Early No1 MK3

Britbruce · 03-06-2008, 02:56 AM

I have just bought my first Enfield No1 Mk3, I think it is an early model as it still has the slide plate on it that prevented the rounds coming up from the magazine. Does anyone know exactly when they stopped this feature?

ArkansasHunter · 03-06-2008, 03:36 AM

Hey Britbruce congrats on your new to you Enfield. Most all the members have gone to bed LOL so if you can check back on and off way later, some one I'm sure can give you an ear full.

If I may I would like to Welcome you to Gun and Game feller and i hope to see you around often.
I'm the janitor so I better get back to mopping before I get caught milking the clock and playing on the computer...A.H

timberlord · 03-06-2008, 10:31 AM

Is it stamped as Mklll or Mklll* ?
" I think" it was mid 1916 when the Mklll* appeared and changes were made to increase production by ommitting some of the Mklll features.
Omitting the slideplate ( cut-off ) , windage adjustable rearsight , volley sights and stockdisc are some of the changes.
...and welcome to the forum!

mdj696 · 03-06-2008, 02:10 PM

Your 1st Enfield with a magazine cut off? Someones looking after you. Timberlord is on the money. In the early 1900s, America and Brits trained their troops to fire rifles, single loaded, one round at at time. They wanted their soldiers to concentrate more on accurate fire, to conserve ammo. In case of an ermgency they could pull the cutoff out, giving them 10 rounds in the magazine at their will. The 1903A3 Springfilds had the same concept, they employed a flip lever on the left side of receiver. When the Brits went to the MarkIII*, they grounded off the slot that holds the magazine cutoff in place, although the British Navy kept their Mark IIIs w/cutoff. I've been looking for one with the cutoff and odered one last week. I havn't seen one since 1966.

irish murphy · 03-07-2008, 10:14 PM

Gday fella,lucky you getting a early model enfield.My earliest is my no1mk3 lithgow made in 1923.This rifle has the slot for the cutoff but has been sporterised.I have a magazine for this model.Have you got the original magazine with yours.?????Are they hard to find over there?

Here it is

mdj696 · 03-08-2008, 02:54 PM

Irsh Murphy, youv'e got my curiosity up. I'm not near my Ian Skinnertons The Enfied Story book. Ref: You'r magazine in picture. Would that thumb piece on side of magazine be utilized to hold the magazine cut off in place to prevent it from sliding out of position in receiver?

Cyrano · 03-08-2008, 03:12 PM

Welcome to the forum, BritBruce. I think you'll like it here.

Looks to me like you got luckier than a first time buyer has any right to be, like me with my Mosin 91/30 with the virgin receiver. If it's not impolite to ask, what did your No. 1 set you back?

irish murphy · 03-08-2008, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdj696

Irsh Murphy, youv'e got my curiosity up. I'm not near my Ian Skinnertons The Enfied Story book. Ref: You'r magazine in picture. Would that thumb piece on side of magazine be utilized to hold the magazine cut off in place to prevent it from sliding out of position in receiver?

Well i asked a few fellas i know that are a lot more informed about smles and they all said it was for a magazine cutoff rifle.The little swiveling device is so the cutoff can be pushed in and used without touching the magazine lips.I guess their would be no rounds in the magazine when you are using the cutoff.Ill ask my mate for some more info.

Britbruce · 03-10-2008, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyrano

Welcome to the forum, BritBruce. I think you'll like it here.

Looks to me like you got luckier than a first time buyer has any right to be, like me with my Mosin 91/30 with the virgin receiver. If it's not impolite to ask, what did your No. 1 set you back?

Now as to the price I am keeping taht a closely guarded secret, until I find out whether or not I was screwed I do not want to look the complete dick this early on in the forums

kiwi6 · 03-23-2008, 01:29 PM

Hi, can someone explain to me the diff between a No1 MK3 and a No1 Mk3*, and what does the * mean.

Capt'n Mil Coll · 03-23-2008, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiwi6

Hi, can someone explain to me the diff between a No1 MK3 and a No1 Mk3*, and what does the * mean.

You first have to remember there are different Enfield rifles. There are the Lee Metford the P14 Enfields and the SMLE the old smellies. A No.1 Mk 3 would be a SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield.

In 1902 a perfected SMLE the MkI, had been developed from the Lee Metford. Changes included the "Earred" front sight, and a modified hand guard. Production began on Dec 23rd, of 02.
1903 guns made for naval service were fitted with cutoffs from August of 1903 on.
1906 approved on 27th of March the SMLE MkI* had a trap in the buttplate for the oiler and pull through, a swivel on the butt and a modified magazine. The use of the cutoff was extended to land service and a shorter lead from the chamber to the bore was approved.

So to answer your question the * means it is an improved or newer version of the model with changed, added or deleted features.

kiwi6 · 03-24-2008, 10:15 PM

Thanks for the info on the * and no *

Britbruce · 04-10-2008, 06:00 PM

As far as i am aware the magazine is original

This is where rumors start. I have been lead to beleive that there would have been rounds in the magazine and these woudl be saved. Single shots would have been used leaving the magazine full. I think I am going to have to do more research. What I do know now that I have shot the gun a couple of times is taht the bullets feed easier into the breach from the magazine than they do if you try and load a single shot with the cut off in place.

03-06-2008, 02:56 AM	#1
Britbruce Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 3	Early No1 MK3 I have just bought my first Enfield No1 Mk3, I think it is an early model as it still has the slide plate on it that prevented the rounds coming up from the magazine. Does anyone know exactly when they stopped this feature?

03-06-2008, 10:31 AM	#3
timberlord Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 315	Is it stamped as Mklll or Mklll* ? " I think" it was mid 1916 when the Mklll* appeared and changes were made to increase production by ommitting some of the Mklll features. Omitting the slideplate ( cut-off ) , windage adjustable rearsight , volley sights and stockdisc are some of the changes. ...and welcome to the forum! __________________ http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...LongStamp1.jpg

03-06-2008, 02:10 PM	#4
mdj696 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 290 Images: 1	mag cut off Your 1st Enfield with a magazine cut off? Someones looking after you. Timberlord is on the money. In the early 1900s, America and Brits trained their troops to fire rifles, single loaded, one round at at time. They wanted their soldiers to concentrate more on accurate fire, to conserve ammo. In case of an ermgency they could pull the cutoff out, giving them 10 rounds in the magazine at their will. The 1903A3 Springfilds had the same concept, they employed a flip lever on the left side of receiver. When the Brits went to the MarkIII*, they grounded off the slot that holds the magazine cutoff in place, although the British Navy kept their Mark IIIs w/cutoff. I've been looking for one with the cutoff and odered one last week. I havn't seen one since 1966.

03-07-2008, 10:14 PM	#5
irish murphy Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canberra,Australia Posts: 1,028 Blog Entries: 5	Gday fella,lucky you getting a early model enfield.My earliest is my no1mk3 lithgow made in 1923.This rifle has the slot for the cutoff but has been sporterised.I have a magazine for this model.Have you got the original magazine with yours.?????Are they hard to find over there? Here it is Last edited by irish murphy; 03-07-2008 at 10:22 PM. Reason: added a picture

04-10-2008, 06:00 PM	#13
Britbruce Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 3	As far as i am aware the magazine is original This is where rumors start. I have been lead to beleive that there would have been rounds in the magazine and these woudl be saved. Single shots would have been used leaving the magazine full. I think I am going to have to do more research. What I do know now that I have shot the gun a couple of times is taht the bullets feed easier into the breach from the magazine than they do if you try and load a single shot with the cut off in place. Last edited by Britbruce; 04-10-2008 at 06:03 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

03-06-2008, 03:36 AM	#2
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,912	Hey Britbruce congrats on your new to you Enfield. Most all the members have gone to bed LOL so if you can check back on and off way later, some one I'm sure can give you an ear full. If I may I would like to Welcome you to Gun and Game feller and i hope to see you around often. I'm the janitor so I better get back to mopping before I get caught milking the clock and playing on the computer...A.H

03-08-2008, 02:54 PM	#6
mdj696 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 290 Images: 1	Irsh Murphy, youv'e got my curiosity up. I'm not near my Ian Skinnertons The Enfied Story book. Ref: You'r magazine in picture. Would that thumb piece on side of magazine be utilized to hold the magazine cut off in place to prevent it from sliding out of position in receiver?

03-08-2008, 03:12 PM	#7
Cyrano Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: New York Posts: 2,860	Welcome to the forum, BritBruce. I think you'll like it here. Looks to me like you got luckier than a first time buyer has any right to be, like me with my Mosin 91/30 with the virgin receiver. If it's not impolite to ask, what did your No. 1 set you back?

03-23-2008, 01:29 PM	#10
kiwi6 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Calgary, Alberta CANADA Posts: 23	Hi, can someone explain to me the diff between a No1 MK3 and a No1 Mk3, and what does the mean.

03-24-2008, 10:15 PM	#12
kiwi6 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Calgary, Alberta CANADA Posts: 23	Thanks for the info on the * and no *