| lancaster |
| (.470 member) |
| 15/02/20 06:19 AM |
India police decommission historic British-era rifles
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you would not believe but it seem clock is ticking for the lee enfield now after the canadian ranger give it up https://news.yahoo.com/india-police-deco...JBIWqgEFAYQuuCt
"India police decommission historic British-era rifles
[AFP]
AFP•January 26, 2020
British-era bolt-action rifles were used for the last time by police in northern India during the Republic Day parade (AFP Photo/SANJAY KANOJIA)
The Lee-Enfield .303 rifle has been the main weapon used by police in Uttar Pradesh state over seven decades (AFP Photo/Prakash SINGH)
Police in northern India on Sunday bid goodbye to the historic British-era bolt-action rifles after using them for one last salute during the annual Republic Day parade.
The Lee-Enfield .303 rifle was the main firearm of British colonial military forces and, despite being designated "obsolete" around 25 years ago, it has been the main weapon used by police in Uttar Pradesh state over seven decades.
The rifle -- used by the British during the two World Wars -- fires one shot at a time, after which the barrel needs to be reloaded by pulling the bolt.
"They have been in use since independence (from the British in 1947) and now they'll be replaced by INSAS (Indian Small Arms System) and SLRs (Self-Loading Rifles)," said police superintendent Amit Verma.
As many as 45,000 of the rifles were being used by the state police, Verma said, and the model was a favourite among constables due to accuracy and sturdiness.
"This (.303) rifle is a fantastic weapon and has served us brilliantly in various operations in the past," police additional director general Bijaya Kumar Maurya told AFP.
"But it being a bolt action weapon with low magazine capacity, it was time for a change. Itss production has also discontinued so there was all the more need for an upgrade."
Maurya said the new automatic rifles would "add to the confidence of our officers" and would result in improved policing.
"The criminals will naturally face the heat when they'll face officers armed with automatic weapons."
The rifles will be returned to a gun factory in Ishapore in West Bengal state where they will be converted into anti-riot guns, spokesman Saurabh Singh told AFP.
Saroj Kumar Mishra, a constable with the Uttar Pradesh police since 1982, said he would miss the heavy-duty rifle.
"The weapon is as smooth as butter even after 20 rounds of back-to-back firing," he was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times newspaper.
"This feature is perhaps the most important one which we often miss in the modern day weapons."
India was Sunday celebrating the anniversary of the adoption of its constitution in 1950."
| Rule303 |
| (.416 member) |
| 15/02/20 09:41 AM |
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Re: India police decommission historic British-era rifles
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So the Lee Enfield 303 is finally laid to operational rest after more then a century of duty.
| DarylS |
| (.700 member) |
| 15/02/20 10:51 AM |
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Re: India police decommission historic British-era rifles
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I have a battle dressed SMLE, but unfortunately, no bayonet.
NitroX
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| (.700 member) |
| 15/02/20 03:26 PM |
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Re: India police decommission historic British-era rifles
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Quote:
I have a battle dressed SMLE, but unfortunately, no bayonet.
Me too. But what's a "battle dressed" SMLE?
I want to find a period suitable bayonet for my SMLE No.1 Mk III. A good long one. And a sheath.
I got a lovely leather Light Horse scabbard.
Believe it or not a bayonet in SA is illegal unless one is a collector. Some poor guy a few years ago got a 5 am police raid for mentioning his bayonet on the internet per a report. Unbelievable for a knife ! What a time we are beginning to live in, when STASI attitudes are fully supported by our Police.
But back to SMLE's. I have re-acquaint myself with its age. A least early 1920's or earlier. All matching numbers as well.
If I ever have a walk in gun strongroom, it will hang on the wall.
I like shooting the .303. It is so mild.
| Iowa_303s |
| (.400 member) |
| 15/02/20 03:43 PM |
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Re: India police decommission historic British-era rifles
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I have 3 Lee Enfields in my collection.
#1 is my Speed(ish) from szihn.
#2 is a Sht 22 MkIV that began as a BSA made .303 in 1915 and was converted to 22 LR in 1926.
#3 is an Ishapore 2A1 (7.62x51) made in 1965.
All are fun to shoot. The 22 is a ruthless teacher of follow through!
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NitroX
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| (.700 member) |
| 15/02/20 10:28 PM |
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Re: India police decommission historic British-era rifles
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I've got a second one as well, a cut back 'sporterised' SMLE No.1 Mk III.
| DarylS |
| (.700 member) |
| 16/02/20 06:14 AM |
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Re: India police decommission historic British-era rifles
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By battle dressed, I simply meant as-issued, not sporterized/cut down as most that are seen here, are.
| Rule303 |
| (.416 member) |
| 16/02/20 01:16 PM |
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Re: India police decommission historic British-era rifles
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Quote:
By battle dressed, I simply meant as-issued, not sporterized/cut down as most that are seen here, are.
Me to only mine is a No5MK1.
| 2152hq |
| (.300 member) |
| 17/02/20 05:19 AM |
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Re: India police decommission historic British-era rifles
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Sounds like the decommissioned rifles are headed to Ishapor to be made in to .410 single shots and then reissued there for guard duty.
That'll make lots of SMLE followers cry here in the USA who dreamed of another supply of surplus SMLE's coming to the States like the great 1990's group from Australia/John Jovino import.
None that are viewable in the pics above seem to have the normal 'Ishapor Screw' laterally through the forestock. That would give some indication that they are English made rifles or very early Ishapor built and have never been back for repair after India Independence when that reinforcement feature was made popular.
No square eared nose cap wings either common of the later India mfg rifles.
I've still got 3 that are 'orig' features.
BSA 1906 MkI* SMLE that took some time to put back to orig shape with some parts from another.
BSA 'Commercial' MkI* SMLE could have been made as late as 1914 I'm guessing
BSA 'Commercial' CLLE Long Lee, "" ""
A couple SMLE bayonets and at least one for the LongLee.
Recent purchase of a sportered .22MkIV.
Excellent bore. Made up on a WW1 Enfield mfg SMLE ('M' ser# prefix) in 1954 & FTR.
Someone then cut the forestock and removed the handguards.
I have handguards front and rear for it. I'll make the missing forestorck wood and splice it in under the front band (also missing). Front band and nose cap, screws, ect are parts I have so it will be back in shape at some point.
Same old story of MilSurp rifles.
They get bought cheap at one time,,cut up and sporterized,,then later on we try and put them back together again like a HumptyDumpty when the prices go up as the supply dries up.
| Rothhammer1 |
| (.400 member) |
| 17/02/20 01:32 PM |
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Re: India police decommission historic British-era rifles
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'Battle dressed'?
