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SMLE Mk.3*
Characteristics:-
Calibre............................................................................................................... .303 inch.
Cartridge........................................................................................................... Rimmed.
Muzzle velocity (Mk.VII ammunition - pointed)............................................... 2,440 fps.
Approximate weight of rifle with empty magazine (no bayonet attached)..... 8lbs 14.1/2 ozs.
Approximate weight of sword bayonet (no scabbard)..................................... 1lb 1/2 oz.
Length of rifle with normal size butt (without bayonet attached)................... 3ft 8.1/2 inches.
Length of rifle with normal size butt (sword bayonet attached)...................... 5ft 2 inches.
Rifling system.................................................................................................... Enfield.
Twist of rifling................................................................................................... Left hand - 1 turn in 10 inches.
Number of grooves............................................................................................ 5
Method of loading............................................................................................. Charger, holding 5 cartridges.
Sighting system................................................................................................. Adjustable barleycorn foresight, radial backsight,
with vertical adjustment.
Rear-Sight ranging marks................................................................................ Yards.
Calibre............................................................................................................... .303 inch.
Cartridge........................................................................................................... Rimmed.
Muzzle velocity (Mk.VII ammunition - pointed)............................................... 2,440 fps.
Approximate weight of rifle with empty magazine (no bayonet attached)..... 8lbs 14.1/2 ozs.
Approximate weight of sword bayonet (no scabbard)..................................... 1lb 1/2 oz.
Length of rifle with normal size butt (without bayonet attached)................... 3ft 8.1/2 inches.
Length of rifle with normal size butt (sword bayonet attached)...................... 5ft 2 inches.
Rifling system.................................................................................................... Enfield.
Twist of rifling................................................................................................... Left hand - 1 turn in 10 inches.
Number of grooves............................................................................................ 5
Method of loading............................................................................................. Charger, holding 5 cartridges.
Sighting system................................................................................................. Adjustable barleycorn foresight, radial backsight,
with vertical adjustment.
Rear-Sight ranging marks................................................................................ Yards.
War production modifications.
The latter part of 1915 saw the introduction of the SMLE Mk3*, a streamlined version of the Mk.3. With the ever growing need to produce the then current mark of SMLE in greater numbers in a shorter time, several economy measures were decided upon with a view to easing the manufacturing process without compromising quality.
Several of the unique features of the Mk3 which were deemed as unnecessary due to prevailing battlefield conditions were deleted.
Those deleted features are:-
1) The Cocking Piece was simplified, with the distinctive rounded rear plate being deleted.
2) The Magazine Cut-off Plate. This also meant that there was no requirement to cut the corresponding slot in the receiver.
3) The Windage Adjust feature to the Rear-Sight. By deleting this feature, there was no requirement for the winding
mechanism which moved the Rear-Sight Cap from side to side. Time spent in milling the windage scale on the
Rear-Sight Bar was also saved.
4) The Sling-Swivel facility forward of the Magazine. Due to the now ever present muddy condition of the battlefield, this
Sling-Swivel facility was replaced by a wire loop
5) Long Range Volley Sight. This feature was deleted due to the more efficient and frequent use (especially at distances over
1,000 yards) of the Machine Gun, which overnight made the Long Range Volley Sight obsolete.
Several of the unique features of the Mk3 which were deemed as unnecessary due to prevailing battlefield conditions were deleted.
Those deleted features are:-
1) The Cocking Piece was simplified, with the distinctive rounded rear plate being deleted.
2) The Magazine Cut-off Plate. This also meant that there was no requirement to cut the corresponding slot in the receiver.
3) The Windage Adjust feature to the Rear-Sight. By deleting this feature, there was no requirement for the winding
mechanism which moved the Rear-Sight Cap from side to side. Time spent in milling the windage scale on the
Rear-Sight Bar was also saved.
4) The Sling-Swivel facility forward of the Magazine. Due to the now ever present muddy condition of the battlefield, this
Sling-Swivel facility was replaced by a wire loop
5) Long Range Volley Sight. This feature was deleted due to the more efficient and frequent use (especially at distances over
1,000 yards) of the Machine Gun, which overnight made the Long Range Volley Sight obsolete.
Standard production features.
The SMLE Mk.3* was in service alongside the Mk.3 from late 1915 to well beyond the Armistice of 1918.
Unique features of the Mk.3* are:-
Unique features of the Mk.3* are:-
a). Cocking Piece.
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The Cocking Piece for the Mk3* is a much simplified design than that of its predecessor, with the once distinctive roundel from the rear having been deleted completely. As can be seen, the modified design was a more functional item. To aid in gripping the Cocking Piece, three vertical grooves are present in each side. |
b). Modified Rear-Sight Bar and Rear-Sight Cap.
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The Rear-Sight is now a more functional item than that of the Mk.3.
The vertical distance scale is in yards... being shown as 25-yard increments on the left, and 100-yard increments on the right. The Rear-Sight Cap remains the same basic design, except for the deletion of the graticule mark. Instead of being attached to the Rear-Sight Bar by means of a sliding mechanism, it is now securely attached by a single screw. |
c). Wire-Loop forward of the Magazine.
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'The Wire-Loop (illustrated above) which replaced the deleted Sling-Swivel facility, was devised in view of the ever present and worsening muddy ground conditions of the Western Front. The Wire-Loops singular purpose was as a point of attachment for the now much needed 'SMLE Canvas Action Cover' (illustrated above right).
d). Rear-Sight Protector.
Right side.
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Left side.
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The Rear-Sight Protector remains the same basic design, and keeps the step on the right side, once occupied by the now deleted 'Windage Adjustment Wheel. The design is now a simple stamping process.