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Old March 23, 2013, 05:12 PM   #1
Wyosmith
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SMLE magazines?

Hello to all.
Does anyone out there have some SMLE magazines they would be willing to part with?
I have a Lithgow SMLE made in 1941 that has no magazine. I assume it takes a standard SMLE #1 10 shot mag.

The 2nd rifle is a 1900 Enfield, marked L E C
I am told it we an Irish Constabulary rifle and it took a 7 round mag. I am unsure if that's true info, but I have tried a mag from another #1 MK3 and it would not fit.

Both rifles have been separated from their mags and I need to find replacements.

Can anyone out there help?
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Old March 23, 2013, 07:01 PM   #2
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As far as I know any SMLE mag should fit any other SMLE rifle. It might take a little tweaking to feed well, but it should fit at least. Are you sure you have an SMLE, (No 1 Mk III, or Mk III*) not an earlier model?

Can you post pics or give a detailled description of exactly how it "Doesn't fit"?
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Old March 23, 2013, 10:23 PM   #3
Wyosmith
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I do not have an ability to post pics here because the camera is in Japan now with my wife and will be for a few weeks more.
However I am very sure the SMLE mags from both #1 and #4 rifles will not fit. I have tried them both in the 1900 "Irish rifle". The contour of the mag itself is wider than the magazine well in that rifle. Probably about .050" to .070"

I have a friend in Dubois Wyoming who is fairly knowledgeable about SMLEs and other 303 Enfields and he’s the man telling me this 1900 gun is an Irish Constabulary rifle.

As far as the Lithgow goes…….it will take a standard mag. Have you got one you can get rid of?
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Old March 24, 2013, 03:54 AM   #4
moose fat
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I have no spares but:

http://www.ssporters.com/

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/

I have gotten parts from both for my Enfields.
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Old March 24, 2013, 03:25 PM   #5
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To clarify & maybe help a little he's actually looking for a magazine for a Lee-Speed (Rifle No1* Long Lee), not an SMLE.
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Old March 24, 2013, 10:04 PM   #6
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Thanks Wogpotter. Maybe you could do me a favor and post the first 4 pictures I sent to you, so others can see the 1900 rifle?

The other one (the Lithgow) will take a standard #1 SMLE mag.
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Old March 25, 2013, 08:26 AM   #7
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Let me see if I can get PhotoBucket's "New, Improved", yeah, right, version to work this time round. If I can I'll be glad to.
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Old March 25, 2013, 10:01 AM   #8
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Thanks Wogpotter
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Old March 25, 2013, 02:13 PM   #9
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Here you go:







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Old March 25, 2013, 02:17 PM   #10
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If I got the information correct he needs one 10-shot double stack magazine for an S.M.L.E. (aka Rifle No1 MkIII) & one 10-shot double stack magazine for a Lee Enfield Carbine No 1*.

Note: A No4 rifle magazine will not fit a No1, it must be an SMLE mag, not a No. 4 one. Easy to tell them apart the SMLE version's rear locking rib goes all the way to the bottom, as do the reinforcing grooves in the side plates.
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Last edited by wogpotter; March 25, 2013 at 04:18 PM. Reason: clarified model & marks
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Old March 25, 2013, 03:12 PM   #11
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Wowpotter, I don't think the 1900 Enfield takes a single stack mag. The magazine well is 1-1/16" wide at the rear, so I would not think it's a single stack.
Would I be wrong in that assumption?
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Old March 25, 2013, 03:36 PM   #12
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My mistake, sorry about that I was confusing the 6-shot Lee Metford No1* magazine with the Lee Enfield No1* (confusing isn't it?)

The Lee Enfield No1* takes a double stack 10 round box magazine specific to the LEC No1*.

(I have no idea what, if anything, takes a 7-round one except for New Yorkers.)
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Last edited by wogpotter; March 25, 2013 at 04:19 PM.
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Old March 25, 2013, 09:37 PM   #13
Wyosmith
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Well I would not care if it took 4, 5, 6 or 7
I just want a mag that will work.
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