Rifle Factory Ishapore 2A1 7.62mm NATO SMLE Bolt-Action Rifle, 25 in Barrel, 12+1, 1965, Made in India
This 1965 Rifle Factory Ishapore 7.62mm 2A1 is an Indian-made SMLE-pattern bolt-action rifle chambered in 7.62x51 NATO. It features the Enfield cock-on-close action, a 25 in barrel, a square-profile 12-round detachable magazine, and clear Indian crest and R.F.I. roll marks. Import marks from Century Arms are present, confirming its path to the U.S. market.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair condition, showing extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: The black enamel stove paint shows large areas of chipping and wear, most evident on the bolt handle, trigger guard, and muzzle. The underlying grey parkerization shows smoothing with light surface peppering from oxidation. The tropical hardwood stock and handguards display heavy handling with numerous deep dings, scratches, and a dark, oil-soaked appearance. The rifling is visible with a dark or frosted look.
What’s Included
- 1x 12-round steel 7.62mm Ishapore 2A/2A1-pattern detachable box magazine
- Khaki web sling (installed)
Built on the SMLE No.1 pattern, this 2A1 retains the charger bridge and the No.1-style nosecap with bayonet boss, paired to a nickel steel receiver. The action is the classic Enfield cock-on-close type, delivering the familiar SMLE manual of arms in its 7.62 NATO configuration.
Chambered for 7.62x51 NATO, it uses the correct square-profile detachable magazine, and is rated at 12+1 capacity. Sighting is via a front blade with protective ears and a barrel-mounted tangent rear sight. The stock is a full-length tropical hardwood set with upper handguards, metal buttplate, and sling swivels. Length of pull measures 13.0.
Receiver wrist band markings read "RIFLE 7.62mm 2A1 R.F.I 1965" with the Indian crest. Additional marks include the "INDIA" stamp and a C.A.I. ST ALB. VT import mark. Serial markings are present on the bolt handle and the barrel/receiver ring.
The buttstock shows a painted "7" and an S[arrow]A stamp, and the barrel band is marked "GB."
Made in India at Rifle Factory Ishapore during the 1960s era, this rifle represents the Indian service transition to 7.62 NATO while retaining the SMLE platform. It presents as a correct 2A1 configuration with the features and markings collectors look for on these imports.