Adobe PDF Downloadable Version of Article

The Lee Enfield has the distinction of having been in continuous use for over 100 years.    For a bolt-action rifle to stay “on duty” this long says something about the design, and the faith put in it by various governments.  Many countries have used them, a government looking for a strong, reliable, accurate and fast handling bolt gun could have done a lot worse then a Lee Enfield.  Lee Enfields (in one version or another) have been produced in 5 countries.    

The focus of this article is a Lee Enfield produced in India at the Rifle Factory Ishapore.  In 1909, the SMLE No. 1 Mk III went into full production at the Ishapore factory.  Actually, Ishapore has been in business since before 1909, doing conversion & repair work on lee Enfields.  Various arms related work still goes on there today.  To get the full story on the all the arms produced at Ishapore, the best reference in existence is the book “INDIA’S ENFIELDS” by Robert W. Edwards.  Read my review of this fine work: http://www.surplusrifle.com/reviews2006/indiasenfields/index.asp

The more I work with & write about Mil-Surp arms, the more I want to know.  That requires a lot of research on my part.  Which of course means guns & books, and there’s nothing I like better then more Mil-surp arms and more research books!  So, it was time to expand the Lee Enfield herd in my gun locker.  I was on the prowl for a clean Ishapore No. 1 Mk 3* (type 3).  “Ishy” is the nickname for a rifle produced at Ishapore.

Proprietor Randy Ward at WEST TEXAS MILITARY SURPLUS, 2413-34^th St, Lubbock, Texas 79411, 1-(806)-785-4867, http://www.gunsandblades.com/ had received a shipment of Ishy’s.  I brought my Maglite® Solitare® (bore light).  I also had a few lead bullets along, each of slightly of different size.  Since the barrel is the all-important factor in finding an accurate rifle, I put these items to good use.  See this article for the full story on barrels.  http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting2006/barrelprimer/index.asp     

So, after a bit of small talk; I walked over to the rack and began inspecting rifles.  There were two Ishy’s I was drooling over…um, that is… I meant to say there were two rifles I was I was trying to decide between!  The one with the specific bore size I was looking for got a new home. 

India achieved full nationhood in 1951,  (having formally been under the British Empire) and starting in that year produced a slightly updated version of the No. 1 Mk 3*.  The changes are small and simplify production.  Let’s look at the changes.

Ishapore Lee-Enfield

Ishapore Lee-Enfield, flip side

Lithgow Lee-Enfield, 9 lb, 2.0 oz

Ishapore Lee-Enfield, 9 lb, 0.5 oz

The new rifle dispensed with a few minor machining and fabrication steps.  As you can see by the digital scale, the weight difference is negligible.  In handling both rifles the feel is the same.  Most references say the weight of the new Ishy rifle should exceed a British or Australian produced model by a few ounces. However, densities of wood, or length of butt stock would cause the weight of individual examples to vary. (Note.1)

The crest at top is called the Ashoka

R.F.I. is for Rifle Factory Ishapore

Year of manufacture and model 

Ishapore Lee-Enfield “straight & squared” nosecap

Lithgow Lee-Enfield “curved & rounded” nosecap

The most notable departure of the post-independence Ishy is the nosecap.  The new nosecap requires fewer manufacturing steps, and increases protection for the muzzle.  The protective “ears” are parallel sided and squared across the top, unlike the older, curved and rounded nosecap.     

Ishapore Lee-Enfield rear sight ears; simple, effective, parallel-sided

Lithgow Lee-Enfield rear sight ears, curved with lightening cuts

Like its British and Australian produced cousins, the Ishy has a buttery smooth action.  The bolt glides back & forth in the receiver.  The angle of the bolt handle is conducive to fast cycling for follow-up shots.                                                                                      

Reworked (higher) sight on left, original sight on right (Note. 2)

Acquire a good front rest, rear bag, and watch your scores improve.  Spotting scope saves steps

The Ishy’s sight picture is exactly like it s British made cousins

Check out the length required to get the bullet to engage the rifling. The throat on the Ishy is l-o-n-g!  Still shot very well though.

My favorite bullets are those I cast myself.  We developed a special cast bullet load that can be used in virtually any medium bore, bolt action, Mil-Surp arm.  The Surplusrifle Cast Bullet Load is easy on the gun, shoulder, powder keg & wallet.  It doesn’t get much better then that!  For the full story on this load and the loading procedure, see this article. http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting/castfiller/index.asp

Since we are working with the 303 British round, please read these articles also.  http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting/brasssizing/index.asp  http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting/castingcouch/index.asp. 

The loads were put up in fresh Remington .303 brass.  I used Winchester standard, large rifle, primers, IMR 4198 powder and PSB filler.   My cast bullet of choice for this rifle is Seaco # 301.  Loads were assembled according to the procedures laid down in the aforementioned articles.  Due to a deep rifle throat; the bullets had to be long loaded, but they shot very well.

Best 5 shot group

This rifle is a shooter!

I’m extremely pleased with the Ishy.  The fit & finish is at least equal to any other SMLE.  The care and professionalism put into the construction of this rifle is self-evident. Just handling the arm and sliding the bolt back & forth show how well made it is.  The British did well when they built the factory, outfitted it with tooling and trained the workforce.  The Indian artisans take pride in their work.  Don’t pass on the chance to pick up an Ishy. (Note.3)

Adobe PDF Downloadable Version of Article