British, WW1-Dated 1918, BSA No.1 Mk III* Short Magazine Lee-Enfield (SMLE) .303 Service Rifle, Serial No. 75030, DP Marked, Original Sling, EU/UK Deactivated

*British, WW1-Dated 1918, BSA No.1 Mk III* Short Magazine Lee-Enfield (SMLE) .303 Service Rifle, Serial No. 75030, DP Marked, Original Sling, EU/UK Deactivated*

- First World War BSA Co. manufacture dated 1918
- No.1 Mk III* Short Magazine Lee-Enfield (SMLE) service rifle
- Receiver serial number 75030
- Original walnut full-length furniture
- Original military web sling fitted
- Brass buttplate with trap door
- Drill Purpose (DP) marked during later British military service
- Enfield (EFD) replacement magazine
- Lithgow (MA) replacement rear sight
- Numerous British military inspection and proof marks throughout
- Complete with Birmingham EU/UK Deactivation Certificate dated 2025

An original British Short Magazine Lee-Enfield (SMLE) No.1 Mk III* bolt-action service rifle manufactured by Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA Co.) in 1918, chambered for the .303 British service cartridge. The right side of the receiver is crisply marked beneath the Royal Cypher:
Crown / G.R. / B.S.A. Co. / 1918 / SHT. L.E. / III*
confirming wartime manufacture by BSA during the final year of the First World War. The receiver is serial numbered 75030.

Like many long-serving SMLE rifles, this example underwent period military refurbishment during its service life. It is fitted with a replacement bolt numbered W1926, an Enfield-manufactured magazine marked EFD, and a rear sight bed stamped MA 9968, identifying manufacture by the Lithgow Small Arms Factory in Australia. These components are consistent with routine British and Commonwealth armourers’ repairs, where worn or damaged parts were replaced as required to maintain serviceability. Such period replacements are commonly encountered on genuine military Lee-Enfields and form part of the rifle’s authentic service history.

The barrel reinforce retains its original British military proof and inspection markings, including the 2½ Tons per Square Inch nitro proof, Broad Arrow acceptance marks and numerous inspection stamps. During its later military life the rifle was designated DP (Drill Purpose), indicating withdrawal from live service for instructional and ceremonial use, a common fate for many surviving SMLE rifles following active service.

The rifle retains its original full-length walnut stock and handguards, complete with its brass buttplate incorporating the original trap door, military sling swivels and an original khaki web sling. The top of the butt is stamped 'S', denoting a Short-length butt, one of the standard interchangeable sizes fitted by British Army armourers to tailor rifles to individual soldiers during service. The brass buttplate tang bears the Broad Arrow ownership mark, a Crown over K3 inspection stamp and an L&C contractor's mark, while numerous additional inspection and military acceptance marks remain visible throughout the woodwork and metalwork, reflecting the rifle's long and well-documented military service.

Markings:
- Receiver: Crown / G.R. / B.S.A. Co. / 1918 / SHT. L.E. / III*
- Receiver serial number: 75030
- Receiver stamped DP (Drill Purpose)
- Bolt numbered W1926
- Rear sight bed marked MA 9968 (Lithgow Small Arms Factory)
- Magazine marked EFD (Royal Ordnance Factory Enfield)
- Barrel reinforce with Broad Arrow, inspection marks and 2½ TONS PER □ nitro proof
- Butt stamped S with Crown inspection mark
- Brass buttplate tang stamped with Crown over K3, B, and L&C
- Numerous Broad Arrow ownership and military inspection marks throughout

Approximate Measurements: Overall length: 111.5 cm (43.9 in.). Barrel length: 25 in. (63.5 cm). Calibre: .303 British

History Note:
The Short Magazine Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk III* became Britain's standard infantry rifle during the First World War and remained one of the most successful military bolt-action rifles ever produced. Its exceptionally smooth action and ten-round magazine enabled trained riflemen to achieve remarkably rapid and accurate fire, giving British infantry a significant battlefield advantage.

Introduced in 1916, the No.1 Mk III was a simplified wartime development of the earlier Mk III, with features such as the magazine cut-off and long-range volley sights omitted to speed production while maintaining the rifle's proven reliability and battlefield effectiveness. Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA) was one of Britain's principal wartime manufacturers, producing hundreds of thousands of SMLE rifles for British and Commonwealth forces throughout the First World War.

Following active service, large numbers of SMLE rifles were transferred into the British Army's Drill Purpose (DP) programme for recruit instruction, cadet training and ceremonial duties. Such rifles were permanently withdrawn from operational use but continued to serve the military for many years, often acquiring replacement components during successive armourer's inspections and refurbishment programmes.

*Condition*
Presented in good, honest military condition with expected service wear throughout. The metalwork retains an attractive aged military finish with scattered handling marks, edge wear and areas of natural patination accumulated through decades of service, while all principal receiver markings remain clear and easily legible. The original walnut furniture is complete and structurally sound, displaying the knocks, scratches and minor bruising expected of a genuine service rifle together with numerous military inspection and acceptance marks. The brass buttplate has developed an attractive aged patina and retains its original trap door. The detachable Enfield-marked magazine removes correctly and the original ladder rear sight remains complete and fully adjustable. In accordance with its current EU specification deactivation, the bolt cycles smoothly and the action cocks. The trigger moves, however the rifle does not dry-fire. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.

Deactivation:
Deactivated to current EU/UK specification and supplied with its original Birmingham Gun Barrel Proof House Deactivation Certificate (No. 191015). Certified on 24 November 2025, the certificate records manufacture by B.S.A., calibre .303, barrel length 25 inches, serial number 75030, with the deactivation carried out by D & B Militaria. In accordance with the current specification, the bolt cycles smoothly and the action cocks, while the trigger moves but the rifle does not dry-fire. The detachable magazine may also be removed.

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