SMLE Mk III* Peddled Scheme .303 British Bolt-Action Rifle, Sporterized, 25-inch Barrel, 10-Round
This Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Mk III* is a WWI-era British rifle from the Peddled Scheme wartime assembly program, chambered in .303 British. It retains its charger bridge for charger loading and shows clear British proofs, including the crown over G.R. and SHT L E III* butt-socket markings, along with an ENGLAND import mark. The rifle has been heavily sporterized with a shortened fore-end and updated sights, creating a distinctive configuration grounded in service lineage.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair condition, showing extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Fair - Generally clean, some residue or smudges, slight corrosion.
Bore Rifling: Fair Rifling - Worn rifling, slight loss of definition.
Specific Condition Notes: The rifle has been heavily sporterized, including a shortened and rounded lower fore-end and removal of the original upper handguards, nosecap, and bayonet boss. Scratches and blemishes are present throughout, with multiple patches of pitting noted. An aftermarket ramp front sight with a colored insert has been installed. A white-line butt spacer and a coin inlay are set into the buttstock. Safety control present; functionality unverified.
What’s Included
- Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Mk III* sporterized rifle (.303 British)
- 1x 10-round SMLE-pattern steel detachable box magazine
This SMLE Mk III* comes from the British Peddled Scheme, a wartime assembly effort, and bears period-correct markings: crown over G.R. and SHT L E III* on the butt-socket, British proof/inspection marks with broad arrow, and an ENGLAND import mark with a .303 caliber designation. These features verify its service-era origin and chambering.
The rifle’s configuration reflects extensive sporterization: the lower fore-end is shortened and rounded, the original upper handguards, nosecap, and bayonet boss were removed, and a white-line butt spacer and coin inlay were added to the wood stock. It carries a steel buttplate and omits a handguard, giving it a streamlined profile.
Sighting equipment includes a barrel-mounted tangent rear sight with a windage drum on the left side and an aftermarket ramp front sight with a colored insert. The rifle also retains the Lee–Enfield charger bridge, enabling charger loading with the 10-round detachable box magazine.