| Description
| Lee Enfield SMLE MkIII serial number 6534. Length 44.5 inches. This is a Short Magazine Lee Enfield Rifle, which was inthe collection of The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). The Lee Enfield Rifle was the standard rifle used by the British Army from 1895 to 1957. It is still used today by armed forces in some Commonwealth countries.
Several versions of the rifle appeared during its lifespan. The Short Magazine Lee-Enfield was introduced in 1904. The main difference was its shorter-length barrel, a practical but unpopular change, as there were concerns that its sight line would be shortened and the recoil after firing would be increased. However, the rifle was accepted and improvements continued.
The SMLE Mark III was introduced in 1907, along with a sword bayonet. Aspects of the design were simplified and improved, and earlier models of the rifle could be updated to the same standard as the Mark III.
In the First World War, a further adapted version of the SMLE Mark III was produced when the original version was found to be too complex to manufacture in the large numbers required for the troops. It is believed that four million were made during the War. Additions could be made to the basic rifle, including sights for snipers, wire cutters, grenade dischargers, and the bayonet.
with later green webbing strap |
