Help with an Old Enfield...

[N003k]

I just started trying to replace parts on an old Enfield I have, which I was under the impression was a No1 MkIII. It was missing the rear volley site, and the magazine cutoff (Front volley site is intact, and the gap for the cutoff was pretty obvious)

Today, I just got the cutoff in, and installed it. After doing so, I looked a bit more closely at the markings on the band. Turns out I have what I guess is a MkI enfield? It appears very similar (identical to my eyes) to a No1 MkIII, but the band markings are as follows:

(Crown Stamp)
B.S.A. 09
1905.
SLE.LE
I.***

There definitely was only the single roman I numeral. My camera battery is dead, and I can't find the charger (Still looking though!) so pics with anything better than a cell phone are out for now. And, I'm about to run out of the house, so even they have to wait...but if anyone can give me a general idea of what exactly I have here, I'd appreciate it!

 

[Jim K]

It is an SMLE Mk I***, just as it says. The original rifle would have had the two-piece charger guide and no guard on the rear sight, but many were upgraded to the Mk III configuration, with the riveted on "bridge" type guide and new type rear sight ears.

I think the rear volley sight is the same as the Mk III, but I don't have a Mk I so I can't be sure.

The marking actually reads Sht (for "Short") LE (Lee Enfield). It was preceded by the longer Charger-Loading Lee-Enfield (CLLE) and Magazine Lee-Enfield (MLE) hence the "Short". The SMLE actually went through six Marks, the last being nearly identical to the No.4. The SMLE series was not called the Rifle No.1 until (IIRC) 1927, when the British changed their small arms nomenclature.

Jim

 

[Sunray]

It's an early No. 1 Mk I. The stars indicate that it went through upgrades that weren't enough to warrant another Mark.
Quite possibly made in the first year of production at BSA(Birmingham Small Arms Co.). They didn't start manufacturing until after 1903.

 

[N003k]

Out of curiosity, what would different numbers of *'s make in its appearance? Also, would it be safe to say this is a better score than the No1 MkIII I THOUGHT I had?

And err, oops, yes it IS SHT.LE I'm not sure how I messed that up, probably got ahead of myself typing.

 

[Sunray]

"...different numbers of *'s..." Each time a minor change was put on another * was added. So your's has had 3 minor changes. A lot of 'em were just to make production quicker.

 

[gyvel]

Does your rifle have the sliding charger guide on the bolt head? No. 1 Mk I*** rifles were generally issued to the Royal Navy. If it is still in it's original livery, it should have a different, more rounded nose cap, a different rear sight and the forend, and handguards are very different than the later No. 1 Mk IIIs.

Does it, by any chance, have an "ER" serial number?