Anyone think of themselves as a hunter?

**Jack Daw** · 22nd December 10, 09:41 AM

I already foresee trouble!

**Woodsheal** · 22nd December 10, 10:01 AM

Jock, those are all beauties! You rarely see a SMLE is such fine condition. Nice!

**Burly Brute** · 22nd December 10, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by HeathBar

Y'all are making me HUNGRY!

I'm with you! lol

**azwildcat96** · 22nd December 10, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Or, we all could use traditional weapons used in Scotland and " traditionally connected with the kilt" for sporting/war purposes, such as:-

Or:-

Nice collection!

**Mike_Oettle** · 22nd December 10, 11:36 AM

My father used to speak highly of No 2. As an officer in Italy he did not carry one (officially), since he had a pistol, but when the opportunity arose he would swop with his radio operator.
Regards,
Mike

**Mike_Oettle** · 22nd December 10, 12:27 PM

I could well be mistaken, but that one looked to me like a Lee Enfield.
And while my father was not in a kilted regiment, he was brigaded with one: he belonged to the Royal Natal Carbineers, and in the same brigade was the combined battalion of First City/Cape Town Highlanders.
Regards,
Mike

**Tobus** · 22nd December 10, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by seumasFinn

Excellent No1 Jock! You appear to have the front guard screw from a No 4 (T) instead of the standard issue? (You've the swivel there forward of the magazine). Nice to see the magazine cut-off and piling swivel present. Beautiful wood.

And clearly traditionally connected with Highland regiments.

I was thinking along the same lines. I have several SMLEs in my collection, but I'm not as familiar with all the minor details of them as I am with other types... is that an aftermarket rear sight back there at the rear of the receiver?

While my main hunting rifle is a 1943 No.1 Mk.III* (also a rifle carried by many a Highland regiment, as I understand), and I love it dearly, I wish it had the magazine cut-off. That's a heck of a handy feature when hunting.

Beautiful buttstock on it too! Those walnut stocks sure are pieces of art.

**Jock Scot** · 22nd December 10, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by Tobus

I was thinking along the same lines. I have several SMLEs in my collection, but I'm not as familiar with all the minor details of them as I am with other types... is that an aftermarket rear sight back there at the rear of the receiver?

While my main hunting rifle is a 1943 No.1 Mk.III* (also a rifle carried by many a Highland regiment, as I understand), and I love it dearly, I wish it had the magazine cut-off. That's a heck of a handy feature when hunting.

Beautiful buttstock on it too! Those walnut stocks sure are pieces of art.

Well we are way off topic, but then what conversation ever stays on topic for long in a pub?

Actually the SMLE(.303) was made in 1941 by BSA and was part of the last batch made by them before their production lines were switched to make Bren Guns. I am not too sure of its history until 1945 when a relative "acquired" it. It was re-barralled, regulated and adapted for him, yes the sling swivel in front of the magazine and a Parker Hale target sight, by the rifle experts Fultons of Bisley and was used by him in the the 1948 Olympics. It is still extremely accurate, although modern calibres can "group" so much better. The .303 calibre has, even to this day, probably killed more Scottish deer than any other round.

A better view of the stock.

**Tobus** · 22nd December 10, 01:49 PM

Ah, yes, a Parker Hale sight. That was the most popular aftermarket sight for a long time. I've seen several variations of them, but yours looks ...different somehow.

The longer sight radius is a definite improvement. That's one of things I really love about my No.5 Mk.I (Jungle carbine) over my other SMLEs.

On the .303, it took me quite a while to get my No.1 Mk.III* dialed in just right. I do custom hand-loads for mine. Despite all the modern zoomy magnum calibers and high-velocity fads that can shoot the nuts off a fly at 800 yards, nothing gives me more solid and dependable service than the venerable .303 British for the types of animals I usually hunt.

That's quite a nice rifle, by the looks and your description, and has quite a cool history. You've managed to keep it in very nice condition and (mostly) original configuration. What can be finer than a good day's hunt with a vintage rifle?

**BoldHighlander** · 22nd December 10, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by Tobus

What can be finer than a good day's hunt with a vintage rifle?

That's why (amongst other reasons) I'm anxious to take my grandfather's circa 1940 Savage .300 back out in the woods, where it belongs!

...but since its not a traditional Scottish weapon, forget that I mentioned it