GOTM MAY
Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 1:48 am
This months gun is my 1902 Sparkbrooke MLE Mk I*. Introduced officially on the 7th of August 1899 it followed the abolishment of the clearing rod in British service on 19th May 1899. Thus the only difference between a Mk I and a Mk I* is the lack of provision for the clearing rod in the nosecap and forewood. Otherwise it is identical to the Mk I. This model of the MLE was manufactured by Enfield, Sparkbrooke, BSA and LSA. Skennerton puts production numbers at around 592,000 so they are a bit more common than the MLE Mk I.
Of note is the existence of a small subgroup within the Mk I* designation. Consisting of roughly 40,000 that were fitted with a sheet steel buttplate (with no tang), and a brass butt disc for unit markings, they were all made at RSAF Enfield.
After their introduction there was a second Mark of the Pattern 1888 bayonet with no provision for the head of the clearing rod. Naturally I purchased the wrong bayonet, mine having the hole for the clearing rod.
Much as I like the short double edged blade of the P’88 its overall looks do not really appeal. Mind you the P’07, despite its long and illustrious career with the Diggers doesn’t excite me either. Thank god for the P’03, now there’s a bayonet to get the juices flowing.
This particular rifle, although not as well travelled as some, has been around a bit. After a long (and one would hope uneventful) sea journey it arrived in Australia from the UK. Initially issued in Victoria it was purchased from Queensland and now resides in New South Wales.
All parts are original, or replaced in service, and matching with the exception of the bolt. For some reason mismatched bolts are quite common in these rifles in Australia. The BSA target sight is a recent addition in a (vain) attempt to improve my marksmanship. The original rear volley sight arm is carefully tagged and stored.
This rifle carries many stamps associated with its career. On the buttplate tang there is a G/V/VR 20. I was told by the previous owner that this indicated service with the Victorian Rifles, not to be confused with the Victorian Mounted Rifles. However I tend not to agree. I find the G over V puzzling. I am familiar with the V (Volunteer), M (Militia) and Y (Yeomanry) markings over the top of unit markings but haven’t previously seen two letters over a unit designation. A bit of research turned up the Victorian Rangers as likely candidates. Formed in 1888 as the Victorian Volunteer Rifles they were renamed the Victorian Rangers in 1889 with three Companies (A, B & C). Later they were expanded to include companies D, E, F, G and H. So I’m going with G Company, Volunteers, Victorian Rangers, Rack Number 20 until a better explanation comes along. Their direct descendants are the 8th/7th Battalion Royal Victorian Regiment.
On the butt is the Sparkbrooke cartouche and the Commonwealth of Australia Military Forces, Victoria cartouche. Then there’s a rack number (9029), 10/05 (date taken on strength), sold out of service mark and a P which I believe indicates the butt end has been treated with paraffin.
Butt socket has the usual manufacturers markings.
Magazine is chained to the rifle.
Magazine cutoff is in place.
Front of receiver is marked VIC, has the rack number repeated, sold out of service mark, the receiver serial number and proof mark.
Knox form has the sold out of service mark (twice), the VIC markings, rack number, another proof mark and an ’09 date. So it would appear the barrel was replaced in service.
Standard rear sight, graduated 200 to 500 yards on the bed and 600 to 1800 yards on the leaf.
Standard front volley sight marked 1600 to 2800 yards and with the SK Sparkbrooke mark.
Front sight.
Sling is British army but 1918 marked, just a little late but the best I could do.
Bolt retains the dust cover. Handle shows a different serial number to the receiver and cocking piece has a third serial number.
This is probably my most expensive rifle to date but I feel was well worth the money.
Of note is the existence of a small subgroup within the Mk I* designation. Consisting of roughly 40,000 that were fitted with a sheet steel buttplate (with no tang), and a brass butt disc for unit markings, they were all made at RSAF Enfield.
After their introduction there was a second Mark of the Pattern 1888 bayonet with no provision for the head of the clearing rod. Naturally I purchased the wrong bayonet, mine having the hole for the clearing rod.
Much as I like the short double edged blade of the P’88 its overall looks do not really appeal. Mind you the P’07, despite its long and illustrious career with the Diggers doesn’t excite me either. Thank god for the P’03, now there’s a bayonet to get the juices flowing.
This particular rifle, although not as well travelled as some, has been around a bit. After a long (and one would hope uneventful) sea journey it arrived in Australia from the UK. Initially issued in Victoria it was purchased from Queensland and now resides in New South Wales.
All parts are original, or replaced in service, and matching with the exception of the bolt. For some reason mismatched bolts are quite common in these rifles in Australia. The BSA target sight is a recent addition in a (vain) attempt to improve my marksmanship. The original rear volley sight arm is carefully tagged and stored.
This rifle carries many stamps associated with its career. On the buttplate tang there is a G/V/VR 20. I was told by the previous owner that this indicated service with the Victorian Rifles, not to be confused with the Victorian Mounted Rifles. However I tend not to agree. I find the G over V puzzling. I am familiar with the V (Volunteer), M (Militia) and Y (Yeomanry) markings over the top of unit markings but haven’t previously seen two letters over a unit designation. A bit of research turned up the Victorian Rangers as likely candidates. Formed in 1888 as the Victorian Volunteer Rifles they were renamed the Victorian Rangers in 1889 with three Companies (A, B & C). Later they were expanded to include companies D, E, F, G and H. So I’m going with G Company, Volunteers, Victorian Rangers, Rack Number 20 until a better explanation comes along. Their direct descendants are the 8th/7th Battalion Royal Victorian Regiment.
On the butt is the Sparkbrooke cartouche and the Commonwealth of Australia Military Forces, Victoria cartouche. Then there’s a rack number (9029), 10/05 (date taken on strength), sold out of service mark and a P which I believe indicates the butt end has been treated with paraffin.
Butt socket has the usual manufacturers markings.
Magazine is chained to the rifle.
Magazine cutoff is in place.
Front of receiver is marked VIC, has the rack number repeated, sold out of service mark, the receiver serial number and proof mark.
Knox form has the sold out of service mark (twice), the VIC markings, rack number, another proof mark and an ’09 date. So it would appear the barrel was replaced in service.
Standard rear sight, graduated 200 to 500 yards on the bed and 600 to 1800 yards on the leaf.
Standard front volley sight marked 1600 to 2800 yards and with the SK Sparkbrooke mark.
Front sight.
Sling is British army but 1918 marked, just a little late but the best I could do.
Bolt retains the dust cover. Handle shows a different serial number to the receiver and cocking piece has a third serial number.
This is probably my most expensive rifle to date but I feel was well worth the money.