Lee-Enfield Mark III*

Short Magazine Lee Enfield rifle. It is fully stocked; the stock encases the barrel which screws into the body. There is a brass butt plate with trap which covers a compartment bored into the butt to store cleaning equipment. The rifle is fitted with three sling swivels and a steel lug to take a bayonet. The trigger guard is steel as is the magazine which holds ten cartridges and is a detachable vertical box. Bolt action lock. The barrel is rifled and fitted with a straight-edged blade foresight protected by wings, the rearsight is furnished with screw lateral adjustment as well as Vernier scale. The calibre is 303in. Inscribed on the steel band above the trigger guard: 'Crown' over 'GR/BSA Co/SHT L.E./III*'. On the trigger guard is an arrow over crown over possibly 'SB'. Inscribed behind the trigger guard is a crown over 'E' over possibly 'S (8)D', crown over 'N6' over 'B'. On the steel band where the bolt joins the barrel: 'Z 33995' (right side) crown over 'GR' and crossed flags over 'P' (left side). Acoutrements are a leather sling and canvas pouch to protect bolt. This rifle belonged to a soldier (regiment unknown) in the troopship KINGSTONIAN which was torpedoed off Sardinia in 1918. The survivors were taken to Marseilles and, after putting them ashore, three rifles were found left behind. This is one of them. (Information supplied by Commander May 26/6/1973).
Birmingham Small Arms Co. Ltd.