WW2 Lee Enfield No. 1 Mk. III* SMLE Rifle by BSA 303 British

Serial #N70338, .303 British, 25" barrel with an excellent, bright bore. This is a so-called "Dispersal Rifle" made by BSA Ltd. at government direction by using whatever mixed commercial and government contract parts they had on hand. The 1943-dated rifle has the typical "B" marking that BSA applied to these rifles, and retains about 85-90% of the original blue, with silvering on the high edges, and along the bearing surfaces and handle of the matching numbered bolt (with No. 4 type cocking-piece). The forend, handguards, and buttstock are in fine shape with only a few minor handling marks scattered about the original varnish, however the rear handguard is much older than the rest of the rifle, and is much darker, with many more handling marks and blemishes. The rifle comes with a single magazine, and is fitted with a gray metal No 4 style buttplate. This is a fine example of an interesting wartime expedient SMLE variant, and would make a great addition to any collection. FFL or C&R