1917 Fianna Fail ShtLE enfield HELP!

[kwells2006]

well, i got this rifle some years ago.

Markings:

(Crown)
GR
B.S.A.Co
1917
ShtLE
III*

Receiver:
(crown)
GB
(crossed flags)
P

t ("Y" with post in middle of the V) P
2

Barrel:

(crown)
GB
(crossed flags)
P.

(crown)
3C
E

'27

<-

(FF)

(crown)
SB (i cant tell too well)
E

other side of barrel:

U
75xx

D2

(a DEEP) G

rear sight:

T

D (but has an "E", looks like a E and a D)

<-

(crown)
23
(sideways) E

stock ID plate:

4

stock on handgrip behind trigger guard:

the mixed ED
7

can anyone tell me anything about this rifle? All i can tell is that it was a rifle given to Ireland

[Mikey]

No1 MkIII SMLE (Short Magazine Lee Enfield).  Made at the Birmingham Small Arms (BSA) Company in 1917.  Caliber 303 British.  I believe!!!!

[Cottage Hill Bill]

Crown GR - Royal Cypher GR = Georgius Rex i.e. King George
BSA - Birmingham Small Arms - the factory where it was made
1917 - year of manufacture
ShtLE III* - Short, Lee Enfield mark three star - model designation - the * indicates slight production changes from the mark III - mainly the deletion of the long range sights and the magazine cutoff

Crown/crossed pennons/P - proof mark, meaning the action was tested with an over pressure round as part of the final inspection process

tP2 - probably an inspection mark, need photo

Crown/crossed pennons/P - as above

Crown 3C E inspector's mark

'27 - date - possibly the action was rebarreled in 1927 - that would fit in well with post war reworks

Crown/SB/E - inspector's mark

the ED combination mark is the EnfielD factory stamp used to identify parts made at Royal Small Arms Factory (RASF) Enfield

the other marks are likely various inspection or manufacturer's marks. I'm going off the top of my head, can't get to my books right now.

[kwells2006]

There is also a "R" on the bottom of the barrel by the chamber, and what looks like a "D2", then a DEEP stamped C or G, then 3 of the same inspectors marks. but from what i read, the # and the letter in the inspectors marks should be reversed

also, whats the story behind "Fianna Fail"? from what i read, thts the stamp they lapped on rifles they gave the Irish.

[Czech_too]

A good read - http://www.surplusrifle.com/smle/index.asp