Short Magazine Lee-Enfield (Sht L.E.) No. 1 Mk III*

Firearm

-

Fred Light Museum

Name/Title

Short Magazine Lee-Enfield (Sht L.E.) No. 1 Mk III*

Entry/Object ID

FL-75-842

Description

Full-stock military service rifle featuring an oil-finished walnut forearm and buttstock. Features a blunt muzzle profile with integrated front bayonet boss, sight protectors, and a brass piling ("S") swivel. Fitted with an adjustable rear tangent sight leaf, a brass buttplate with compartment trap door, a rear sling swivel, and a circular brass unit marking disk embedded into the right profile of the buttstock.

Firearm Type

Rifle

Context

Military History: This rifle was manufactured in 1917 during the height of the First World War. It represents the streamlined "asterisk" (*) configuration introduced to maximize factory output by deleting the magazine cut-off mechanism and volley sights. The non-matching bolt assembly (64613) and unnumbered replacement nose cap indicate standard field repairs or post-war arsenal reconditioning typical of weapons issued to British or Commonwealth infantry troops.

Acquisition

Source (if not Accessioned)

Town of Battleford

Notes

Accession Date: 01/01/75

Firearm Detail

Model

Model Name

No. 1 Mk III*

Manufacturer

Enfield Co.

Caliber

.303 British

Action

Bolt Action

Cartridge Capacity

10

Finish Type

Bluing

Serial Number

3854

Date Made

1917

Firearm Notes

Unmarked nose cap and mismatched bolt.

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Receiver Marking, Engraving

Notes

Right Wrist Socket: Stamped with a Royal Cypher (Crown over G.R. / Georgius Rex) / ENFIELD / 1917 / Sht L.E. / III*. (Identifies factory production under King George V during WWI). Left Breech Ring (Receiver): Stamped with primary military serial number N 3854. Stamped below with secondary collector accession number 206. Rear Sight Leaf: Stamped with a matching factory serial number 3854 and a British War Department ownership Broad Arrow symbol (↑). Left Rear Receiver Ring: Stamped with a Broad Arrow symbol (↑) and an Enfield factory inspector acceptance mark (E / 21). Right side displays structural pressure proof marks and factory fitting code 2. Top Barrel Knox Form: Stamped HV (High Velocity), indicating barrel rifling and sight calibration for the modern Mark VII pointed .303 cartridge. Underside Wood Forearm: Faintly stamped with partial serial numbers (85), indicating original factory woodwork matching the receiver sequence. Bolt Handle Rear Face: Stamped with non-matching field serial number 64613. Buttstock (Wood Right Profile): Deeply stamped with inventory rack number 118 adjacent to the brass marking disk. Buttstock Brass Disk: Blank/Unstamped.

Dimensions

Length

44-1/2 in

Barrel Length

25-3/16 in

Other Names and Numbers

Other Numbers

Number Type

Serial

Other Number

3854

Location

Location

Display Cabinet

TF-FR-N12

Room

Firearms Room

Building

Fred Light Museum

Date

June 28, 2026

Condition

Overall Condition

Good

Notes

Shows heavy historical wear, handling indentations, and cosmetic surface abrasions on the wooden stock consistent with field service. Metal components retain much of their original dark finish with mild, stable patina. The action functions smoothly, though the bolt is a non-matching period replacement.

Created By

[email protected]

Create Date

April 22, 2026

Updated By

Justin M. Miller

Update Date

August 28, 2026