India, Police Issue, .303 Cal SMLE Bolt Action Rifle Made by Rifle Factory Ishapore, Deactivated

*India, Police Issue, .303 Cal SMLE Bolt Action Rifle Made by Rifle Factory Ishapore, Deactivated*

Serial No: 62188 M (Marked on RHS Barrel & Sight)
Calibre: .303"
Barrel Length: 25.25"

Marked on RHS Wrist: 3-headed Ashoka over R.F.I., 1954 *, No. 1. Mk3
Marked on RHS Barrel: 62188 M
Marked on top of Barrel: بوليس - Police
Marked on sight: 2-20, Marked H, 62188M
Marked on wooden stock by trigger: H.M. Co Ltd, War Arrow
Marked underneath nozzle: SAF

RFI (Rifle Factory Ishapore) Indian manufactured Short Magazine Lee Enfield (SMLE) in .303 calibre. 1954 dated MK3* model in very good overall used condition. Matching numbers to the receiver and sight. It is marked in Arabic on the top of the barrel: Police.

The British Army adopted the .303 SMLE No. 1 Mk III in 1904, soon followed by the Indian Army. To meet local demand, the Ishapore Rifle Factory, located north of Calcutta, began manufacturing the rifle in 1909, using British machinery and adhering to Royal Small Arms Factory specifications. At its peak, Ishapore produced an impressive 600,000 SMLE No. 1 rifles during World War II (Stratton, 2009).

The SMLE Mk III*, renamed the Rifle No. 1 Mk III* in 1926, saw widespread service during the Second World War, particularly in the North African, Italian, Pacific, and Burmese theatres. Both Australia and India continued to produce and field the Mk III* as their standard-issue rifle throughout the war.

*Condition*
The original woodwork is in generally very good order but with service wear. Deactivated with a moving bolt & trigger, working safety and removable magazine it can be cocked and dryfired.

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