New Rifles for Old Ammo: The Royal Navy's Unique SMLE MkI**

Published on January 27, 2021
Duration: 5:33

The Royal Navy's SMLE MkI** was a unique variant designed to retain compatibility with older MkVI round-nose ammunition while incorporating improved sights for MkVII spitzer rounds. Key features included a charger guide on the bolt and a windage-adjustable rear sight. Later versions around 1912 adopted a fixed charger bridge. Original MkI** rifles are rare today due to subsequent upgrades.

Quick Summary

The Royal Navy's SMLE MkI** was a unique variant designed to bridge compatibility with older MkVI ammunition and the desire for improved sights suited for MkVII ammunition. Key features included a charger guide and specific sight graduations, making original examples rare today.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the SMLE MkI**
  2. 00:47Receiver Markings and Sight Evolution
  3. 02:18Technical Features of the MkI**
  4. 02:581912 Updates and Rarity

Frequently Asked Questions

What made the Royal Navy's SMLE MkI** unique compared to Army variants?

The Royal Navy's SMLE MkI** was unique because it retained features compatible with older MkVI round-nose ammunition while incorporating improved sights designed for the newer MkVII spitzer rounds, a compromise not seen in standard Army models.

What were the key sight differences between the SMLE MkI** and the Army's MkIII?

The MkI** featured a U-notch rear sight and square front post, but was graduated for lower-velocity MkVI ammo. The Army's MkIII used similar sights but was intended for higher-velocity MkVII spitzer ammunition.

Why are original SMLE MkI** rifles considered rare today?

Original SMLE MkI** rifles are rare because the Royal Navy eventually depleted its stocks of older MkVI ammunition and updated most of these rifles to later patterns, making unmodified examples highly sought after by collectors.

What technical features distinguished early SMLE MkI** models?

Early SMLE MkI** models featured a charger guide attached to the bolt that was only active when the bolt was open, a cartridge cutoff, and inward-curved front sight protector wings on the nose cap.

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