Ishapore SMLE No.1 Mk III .303 British Bolt-Action Rifle (1931) — G.R.I.-Marked, 25.2 in Barrel, 10+1 Capacity
This 1931 Ishapore SMLE No.1 Mk III is a .303 British service rifle produced under the G.R.I. (crown over GRI) marking at the Indian government arsenal. It retains classic SMLE features including the barrel-mounted tangent rear sight, full-length wood furniture with brass buttplate and unit disc, and the distinctive nosecap with protective sight ears and bayonet boss. It is import-marked by Century Arms International (Georgia, VT) and includes a 10-round detachable magazine.
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: This rifle is in solid shape for its age and background. There are widespread scratches and blemishes on the wood and metal. Pitting and rust are present on metal components. The bore shows darkening and blemishes, but the rifling remains deep and defined.
What’s Included
- 1x 10-round SMLE No.1 Mk III pattern detachable steel box magazine
Made at the Ishapore arsenal and dated 1931, this rifle carries G.R.I. markings including the "G.R.I ISHAPORE 1931 SHT L E III" legend and the crown over GRI. The receiver is steel, and the rifle bears a U.S. import stamp from Century Arms International, Georgia, VT, documenting its importation.
The action is the SMLE’s cock-on-closing, rear-locking Lee system with a fixed charger bridge and stripper-clip guide. It uses a flag safety and feeds from a 10-round detachable box magazine, giving a 10+1 capacity with one chambered in .303 British.
Sighting equipment includes a protected front blade and a barrel-mounted tangent rear sight typical of SMLE service rifles.
The rifle retains full-length wood furniture with wooden upper handguards, a brass buttplate with trapdoor butt-trap, and a brass unit disc, plus a rear sling swivel. The SMLE-pattern nosecap provides protective sight ears and the bayonet boss for the Pattern 1907 bayonet.
The 25.2 in barrel sits within classic SMLE military configuration, reflecting the well-known handling traits of the platform. Markings and configuration align with a collectible interwar-production Ishapore service rifle.