SMLE 1914 Mk III* magazine bolt-action rifle .303
| 01. Original name | Short, Magazine, Lee Enfield Mk. III | |
| 02. Other official names | Rifle No. 1 Mk. III | |
| 03. Popular names | ‘Smellie’ | |
| 04. Chamberings | .303 | |
| 05. Designed by | James Paris Lee, RSAF Enfield | |
| 06. Design date | 1907 | |
| 07. In service date(s) | 1907 to 1950s in British service | |
| 08. Adopted by | UK and Commonwealth | |
| 09. Production quantities | Production of the III / III* was carried out at RSAF Enfield (2,235,000), BSA Co. (2,000,000), LSA Co. (430,000), Lithgow (Australia) 640,580 and Ishapore (India) 1,400,000. (Approximate figures). | |
| 10. Mechanism | Bolt Action | |
| 11. Weight | 3.71kg (8.18lbs) | |
| 12. Mountings | Bayonet (Pattern 1907) | |
| 13. Practicality in action | High | |
| 14. Comments / Other information | This version of the famous SMLE was approved as a wartime expedient to decrease both production time and cost on 2nd January 1916, although both BSA and RSAF Enfield had already produced limited quantities. The Mk. III* differed from the Mk. III in the elimination of the long-range dial and aperture sights, the windage adjustment on the rear sight, the magazine cut-off, the lug on the firing pin collar and the swivel lugs at the front of the trigger guard. Soon after introduction, the brass butt marking disc was also omitted but in most other respects, the Mk. III* was similar to the Mk. III. Australian and Indian production of the Mk. III* continued through WW2, even into the 1950s, while BSA’s production cease towards the end of WW2. A change in nomenclature in 1926 meant the name changed from SMLE Mk. III* to Rifle No. 1 Mk. III*. |