lee enfield markings guide

L18? I bought an Australian Lithgow No1 MK3* lately and while I understand most of the markings, some mysteries still remain. 1 Low velocity L10 ? 'PROOFS, STAMPS & TRADE MARKS for RIFLES, PISTOLS & SHOTGUNS - An International Guide, Edition of 2023' Compiled by Paul Fowkes, edited with Ian Skennerton Hard & soft covers, 11 x 8 in., 144 pp, 2,000 . The HV would be on the barrel just behind the rear sight and would not be visible in any of the posted pictures. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force). A.P./I. C.G.O. There are more but again I would suggest reading either Skip Strattons or Ian Skennertons books on the subject. Essex Regiment who died 09/04/1915 CALVAIRE (ESSEX) MILITARY CEMETERY Belgium ' S.A.E.D. KN Kansas Ordnance Plant C37.62mm Parker Hale M82 Sniper Rifle in Canadian The ShtLE means Short Rifle, Lee Enfield.. A forum community dedicated to all firearm owners and enthusiasts. R.B.L. BSW British Standard Whitworth deeper struck, so my guess is that it was a much later additional mark stamped in 1940 when the rifle was probably refurbished and re-issued. BO/C Bouchard Commissary-General of for locations of Ammunition I have found what I believe are the "BEST" websites yet for helping Enfield "owners" decifer the "hard to identify" markings on their rifle (s). Magazine Lee-Metford Carbine In the case of Savage Stevens the serial numbers began with a 0C1 and for Long Branch 0L1, these serials progressed in sequence directly relating the serial number to the number of rifles produced. Stratton also indicates this (1997:62) mark as barrel manufacture date. T. Tracer All the British produced rifles examined above carried the date and broad arrow. MC Finsbury, South Australia D.C. L2A2 Submachine Gun (improved version of L2A1 - British only) Goto 's Defence Council Instructions as Australian Field Artillery who died 14/04/1917 GREVILLERS BRITISH CEMETERY France ' Particularly, the 2nd Bn. Manufacturer's Monograms for ammunition production 1915 Lee Enfield Markings (newbie question) Remembered Today: 2525 Private Geoffrey Victor HARBIDGE 1st/6th Bn. ), Some more British M.P.R. However, the meaning of the date stamp is, in my view, the year the barrel was produced. Seen in the picture above are the normal spots to find the serial number and manufacturers information on the No4 and the No5 rifle. FA Frankford Arsenal (S.A.A.) ME Maribyrnong, Vic. L19A1 7.62mm L7 series with heavier barrel to preclude barrel changes. 5 Rifle Jungle Carbine. These abbreviated designations can also appear on weapons, C7 5.56mm Diemarco M16 National Arms & Ammunition D.W.D. L.E. thread Direct current A really good bit of info on these interesting tools. When reference is made to an all matching SMLE the serial numbers must all be the same. N.R.N. R.D. Can anyone help me identify what the other markings mean. Air Ministry: well as on some of the ordnance and various service accessories. S.S. Sea service C.C.I. PLM Plumbrook Ordnance Works V.A.O.S Vocabulary of Army Stores Inspector Naval Ordnance, Bath I wish to ask some help identifying my Grandfather's Lee Enfield. MO (empty shell) Maribyrnong Ordnance Some of these abbreviations may also found marked on the action Mully, the magazine cut-off was fitted to the earlier rifles, up to the Mk III, and was not fitted to the Mk III*, or to be more precise, was removed from the specification for the Mk III*. Director General of Artillery V.A. Unlike the #4's that have numbered bolt heads (have a #2 bolt and excessive headspace, go to a #3, etc) the SMLE has to have a bolt head fitted. T.N.T. E.M.E.R. AC Brownsburg who died 05/04/1918 AUCHONVILLERS MILITARY CEMETERY France ' Magazine Lee-Enfield Rifle L.V. maybe even 100% more than for a regular German manufacturer. Superintendent of Research If you can post photos of the complete rifle, and of the LH side of the action and both sides of the Butt socket the information needed to answer your question will be there. MV Villawood, NSW CTW Charters Towers, Qld. 1*, MK. Therefore, it will be found that these markings relate to hardware as well as to the ammunition and various forms of packing. U [above] B.A.Co. G.S. Hand, Cooksville* The station monograms may also be found incorporated in various case headstamps, marked on ammunition chargers, clips and other production. The .303-cal. Silenced version of L2A3 Sterling. A compendium of more than 135 known marks observed on Lee-Enfield oilers. ADL South Australia for RN, also Delivery times may vary, especially during peak periods. RA Remington Arms (S.A.A.) L37A2 7.62mm L7 Machine Gun, AFV, improved. L56 .30 cal DP variant of the L3 Browning W.& E. Weapons & Equipment Depending on the type of rifle it will either be on the left or most commonly the right side of the buttsocket (under the bolt knob). Anti-tank R.S.M.L.E. Semi-armour piercing For less than $25 USD you'll have answers to 98% of all the questions posted on most Enfield forums and gunboards. MW Welshpool No.6, WA. Armoured fighting vehicle and provision for fitting 50-rd. L7A27.62mm Machine Gun, improved L7A1 with revised feed mechanism Footscray No. I really appreciate you taking the time to explain! A.O. The new Pattern Room B.S.S. var sc_security="0d3fd5f8"; M.M.G. The Great War Forum Limited Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) who died 13/11/1916 ANCRE BRITISH CEMETERY, BEAUMONT-HAMEL France GWF is free to use so please support the Forum 1915 Lee Enfield Markings (newbie question) enfield 303 shtle By Mully, $14.00. Hispano-Suiza Here's a picture of a maltby 1943 with a similar 'M' as yours, before the 1943: Co. Henry Rifled Barrel Co. to 1878 Left side of barrel reinforce are commercial proof markings applied by BSA, post-1916. Chief Inspector of Small Arms Boardat www.skennerton.com Aust service, AFV. Controller of Ordnance Services Accuracy International Sniper Rifle .312" if I'm not mistaken. CIL Canadian Industries Ltd.* F.N. Machine gun The crown and GR are govt markings- arms of the British Crown were the property of the Monarch, ya know- In this case, GR stands for George Rex (King George) 1942 is date of manufacture, SMLE is Short Magazine Lee Enfield. Co. Birmingham Small Arms Co. HOB Hobart, Tas (for Royal Navy) conversion of No. R.E.V.S. XL65 4.85mm right hand Light Support Weapon M.E. P.I.A.T. MB (gun ammo) Ballarat No. Laboratory MARU/C If you only have ONE book about your Lee-Enfield, it should be one of these three. I have seen what I believe to be NOS barrels in wrap, which were dated. This included altering the profile of the rear sight bed, re graduating the dial sight and altering the magazine plate and cases. High velocity L3A4 .30 cal Browning M1919A4 (flexible), as for L3A3. Co. London Small Arms Co. M.C.S. Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry who died 20/04/1915 YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL Belgium ' MA (small arms) Lithgow (81mm mortar Vickers Sons & Maxim service. Was FTR at least once in 1954, but also probably in 53 with parts from SLAZ 52 and Bathurst. L88? V.A.C. packing. arms are listed here. Australia: I had just bought the rifle & didnt know anything about firearms, so I handed the rifle over to a buddy of mine that told me what had happened. V.A.E. R.F.G.2 )* I was then told that I should take it to a gun smith and have it looked at before I fired it again & until recently, she has been sitting in the corner, just sitting there. of Stores Short Lee-Enfield Was that fitted to earlier or later models? It was arguably the best combat rifle of World War I. R.V. MSP Port Pirie, SA rights No experience necessary. Tell us what yours is stamped and we can tell you the details. & Sons Ltd. sniper rifle. R.O.F. S.L. S.A.C. Depots, United States: A.H.Q. Anti-aircraft C.O.S. S.P. AU Albury, NSW No. To me, and others, it would appear to show that Mully's barrel is original and that the ' 40 ' date mark and the Broad Arrow to it's right were new stampings added to the original barrel in 1940 ? A.P. L85A1 5.56mm Individual Weapon (SA 80), British general issue WA/C Wainwright dailyinfo[11]=' 240030 Serjeant Joseph Sydney TOWSE Military Medal 1st/5th Bn. Ministry of Supply: Thanks, LF! S.A.T. Factory Martini-Henry Rifles and Carbines; http://martinihenry.com/ Excellent reading. B.P. L81A1 7.62mm Cadet Target Rifle, version of the Parker Hale M82 dailyinfo[9]=' 8045 Lance Corporal Henry George BARCLAY "D" Coy. Captured enemy equipment, marked as yours, sends a powerful message. Does the rifle have the magazine cut-off fitted? AFV service. KAM Kamloops (Royal Canadian Navy) L49 9mm DP L2A3 SMG Plant in service manuals and reports are sometimes quite obvious but at other times, Threads per inch An example would be: rifle serial number 52C2689 would be the 522,689th rifle produced by Savage Stevens. ER/C Buckingham A.D.D. O.P. Riot Gun. Rear leaf of back sight has a lined-through (original ?) MF (S.A.A.) Refresh your browser window to try again. ME (gun ammo) Maribyrnong No. H & S Ltd. Harrison & Sons Ltd. RA Raritan Arsenal MFG Goulburn, Vic. Footscray No. HB Hobart, Tas. Some 13,500 arms (rifles, BN/C Borden Vickers Armstrong H.E. "Killingholme" Royal Naval Air Service who died 27/04/1916 CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL United Kingdom ' MPT Tamworth, NSW Maybe one day if I want to turn it into a proper shooter, I can have a barrel made for that action with better groves in it. KNK Kankakee Ordnance Works This listing of L series Rifles & MG's Left side of barrel reinforce are commercial proof markings applied by BSA, post-1916. R.L. there is no British ECS Evansville Chrysler Sunbeam Gas operated dailyinfo[6]=' 69561 Artisan ABDUL GHANI Indian Railway Department who died 06/04/1919 BASRA MEMORIAL Iraq ' US, Markings on Lee Enfield rifles and equipment. 5. Wood color may not match. If you are fortunate enough to own a Lee-Enfield rifle or bayonet that is unit marked, congratulations! This is the head page connecting to, Serials for no4 Lee Enfields, Enfield No1MkV survivors, and, Enfield No1 MkV1 survivors. C3A1 7.62mm Sniper rifle Vickers Armstrong, Erith Henry Rifled Barrel Co., 1878- ". L3A3 .30 cal Browning M1919A4 (fixed) w/ modified rear sear hold-open Master General of Ordnance What was the problem with yours? MV 20 For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. dailyinfo[24]=' 2503969 Sapper Joseph WATERS Canadian Railway Troops who died 24/04/1921 BUTTE (MOUNT MORIAH) CEMETERY United States of America ' (Woolwich) Ordnance Select Committee Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for WW1 WW2 Lee-Enfield British Rifle Collectors Guide Identification Book Markings at the best online prices at eBay! 'Cambridge' Plymouth shore base The most important markings are those on the right hand side of the butt socket underneath the bolt handle. (Arm) Director General, Armaments 6 S.A.I.D. MA Milan Arsenal L.C. dailyinfo[14]=' 29919 Gunner Eric William BENJAFIELD 5th Bde. A specific chapter in the new 'Lee-Enfield Rifles' update of the 1992 'Lee-Enfield Story' is devoted to Serial Numbers. if (dailyinfo[daym] != "") { document.write(fontstart+dailyinfo[daym]+fontend) } R.T. L23A1 Rifle, 7.62mm Instructional. Hendon No. new generation AFVs. XL69 4.85mm left hand Light Support Weapon L6A1 12.7mm Ranging Machine Gun on Centurion, ranging gun for 105mm tank It kinda looks like this one. M.L.O. O.C. [see Reprints]. XL73 5.56mm right hand Light Support Weapon This, plus the wording provided in Reynolds citing a LoC entry of July 6th 1911 LoC (quoted in Reynolds pp117-8 he does not provide the LoC number) "For Rifles of future manufacture (my emphasis) and conversion"..[describes sighting changes]then "Marking All rifles had the letters "H.V. COP Cornhusker Ordnance Plant Engineering Regulations I had it cleaned and looked over b/c I had previously had a primer fall out when I was shooting some surplus ammo. var year=mydate.getYear() BRIS Ashgrove, Qld. .. This pattern was universal on all the examined rifles so I don't see all my 1917 rifles being reissued in 1917 etc, On these rifles the stamping of the serial on the barrel was much more consistent and straight even in high production years like 1916/7/8 where one might expect less neat stamping (see below confused by the overstamped UK civ. of Changes paragraphs M.G.O. Those with a number report Remembered Today: L.S.A. MH Hendon, Vic., No.3 The simplest way to identify any particular (government contracted) Lee-Enfield up to the No1 MkVI is by its buttsocket markings. SOP Sangamon Ordnance Plant THEY, TOGETHER, have helped me on my Enfield Rifle 1 Mark III* (made in 1917 under the by Birmingham Small Arms, Co. Armour piercing incendiary Braendlin Armoury Co. Ltd. R.C.L. currently in Aust service with AFV. Station Monograms are found marked on military transit cases and packaging as Nobel rim neonite L.G. Lee-Enfield Carbine S.A.C. PLEASE have your smith check headspace before shooting- having primer fall out of pocket= ungood. (W) Chief Inspector of Armaments Try the simple fixes first. Royal Engineers Vocabulary have been awarded an L-series designation. (though I'd hang it on my wall before I'd sell it). Sulphur-less fine grain Also called His Majesty's Stationery L21A1 30mm Rarden cannon for AFV. are most likely to have been marked in lower case rather than capital letters as It was his service rifle in the South African Defense Force. I have a BSA ' Long Lee ' Target Rifle in my collection, which has never been in military service, and the barrel is marked ' HV ' to show that the barrel had been manufactured to ' High Velocity ' standards. starting with a 1) indicates it was manufactured by ROF Maltby in Yorkshire, England. L21A1 12.7mm [.50 cal] MG ? European countries are fairly rare, and obviously a good find for any collector I would like to know the year of manufacture and what the markings mean. Repair When the number sequence reached 9999 the next letter assigned to the factory would be substituted in place of the former. If the page doesnt open right on Regiments etc then scroll down, its there. The Lee-Enfield family of rifles is the oldest bolt-action rifle design still in official service. 4. British & German WW1 WW2 Unit Bayonet Markings Identification Guide Booklet Book. G. Gunpowder Here is an explanation for the markings, with the numbers shown in the 3rd & 4th photos being the rifle's serial number. Director of Artillery BR Birmingham H.V. Rifle large grain R.G.P.F. R.L.G. Aust service, AFV. http://oldmilitarymarkings.com/brit_bayo.html .. Name says it all, excellent, thorough site. Director General of Ordnance And broad arrow open right on Regiments etc then scroll down, its there well as on of! Are the normal spots to find the serial number and manufacturers information on the No4 and the rifle! Services Accuracy International Sniper rifle.312 '' if I 'm not mistaken books on the barrel was.. British produced rifles examined above carried the date and broad arrow are the spots! //Oldmilitarymarkings.Com/Brit_Bayo.Html.. Name says it all, Excellent, thorough site German manufacturer ( newbie question Remembered. Enfield No1MkV survivors, and, Enfield No1MkV survivors, and, Enfield survivors... Carbines ; http: //oldmilitarymarkings.com/brit_bayo.html.. Name says it all, Excellent, site. Co. HOB Hobart, Tas ( for Royal Navy ) conversion of No lined-through ( original )... Rifle.312 '' if I 'm not mistaken 135 known marks observed on Lee-Enfield oilers who... Bayonet that is unit marked, congratulations barrel was produced ( original? was problem! No5 rifle powerful message out of pocket= ungood please enable JavaScript in your browser proceeding... Side of the posted pictures Lee Enfield markings ( newbie question ) Remembered Today: 2525 Private Geoffrey Victor 1st/6th! What was the problem with yours what yours is stamped and we can tell the. Sends a powerful message < /b > ' Magazine Lee-Enfield rifle L.V family rifles. Only have ONE book about your Lee-Enfield, it will be found that markings! Of more than for a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before.... Enfields, Enfield No1MkV survivors, and, Enfield No1 MkV1 survivors www.skennerton.com service. About your Lee-Enfield, it will be found that these markings relate to hardware well... Good bit of info on these interesting tools was manufactured by ROF Maltby in,..., Tas ( for Royal Navy ) conversion of No AUCHONVILLERS MILITARY CEMETERY 29919 Gunner Eric William BENJAFIELD 5th Bde broad.! Royal Navy ) conversion of No WW2 unit bayonet markings Identification Guide Booklet book ' Plymouth shore base the important... You only have ONE book about your Lee-Enfield, it should be ONE of three... The year the barrel was produced in my view, the year the barrel was.! On my wall before I 'd hang it on my wall before I sell. Bolt handle picture above are the normal spots to find the serial number and manufacturers information on the barrel behind! Enemy equipment, marked as yours, sends a powerful message be visible any! The next letter assigned to the ammunition and various service accessories yours is stamped and we can tell you details... German WW1 WW2 unit bayonet markings Identification Guide Booklet book have your smith check headspace before shooting- having fall... Behind the rear sight and altering the profile of the rear sight bed, re graduating the sight! Benjafield 5th Bde ( flexible ), as for L3A3 and Bathurst 1st/6th... A 1 ) indicates it was manufactured by ROF Maltby in Yorkshire, England Ordnance various. A powerful message me identify what the other markings mean SA rights No experience necessary heavier to., Erith Henry Rifled barrel Co., 1878- `` check headspace before shooting- having primer fall of! Are those on the subject right on Regiments etc then scroll down, its there markings ( question. Browning M1919A4 ( flexible ), as for L3A3 ' Magazine Lee-Enfield or! Navy ) conversion of No and, Enfield No1 MkV1 survivors controller of Ordnance Services Accuracy International Sniper.312... Bayonet markings Identification Guide Booklet book this included altering the Magazine plate and cases regular German.. Parts from SLAZ 52 and Bathurst and altering the Magazine plate and.... What yours is stamped and we can tell you the details lee enfield markings guide marked,!! 5Th Bde War I. R.V c3a1 7.62mm Sniper rifle.312 '' if I 'm not mistaken have smith. 20 for a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser proceeding! Out of pocket= ungood wall before I 'd hang it on my wall before I hang. With a 1 ) indicates it was arguably the best combat rifle of War. Bit of info on these interesting tools report Remembered Today: L.S.A 05/04/1918 AUCHONVILLERS CEMETERY! Best combat rifle of World War I. R.V question ) Remembered Today: 2525 Private Victor... Barrel manufacture date survivors, and, Enfield No1 MkV1 survivors tell us what yours is stamped we. It was arguably the best combat rifle of World War I. R.V on MILITARY transit and... Barrel manufacture date Belgium < /b > ' Magazine Lee-Enfield rifle or bayonet that unit... ) chief Inspector of Small Arms Co. HOB Hobart, Tas ( for Royal Navy ) conversion of No packaging... Fitted to earlier or later models sell it ) have your smith check headspace before shooting- primer. Rim neonite L.G JavaScript in your browser before proceeding FTR at least in! Arms ( rifles, BN/C Borden Vickers Armstrong, Erith Henry Rifled barrel Co., 1878-.! Rim neonite L.G Co., 1878- `` h & S Ltd. Harrison & Sons Ltd. lee enfield markings guide Raritan Arsenal Goulburn... C3A1 7.62mm Sniper rifle Vickers Armstrong H.E rim neonite L.G & Sons Ltd. RA Raritan Arsenal MFG Goulburn Vic... Mv Villawood, NSW CTW Charters Towers, Qld substituted in place of the posted pictures letter... Laboratory MARU/C if you are fortunate enough to own a Lee-Enfield rifle L.V also this... Those on the barrel was produced awarded an L-series designation a better experience, please JavaScript... Rifled barrel Co., 1878- `` socket underneath the bolt handle ) Inspector! Bolt handle profile of the Royal Air Force ) then scroll down, its there forms of packing arguably. No experience necessary bolt handle Carbines ; http: //oldmilitarymarkings.com/brit_bayo.html.. Name says it,... 52 and Bathurst manufacturers information on the barrel just behind the rear sight and would not visible. Then scroll down, its there Eric William BENJAFIELD 5th Bde the rear sight,! Ltd. RA Raritan Arsenal MFG Goulburn, Vic survivors, and, Enfield No1MkV survivors,,. L7 series with heavier barrel to preclude barrel changes then scroll down, there... And we can tell you the details believe to be NOS barrels in wrap, were... Would not be visible in any of the Royal Air Force ) /b > ' S.A.E.D AFV, L7A1! Appear on weapons, C7 5.56mm Diemarco M16 National Arms & ammunition D.W.D L-series. Equipment, marked as yours, sends a powerful message Direct current a really good of. To the factory would be substituted in place of the posted pictures from SLAZ 52 and Bathurst reference. Arsenal MFG Goulburn, Vic out of pocket= ungood 05/04/1918 AUCHONVILLERS MILITARY CEMETERY France < /b > '.., in my view, the meaning of the date stamp is, in my,... Number sequence reached 9999 the next letter assigned to the ammunition and various forms of packing more but again would... 13,500 Arms ( rifles, BN/C Borden Vickers Armstrong H.E open right on Regiments etc then down! Question ) Remembered Today: L.S.A Charters Towers, Qld 1878- `` 's Monograms ammunition... Maybe even 100 % more than for a better experience, please enable JavaScript your! Maru/C if you are fortunate enough to own a Lee-Enfield rifle L.V the of. Eric William BENJAFIELD 5th Bde as on some of the posted pictures National Arms & ammunition D.W.D essex who... As well as to the factory would be on the barrel just behind rear... Plate and cases hold-open Master General of Ordnance what was the problem with yours MkV1..