SMLE Mk III
Royal Small Arms Factory Enfield · Rifle · Discontinued · 1907
Also known as: Rifle, Short, Magazine Lee-Enfield Mk III, Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk III, SMLE No.1 Mk III, Rifle No.1 Mk III
Overview
The SMLE Mk III is a bolt-action, magazine-fed repeating service rifle adopted by the British Army in 1907. Officially the Short, Magazine Lee-Enfield Mk III, it combined the Lee turn-bolt action with a rear-locking bolt and a detachable 10-round box magazine fed by stripper clips, giving it a higher practical rate of fire than contemporary Mauser-pattern rifles. Chambered in .303 British, it served as the standard infantry rifle of British and Commonwealth forces through both World Wars and remained in widespread service for decades afterward.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4000 g (141.1 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1130 mm (44.49") |
| Barrel Length | 635 mm (25.00") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 10 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 744 m/s (2441 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2420 J (1785 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 2700 m (2953 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 | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .303 British · primary — also known as 7.7x56mmR, .303 Mk VII
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine, Stripper Clip
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Cocking Indicator
- Features: Cock On Closing Action, Ten Round Magazine, Charger Loading, Rear Locking Lugs, Magazine Cut Off, Full Length Wood Furniture
Service history
Operators
- British Army · adopted 1907 · as Rifle, Short, Magazine Lee-Enfield Mk III
- Australian Army · adopted 1907
- Indian Army
- New Zealand Military Forces
Conflicts
- World War I (1914-1918)
- World War II (1939-1945)
- Korean War (1950-1953)
Production
Production years: 1907-1950s
Total Lee-Enfield production across all marks is estimated at roughly 17 million rifles; the Mk III/Mk III* accounted for a large share through both World Wars.
Origin
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Designer: James Paris Lee
Notes
The simplified wartime Mk III* deleted the magazine cut-off and the long-range volley sights to speed production. Australia and India continued manufacturing the Mk III long after Britain moved to the No. 4 rifle.
Background
The SMLE's smooth cock-on-closing action and 10-round magazine let trained riflemen deliver the 'mad minute': over 25 to 30 aimed rounds in sixty seconds. At the 1914 Battle of Mons, the volume of fire from SMLE-armed British regulars reportedly convinced advancing German troops they were facing massed machine guns.