Deactivated RARE 1907 Dated SMLE MK3 Marked to the Gold Coast Regiment

This is a fascinating first year of production Enfield made SMLE MKIII rifle. The MK3 replaced the MK1* in 1907 as the standard British infantry rifle. Enfield made them from 1907 until 1912 completing 100,000 during this period. On average that's less than 17,000 per year. This example is dated 1907 but was completed in early 1908 when the matching barrel was fitted and date stamped '08. It still retains matching numbers to the receiver, barrel, rear sight and woodwork, but more importantly both volley and diopter sights are still in tact.  

Now this is where it gets really interesting!! The brass regiment disc bears the initials "GCR C 144" which is an abbreviation for the Gold Coast Regiment. C 144 most likely represents the Company and number. 

The very first shot fired by a soldier in British service during WWI was by Alhaji Grunshi of the Gold Coast Regiment whilst station in the British Gold Coast. After war was declared in August 1914 the GCR took Togoland from German forces. Alhaji Grunshi went on to receive the DCM & MM awards. Was this rifle there on that day the first shot was fired or could it have even been Alhaji Grunshi actual rifle??? If only this SMLE could speak!!!

After being sold out of service this historic rifle continued a life within the film industry being owned and used in various war films by the world famous Bapty who specialise in supplying weaponry to the film, TV and drama industries.

To say this that this rifle has "been there and done it" is somewhat of an understatment!!!