British No. 1 Mk. III* (SMLE) Rifle with Post-WW2 US Army Registration Certificate

Serial #D6709, .303 British, 25" barrel with a good bore that has moderate freckling and light pitting within the grooves.  This is an arsenal refurbished, 1916-dated rifle that has matching numbers on the nosecap, and WW2 era, No. 4 type bolt.  The metal retains 80-85% of the arsenal reapplied blue finish with some gray fading along the edges and projections, as well as along the bearing surfaces of the bolt.  The balance of the metal has turned to a dark, plum-brown patina with thin freckling present throughout, especially on the barrel band, rear sight, and unnumbered magazine.  The stock set and handguards have been refinished to fine condition, and have some minor handling marks and blemishes scattered about the added varnish.  Included with the rifle is an August 26, 1963-dated SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe) firearms registration certificate issued by the Provost Marshal, Paris to a Sp/5 in the US Army, mistakenly listing the serial number as "D8709."  This is a very good-fine example of a WW2 rebuild of a WW1 SMLE, and comes with a rarely seen US Army-issued certificate.  FFL or C&R