1917 BSA No1 MkIII Enfield Project Rifle

[Candyman]

1917 BSA No1 MkIII Enfield
I bought this one from a member over on Surplus Rifle Forum. When he bought it he was told that it was a complete rifle but when he opened the box, this is what he found. He didn't wish to put any more money into the rifle so he put it up for sale.
So I knew what I was getting when I bought it.
It has the matching bolt and a pertty good bore.
I bought a complete DP stock set from Springfield Sporter over a year ago that has been waiting for me to find a rifle to put in it and this one will be the one.

[Aughnanure]

Interesting piece, particularly that it has been stamped 'III*' and then the * barred out in typical armourer fashon, a straight cut with a chisel. Technically all Mark IIIs became 'III*' when the cutout etc were removed but few were marked as such; makes it a bit rare.

[Woftam]

Nice rifle. Good that the bolt matches. Notice it was rebarrelled in 1937, probably why the bore is good.
I presume it wore a scope at one time ? No front sight blade and those two holes on the left side of the receiver.
Pity the ears have been cut off the rear handguard. I know it was accepted practice when they were damaged but a No1 never looks complete to me if they're missing.
Keep us posted on the restoration.

Oh, and welcome to the boards.

[Candyman]

Oh! the front sight is still on the rifle. The pic. was cut off when it loaded on the forum.
Here are some more pic's of the rifle.
What is the star stamp for?












Someone fitted this and it will have to go.

[dhtaxi]

Excellent pics. Nice work keep it coming.
Oh and welcome.

[Woftam]

Candyman,
great pics. Yes the front sight is still on the rifle, it was the front sight blade I was referring to. In your first photo the dovetail slot it goes into is visible.
A lot of stamps have no known meaning while some are very well known.

The W in a star is commonly associated with Weedon, a large british Depot, it was responsible for refurbishing many P14 rifles.

The next pic I cannot associate any meaning to the various letters.

The stamps on the left of the butt socket usually denote inspection/refurbishment. It looks like this one was inspected in 1925, 1931 & 193?. Can't make out the last date but Maybe '37 when the barrel was replaced.

Right side seer - possibly an inspection mark.

Got to go to work now, I'll have another lok when I get back.

[Candyman]

Here is what it looks like right now, dressed up in the DP stock set.






I haven't had a chance to do anything else to it yet.

[DuncaninFrance]

It looks happier already

[bradtx]

Candyman, Because the rifle had at one time been returned to Mk.III configuration (lined out *) you might consider purchasing a magazine cut off and screw and milling the fore end for clearance. I don't have a Mk.III or a picture of the relief needed, but perhaps someone else will post one.

Brad

[Woftam]

Bugger , just spent an hour detailing the stamps then lost it before I posted it.
So here's the short version. Hope it helps fill in a few gaps Candyman.

Crown over initials (GR) over crossed flags over P = proof mark.

Crown over number over letter = inspectors mark. E = Enfield. Italic B = BSA

' + 2 numbers = date ('37). Usually indicates year of inspection, refurbishment, rebarreling.

What looks like a D with a horizontal bar on the upright is a combined E,F & D an Enfield marking.

.303, 2.22, 18.5 and an arm holding a sword over NP = commercial proof mark.

England - Import/Export stamp, applied to denote country of origin. Can't recall if applied in the UK or US.

Arrows - british property mark.

NS - nickled steel. Also M & U - denotes different metal compsition specification.

Crossed pennants - proof mark.

A few othjer thoughts -
the sling swivel on the front of the trigger guard was used in early MkIII's.
Note the slightly different fonts for the serial numbers on barrel and receiver. The font on the bolt appears a closer match for the barrel. Replaced at same time ?
III on the safety is common, have not seen it on the bolthead before.
The W in star appears to have been overstamped with a circle (unlapped barrel) but also appears to have something in the centre (JJ ??)
I incorrectly said a stamping was on the seer, it's actually on the magazine catch - brainfart
Here is a shot of a magazine cut-off in place as mentioned by Bradtx