Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Well, it's not exactly new. Built in 1918, been through two world wars. What do you think, sirs?

I like it. Have you fired it? What can you tell us about it?

I picked her up yesterday, I haven't found ammo for her that wasn't over $1.75 per shot. She was built by Enfield in 1918. Refurbed at some point in her life. The top handguard had a leg cut off. The sights go to 2000 meters. The bolt and receiver match, but the front metal is off by one serial number. This is an SMLE No. 1 Mark III*, which means it's missing parts from the Mark III, like the magazine cutoff. Not bad for $200. Now I need some ammo for her, and some stripper clips and a bayonet. Decent bayonets are apparently half of what I paid for the rifle!

Wow sweet piece of history right there!

jrswanson1 wrote:The bolt and receiver match, but the front metal is off by one serial number.

How about the stock and rear sight?

As far as ammo goes, look around online for Prvi Partizan. The 174gr load is as close to Mk VIIz ball as you can get in new ammo, and it's usually about seventy cents a round. Wolf Gold is supposed to be fine if you can find it, and Sellier & Bellot is good too if you don't reload it.

Make sure you get decent chargers (and load them right!). Mk IVs are the best, but the earlier ones are fine as long as they're British. There are tons of Italian Mk III chargers floating around, especially on ebay and gunbroker, and they're only good for scrap.

Diomed wrote:

jrswanson1 wrote:The bolt and receiver match, but the front metal is off by one serial number.

How about the stock and rear sight?

As far as ammo goes, look around online for Prvi Partizan. The 174gr load is as close to Mk VIIz ball as you can get in new ammo, and it's usually about seventy cents a round. Wolf Gold is supposed to be fine if you can find it, and Sellier & Bellot is good too if you don't reload it.

Make sure you get decent chargers (and load them right!). Mk IVs are the best, but the earlier ones are fine as long as they're British. There are tons of Italian Mk III chargers floating around, especially on ebay and gunbroker, and they're only good for scrap.

The stock is mis-matched, poplar and walnut. The rear sight is original. I've been looking online for ammo, I'll try the Prvi Partizan and the Wolf gold, since both have reloadable brass. Anyone have a suggestion for reloading dies? I know the usual suspects have them, but if there's a set that won't break the bank, I'd like to snag those. I'm looking to get a No. 4 MK I next year.