RSAF Enfield SMLE No.1 Mk III* .303 British Bolt-Action Rifle (1918), 25.2 in Barrel, 10-Round Capacity
This WWI-era 1918 SMLE Mk III* was produced by the Royal Small Arms Factory and bears British military acceptance marks along with the crown-over "ENFIELD SHT L.E III*" wrist marking. It retains the Lee rear-locking, cock-on-closing action with a charger bridge for stripper-clip loading and a 10-round detachable magazine. Century Arms International import markings are present, confirming later importation to the U.S.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair condition, showing extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Overall Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: The rifle remains structurally solid. There are widespread scratches and blemishes across the metal and wood. The hardwood stock shows spots of damage and chipping. Cosmoline buildup is present. Rifling is deep and present, with some blemishes noted.
The brass stock disc is not present. The safety mechanism is not functional; the safety lever does not stay to the rear and springs back into the firing position. Both the short rear and long front/top handguards are present, covering the barrel from the rear sight forward to the nosecap.
What’s Included
- RSAF Enfield SMLE No.1 Mk III* rifle chambered in .303 British
- 1x 10-round SMLE/No.1 Mk III pattern detachable steel box magazine
Built at RSAF in 1918, this No.1 Mk III* represents the wartime SMLE configuration, complete with British broad arrow acceptance marks and the "ENFIELD SHT L.E III*" wrist legend. It is import-marked by Century Arms International (Georgia, VT), including "NO.1 MK3 .303 U-KING," providing clear provenance of its entry into the U.S. market.
The rifle uses the rear-locking Lee bolt with cock-on-closing and a charger bridge for rapid stripper-clip loading. It feeds from a detachable 10-round box magazine, with one magazine included. The bolt number is non-matching, consistent with many service rifles that saw arsenal handling and updates.
Barrel length is approximately 25.2 inches. Sighting equipment consists of a protected front blade and a tangent rear sight with a folding ladder. The rifle retains the SMLE nosecap with a Pattern 1907 bayonet boss; the stacking/piling swivel is not installed, and there is no sling swivel at the nosecap. Sling attachment points are present at the middle band and butt.
The furniture is hardwood with a full-length stock and both the short rear and long front/top handguards present, and the metal finish is blued. A brass buttplate with trap is fitted for the traditional oil bottle and pull-through storage. Length of pull measures 13.0 inches.