Gun Guys... What do I have here ?

[Daytona R/T SE]

I found the markings FR 42 and MKIII 

Is it a...

Priceless antique?

Wall hanger ?

Or should I...

Try to load it up and shoot it?

Shoot at it?

Paddle a boat with it ?

Or...

Just throw the damned thing in the lake. 

[moparguy01]

What you have is an old Enfield, probably in .303 British. Looks to have had the original stock "sporterized" Last time I saw one sell in a similar condition was less than 200 bucks. However they are fun to shoot. I'd have it checked out and then take it shooting and have some fun.

[polywideblock]

its the older rear locking MK 3 action make sure you get it checked out , what size bore does it have ? lots of them were converted into 303/25 back in the day 

[Daytona R/T SE]

Interesting.

How old do you think it is ?

Where was it made ?

I assume it takes a detachable magazine ?

How tough are they to get ?

Sporterized ?

Someone been doing some cutting on it ?

Looks kinda cool.

I hadn't planned on selling it, unless it would bring "Hemi" money.

[Daytona R/T SE]

its the older rear locking MK 3 action make sure you get it checked out , what size bore does it have ? lots of them were converted into 303/25 back in the day  

Yeah, I have a friend that is a total gun nut.

Anytime I get something like this I have him check it out, and then make him fire it for the first time while I stand back...

WAY back

[moparguy01]

Interesting.

How old do you think it is ?

Where was it made ?

I assume it takes a detachable magazine ?

How tough are they to get ?

Sporterized ?

Someone been doing some cutting on it ?

Looks kinda cool.

I hadn't planned on selling it, unless it would bring "Hemi" money.

They were made from 1907-1926 or somewhere in there. You would have seen them in both World wars. The FR marking on it means that it was a factory repaired rifle.

Sporterized means someone was looking to make it look more like a hunting rifle. The rifle stock normally goes further up the barrel than yours does.

as far as where it was made? who knows. In front of the serial number there is usually a marking indicating where it was made. Many were made in India, at least that I have seen with the FR42 marking. It also would be a detachable magazine, which would be pretty easy to find.

[polywideblock]

date and all info stamped on action both sides and on bit behind action that separates but from forstock  . every part +stock pieces has serial number stamped on it

[Daytona R/T SE]

Wow.

Somebody did do some cuttin'

1907-26 ?

Man, That's old.

I'll have it checked out and make it go boom.

I also got an H&R 1871 Pardner Protector 12 gauge. (no pic)

I know...

Cheap junk.

Should be fun.

[polywideblock]

 try this link a good read     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee-Enfield      

                                        i'v had heaps of them they were $50 a hit back in the 70's  

                          first center fire rifle was a"2 groove" MK 5 no.1 jungle carbine

[Drache]

Just to add:

That is a MkIII Lee Enfield otherwise known as an SMLE (Short Mag Lee Enfield). Now if the metal band on the grip just reads MkIII and not "No1 MkIII" (which places the rifle before 1926) or MkIII* (with a star), that places the rifle manufacture before 1915.

The FR42 stamping is like was said, Factory Refurbished in 1942.

Made in the UK, most likely London.

Tens of thousands of these made. Very few bring big money. Some of the rarer versions like those drilled for scope mounts (actual sniper rifles) or ones made in certain numbers (thus harder to find).

[Daytona R/T SE]

Thanks for the info guys.

Should make for a couple of fun guns to go shooting with.

Think I did OK for the price?

They were ...

FREE

[John_Kunkel]

All about the .303 SMLE (Limeys called it "smiley", yanks called it the "smelly")

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee-Enfield

Here's a pic of the one in my collection, it's a 1918 #1 MKIII.

[Daytona R/T SE]

All about the .303 SMLE (Limeys called the it "smiley", yanks called it the "smelly")

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee-Enfield

Here's a pic of the one in my collection, it's a 1918 #1 MKIII.

Looks good.


Thanks for the link. 


Judging by the picture of yours, somebody really cut up the one I've got.

[Drache]

Judging by the picture of yours, somebody really cut up the one I've got.

Sadly it happened to probably 80% of them.

Back in the 60s and 70s stores had BARRELS of Enfield rifles. Pick the one you want for $25.

[polywideblock]

  that exactly what I was saying but $50 over here right next to carcano carbines for $30.   we used to call them pig guns but got used for everything cause that's what you had in your hand at the time 

    if its in the original "303" calliber bullets are 311" and its quite a good round used by British  explorers to hunt everything up to and including elephants  

                use 180 grain ammo(Winchester super X were always good) and its good for everything  

[Drache]

if its in the original "303" calliber bullets are 311"

.312" actually 

[John_Kunkel]

Judging by the picture of yours, somebody really cut up the one I've got.

It's been "bubba-ed", as noted, very common. Some call it "sporterizing" but it's bubba none the less.

[Drache]

.303 is a good caliber. Not a tack driving precision round but a good hunting round. Used to be a fun target shooting with the friends round until the price of the ammo jumped up. I remember getting 20 rounds for $10. Now the same box is $30.

[Chargerguy74]

if its in the original "303" calliber bullets are 311"

.312" actually 

Most components available out there would be .311. There are some .312 bullets, but nearly everything is .311. I reload for the .303 British and have owned dozens of Lee Enfields. They are outstanding rifles.

[Drache]

if its in the original "303" calliber bullets are 311"

.312" actually  

Most components available out there would be .311. There are some .312 bullets, but nearly everything is .311. I reload for the .303 British and have owned dozens of Lee Enfields. They are outstanding rifles.

The original design specs for the caliber though are .312". Hornady, Federal, and Woodleigh are .312. If you cast your own Lee bullet molds are .312 as well. Most of the people here that do the classic war shoots prefer the .312" as they give a little tighter grouping. Granted very few people are taking their old War rifles out to 400-600 yards 

One thing to watch out for is if the grooves on the barrel of an old .303 are actually .312". If the barrel is slightly "shot out" then it could be .313" (or worse .314") in which case shooting .311" is going to give you some flyers.

[polywideblock]

bullets meant for 7.65 Mausers work in oversize barrels  , a lot of 5 and 6 groove savage barrels  are 313"

[sanders7981]

try this link a good read     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee-Enfield      

                                        i'v had heaps of them they were $50 a hit back in the 70's  

                          first center fire rifle was a"2 groove" MK 5 no.1 jungle carbine

I have this version... Kicks like a damn 12 Gauge shotgun.

[A383Wing]

don't shoot yer foot off

[Daytona R/T SE]

don't shoot yer foot off

Good advice. 

[polywideblock]

try this link a good read     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee-Enfield      

                                        i'v had heaps of them they were $50 a hit back in the 70's  

                          first center fire rifle was a"2 groove" MK 5 no.1 jungle carbine

I have this version... Kicks like a damn 12 Gauge shotgun.

people just don't understand that a couple of less grooves makes it kick like a mule        or a shotgun with slugs