no1 mk3 markings

[free1954]

i have a no1 mk3 rifle made in 1917 that has a large P stamped over the chamber. does anyone know what this stands for? thanks for looking.

[Alan De Enfield]

Is there a letter D alongside it ?
Or - could the P be an R ?

[free1954]

no sir it is just a single P

[Alan De Enfield]

Then its not a mark I recognise from any of the 'Armourers Markings' lists I have.

[free1954]

thank you sir for the reply.

[Alan De Enfield]

Thinking about it, there was a P used to denote "painted", where the metal under the woodwork was painted to protect it from corrosion and to save the armourer stripping the rifle every year to replace the mineral jelly.

Are there traces of either 'green' or 'desert' coloured paint on the barrel ?

[Alan De Enfield]

Thinking about it, there was a P used to denote "painted", where the metal under the woodwork was painted to protect it from corrosion and to save the armourer stripping the rifle every year to replace the mineral jelly.

Are there traces of either 'green' or 'desert' coloured paint on the barrel ?

[free1954]

no sir. but this rifle was cleaned and refinished with some sort of varnish before i bought it. so you may be right. thank you for your replies.

[capitano]

I have the same on an SMLE Mk III* I'm looking to buy. After some research it appears the P means a replacement barrel.

[free1954]

I have the same on an SMLE Mk III* I'm looking to buy. After some research it appears the P means a replacement barrel.

thank you sir for the reply. where did you find that information at, if i might ask?

[capitano]

The main reference was from the website below, they also suggest P may mean 'painted' although IMHO this sounds like overkill given the paint could be removed..... scroll down his pics and look at the captions until you find the reference

http://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=6&f=14&t=367559

I'm going for a 1913 III now instead - can't wait.

[free1954]

thanks for the link and info sir.