POTD: Britain’s Iconic Service Rifle – The SMLE Mk III
Sam.S 07.29.24
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! The British Army adopted the Short, Magazine, Lee Enfield (SMLE Mk III), later renamed Rifle No. 1 Mk III in 1907. It was a better rifle than previous Lee-Enfield models because it was more durable and accurate with simple features. It introduced a new Pattern 1907 bayonet which had its origin from the Japanese Arisaka. The SMLE Mk III became the standard infantryman’s gun of the British army during World War I and it was superior to other guns on the battlefield. Owing to high wartime demand, a simplified version known as the Mk III* appeared in 1915. The rifle was widely produced and fielded by Great Britain and Commonwealth forces through WWII. Until 1957, it acted as the principal weapon of the British Army replacing it with L1A1 SLR. The development of SMLE marked an important advancement in bolt-action rifle design as far as its developers were concerned because they thought that their speed and capacity had improved over preceding designs having concerns that these areas were limiting their performances.
“Manufacturer: British
Model: SHTLE Mk III*
Type: Rifle
Gauge: 303
Barrel: 25 1/4 inch round
Finish: blue
Stock: walnutDated “1917”. Includes manual and canvas sling.”
Lot 300: British SMLE Mk III* Bolt Action Rifle. (n.d.-l). Rock Island Auction Company. photograph. Retrieved July 29, 2024, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/2084/300/british-smle-mk-iii-bolt-action-rifle.
