SMLE Mk I
Royal Small Arms Factory · Rifle · Discontinued · 1904
Also known as: Rifle, Short, Magazine, Lee-Enfield, Mk I, Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Mk I, SMLE Mark I, Rifle No.1 Mk I
Overview
The SMLE Mk I is a bolt-action rifle chambered in .303 British, the original Short Magazine Lee-Enfield introduced by the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield in 1904. Shorter and lighter than the long Magazine Lee-Enfield it replaced, it combined the roles of the previous infantry rifle and cavalry carbine into a single handy weapon. Drawing on lessons of the Second Boer War, it adopted charger-loading via five-round clips into its 10-round magazine, a full-length handguard enclosing the barrel, and a magazine cut-off. It laid the foundation for the later Mk III that became Britain's standard rifle of the First World War.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3700 g (130.5 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1132 mm (44.57") |
| Barrel Length | 640 mm (25.20") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 10 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 744 m/s (2441 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3120 J (2301 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 503 m (550 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 2560 m (2800 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 20 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Left Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 254 mm (10.00") |
| Number of Grooves | 5 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .303 British · primary — also known as .303 Mk VII, 7.7x56mmR, .303 Enfield
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Charger Clip, Internal Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Magazine Cut Off
- Features: Charger Loading, Magazine Cut Off, Full Length Handguard, Dial Long Range Sight, Detachable Magazine
Service history
Operators
- British Army · adopted 1904 · as Rifle, Short, Magazine, Lee-Enfield, Mark I
Conflicts
- World War I (1914-1918)
Production
Production years: 1904-1909
Produced at the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield, alongside conversions of earlier long Lee-Enfield rifles to SMLE configuration. Superseded by the SMLE Mk III in 1907; total SMLE production across all marks exceeded several million.
Origin
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Designer: Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield
Discontinued: 1909
Notes
The Mk I was the first of the Short Magazine Lee-Enfield pattern. Many earlier MLE and MLM rifles were later converted to charger-loading SMLE configuration, and the Mk I was soon superseded by the improved Mk III of 1907.
Background
Introduced on 1 January 1904, the SMLE Mk I was a radical compromise that drew criticism from traditionalists who felt it was too short to be an accurate infantry rifle yet too long to be a true carbine. Its handling qualities and rapid charger-loading nonetheless made the Lee-Enfield action the basis of British service rifles for the next half-century.