Make: Birmingham Small Arms Company

Model: Sht.L.E. III* (Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Mark III*)

Serial Number: 54127

Year of Manufacture: 1915 / ATF Classification: Modern (sporterized military rifles cannot qualify as C&R)

Caliber/Gauge: .303 British

Action Type: Bolt action, detachable magazine

Barrel Length: 25.2"

Sights/Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed into a raised base which is pinned in place at the muzzle. The rear sight is a u-notch adjustable for elevation. A screw appears to be missing at the rear of the sight.

Grip/Stock Configuration & Condition: The furniture is heavily modified from the original configuration. There are pressure dings, scuffs, and scratches throughout. There is no buttplate installed. There are multiple repairs and modifications made. The LOP measures 13" from the front of the trigger to the back of the butt. There are no chips or cracks. The furniture rates in Fair condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is dark and the rifling is fairly worn. There is mild pitting and erosion throughout the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 4/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 65% of its metal finish. There is pitting on the barrel, thinning, freckling, and scattered scratches. The screw heads are lightly tooled and retain turnable slots. The markings are clear and complete. Overall, this rifle rates in Fair condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this firearm. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: The Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA) was one of the major British manufacturers of the Short Magazine Lee-Enfield rifle during the First World War. The Mark III* was introduced in 1915 as a wartime simplification of the earlier Mk III pattern to streamline production. It became the standard British service rifle of both World Wars and was renowned for its fast action, large magazine capacity, and rugged reliability. This example, serial number 54127, was manufactured by BSA in 1915 and chambered in .303 British, but has since been modified into a sporter configuration.

This rifle retains about 65% of its original blued finish, with pitting on the barrel, thinning, freckling, and scattered scratches throughout the metal surfaces. The heavily modified stock remains in Fair condition with numerous pressure dings, scuffs, scratches, repairs, and alterations, and it is missing the original-style buttplate. The bore is dark with fairly worn rifling and mild pitting and erosion throughout, rating 4/10. The sights have also been modified, with the front sight appearing to be a replacement and the rear sight missing a screw. The action functions correctly, but the rifle has lost much of its original military configuration and collector appeal due to the sporterization. Overall, this Mark III* rates in Fair condition as a modified early 20th-century military rifle. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids!