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Indian, WW2-1948, Ishapore Arsenal S.M.L.E No 1. MK III .303 Bolt Action Rifle, Deactivated

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SKU: RQMFOOXIOO_7776186687 Category: Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Description

*Indian, WW2-1948,  Ishapore Arsenal S.M.L.E No 1. MK III GRI .303 Bolt Action Rifle, Deactivated*

Serial Number: 33119 Y
Approximate Measurements: Barrel Length 25″, 112.5cm

Marked on RHS barrel: 33119 Y
Marked on LHS Barrel: Crown over GRI, over crossed flags over P
Marked on sight: 33119 Y, S/2, A, increments 2-20
Marked on LHS wrist: No 1 MK III, FR.48
Marked on Nose Cap: 85898 M
Marked on bolt handle: 30123
Marked on trigger guard: C, IS, 144, 8, E
Marked on stock in stencil: 25
Marked on barrel band: C 26
Marked on Magazine: 8032 K, IS 14

Deactivated Ishapore SMLE No. 1 Mk III* GRI .303 Rifle, dated 1950, manufactured at the Ishapore Arsenal in India. These rifles saw widespread use in various post-WWII conflicts. Unit marking – 25 – stamped on the stock, with the distinctive square foresight wings. The barrel bears the Crown over GRI marking, used until 1948, where GRI stands for “Georgius Rex Imperator” (Latin for “King George, Emperor of India”), indicating production during the British Raj. The wrist is marked with FR 48, denoting Factory Repair 1948, typically associated with the Ishapore factory. The rifle’s serial number, 33119, ends in Y, reflecting Ishapore’s convention of starting letters in reverse order on their FR series repairs.

The British Army adopted the .303 SMLE No. 1 Mk III in 1904, soon followed by the Indian Army. To meet local demand, the Ishapore Rifle Factory, located north of Calcutta, began manufacturing the rifle in 1909, using British machinery and adhering to Royal Small Arms Factory specifications. At its peak, Ishapore produced an impressive 600,000 SMLE No. 1 rifles during World War II (Stratton, 2009).

The SMLE Mk III*, renamed the Rifle No. 1 Mk III* in 1926, saw widespread service during the Second World War, particularly in the North African, Italian, Pacific, and Burmese theatres. Both Australia and India continued to produce and field the Mk III* as their standard-issue rifle throughout the war.

The 25 on the stock may be  for the 25th Indian Infantry Brigade. An infantry brigade formation of the Indian Army during World War II. It was formed in February 1941 at Ahmednagar in India and assigned to the 10th Indian Infantry Division.

*Condition*
Good used condition. Fully deactivated. Bolt moves freely and trigger moves. Small repair evident on stock. Good patina and the commensurate knocks and dings. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.

RQMFOOXIOO_7776186687

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