Help ID an Enfield, possible 1917

[Mule]

Hey all, I have one that I can not figure out. I have a collection of them already, so I am familiar with a lot of the markings. BUT, his one is kicking my butt. It came to me from a friend's widow, I got it to help her afford his funeral.
It appears to be a 1917 Enfield. It has the Lithgow SHT LE III shield stamp on the right rear of the receiver, top left is stamped .303, next to that is the BNP crown stamp and below that is a MA VII stamp. Left rear below the safety arm is a MA/51 stamp and below that is stamped England.

My understanding was the M1917 Enfields were "American Enfields" in .30 cal.

Does anyone know this rifle?
Thanks
Greg
I'm having problems with getting uploads to work. I will see if I can figure it out and post a few more pics.

[Mule]

Ok, got it figured out. I forgot to resize the pictures. It's been a few years since I uploaded any...

[Joe_K]

Hey all, I have one that I can not figure out. I have a collection of them already, so I am familiar with a lot of the markings. BUT, his one is kicking my butt. It came to me from a friend's widow, I got it to help her afford his funeral.
It appears to be a 1917 Enfield. It has the Lithgow SHT LE III shield stamp on the right rear of the receiver, top left is stamped .303, next to that is the BNP crown stamp and below that is a MA VII stamp. Left rear below the safety arm is a MA/51 stamp and below that is stamped England.

My understanding was the M1917 Enfields were "American Enfields" in .30 cal.

Does anyone know this rifle?
Thanks
Greg
I'm having problems with getting uploads to work. I will see if I can figure it out and post a few more pics.

That?s not an American Enfield 1917, more commonly known as an Eddystone, named for a factory in Pennsylvania where many were made during the War To End All Wars TM. It appears to be a MK III that has a lot of additional markings on it from who knows where, and it appears to either have been Sporterized or re-stocked somewhere along the line. What length is the barrel?

[.455_Hunter]

This is an Australian SMLE produced in 1917, which is different than the M1917 US made "Enfield".

[Typing same time as Joe_K]

[Joe_K]

Some good resources:

https://www.milsurps.com/enfield.php

https://www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php?f=72

https://www.gunboards.com/forums/the-lee-enfield-forum.55/

http://www.enfield-rifles.com/enfield-rifles_forum1.html

[Joe_K]

This is an Australian SMLE produced in 1917, which is different than the M1917 US made "Enfield".

[Typing same time as Joe_K]
Was it something made in England and re-arsenaled in Australia? Or are the extra markings re-proof test marks, or import/export markings?

[Joe_K]

https://www.guns.com/news/review/gun-review-australia-lithgow-1919-smle-no-1-mk-iii-bolt-action-rifle-in-303-british


Apparently the SHTLE = Short Lee-Enfield

https://www.milsurps.com/content.php?r=135-1944-ShtLE-(Short-Lee-Enfield)-No.1-MkIII*-Infantry-Rifle

The 'England' means that it was there at sometime prior to arriving Stateside. It has nothing to do with where it was made.”

The D ^ D = Australian Defense Department Marking.

BNP means British Nitro Proof. There should be a number stamped close to the BNP. Usually 18.5. That's the proof in tons.
Required by British law, any firearm offered for commercial sale (regardless of military proofing) has to undergo a pressure test. Passed firearms were stamped, usually on the barrel and receiver. These letters will have a crown stamped directly above them.

"ENGLAND"

An early import/export stamp, whereby the country of origin was stamped on the firearm prior to importation from the country. Usually found on either the buttsocket or receiver ring.

.303 2.222" '18.5 TONS PER "'
Part of the commercial proofing, it denotes the rifles caliber, length of chamber and pressure tested to.

FTR stands for Factory Thorough Repair, with the 51 standing for 1951.

R is refurb or repair.

https://lithgowsafmuseum.org.au/factsheets/fs001_smle_markings.pdf

[Mule]

Wow, that is some great information. I much appreciate it...
I'm not sure if my friend sporterized it or bought it that way. I had never seen him take it or the other one I got, out of his vault.

[Wulf202]

It was bought that way
I know because it was mine at one point in the early 2000's or at least one that matches that description down to the mismatched parts.
I bought it that way too. Along with a surplus Enfield. Sold them both to the same gentlemen.