Made in 1917, this Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Mk III* is a rifle that carried the British and Commonwealth armies through World War I and well beyond. The seller lists it as used, chambered in .303 British, with a 25 inch barrel, a ten round magazine and a black and wood finish.

The Mk III* is a simplified version of the Mk III, with the magazine cutoff and the long-range volley sights removed. That change cut production time during the war, and it makes collecting these rifles a lesson in how wartime economy changed the design. The bolt is still the fast rear-locking type that made Lee-Enfield riflemen so quick. A short session at the range will teach you how the sights are regulated and where the rifle prints at a hundred yards.

For an owner, the SMLE is a rifle with a rich story and a shooter's reputation. It is not hard to learn, and the surplus ammunition market has kept .303 British available.

A 100-year-old rifle deserves a careful look at the wood as well. It is sold as described and ships to a licensed dealer of your choice, where the background check is completed.