British SSA Enfield SMLE No.1 Mk III .303 British Bolt Action Rifle C&R
SOLD FOR: $715
WOA#: WY231103JB018
Make: Standard Small Arms (SSA, part of the “peddled scheme”)
Model: SHT LE III* (Short Magazine Lee Enfield Mark III). Later designated as the No. 1 Mk III*.
Serial Number: W52366
Year of Manufacture: 1918
Caliber: .303 British
Action Type: Bolt action, 10 round detachable magazine
Markings: The left side of the receiver has British proof marks. The front-right side of the receiver is marked “England”, “W52366”. The safety lever is marked “III”. The cocking piece has British proof marks. The bolt handle is marked “W52366”. The bolt head is marked “U”. The receiver collar is marked with a crown, “G.R.”, “1918”, “SHT L.E”, and “III*”. The nose cap is marked “W52366”. The underside of the forend is marked “W52366”. The underside of the rear sight is marked “W52366”. The top of the barrel is marked “H.V”. As is common on British firearms, there are numerous small proof marks throughout the metal surfaces.
Barrel Length: 25”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a bladed post set atop a ramped base and between two protective wings. The rear of the sight is a u-notch blade attached to an escalator assembly. The rear sight also has protective wings.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The two-piece wood stock has a straight grip with finger groove, barrel band, nose cap assembly with sight wings & bayonet lug, three sling loops, stock disk, and a brass buttplate with hinged door for storage. The buttplate is heavily worn, with scratches and impact marks throughout. The area around the top screw is tarnished. The internal storage is empty. There are compression marks, scuffs, and scratches throughout the wood. There is a long drag mark on the right side of the stock. The rear upper handguard has a small crack. The LOP measures 13.25” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright and the rifling is sharp. There is moderate erosion throughout the bore.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 20% of its metal finish. There are impact marks, scuffs, and scratches throughout the metal surfaces. There are areas of surface rust throughout, with the heaviest concentrations being the nose cap assembly and underneath the rear sight. The sling loops, trigger guard, and trigger also have a significant amount of surface rust. The screw heads show signs of moderate to heavy use. The markings are legible. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The rifle comes with a 10 round detachable magazine that is difficult to remove and a canvas sling.
Our Assessment: The Enfield No. 1 Mk III was the standard firearm used by the British Army during World War I and into the first years of World War II. It was first introduced in 1907 and remained in service in some form until the late 1950s. The rifle was designed at the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield in the United Kingdom. It has a ten-round magazine and fires the .303 British cartridge. The Enfield No. 1 Mk III* is known for its accuracy, reliability, and smoothness of action which enables relatively rapid fire for a bolt action rifle.
This Short Magazine Lee Enfield Mark III* (No. 1 Mk III) was made by Standard Small Arms in 1918. Standard Small Arms was an attempt to circumvent the government monopoly on rifle production via the use of numerous smaller subcontractors. This system was known as the “peddled scheme”. SSA made rifles, like this one, do not have the standard factory marking on the receiver collar. That was instead moved to the rear of the receiver. The serialized parts are matching, though the magazine is not marked. This rifle has some wear to it, with a fair amount of surface rust, but it is not too far gone and getting it clean again should be a nice project. The bore has some strong rifling with some erosion, but it should still be effective at the range. This rifle is an interesting example of one of the most venerable bolt action rifles of the early 20th century and is sure to be a great addition to any British surplus or WWI collection. Please see our photos.
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