The Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Mk I (SMLE) appeared on January 1st, 1904. It was essentially a revised version of the MLE rifle though designed to a much lighter operating weight and a shorter barrel o f 640mm length. The Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Mk III (SMLE Mk III) appeared three years later on January 26th, firing the new Mk VII High Velocity Spitzer .303 caliber cartridge. This model became the standard for previous Lee-Enfield offerings including the MLM, MLE and SMLE rifle lines.
Lee-Enfield rifles were the standard infantry rifle of the British in World War 1. The SMLE Mk III rifle excelled in its role though wartime demands forced a revision of the system. As such, the SMLE Mk III became the revised SMLE Mk III* model, a new production series designed with cost-efficiency and mass production in mind. After the war, the British Army adjusted their naming convention and the SMLE rifle no became the Rifle, No. 1 with appropriate marks.
In their SMLE Mk III form, the Lee-Enfield saw service from 1907 through the present day. The weapon weighed in at roughly 4 kilograms (8.8lbs) and featured an overall length of 1,130mm (44.5 inches) with a barrel length of 635mm (25 inches). The official cartridge designation remained the .303 Mk VII SAA Ball and the weapon sported a muzzle velocity of 2,441 feet per second with an effective range of approximately 2,000 yards. The weapon was fed from a 10-round magazine, loaded with 5-round charger clips through the top of the weapon body. Cartridges could be loaded individually as well. Sights consisted of the standard sliding ramp rear sight and a fixed-post front sight. Telescopic sights could be affixed to the top of the body for use as a sniper weapon.
World War Two brought about the Lee-Enfield in yet another renewed form, this becoming the famous Rifle, No. 4 Mk I. These rifles were official accepted into British Army service in 1941. These No. 4 rifles were built with the infantryman in mind, adding an inherent robustness to rival any of her counterparts. Weight was reduced to an extent, making her considerably more portable. A new bayonet was affixed to the underside of the forward rifle body as well, rounding out these very important war-winning changes. The No. 4 Mk I* became a mass-production version of the base No. 4 rifle. The rifle also appeared in a specialized sniper form during the war years, developed from choice existing Australian and British rifle models. These rifles would also see combat action in the upcoming Korean War.
Text ©2003-2016 www.MilitaryFactory.com. All Rights Reserved. No Reproduction Permitted. Email corrections/comments to MilitaryFactory at Gmail dot com. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance or general operation. Please consult original manufacturers for such information.