Rifle, Short, Magazine, Lee Enfield, .303 inch, Mk 3*

The Lee–Enfield rifle was introduced in November 1895 as the .303 calibre, Rifle, Magazine, Lee–Enfield, or more commonly Magazine Lee–Enfield, or MLE. (Mk 3*, * is part of the modification number).

Rifle, Short, Magazine, Lee Enfield, .303 inch, Mk 3* - S.M.L.E. NO 3 .303 STANDARD BAYONET & SCABBARD 1914- PRESENTThe Lee–Enfield or Enfield is a bolt-action, magazine-fed, repeating rifle that served as the main firearm of the military forces of the British Empire and Commonwealth during the first half of the 20th century, and was the British Army’s standard rifle from its official adoption in 1895 until 1957. The 1WW versions are often referred to as the “SMLE”, which is short for the “Short Magazine, Lee–Enfield”.

A redesign of the Lee–Metford (adopted by the British Army in 1888), the Lee–Enfield replaced the earlier Martini–Henry, Martini–Enfield, and Lee-Metford rifles. It featured a ten-round box magazine which was loaded with the .303 British cartridge manually from the top, either one round at a time or by five-round chargers.

The Lee–Enfield was the standard issue weapon to rifle companies of the British Army, colonial armies (such as India and parts of Africa), and other Commonwealth nations in both the First and Second World Wars (such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Canada). 

Rifle, Short, Magazine, Lee Enfield, .303 inch, Mk 3* - 300px-EnfieldNo4Mk2-303BritAlthough officially replaced in the UK with the L1A1 SLR in 1957, it remained in widespread British service until the early/mid-1960s and the 7.62 mm L42A1 (NATO cartridge and magazines) sniper variant remained in service until the 1990s. The total production of all Lee–Enfields is estimated at over 17 million rifles.

Shown above is a 1WW1 British bayonet for the Enfield rifle, made of steel with wood handles and period markings. It includes leather scabbard.  Five-round chargers magazine loading are shown bottom right.

CSS Virtual Museum
Feedback Form

Before you leave, please take a moment to share your feedback on the CSS Virtual Museum.

0
    0
    Your Cart
    Your cart is emptyReturn to Shop