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SMLE markings....
82trooper
Member Posts: 251 ✭✭✭
Can you folks help me decode the markings on this SMLE?
I would like to figure out this rifle's life story.....
I know the CAI is the Century Arms import marking...but what does the "India .303 indicate"...and the sun/star?
And what does the "C9" indicate after the BSA?
And finally..what are these markings?
Tanks for any insight you guys can share.
Mike
I would like to figure out this rifle's life story.....
I know the CAI is the Century Arms import marking...but what does the "India .303 indicate"...and the sun/star?
And what does the "C9" indicate after the BSA?
And finally..what are these markings?
Tanks for any insight you guys can share.
Mike
Comments
Reworked at Ishapore India?
The "Star" after the MK III, denotes a engineering change.
At some point it was exported to India.
-Any way to tell when (time period?) from the other markings?
-During WWI? soon after? long after?
-Then imported to the U.S. by CAI....any guesses as to when?
So it was originally manufactured in England at BSA in 1916.
At some point it was exported to India.
-Any way to tell when (time period?) from the other markings?
-During WWI? soon after? long after?
-Then imported to the U.S. by CAI....any guesses as to when?
India was a British possession, until 1947. The British proof marks in your lower photo, are very hard to make out? But the SMLE could have been transferred, to the British Indian Army. During the between war years, 1918-1939, or even later?
CAI markings could have been stamped any time from the mid 80's, when the importation of military rifles was resumed, to recently?
Mike
However, when I looked at it initially it looked like C9.
Thanks for clearing up that one!
They even made the (mostly) new No 2A Enfield in 7.62 mm NATO in the mid-60's.
Neal