1926 ShtLE III Lee Enfield?

squarepants33889 · Nov 25, 2012

I just bought a 1269 Lee Enfield ShtLE III.
After arranging a meeting over a forum, I purchased this beautiful rifle for $120.00. The price seems a pittance for a gun this nice looking.
I guess, for now, I can only hope it shoots the venerable .303 British fmj's half as well as it looks!

http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w489/squarepants33889/photo3.jpg

One question I have for all you guys is this. What exactly is the "Sht"? I can find tons on the "SMLE" but not this exact variant.

I have faith that someone on this forum can point me in the right direction.

squarepants33889 · Nov 25, 2012

paintballdude902 · Nov 25, 2012

IIRC its short lee enfied vs short magazine lee enfield....

DougW · Nov 25, 2012

Sht is "short", as in short rifle. LE is Lee-Enfield, which designates the Lee loading system and being an Enfield design.

Now, someone like madcratebuilder, please correct my statements, as I am on the road and have none of my reference material with me.

Pretty rifle though. How is the scope rail mounted? With the front sight intact, it might be a good candidate for restoration, or just shoot that sweetheart and fun with it!

303tom · Nov 25, 2012

http://www.telusplanet.net/public/philqgbr/enfield.html

madcratebuilder · Nov 26, 2012

DougW said:
Sht is "short", as in short rifle. LE is Lee-Enfield, which designates the Lee loading system and being an Enfield design.

Now, someone like madcratebuilder, please correct my statements, as I am on the road and have none of my reference material with me.

Pretty rifle though. How is the scope rail mounted? With the front sight intact, it might be a good candidate for restoration, or just shoot that sweetheart and fun with it!

Hi Doug

I'm not up with the No1's, brain is cluttered with No4's. I did find this info.

The Short Magazine Lee-Enfield, ShtLE, SMLE, No1

Trials began in 1901 to develop single rifle to replace both the Magazine Lee-Enfield Rifle (MLE) and the Lee-Enfield Carbine (LEC). The Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Rifle, or ShtLE, was developed, the short refers to the rifle, not the magazine. These rifles featured a 25.2” barrel, bayonet that attached to the nose cap, rear ramp site that was windage adjustable, volley sights and safety on the left side of the receiver, and the Magazine cutoff. These rifles were designated ShtLE MkI MkI* MkI** I.P. and MkI***, Older MLE were converted and were marked ShtLE COND I, II, and II*. The common feature of these rifles was that like the 1905 India Pattern the charger was integral to the bolt head.

In 1907 another major step was made with the introduction of the MkIII. Changes in design made it easier to manufacture, and the familiar charger bridge was added. Older ShtLE’s were converted to the MkIII standard and were marked MkI*** and COND II**, II***, and IV. All really rather confusing. Production of the Mk III began in 1907 at Enfield, BSA Co., and LSA Co. in 1909 at the Ishapore Rifle Factory in India and in 1913 at the Lithgow Small Arms Factory in Australia.

Baba Louie · Nov 26, 2012

SMLE (short magazine lee enfield as noted above) as opposed to the earlier MLE (magazine lee enfield) w/ long barrel or the LE Carbine w/ short barrel.

Nice find for a good price. Where be the magazine? Modified to an Internal box or detachable removed for photo? Cannot quite tell from the photo.

303tom · Nov 26, 2012

SMLE, is an acronym for;

S- Short Rifle
M- Magazine Fed
L- Lee
E- Enfield

Or "Smelly" as the Australians called em...........

DougW · Nov 26, 2012

Thanks guys. Like madcratebuilder, I have lots of #4's and only 3 ShtLe MkIII or #1mkIII's, so I appreciate the help. I have always found the British Enfield rifles totally amazing in design and variations. Love 'em all, even the bubba'ed ones.

squarepants33889 · Nov 27, 2012

I knew I could count on you guys!
The magazine is a flush fitting 5 rounder. It's in place in the picture. It's funny you mentioned it, because I haven't seen any other photos like it.
I took the rifle out to a nearby gravel pit and was bustin clays at about 70 yards. I couldn't believe how well it shot.
The scope is mounted on a picatinny bridge. It's a cheap anodized aluminum bridge with matching rings. I really don't care for it myself. If the rifle proves itself at the range, I might explore other options.
Btw. Thx for the link. It has a to of useful info. My makers cartouche nearly exactly matches the RSAF 1924 mark.
You have been a ton of help, so let me try to stump you again. How do I determine the makers location? I believe that I've narrowed it down to Lsa, BSA, or ? "Essex" is stamped on the barrel.

squarepants33889 · Nov 28, 2012

Cartouche

squarepants33889 · Nov 28, 2012

Here's another thing. What is the "hinge"? Just forward of the magazine well?

303tom · Nov 28, 2012

Lets see a photo of the under side, I have never seen a No1 with a flush mag.........The only 5rd. mag. for a No1 I ever seen looked like this.
Only ever seen 5rd internal on the P13 & the 1917...........

squarepants33889 · Nov 28, 2012

Here's the underside and mag 303tom

squarepants33889 · Nov 28, 2012

And the bottom

squarepants33889 · Nov 28, 2012

FWIW, the magazine doesn't look like it was cut down or anything.
I took it out to the range today. The fourth round doesnt feed that well. And the scope leaves much to be desired compared to the others in my stable. I had a really tough time focusing both the reticle and the target at the same time, but it did a just fine at 100 yards. The surprise of the day was a three inch, 5 shot group at 200 yards with 180 gr Federals.

squarepants33889 · Nov 28, 2012

Here's the 100 yard targets

303tom · Nov 29, 2012

The hinge thingie is where a short piece of chain was attached to the original magazine, so you could not take the mag out & lose it. All the loading was done via stripper clips.............

squarepants33889 · Nov 29, 2012

Aaaahh! Thank you again, sir. Your assistance has been invaluable. In the course of my research, I have learned more about the Lee Enfield than I thought was possible. One thing that surprises me the most, is how little I still actually know. There are a veritable ton of different configurations. And the wartime practices only complicate an already confusing situation.
After a few nights of reading page after page of internet info about this rifle, it made it even sweeter yesterday when I went out and got to actually shoot it.
There is something about an old wood stock and blued steel that just feels right. I can't wait till next deer hunting season. I think this fellow might get a new scope and see the field one more time.
Or maybe I will practice up with the iron sights and take it out the way James Paris Lee intended!

DougW · Nov 29, 2012

I thought the little ring thingy was to tie off the canvas action cover they issued early in the war. Hmmmmm........

303tom · Nov 30, 2012

DougW said:
I thought the little ring thingy was to tie off the canvas action cover they issued early in the war. Hmmmmm........

Yes that too................

303tom · Nov 30, 2012

here is a picture of an original Enfield magazine.........

DougW · Nov 30, 2012

303tom, I have never seen one of those with the link on the mag body.

1926 ShtLE III Lee Enfield?

Member

Member

Member

Member

member

Member

Member

member

Member

Member

Member

Attachments

Member

Attachments

member

Member

Attachments

Member

Attachments

Member

Member

Attachments

member

Member

Member

member

member

Member

Similar threads