1918
Date 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 |
Posted By: Zed
Date Posted: February 24 2026 at 3:52am
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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! |