SMLE Fluted Handguard

Detachment Charlie · November 15, 2011, 03:20 PM

My neighbor has inherited a SMLE. I got a quick look at it the other day and am going back later this week to really go over it. There were two oddities to this rifle. First it has flutes cut into the upper hand guard. The are machine cuts, obvious from their precision. Anyone ever seen these? Also, the tops of front sight protective ears are machine knurled. A little help here, also, please. Next, the barrel seems to extend more than the usual Mark I type, and it has some type of lug at either the 5 or 7 o'clock positions. Help!
This rifle appears to have been well cared for. The furniture is in excellent shape. However, there is no rondel on the stock.

Wanna play, "What's He Got," before I get a really good look at this piece later.

wogpotter · November 15, 2011, 04:47 PM

The handguard groves were standard for quite a while. Savage kept putting them on right through at least 1943 because my '43 Savage #4 Mk 1* had grooved handguards. The alleged purpose was to allow a firm grip when bayonet fighting in muddy trench conditions.
Knurling on the ears was normal as well, but dropped later to save manufacturing steps during wartime.

Pictures would help of course, but could he have a CLE or MLE instead of a #1 SMLE?
All sorts of good information here:
http://www.enfieldrifles.ca/ri.htm

James K · November 15, 2011, 05:26 PM

It could be a Rifle No. 1, Mk VI, but it is more likely to be a Rifle No. 4, which is not an SMLE.

Jim

LarryNTX · November 16, 2011, 02:42 AM

Sounds like a No.4 Mk1 with a stacking hook. I think the hook was a Turkish modification. I remember seeing a batch of them for sale at Century Arms a few years ago. Really need a picture, though.

jsmaye · November 16, 2011, 09:43 AM

I have a '43 Fazakerley with the grooves, although time and rough handling has taken some of the "machined look" out of them.

wogpotter · November 16, 2011, 12:41 PM

#4 Mk 1 (or 2) to give you a comparison. No stacking rod though. If fitted it would be bolted on as part of the front band just behind the muzzle & extend forward of the wood & metal of the stock, a bit like a second barrel below the real one.

P5 Guy · November 16, 2011, 04:46 PM

#4 mk1
Sounds like it to me. where is the rear sight? At the rear of the receiver #4, at the front of the receiver #1.
The #4 has either a flip sight or a two position fully adjustable for elevation sight.

madcratebuilder · November 17, 2011, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Next, the barrel seems to extend more than the usual Mark I type, and it has some type of lug at either the 5 or 7 o'clock positions

Bayonet lugs.

Not a SMLE but a No4 more than likely.

Does it look like this?

November 15, 2011, 04:47 PM	#2
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	The handguard groves were standard for quite a while. Savage kept putting them on right through at least 1943 because my '43 Savage #4 Mk 1* had grooved handguards. The alleged purpose was to allow a firm grip when bayonet fighting in muddy trench conditions. Knurling on the ears was normal as well, but dropped later to save manufacturing steps during wartime. Pictures would help of course, but could he have a CLE or MLE instead of a #1 SMLE? All sorts of good information here: http://www.enfieldrifles.ca/ri.htm __________________ Allan Quatermain: “Automatic rifles. Who in God's name has automatic rifles”? Elderly Hunter: “That's dashed unsporting. Probably Belgium.”

November 16, 2011, 09:43 AM	#5
jsmaye Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2008 Location: Amarillo, Tx Posts: 616	I have a '43 Fazakerley with the grooves, although time and rough handling has taken some of the "machined look" out of them. __________________ No matter how big and tough you are, when a two-year-old hands you a toy phone you'll answer it.

November 16, 2011, 12:41 PM	#6
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	#4 Mk 1 (or 2) to give you a comparison. No stacking rod though. If fitted it would be bolted on as part of the front band just behind the muzzle & extend forward of the wood & metal of the stock, a bit like a second barrel below the real one. __________________ Allan Quatermain: “Automatic rifles. Who in God's name has automatic rifles”? Elderly Hunter: “That's dashed unsporting. Probably Belgium.”

November 16, 2011, 04:46 PM	#7
P5 Guy Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2005 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 1,804	SMLE #4 mk1 Sounds like it to me. where is the rear sight? At the rear of the receiver #4, at the front of the receiver #1. The #4 has either a flip sight or a two position fully adjustable for elevation sight.

November 15, 2011, 03:20 PM	#1
Detachment Charlie Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2001 Location: FL Posts: 177	SMLE Fluted Handguard My neighbor has inherited a SMLE. I got a quick look at it the other day and am going back later this week to really go over it. There were two oddities to this rifle. First it has flutes cut into the upper hand guard. The are machine cuts, obvious from their precision. Anyone ever seen these? Also, the tops of front sight protective ears are machine knurled. A little help here, also, please. Next, the barrel seems to extend more than the usual Mark I type, and it has some type of lug at either the 5 or 7 o'clock positions. Help! This rifle appears to have been well cared for. The furniture is in excellent shape. However, there is no rondel on the stock. Wanna play, "What's He Got," before I get a really good look at this piece later. __________________ I am old. I am retired. I am grouchy. I am intolerant, and I am judgemental. I am also alive. Thank you. I am off to the range. The U.N. is a criminal organization.

November 15, 2011, 05:26 PM	#3
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	It could be a Rifle No. 1, Mk VI, but it is more likely to be a Rifle No. 4, which is not an SMLE. Jim

November 16, 2011, 02:42 AM	#4
LarryNTX Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2010 Location: a little north of Dallas Posts: 124	Sounds like a No.4 Mk1 with a stacking hook. I think the hook was a Turkish modification. I remember seeing a batch of them for sale at Century Arms a few years ago. Really need a picture, though. __________________ Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then.