Lee Enfield 303?

[jacquesf]

I am being offered this .303 Lee enfield. I am told it is of Australian origen and pre 1939. However I know very little about these and have my doubts. The condition is also quite crappy. The bajo is dated 1907, but I cannot make out the date on the rifle. All assistance would be appreciated. Jacques

[jacquesf]

markings

[Totenhead]

Hi Jacques

I am no expert on these at all, but looking at the proof mark on the chamber I would say early 30s ??

Cheers
Martin

[pzrwest]

Just curious did they test every rifle produced or did they randomly select rifles from a batch of rifles for testing? When you concider how many Enfields that were made

[2ndAIF]

Have a look on the metal band (can't remember what it is called) just above the trigger under the bolt handle and it will tell you the date and which factory / country it was made.

[99notout]

Looks like an old Drill Purpose rifle… I can see a DP on the barrel band and I will bet that is the letters painted on the stock as well.

Looks like Aussie coach wood on the stock. Look for markings on the wood and on the butt.

[Totenhead]

Have a look on the metal band (can't remember what it is called) just above the trigger under the bolt handle and it will tell you the date and which factory / country it was made.

It’s definitely Lithgow Australia, it’s got the LP proof mark on it.......

The rifle is No. 1 Mk VI I believe, they only made a thousand at Lithgow I believe ????

Doesn't have a mag cut off either ??

[jacquesf]

Thanx guys, it does not seem worth pursuing for my purpose. J

[Infanteer]

Just curious did they test every rifle produced or did they randomly select rifles from a batch of rifles for testing? When you concider how many Enfields that were made

Every single rifle.... that is when the proof marks are applied. It would be illegal to apply a proof mark to a rifle without it actually being tested.

[peter monahan]

Infanteer is correct on proofing.

If there were only 1000 No. 4 Mk 1s made at Lithgow, someone will want it, whatever the condition. Were it me, I'd grab it for myself!

But, like Infanteer also says, 'just my stupid opinion'!

[WW2Pacific]

Just a note on the bayonet, the '1907' refers to the model and not the year of manufacture. P-1907 bayonets were not manufactured until May 1908. The year of manufacture would be stamped on the other side of the blade. It is either a post-1916 bayonet or one that was upgraded after 1916.