From muddy trenches to global battlefields, the SMLE MKIII served the British Empire with unmatched reliability and firepower ...

SMLE Mk III rifles such as the example at left, which was made by the Birmingham Small Arms Co. in 1913, served the British “Tommy” well in the harsh conditions of World War I. That included ...

In 1939, the British soldier was still armed with the same rifle his father, or perhaps even his grandfather, carried. The Short, Magazine Lee Enfield (SMLE) delivered sterling service from the ...

303 rifle. Naturally, no-one ever called it anything as ponderous as "Short Magazine Lee-Enfield .303". In Army-speak it was the SMLE, which Tommy Atkins soon corrupted to "Smellie". As far as ...

This 'Short Magazine Lee Enfield' (SMLE) remained the service rifle of choice throughout the British Commonwealth for the next 60 years. Its magazine held 10 rounds and was accurate up to 2200 yards.

Follow the journey of one rifle as, from humble beginnings it earns a place in history in the hands of some extraordinary men. The journey begins in December 1902 when the British Army introduced ...