During the 1960s, the British Government and the Ministry of Defence converted a number of Lee–Enfield No. 4 rifles to 7.62×51mm NATO as part of a programme to retain the Lee–Enfield as a reserve weapon.

All military Martinis manufacturered for the Government will have a serial number. Enfields serial numbers ran A1000- ascending to A99999, then after ascending alpha-numerically such from AA1000 to AA99999 and so on. The serial numbers were used in two ways by the RSAF and the RSARF. Firstly to match components together that had been paired and proofed, i.e Barrel to Breech, then lattery when the rifle went in for repair at the Tower or Weedon to ensure they were re-matched after maintenance and for book keeping records. Common Serial number locations on rifles MkII onwards from 1876 • Barrel: Stamped on the Underside of Knocks form or in first up 4' (100mm) from the receiver.* and dated (true date) • Receiver: Stamped on front face. • Sight ladder: Stamped ** Serial numbers, additional unique to.450' MkI rilfes • Underside face of lever.

• Left hand side of breech block. • Side of trigger guard * On some MkIV pattern B & C rifles and some South Australia contract Martinis, the serial number will be exposed stamped on the knocks-form and or on the side of the right side of the receiver. ** On converted.303' rifles and carbines, two serial numbers will be found here, the original serial number from the.450' donor receiver, then the new.303' paired barrel number.

The Short Magazine Lee-Enfield The Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Rifle, or SMLE, was developed to provide a single rifle to replace both the Magazine Lee-Enfield Rifle (MLE) and the Lee-Enfield Carbine (LEC). With an overall length of 44.5 inches, the new weapon was referred to as a 'short rifle'; thus, the word 'short' refers to the length of the rifle--not the length of the magazine. Beginning in 1901, trials were conducted at the Royal Small Arms Factory (RSAF) in Enfield on the new short rifle, resulting in the adoption in December 1902 of the Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Mk I. (marked 'SHT L.E.' Production of the SMLE Mk I began in 1903 at RSAF Enfield and in 1904 at RSAF Sparkbrook, the Birmingham Small Arms Co. (BSA), and the London Small Arms Co. Minor modifications led to the adoption of the SMLE Mk I* in 1906, with production at Enfield, Sparkbrook, BSA Co., and LSA Co.

In 1903, conversions of various 'Long Lees' to SMLE configuration were approved. These converted rifles were designated SMLE Converted Mk II (marked 'SHT L.E.'

And 'ConD II' with varying numbers of stars, or asterisks). 'ConD' is an abbreviation for 'Converted.'

In 1907, additional conversions were approved, designated SMLE Converted Mk IV (marked 'SHT L.E.' And 'ConD IV'). Further improvements and simplifications of the SMLE led to the adoption in 1907 of the SMLE Mk III. Production of the Mk III began in 1907 at Enfield, BSA Co., and LSA Co. (RSAF Sparkbrook having been acquired by BSA Co.

Production of the Mk III also began in 1909 at the Ishapore Rifle Factory in India and in 1913 at the Lithgow Small Arms Factory in Australia. Earlier Mk I* and Mk II rifles were upgraded to include several of the improvements of the Mk III, yielding the SMLE Mk I** in 1908 and the SMLE Mk I*** in 1914. Similar upgrades done at the Ishapore Rifle Factory were designated the SMLE Mk I* I.P.

And the SMLE Mk I** I.P., with the 'I.P.' Designating 'India Pattern.' To allow for more rapid production of rifles during WWI, further simplifications were approved, leading to the adoption in 1916 of the SMLE Mk III*. Production of the Mk III* did not begin simultaneously at all rifle factories; BSA Co. Actually began production of the Mk III* in 1915, while LSA. Didn't begin producing the Mk III* until 1918. How to install a mod in skyrim. After the cessation of WWI hostilities in November of 1918, both Ishapore and Lithgow reverted to Mk III production.