We were walking out of the show when we saw an Enfield No 1 Mark III leaning up against the wall with a for sale sign sticking out of it. I've been wanting to add one to my collection for a while but all of the ones at the tables were way too expensive ($400 and up). I wasn't really looking for one that's terribly collectible, just one that would hopefully be a good shooter. This one really had that "been there done that" look to it that I like in my rifles. Honestly it probably went there and did it a few times! I did a once over on the rifle and all of the metal seemed to be in pretty good shape. The bore was shiny and had decent rifling, so I figured it would have a good chance of being a decent shooter. The rifle came with 50 rounds of South African ammo on stripper clips and a bayonet. I went ahead and bought the rifle.
I'll be honest here, this was a gamble for me and I'm wondering whether I should have simply passed on this one or not. I'm conflicted about how I feel now that I've brought it home, torn it down and got a chance to really look closer at everything. I'm hoping that some of you guy's with more experience with the Enfields might be able to comment and let me know how much of an idiot I was for buying this one.
So here are some photos along with some pieces of information that I know about the rifle. I'll admit, there's much more that I don't know than what I do..
1917 SSA "Peddle Scheme" Lee Enfield No 1 Mark III*
The wood on the rifle appears to be three different colors. The butt and foreend appear to be basically the same color. The rear handguard is more of the "red" color and the front handguard is very dark and obviously different from the rest of the wood.
As mentioned above, the rifle came with a bayonet (not in great shape) as well as 50 rounds of South African ammo on stripper clips.
The manufacturer of the "Peddle Scheme" rifles is stamped on the back of the receiver. This one is from SSA (Standard Small Arms).
The EFD stamp is an inspector mark for RSAF Enfield.
The serial numbers on the barrel, receiver, nose cap and rear sight all match. The serial number of the bolt (not shown) has been scrubbed off. (One thing that I kick myself for having missed when I was looking at the rifle at the show.)
The HV stamp behind the rear sight base, for the High Velocity round.
The rifle appears to have been painted green during a refurbishment at some point. This was done in the sub-tropic climates as an anti-corrosive measure. Based on the S^A stamp on the stock, this rifle was in India post-Independence. Likely it was refurbished there and may have acquired the current stock, which I don't believe was original to this rifle, though I could also be wrong on that. At some point the paint on this rifle was removed. I've read that this was done at other refurbishment facilities but could also have been done by an owner state side. I will likely never know for sure. Maybe the older gentleman who sold me the rifle did it to make it more "presentable". Part of the reason why I wonder about this rifle.
There are some additional stamps on the underside of the barrel which I'm not yet familiar with.
Lots of stamps on the barrel and receiver area. There is a lot of history with these stamps and they probably tell me a lot about this rifle but I have not yet found out what most of them mean.
The stock has many stamps on it, most of which I can't quite make out.
So what do you guy's think about this one? Should I have passed and waited for a better example to come along? Any idea's on some of those stamps or are many of them simply like the Mosin stamps where most are simply unknown?
I really want to like this rifle but there's just some things that keep nagging at me. Can't really say what. or why though. Maybe I'm just over thinking things here and just need to shut up and go shoot some more! I did shoot it yesterday and it does shoot. I need some more time with it though, shot about 6-7" left @ 50 yards, though the elevation was good. I was hoping it would have been dead on and stacked shot after shot into the same hole. I would have forgiven some of the other questions I have about it. Well, time will tell on this one I guess...
The stocks are Indian with the circle ISA and the Ishapore screw in the forestock. Good looking No 1 Mk III. Congrats.
First of all, you got a very nice rifle. This has been a battle rifle, and looks to have been used for the task. 275.00? Seriously? And your concern was a scrubbed serial on the bolt? I know matching numbers is important to you, as stated on the Finns you first mentioned. But I would have not hesitated on this one even without the bayonet or ammo, but just think. The bayonet and ammo could conservatively be 100.00 but maybe 150.00 and in my opinion I would lean toward 150.00 so you could say you got this awesome SMLE for 125.00! I can almost promise you, the longer you own this and handle it more, the more you are going to like it if not totally love it. You should feel no remorse on this one. The Enfields are increasing in value even still and you will never be hurt on this deal. All I can say is congratulations. You did GREAT! 
:P:P8-)