SMLE Enfield with Chinese/Japanese Markings?

Status
Not open for further replies.

Jon_L

Member
Joined
May 5, 2011
Messages
58
Location
East-TN
I was at the local shop and found this for $250. What's the story? I have never heard of such a thing--it almost looked as if the markings were stamped over previous markings. I only put it on layaway so I don't have any pictures.

Did I waste my money?:uhoh:
 
Japanese capture during British defeat at Singapore or other battles early in 1941-42, then recaptured by allies at end of WWII?
 
That's a good price for any decent SMLE. Could be Siamese - they ordered 10,000 from Birmingham Small Arms in 1920. Have to see the markings to know what it really is though.
 
You should have felt the action--it jumped at me, and the action was shiney. I'm going in tomorrow to see if I can get a few pictures and maybe a serial number.
 
All right, I went in today to see what the deal was but the guy wouldn't let me take any pictures (as odd as that sounds) so I examined it for a few minutes. I have this to say:

I could not locate the serial number or receiver/action type.
The numbers I could find seemed to be stamped, then restamped over the previous stamp to just make it downright illegible. These leads me to believe it was lent out to the Nepalese and they put their own markings on it.
I found on the stock (or rather the metal band near the grip and trigger) there was a stamp with a crown that stated "B. S. A. C[span style='text-decoration: underline;']o[/span]." Which stand for Birmingham Small Arms
I found this mark on it, without the "BNP" mark (but it was overstamped as I said so I couldn't read the "18.5" or anything--the "303 2.222" was definitely there)
bnp-2-222-tons.jpg
Export Marks Now this may well be one of the more common set of stamps. A set of information marks, that were stamped onto the rifle when sold out of service. That the rifle fired a ,303 projectile, the case max overall length was 2.222 in inch’s and it was pressure tested to 18.5 to ton. The BNP stood for British Nitro Proof, it was tested and passed Nitro proofing.
One last thing I noticed was this little mark towards the front of the receiver:
thumbs_broad-arrow-variation.jpg
Here's what is means:
Now this symbol is known as the “Broad Arrow“, there are many variations and it may be found with other markings. It denotes acceptance / issue as a military rifle into a specific country( such as NZ either side denoting New Zealand) or on its own. This mark may be found on various part of the rifle including woodwork. This particular stamp was on a No5 other marks may be more sweeping in their appearance.

So what do you guys think?
 
The arrow is a British military proof, so the rifle was in British service at some point, and would not have been part of an order made specifically for export.

Nepalese use could make sense...I think we'll really need to see photos of the marking to nail it down. Regardless, for $250 I think you got a great deal - rifles with interesting histories like this are really neat, IMO.
 
So I was incorrect with the markings--some of them were just incomplete proof marks. I have some okay-ish pictures I'd like some input on, if that's all right with you guys. Also, sorry it took me so long.

Here's the album: http://imageshack.us/g/1/10274580/
 
Looks like you're missing the charging bridge and the wooden hand guards....barrel bands too?

Where are the Chinese/Japanese markings? All i'm seeing is British..
 
Looks like a 1915 production rifle, refurbished in 1937, and then sporterized by Bubba. Not worth the $250, IMO...bummer.
 
I might say it was worth 250 bucks if it were not missing the charging bridge, other than that, not bad...........Let us know how she shoots...........
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top