We all know "SMLE" as a catch-all name for the Lee Enfield No1, and quite a few people give you funny looks when referring to a No4 as an SMLE. SMLE is an acronym of "Short Magazine Lee Enfield" and so should be used to refer to any of the Lee Enfields listed below:
SMLE No1: (.303 [Note, the c.1900 MkI version doesn't look the same as the c.1916 MkIII pictured below] )
SMLE No2: (A .22 rim-fire training version of the No1)
SMLE No3: (.303 - "Pattern 14"/"P14" or "Home Guard Rifle", also produced as a (T) [scoped] variant used for sniping by the British Army)
SMLE No4 (.303, also produced as a (T) [scoped] variant used for sniping by the British Army)
SMLE No5: (A carbine version of the No4)
SMLE No6: (Prototyped, but never produced)
SMLE No7: (Originally called the No5 when prototyping, it's a .22 rim-fire training version/conversion of the No4)
SMLE No9: (A .22 rim-fire single-shot conversion of the No4, converted for the Navy)
SMLE L39A1: (A .22 rim-fire training/target rifle)
SMLE L42A1: (British Army .308 [7.62 Nato] replacement for the No4(T), and is version on the earlier L39A1)
SMLE L59A1: (British Army Drill Purpose Rifle - a converted No4 made incapable of being fired, for practice and demonstration use)
SMLE M10: (Australian .308 [7.62 Nato] version of the No4)
Quite a few of us already know all this, but I though I'd list them all for everyone's' reference.
A Proud Member Of 'Team Spleen!' who play mainly at Gunman Airsoft, Tuddenham, Suffolk.
Did you deliberately omit the No8:
http://www.rifleman.org.uk/Enfield_Rifle_No.8.html
Did you deliberately omit the No8:
http://www.rifleman.org.uk/Enfield_Rifle_No.8.html
Yes, because those aren't 'Short Magazine Lee Enfield's.
The No8 was a hand-loading single shot rifle, and the No9 is an automatic rifle/"machine gun". You can't really call either of them "SMLE"s.
A Proud Member Of 'Team Spleen!' who play mainly at Gunman Airsoft, Tuddenham, Suffolk.
and the No9 is an automatic rifle/"machine gun". You can't really call either of them "SMLE"s.
Did you look at the link? Looks like a No. 4 to me.
and the No9 is an automatic rifle/"machine gun". You can't really call either of them "SMLE"s.
Did you look at the link? Looks like a No. 4 to me.
Indeed! That'll teach me to skim-read the page 
No9 added! I've never head of it before. It's odd really as the No9 seems to be a similar convertion/spec' as the No7, but single-shot.
A Proud Member Of 'Team Spleen!' who play mainly at Gunman Airsoft, Tuddenham, Suffolk.
How about the semi-auto SMLEs? Like this one...
The Howell in the Royal Armouries, Leeds.
A tad picish
I know, but that is a P-14(T) with a Warner and Swasey primatic scope. Making it more than likely, that this chap is a Canadian.
Indeed he is Canadian 
A Proud Member Of 'Team Spleen!' who play mainly at Gunman Airsoft, Tuddenham, Suffolk.
And a s**t sniper as well. Weapon muzzle so close to a window? Basic stuff but, so often missed.
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
It will be a staged photo remember, likely needing to get the window 'in frame', as I imagine carrying a photographer around with you is an even worse sniper mistake.
It will be a staged photo remember, likely needing to get the window 'in frame', as I imagine carrying a photographer around with you is an even worse sniper mistake.
True. It still winds me up a bit though! 
I once slapped a guy for "posing" with a GPMG for a newspaper photo, with the barrel hanging out of a window and I flatly refused to be photographed as a sniper.
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
True. It still winds me up a bit though!
Isn't that giving misinformation to the enemy, though? Giving the impression it's normal. 
No, it's giving your position away to the enemy without even firing a round.
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
I meant posing for the photo like that, not actually doing it.
I meant posing for the photo like that, not actually doing it.
I shouldn't imagine so. I doubt any enemy would be dense enough to think our soldiers were that thick and lacking in a sense of self preservation, or bereft of any training.
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
I think it artistic compromise thats required in PR shots.
A proper picture of British Infantry in a defensive position would look like a snapshot of the countryside, you just wouldnt see anything.
Similarly in film and photogrpahy soliders are often shown skylining and silouhetted against backgorunds that make for a better photo.
The vast majority of 1940s 'combat photogrpahy' is evidently staged as as mentioned the photographer and his kit would usually have to be ina ridiculously exposed position. Also men are always too clean and well shaven, well known kit mods are rarely seen,captured kit is nearly never seen while we know it did happen.
I think its more a case of sending pics back home for public consumption that show the lads in fearless, heroic and 'cinematic' poses/light.
Public battles suffer from the same thing in the blank fire re-en community, you have guys ridicuously exposed or kneeling behind haybales blatting off rounds at each other from 50 foot away. Simply because a realisitic skirmish would just be muzzle flashs from gug in postions and decent concealment.
Its shit i agree but its unfortunately the way it is
"I think we are in rats' alley - Where the dead men lost their bones."
Having decided to have a go at a p14 build I decided to see what we had in the armoury at Ford ranges. I found this p14
...or what's left of it. Apparently when it was rebarreled to take 7.62 Nato rounds all the upper woodwork and the front lower wood was no longer needed so went many years ago. I have been told that it is still a very accurate rifle and would you believe it changed hands recently for £50! All you need is the relevant paperwork.
In comparison to the L4A1 it does seem to have a very short stock.
Live full-bore (.303, 7.62mm, etc.) bolt action rifles are legal if you have a Firearms Certificate.
i heard that lithgow arms (factory that made weapons for the anzacs during the war in auz) never got round to producing the no4 mk1 during ww2 just out of curiosity...is this true? also does that mean the kiwis wernt given no4 mk's........i know it sound like a stupid question to u guys but im just wondering 
Kiwi airsofter, just pew-pewing.
The No.4 was only an economy version of the SMLE ,cheaper and to produce and less manufacturing time and less metal used.Without the same resources restrictions it is quite feasible that they had no need to build the No.4.
It was used throughout the war in some theatres ,and those who had them tried to hang on to them.
wow interesting! so were they issued ther rifles in nz/auz before they went to italy etcetc
Kiwi airsofter, just pew-pewing.
