19158828

1917 Enfield SMLE No. 1 MkIll* rifle in .303British.

Matching numbers receiver, butt and original barrel, still with hints of its green paint for camouflage. Bolt and nose cap not matching and does have issues closing but is otherwise a smooth action. The fix for this is to replace the nose cap lug with one that is within tolerance. Bore is good condition and has a good shootable 0.3040" gauge measurement and correct head spacing. Comes with sling and two charger clips. Sn.5723. 

Also comes with the bayonet. This British 1907 pattern bayonet was made by the Remington Arms Company in America in November 1915. The bayonet is presented in an extremely rare double-seamed British experimental scabbard.

Remington only produced 100,000 1907 pattern bayonets in total. Now-a-days, Remington made P1907 bayonets quite rare.

Rarer still is the No.2 Mk1 double stitched scabbard. The double seamed scabbard was accepted and entered into the List of Changes in September 1915. Very few of these scabbards were produced before the adoption of the scabbard was cancelled. British made No.2 Mk1 double seamed scabbards are rarer than the No.1 Mk1 scabbard with internal chape for the 1907 bayonet.

This scabbard was made in London by the British firm of Hepburn, Gale & Ross Ltd and bears their maker mark and the production date of 1915.

The 433mm, single edged blade has a long narrow fuller and rounded spine. The blade appears to have been sharpened at some stage in its life however does not have any damage to its edge. 

The ricasso is marked with the pattern designation, 1907 and the date of manufacture 11 ’15 below which is stamped the circular Remington maker’s mark.

The obverse ricasso bears the War Department broad arrow and bend test stamp, an Enfield inspection mark and a British, American based inspector’s stamp.

The cross guard, muzzle ring and pommel are in great condition and retain their blued finish. The press stud and catch mechanism are crisp and in perfect working order. The wooden grip scales are in very good condition and are held firmly in place by the two original screws.

The bayonet is complete with its very rare 1915 dated double seamed scabbard. The scabbard is stamped with the HRG maker’s mark and the date stamp for 1915. The leather is also stamped with a broad arrow and a crowned inspection mark. The leather is in excellent condition and the stitching along the double seams is intact and tight.

The steel locket with teardrop stud retains its original finish. The 1920’s made Australian double seamed scabbards have a small round frog stud. The locket is stamped with a crowned inspection mark. The chape with raised central ridges on both sides to accommodate the seams is in excellent condition and retains its original finish. The bayonet sheathes and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.

This is a fantastic, near mint example of a Remington made P1907 bayonet with an experimental British double-seamed scabbard.