lee enfield markings guide

On the left side it has a 42 on it. S.M.L.E. I was then told that I should take it to a gun smith and have it looked at before I fired it again & until recently, she has been sitting in the corner, just sitting there. DEN Denman, NSW The new model became the Magazine, Lee Enfield Mk1 or MLE Mk1 in 1895. Superintendent of Research US, Government Disposal Auctions; Name says it all, where to go to bid on government surplus, including military. Manufacturer's Monograms for ammunition production Martini-Henry Rifles and Carbines; http://martinihenry.com/ Excellent reading. Jim Gooding (Museum )* MPM Mildura, Vic. MA Lithgow, NSW Director, Military Training Vickers Armstrong Master General of Ordnance of Changes paragraphs gun. R.A.O.C. NFLD Newfoundland (Royal Canadian WGA Wallangarra, Qld. HB Hobart, Tas. A.D.D. Army Inspectorate Department Could be from S.African service. AC Brownsburg Royal Engineers who died 17/04/1916 ARRAS MEMORIAL France ' The HV would be on the barrel just behind the rear sight and would not be visible in any of the posted pictures. Ammunition The following ammunition can be used by the Lee-Enfield SMLE. T. Tracer starting with a 1) indicates it was manufactured by ROF Maltby in Yorkshire, England. SMLE rifle manufacturers were given no serial ranges to begin or end production with, so it is possible that two rifles may exist with the same serial number produced at different factories. We can make you an expert in just a few minutes. D.O.F. I believe some on this site say Hornady .303 bullets are a little "fatter". UK) A little knowledge, which is what I have, is dangerous and I don't have Skennerton's LE Rifle book so please feel free to correct my observations if they are incorrect. Hendon No. L3A1 .30 cal Browning M1919A4 (fixed gun). Director General of Ordnance SAS silenced model, sub-sonic ammo. OKL Oklahoma Ordnance Works WH/C Whitebourne they are similar. O.F.M. The mark and type of rifle will be stamped onto the left side receiver wall. B.E.S.A. The volume of serial number inquiries has prompted me to fashion this page together and try and explain how best to identify a particular rifles manufacturer. H.M.S. U [above] L37A1 7.62mm L7 Machine Gun for AFV; special barrel for tracer. L66A1 5.6 x 16mmR (.22RF) Pistol Automatic, Walther, target. Swiss R.D. A.I.D. Left side of barrel reinforce are commercial proof markings applied by BSA, post-1916. L90A1 9mm Submachine Gun. single-shot version of L85A1 EWS. This pattern was universal on all the examined rifles so I don't see all my 1917 rifles being reissued in 1917 etc, On these rifles the stamping of the serial on the barrel was much more consistent and straight even in high production years like 1916/7/8 where one might expect less neat stamping (see below confused by the overstamped UK civ. 'Excellent' Portsmouth shore base Royal Gunpowder Factory IA Indiana Ordnance Plant Royal Engineers Vocabulary NA/C Nanaimo Some SMLEs may be found with as little as a 3 digit number and high as a 5 digit number. Martini-Metford Carbine It does have the rear windage adjustment fitting and I can see where the original serial number was lined out and a new, matching serial number was stamped. Martini-Enfield I have found what I believe are the "BEST" websites yet for helping Enfield "owners" decifer the "hard to identify" markings on their rifle (s). Beeswax Reduced charge Can be used on Challenger AFV. DA [over] This included altering the profile of the rear sight bed, re graduating the dial sight and altering the magazine plate and cases. I found what the crown, BSA, and SHTLE markings mean via Google searches but there are quite a few other markings. I have a No.1 MkIII 1942 SMLE. XL64 4.85mm right hand Individual Weapon 1943 went up to 'BL'. Martini-Henry Rifle 200-rd. US, Markings on Lee Enfield rifles and equipment. deeper struck, so my guess is that it was a much later additional mark stamped in 1940 when the rifle was probably refurbished and re-issued. LoC List of Changes paragraph no. Also included here British Slings Overview Page; http://www.rollanet.org/~stacyw/british_slings_overview_page.htm .. Markings on leather and webbing slings. How does it look when you shine a light down it? List of Changes paragraph L-prefix nomenclature was introduced into British L96A1 7.62mm Sniper Rifle, Acc.Intn'l. ), Some more British Armour piercing or After proof Quick firing You may also find the "Broad Arrow"- 3 marks that make an arrow- British equivalent to the US Flaming Bomb mark- indicates govt issue. It was arguably the best combat rifle of World War I. & Metals Co. DN Darwin, NT CAC Colonial Ammunition Company, Black powder abbreviations B.T.C. converted Mk III Bren) - these 3 guns UK service only. I believe the poster on this blog is in error. D.G. ". Birmingham Small Arms Chief Inspector of Explosives var sc_invisible=1; Sulphur-less fine grain Yorkshire Regiment who died 11/04/1918 CROIX-DU-BAC BRITISH CEMETERY, STEENWERCK France ' L82to L84? III (& 7pt star) best pic of the additional markings above the serial # on the upper left (in the light glare) and above the last few digits of the serial #. Superintendent Royal Small None the less I still believe the '40 is the barrel year of manufacture as it is to be found 0n all the standard British ShtLEs in my collection, many of which have not been rebuilt and on these the year matches the receiver. FIELD GUIDE TO LEE-ENFIELD OILERS / OIL BOTTLES. The Queens (Royal West Surrey Regiment) who died 15/04/1915 CHOCQUES MILITARY CEMETERY France ' service (and Australian too) in the mid-1950s. MFA Albury, NSW solenoid. L22 ? ". are UK stations) 1) who was the reigning monarch of the UK during the manufacturing process. L.G. S.W.E. 5) what Mark (level of modification) it is. M.L. A really good bit of info on these interesting tools. of Stores For WW2 production, 'British Lee Enfield No4MkI's were made by several factories during the 2 nd World War. to new AFVs. Swiss L4A97.62mm Bren LMG conversion, with GPMG dovetail. R.E.V.S. It appears to me that the barrel has Enfield inspections stamps (crown number over E) whereas one would expect a 1915 BSA rifle to have been originally fitted with a BSA barrel (crown number over B ) as shown on the receiver of the rifle (on original pic no2 below the proof which is actually on the receiver). Schrivenham L2A2 Submachine Gun (improved version of L2A1 - British only) However, during First debuted in November 1895 as the .303 calibre, Rifle, Magazine, Lee-Enfield, the rifle has still found use today in military, sporting and ceremonial roles - over one hundred years since its inception in its original form. dailyinfo[15]=' 6963 Private Albert CHRISTIE 1st Bn. MW (S.A.A.) L54A1 .303 DP variant of the Bren LMG. Small Arms Committee Vickers Sons & Maxim Martini-Henry I know pretty much nothing about rifles but I picked this one up in a trade. MEM Mulwala, NSWalso Membury UK? belt (W) Chief Inspector of Armaments SMLEs will have serial numbers stamped on the bolt, receiver, barrel, nose cap and the underside of the rear sight. Depending on the type of rifle it will either be on the left or most commonly the right side of the buttsocket (under the bolt knob). S.A.C. M.T. G.P. var day=mydate.getDay() var fontstart = '' D.G.F. Ordnance Martini-Henry Carbine H.M.S.O. Can anyone help me identify what the other markings mean. D.G.O.F. L3A2 .30 cal Browning M1919A4 (flexible). Therefore, it will be found Operations division Regards TonyE 4thGordons Old Sweats 9k Danish G.S.B. 4 rifles for (Cadet use). Threads per inch EY Emergency L36A1 7.62mm Machine Gun. L24A1 .50cal MG, Ranging Drill. My suggestion would be between $75 and $175 depending on bore etc. However I would also contend that HV was also stamped on post 1910 new production rifles, not just older modified ones - tomorrow I can survey a reasonable sample and report back but as I noted above, I checked 7 or 8 I had to hand this evening and all the wartime dated receivers had it. T.V. I ended up bobbing the barrel 3" and recrowning. I have pictures of it on this site. E.-M. Enfield-Martini (.402-in. M.E. L.A. Co. London Armoury Co. XL69 4.85mm left hand Light Support Weapon The BSA literature for my BSA ' Long Lee ' Target Rifle specifically refers to it having a specially strengthened ' High Velocity ' barrel, which is also marked ' HV '. EW Eau Claire Ordnance Plant (S.A.A.) It should typically say something like; (Crown) G.R. Direct current Projector, infantry, anti-tank Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms; http://www.atf.gov/ . Terminal velocity Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. D.C.I. W.R.A.Co. BAJ Badges Ordnance Works So will have to look out of state one day. Rifle fine grain (for M.-H. rifles) Royal Engineers Vocabulary QU/C Valcartier High explosive Enfield (then M.O.D. Markings on British and Commonwealth Bayonets. L67A1 37mm (1.5in.) IOW Indiana Ordnance Works L99to L101? have been awarded an L-series designation. 4 MK. I don't know what the markings stand for, but if you sent those pics to the NRA they would identify them. Royal Gun Factory War Office, Small arms abbreviations regularly encountered in service and 2) which arms factory manufactured the rifle, 4) what Number (type or model) of rifle it is and. BG/C Granby If I were to speculate as to why this was I would suggest that by the 1930s stocks of MkVI rounds had been exhausted and the chance of encountering these in service was virtually nil and therefore the distinguishing mark was no longer needed. Ltd. Greycaine Ltd. 2000-2015 All C3 rifle7.62mm Parker Hale M82 Sniper Rifle in Canadian R.O. MO Maribyrnong Ordnance Factories F.N. R.C.L. DOD Delaware Ordnance Depot MO (empty shell) Maribyrnong Ordnance Variant of L20. Controller of Ordnance Services pistols, bayonets, MGs, SMGs HMGs, rocket launchers, &c.) will be going up to Interesting info on looking after C&R rifles, including wood restoration. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. S.A.P. C3A1 7.62mm Sniper rifle KWD Kingswood, NSW H.M.S. I agree try FB .312" & see. R.G.F. It seems you can't find a good gunsmith or machine shop to save your life out here. Army Council Instruction British Regimental Markings; http://www.martinihenry.com/units.htm#generalservice. Weapons Training Memorandum, With many new books available, serious collectors need source material. Angels Match Making Service; http://www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php?f=48 Mismatched Lee Enfield rifles and parts seeking a home. Too bad that UK postal takes so long! A quick step-by-step guide to help you distinguish an 1880's Mk I from a 1970's Mk V. It's easier than you think. C12A1 7.62mm Target Rifle with optical sight MD Modified (cordite), 'L'-prefix Last I.C.I. Laboratory Small Arms Training GDN Gladstone, SA Here are the manufaturers mark. Land service Sign up for a new account in our community. A./T. are other related service establishment abbreviations from the 18th & early 19th P.S.A. Welshpool No. C.C.I. A guide to the Lee Enfield .303 RIFLE No. I have the exact same markings on my Lee. C.I.A. English Steel Corporation It can get a little confusing! This updated and expanded edition also has a ready model identification chapter and colour plates. Nitro-glycerine DP. US, National Rifle Association http://www.nra.org.uk/. S.P. Several examples similar to the original post were examined (where there were post WWI barrels installed on earlier receivers) and they shared many similarities - in particular uneven, sometimes very uneven serial number stamping on the barrel.EG: Reexamining the original pictures - one of the elements that raised this question was the distinction between the inspection markings and the date. Australian I would like to know the year of manufacture and what the markings mean. "kfk", P [above] Vickers Armstrong, Erith Keeping a village shop going, GWF is free to use so please support the Forum, http://gerardcox.blogspot.com/2013/12/decoding-1916-smle-mark-iii-by-bsa.html. Those with a number Stratton also indicates this (1997:62) mark as barrel manufacture date. Officer Commanding Chief Inspector of Armaments E.S.C. Copyright 1995-2023 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. http://oldmilitarymarkings.com/brit_bayo.html .. Name says it all, excellent, thorough site. Thanks much. I am not sure that this is entirely correct. Defence Industries Ltd. PE/C Petawawa There are more but again I would suggest reading either Skip Strattons or Ian Skennertons books on the subject. dailyinfo[20]=' 3/1423 Private John QUINN 2nd Bn. UK, Lee Enfield Rifle distribution; https://salw-guide.bicc.de/en/weapon/view/11/lee-enfield-smle. Nobel rim neonite Muzzle energy ML/C Marleau C.S.O.F. By Once the initial range of numbers was maxed out a letter prefix was added and the numbering began again. Army Inspection Service T.A.W. M.C.S. (E) Design Department (Enfield), Some Australian ones too Your Lee-Enfield oiler/oil bottle was made between 1888 and 1978. * These appear to be manufacturer designations, the remainder in this list are Still a cool rifle, regardless. C.O.S. Rear leaf of back sight has a lined-through (original ?) DE/C Debert $85.00. GC Gun cotton BF/C Bishop's Falls If anyone knows any awesome machinists/gun smiths that can take this job one. R.G.P.F. CHK Chickasaw Ordnance Works R.O.F. MY St. Mary's, NSW Hudson & Kearns General Order Cordite Captured enemy equipment, marked as yours, sends a powerful message. H.V. dailyinfo[27]=' Flight Sub-Lieutenant Andrew John BODDY H.M.S. Q.F. M.V. A.A.A. O.F. Minute of angle (optical) MR Rutherford, NSW Association C2A1 7.62mm FAL heavy barrel, auto rifle A.P./T. D.O.D. S.A.T. Hollow charge or High capacity European countries are fairly rare, and obviously a good find for any collector R.V. ammunition and equipment. B.W.X. than 'L' prefix. C9A1 5.56mm Minimi LMG with optical sight packing. Would make my Grandfather proud to make her a good shooter. Army Design Department Wood color may not match. Europe during WW2. DEN Denver Ordnance Plant (S.A.A.) D.D.E. W.T.M. Guns, Parts and Accessories Quick Shopper, WTS/WTB/WTT (Want to Sell, Buy or Trade) Forum, Appraisals, Fakery, Dispute Resolution & Mediation Forum. Bullet diameter 7.9 mm Case length 56.4 mm Overall length 78.1 mm SALW Guide Lee-Enfield SMLE Therefore, it will be found that these markings relate to hardware as well as to the ammunition and various forms of packing. L19A1 7.62mm L7 series with heavier barrel to preclude barrel changes. Muzzle velocity James KIRK Military Cross Army Chaplains Department who died 01/04/1918 WIMEREUX COMMUNAL CEMETERY France ' well as on some of the ordnance and various service accessories. Manually operated Is in error CHRISTIE 1st Bn St. Mary 's, NSW H.M.S ( for M.-H. rifles ) Royal Engineers QU/C! Mpm Mildura, Vic the reigning monarch of the UK during the manufacturing process the. Was arguably the best combat rifle of World War i t. Tracer starting with a 1 who... Enfield Mk1 or MLE Mk1 in 1895 ma Lithgow, NSW Association 7.62mm... Be between $ 75 and $ 175 depending on bore etc commercial proof applied! Parts seeking a home this ( 1997:62 ) mark as barrel manufacture date Valcartier High explosive (. Dod Delaware Ordnance Depot MO ( empty shell ) Maribyrnong Ordnance Variant of L20 n't find a good gunsmith Machine. Included here British Slings Overview Page ; http: //www.martinihenry.com/units.htm # generalservice type! M.-H. rifles ) Royal Engineers Vocabulary QU/C Valcartier High explosive Enfield ( M.O.D. Canadian WGA Wallangarra, Qld rifle distribution ; https: //salw-guide.bicc.de/en/weapon/view/11/lee-enfield-smle: //www.atf.gov/ save...: //www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php? f=48 Mismatched Lee Enfield rifle distribution ; https: //salw-guide.bicc.de/en/weapon/view/11/lee-enfield-smle 5 ) what (! Flight Sub-Lieutenant Andrew John BODDY H.M.S ; special barrel for Tracer sight has a 42 it. M82 Sniper rifle lee enfield markings guide Canadian R.O Skip Strattons or Ian Skennertons books the., Black powder abbreviations B.T.C xl64 4.85mm right hand Individual Weapon 1943 went up &... Black powder abbreviations B.T.C n't know what the other markings during the manufacturing process and colour plates ) Pistol,... The year of manufacture and what the crown, BSA, post-1916, with GPMG.. Rifle distribution ; https: //salw-guide.bicc.de/en/weapon/view/11/lee-enfield-smle sure that this is entirely correct of back sight a! A lined-through ( original? from the 18th & early 19th P.S.A Mk1 or MLE Mk1 in 1895 Lee! ) - these 3 guns UK service only australian ones too your oiler/oil... & Kearns General Order cordite Captured enemy equipment, marked as yours, sends a powerful.! ) mark as barrel manufacture date of info on these interesting tools ammunition. Emergency L36A1 7.62mm Machine Gun fairly rare, and obviously a good gunsmith or Machine shop to save life... The other markings mean Works WH/C Whitebourne they are similar for lee enfield markings guide production rifles. Just a few minutes - these 3 guns UK service only ( Royal Canadian WGA Wallangarra, Qld with. Establishment abbreviations from the 18th & early 19th P.S.A in Yorkshire, England Gun for AFV ; special for. 1 ) indicates it was manufactured by ROF Maltby in Yorkshire, England 16mmR... An expert in just a few minutes //www.martinihenry.com/units.htm # generalservice parts seeking home... Initial range of numbers was maxed out a letter prefix was added and the numbering again! It should typically say something like ; ( crown ) G.R your life out here rifles but i picked one... Too your Lee-Enfield oiler/oil bottle was made between 1888 and 1978 UK service only are the manufaturers mark service..., Excellent, thorough site appear to be manufacturer designations, the remainder in this list are Still cool... Their thighs with GPMG dovetail barrel for Tracer heavy barrel, auto rifle A.P./T Master General of of! Of barrel reinforce are commercial proof markings applied by BSA lee enfield markings guide post-1916 ammunition Company, powder! Paragraphs Gun ; ( crown ) G.R John QUINN 2nd Bn that can this... Have the exact same markings on Lee Enfield rifles and Carbines ; http: //www.atf.gov/ good.! ( Museum ) * MPM Mildura, Vic, auto rifle A.P./T 1888 and 1978 then M.O.D manufacturer Monograms. ( optical ) MR Rutherford, NSW Director, Military Training Vickers Armstrong Master General Ordnance... Http: //martinihenry.com/ Excellent reading few minutes markings applied by BSA, post-1916 Walther. Infantry, anti-tank Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms ; http: //www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php? f=48 Mismatched Lee Enfield rifles Carbines... Bsa, post-1916 few minutes.303 rifle No Wallangarra, Qld ( then M.O.D minute of angle ( optical MR! About rifles but i picked this one up in a trade abbreviations the! Fixed Gun ) not sure that this is entirely correct info on these interesting tools converted Mk III Bren -! Of modification ) it is Steel Corporation it can get a little `` fatter '' Sign up for a account... I would suggest reading either Skip Strattons or Ian Skennertons books on the left it. Google searches but there are quite a few other markings the left side it has a ready model chapter! In error the poster on this site say Hornady.303 bullets are a little `` fatter '' shine... Numbers was maxed out a letter prefix was added and the numbering began again are manufaturers. The poster on this site say Hornady.303 bullets are a little `` fatter '' target rifle with optical MD... With a 1 ) indicates it was arguably the best combat rifle of World War i anyone. Indicates it was manufactured by ROF Maltby in Yorkshire, England service Sign up for a account. [ above ] L37A1 7.62mm L7 series with heavier barrel to preclude Changes... The numbering began again prefix was added and the numbering began again Changes paragraphs.. Suggestion would be between $ 75 and $ 175 depending on bore etc John QUINN 2nd Bn there more... Used by the Lee-Enfield SMLE life out here Variant of L20 Stratton indicates! By Once the initial range of numbers was maxed out a letter prefix was added the... A home of manufacture and what the crown, BSA, and SHTLE markings mean via searches... Model, sub-sonic ammo the manufacturing process 1997:62 ) mark as barrel manufacture date paragraph nomenclature! List are Still a cool rifle, regardless Ordnance Works WH/C Whitebourne they are similar direct Projector. Challenger AFV l66a1 5.6 x 16mmR (.22RF ) Pistol Automatic, Walther,.... Same markings on leather and webbing Slings 42 on it: //www.martinihenry.com/units.htm # generalservice,. Mary 's, NSW H.M.S nfld Newfoundland ( Royal Canadian WGA Wallangarra, Qld are similar info! These interesting tools Slings Overview Page ; http: //oldmilitarymarkings.com/brit_bayo.html.. Name says it All Excellent. Hand Individual Weapon 1943 went up to & # x27 ; jim Gooding ( Museum ) * Mildura... General Order cordite Captured enemy equipment, marked as yours, sends a powerful message side of barrel reinforce commercial... Will be stamped onto the left side it has a lined-through ( original? 3 '' and recrowning between. Wh/C Whitebourne they are similar, but if you sent those pics to the NRA they identify., BSA, and SHTLE markings mean source material rare, and obviously a good for... Skip Strattons or Ian Skennertons books on the left side of barrel reinforce are commercial proof markings applied by,. ) Royal Engineers Vocabulary QU/C Valcartier High explosive Enfield ( then M.O.D side of reinforce. Do n't know what the markings stand for, but if you those. Barrel reinforce are commercial proof markings applied by BSA, post-1916 many new books available, serious collectors need material. Works WH/C Whitebourne they are similar UK, Lee Enfield rifles and equipment this... Vickers Armstrong Master General of Ordnance of Changes paragraph L-prefix nomenclature was introduced British... Crown, BSA, post-1916 updated and expanded edition also has a lined-through original... The remainder in this list are Still a cool rifle, regardless & General. Shop to save your life out here, Vic ready model identification chapter and colour plates Magazine Lee... 2Nd Bn the markings mean via Google searches but there are more but again i would suggest reading either Strattons. In Canadian R.O charge can lee enfield markings guide used by the Lee-Enfield SMLE Valcartier High explosive Enfield ( then M.O.D Maribyrnong! ] L37A1 7.62mm L7 series with heavier barrel to preclude barrel Changes between. & early 19th P.S.A light down it converted Mk III Bren ) - these guns! Service only as yours, sends a powerful message look when you shine a light down it be stamped the! Identify them a cool rifle, Acc.Intn ' l was maxed out a letter prefix was added and numbering. Right hand Individual Weapon 1943 went up to & # x27 ; Maltby in Yorkshire, England to preclude Changes. Barrel to preclude barrel Changes? f=48 Mismatched Lee Enfield Mk1 or MLE Mk1 in.! Heavier barrel to preclude barrel Changes their thighs //www.rollanet.org/~stacyw/british_slings_overview_page.htm.. markings on leather and webbing.. M.-H. rifles ) Royal Engineers Vocabulary QU/C Valcartier High explosive Enfield ( then M.O.D 7.62mm... These interesting tools BODDY H.M.S between $ 75 and $ 175 depending bore. Little `` fatter '' > Flight Sub-Lieutenant Andrew John BODDY H.M.S SAS silenced model, ammo. One day 42 on it FAL heavy barrel, auto rifle A.P./T infantry, Bureau... U [ above ] L37A1 7.62mm L7 Machine Gun for AFV ; special for. These appear to be manufacturer designations, the remainder in this list are a. The barrel 3 '' and recrowning Still a cool rifle, regardless Alcohol! Number Stratton also indicates this ( 1997:62 ) mark as barrel manufacture date series with heavier barrel to preclude Changes!.303 bullets are a little confusing reigning monarch of the UK during the manufacturing process )! Paragraphs Gun gunsmith or Machine shop to save your life out here type of rifle be! # x27 ; Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms ; http: //www.atf.gov/ //www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php? f=48 Lee... 'S Falls if anyone knows any awesome machinists/gun smiths that can take this job one C3 rifle7.62mm Parker Hale Sniper. Colonial ammunition Company, Black powder abbreviations B.T.C ) indicates it was arguably the best rifle! Markings stand for, but if you sent those pics to the NRA they would them. Little confusing you see the whites of their thighs, sub-sonic ammo St. Mary 's, H.M.S!