Elliot

Thank you once again to all who have responded to this post, with your information, and now having the benefit of referring to a copy of Ian Skennerton's book "The Lee Enfield Story" I am getting nearer to identifying this rifle - without doubt it is a derivitive of a Magazine Lee Enfield Mk 1, although how it evolved into its sporting configuration is still uncertain, but "terrylee's" suggestion that it was made as a sporter seems highly likely. The dating of its manufacture is proving more elusive, however one clue is the 'V' beneath the crown on one of the proof markings which confines it to the Victorian era, therefore as the MLE Mk. 1 was first produced in November 1895 and Queen Victoria died in January 1901 it is almost certainly within this period. The post from "theironduke1" is also interesting, I now attach a picture of the silver plate on the stock for your perusal.

Thank you to all who have responded to my post, and further to terrylee's suggestion I now attach pictures of the complete rifle, the rear sight and the foresight, which is an addition to the original barrel. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2013/post-15289-0-55089200-1362589165.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2013/post-15289-0-99081800-1362590040.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2013/post-15289-0-91876600-1362590047.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2013/post-15289-0-62567300-1362590052.jpg

Please can anyone help me identify which No. / Mark / date the Lee Enfield shown on the attached picture is, as it is only marked 'L.S.A. Co. Ld. LE 1' - is it the No. 1 prior to any revisions ? Apart from Proof marks and '303' there is a small Crown with a 'V' beneath, another small crown with a divided circle (?) beneath and another small mark which is not discernable, and '356?' over an 'A' This is a deactivated sport converted rifle, not in particularly good condition, and has a silver plate in the butt bearing a Crest / Coat of Arms and engraved 'A. Norton Harper Esq. / From English Club / Lourenco Marques / 1906' which I have researched and which has an interesting history of its own :- Major Alfred George Montague Norton-Harper. Kings Own Lancaster Regiment attached 4th Nigeria Regiment. Killed in action 16-10-1917 East Africa. Buried Dar Es Salaam War Cemetery Tanzania, Plot 6 Row H Grave 7. Major Norton-Harper, aged 42, the only son of Richard and Charlotte Norton-Harper, of 2 Eldon Villas, Clevedon, was killed in East Africa. He served with the King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment during the Boer War, after which he was appointed to repatriation work, and on completion of that, went to the British Consulate at Lourenco Marques, Portuguese East Africa - now Maputo, capital of Mozambique. Upon his return home he was seconded from his regiment as District Commissioner in Nigeria. On the outbreak of war, being unable to rejoin his regiment, he became attached to the 4th Nigeria Regiment and served in the Cameroon’s. He refused the post of Political Officer to the Belgian forces, in order to serve with the troops in the field. Also commemorated on the memorial at St Andrew's and on the roll of honour at All Saints, Clevedon near Bristol. Any help in clarifying the origin of this weapon would be appreciated.,