My Enfields

mawkie · Oct 11, 2011

A batch of SMLEs and No4s was exported to the US about 5-6 yrs ago, if my memory's correct, from Turkey. There were some capture pieces from the failed British and French invasion of Turkey at Gallipoli in that batch. History indeed!

Dave91 · Oct 11, 2011

mawkie said:
A batch of SMLEs and No4s was exported to the US about 5-6 yrs ago, if my memory's correct, from Turkey. There were some capture pieces from the failed British and French invasion of Turkey at Gallipoli in that batch. History indeed!

It's too bad these guns can't talk. I sure would like to hear from the MkIII and my 1910 Springfield.

NathanJ · Oct 11, 2011

Dave91 said:
It's too bad these guns can't talk. I sure would like to hear from the MkIII and my 1910 Springfield.

They'd probably ask for a spot of tea...

Rickhead · Oct 11, 2011

I purchased a Turk cut-down P-07 bayonet a while back. It's Australian made, dated 1916 and unit marked 2MD. I thought that was interesting.

Threeband · Oct 12, 2011

My Ishapore grenade launcher has a nut and bolt reinforcement, not a screw. Is this a what you're calling an Ishy screw?

NathanJ · Oct 12, 2011

Yes but usually there is no nut on the other side.

Rickhead · Oct 12, 2011

My grenade launcher Ishapore rifle has the nut and bolt also. The Ishapore non-grenade launcher Mklll's have a big wood screw that's countersunk into the wood. It's a screw with a single slot, whereas the bolt has a hexhead.
When Springfield Sporters had the grenade launchers for $25 I bought 4. Three are British and one is Indian. All four are slightly different in design and/or finish.

Dave91 · Oct 12, 2011

What was the true purpose of those bands on the rifles? I've heard a few different things.

j8064 · Oct 12, 2011

Dave91 said:
What was the true purpose of those bands on the rifles? I've heard a few different things.

What I've often read is the wire wrapping was to reinforce the stock so the rifle could be used as a grenade launcher. The notion does make sense.

My No. 4 MK 2 came to me unissued and packed like a mummy in grease. It's one of the most accurate rifles I own.

My first No 1 MK III was the first milsurp rifle I ever purchased eons ago. It's an old war horse and still a great shooter.

Last year I picked up a bubba'd No 1 MK III cheap on an auction. I restocked it with a DP stock set. I decided to not refinish the furniture and leave the stripes on to give it a different flavor. For as old as it is, it's still a good shooter.

Enfields are great rifles. I only have three, but wish I had more. One can never have too many SMLE's.

NathanJ · Oct 12, 2011

j8064 said:
What I've often read is the wire wrapping was to reinforce the stock so the rifle could be used as a grenade launcher. The notion does make sense.

My No. 4 MK 2 came to me unissued and packed like a mummy in grease. It's one of the most accurate rifles I own.

My first No 1 MK III was the first milsurp rifle I ever purchased eons ago. It's an old war horse and still a great shooter.

Last year I picked up a bubba'd No 1 MK III cheap on an auction. I restocked it with a DP stock set. I decided to not refinish the furniture and leave the stripes on to give it a different flavor. For as old as it is, it's still a good shooter.

Enfields are great rifles. I only have three, but wish I had more. One can never have too many SMLE's.

WOW they are purdy! Do they sleep in the bed? LOL

Dan44 · Oct 13, 2011

Ishy screw on a spare Indian stock set I have.

cyclrcr · Oct 13, 2011

I'll have to take pictures of mine. Its an Ishapore, I think '65-'66 with a 7.62 barrel. It was one of the last ones built Ishapore. She's in great shape, the only thing I don't like about it was my buddy's dad (the one I bought it off of... only $100) had the receiver drilled and tapped for a scope mount.

I haven't shot it yet because I was told that .308 would be too much pressure for it and haven't bought surplus 7.62 yet. I have cycled the action and it is the smoothest rifle I have ever seen. Even the 1903 I had wasn't as smooth!

Dave91 · Oct 13, 2011

cyclrcr said:
I'll have to take pictures of mine. Its an Ishapore, I think '65-'66 with a 7.62 barrel. It was one of the last ones built Ishapore. She's in great shape, the only thing I don't like about it was my buddy's dad (the one I bought it off of... only $100) had the receiver drilled and tapped for a scope mount.

I haven't shot it yet because I was told that .308 would be too much pressure for it and haven't bought surplus 7.62 yet. I have cycled the action and it is the smoothest rifle I have ever seen. Even the 1903 I had wasn't as smooth!

I own a 1903 and an 03-A3 and I agree they are great rifles. I haven't gotten a chance yet to shoot my MkIII but I'm excited to shoot it and compare it to the accuracy and function of my 03.

cyclrcr · Oct 13, 2011

Dave91 said:
I own a 1903 and an 03-A3 and I agree they are great rifles. I haven't gotten a chance yet to shoot my MkIII but I'm excited to shoot it and compare it to the accuracy and function of my 03.

I need to get mine out also... there might be a difference in actually firing then working the action. And you are so right about 1903's are great. I wish I didn't have to sell mine.

mawkie · Oct 13, 2011

-Wire wrapping the forestock started with the launching of rod grenades in WWI. As can be expected, rod grenades put a lot of stress on the action and early GL rifles frequently had their forestocks shatter. So the British first bound the forestock with whip cord and later with steel or copper wire. A re-enforcing through bolt was added for additional strength at some point.The photo I posted earlier showed a SMLE MKI that was considered obsolete and pulled for conversion to GL using steel wire (that puppy is HEAVY).
-Later in the war rod grenades were dropped when the launching cup was introduced for use with Mills bombs but SMLE forestocks were still wire bound and through bolted. The practice of wire wrapping British Enfields ended with the introduction of the No4.

cyclrcr · Oct 13, 2011

mawkie said:
-Later in the war rod grenades were dropped when the launching cup was introduced for use with Mills bombs but SMLE forestocks were still wire bound and through bolted. The practice of wire wrapping British Enfields ended with the introduction of the No4.

Interesting you should mention this... there was one on Gun Broker with this exact setup. If I find it again, I'll post the link.

guthook · Oct 13, 2011

'66 7.62 Ishy screw.

Dave91 · Oct 14, 2011

I always thought I had a cool collection but after 2 years on this forum I realize I don't have crap compared to you guys.

mawkie · Oct 14, 2011

Dave91 said:
I always thought I had a cool collection but after 2 years on this forum I realize I don't have crap compared to you guys.

Just give it time. I've been doing this for decades. And I've never had to share the wealth with a wife or kids, just the terriers, who are cheap dates.

Sev89 · Oct 15, 2011

Whats with the white numbers on the Ishy buttstocks? Are they arsenal numbers, or just there for the sake of being there?

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