Any SMLE experts.

[farmer7]

Just wondered if anyone can tell me anything about my SMLE? It's a BSA as far as I can tell but I'm not read up on them and just wondered what sort of age it is and any other info?

Couple of pics here:

https://db.tt/ihcG2XAf

https://db.tt/GO7SG0wQ

https://db.tt/DkEy3kXV

https://db.tt/Re5jpMOT

https://db.tt/Spw6MALc

[Dougan]

I'm no expert (won't be long before someone tells you exactly what it is), but it has the magazine cut-off and the older style bolt; so could be one of the more historically sought after ones...?

Looks in good nick too...nice rifle Farmer

[farmer7]

Thanks Dougan. It shoots well too, it was my first centrefire rifle given to me by my fathers uncle about 20 years ago. Definitely not parting with it but just got curious and thought what better place to ask for info!

[JS569]

Looks like a no1 mkiii. Does it have date on the receiver ( the metal band above the trigger guard on the rhs of the rifle)- from the image it looks it says peace. The screws in the sod around the receiver also look unusual

[farmer7]

Looks like a no1 mkiii. Does it have date on the receiver ( the metal band above the trigger guard on the rhs of the rifle)- from the image it looks it says peace. The screws in the sod around the receiver also look unusual

Its got '46 proof mark, a crown with the letter B and 46 on the barrel (would that be when it entered civilian hands???) It does look a bit like peace in the picture but it actually says BSA Co.

Thanks for the info so far folks.

[Tommygunn]

Looks like a commercial model to me, what's on the other side of the wrist?

[farmer7]

There is nothing on the other side of the wrist, also no markings on the stock.

So most likely a civilian model. When would it have been made?

[Tommygunn]

Does the serial number have a letter prefix or no?

Have you removed the upper handguard and viewed the stamps in that area?

[ovenpaa]

I have a .303 BSA sporter based on the No1 Mk3 action but without any wartime stamps and I managed to track it down to sometime in the early 1920's

[Rearlugs]

Its a BSA commercial No1 MkIII, but with forend (and probably handguards) heavily modified by a gunsmith for target shooting. The screws in the side of the forend are intended to centre the action.

Most probably it has a standard weight barrel, and this has been "packed" with cork sheet underneath the front handguard. The metal clip over the front handguard stops it bowing up because of the packing.

Judging from the crack in the left side of the forend, the rifle requires urgent attention to its bedding. I expect that the draws have crumbled, or a block (if fitted) has come adrift. The forend is moving under recoil, and this is causing it to split. Is there a split ahead of the front magazine screw (the "king" screw)?

You shouldn't fire the rifle until that forend is fixed, otherwise it will just eventually shatter.