1914 SMLE Mk.III with Lattey sights and Youlten Hyposcope

 Not an item directly associated with the S.N.H.,however, the SMLE rifle was the last firearm issued to the S.N.H. before the regiment converted to an artillery unit. The SMLE was first issued to the regiment in 1909, and used by them throughout WW1. 


The SMLE was first introduced in 1903. Basically a combination of the army's infantry rifle, and cavalry carbine, the  Magazine Lee Enfield ,and the Carbine Magazine Lee Enfield.With minor improvements, most notably the introduction of a charger bridge for five round clips, the SMLE became its most familiar form in 1907, the Mk.III

This example made by B.S.A. in 1914 shows the early features of the 1907 SMLE Mk.III, the rifle which the B.E.F. went to war with in 1914. A single round cut-off for the magazine. An adjustment wheel for the rear sight leaf. Milled sides to the rear sight protector. To the left hand side of the rifle,and a pair of flip up long range volley sights with a dial for the front sight. In early 1916 to speed up war production, the War Department approved the SMLE Mk.III*. This involved removing the single round cut-off lever, the rear sight adjustment wheel, the milling to the rear sight protector, and the long range volley sights were no longer fitted.When the war ended, the only feature reintroduced to production was the single round cut-off lever.Mk.111 examples which were returned to store after the war had ended, in the 1920's were restocked without the long range volley sights. As such, surviving examples retaining their long range volley sights are now quite rare today. This particular rifle with issue marks for the 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers who fought in several major battles in 1914, and then took part in the 1914 Christmas Truce. 

This rifle is shown with several devices designed for trench warfare. Fitted to the butt is a Youlten patent Hyposcope. Reaching the front line in 1915, the Youlten Hyposcope was supplied in very limited numbers being rather expensive for the War Department to purchase. The device allows the rifle to sit on the edge of the trench parapet on a sandbag or similar, the firer to grip the butt with his left hand, view through the prism and get a good clear image along the line of sight and aim towards the enemy. The arm holding the prism could fold forward when not in use rather than removing the whole unit from the butt. Supplied in a wooden case with a set of instructions to the inside of the lid. Not many were issued and it was later replaced by a field workshop made wooden frame with mirror for the same role which was easier to aim and use.

The rifle is also fitted with a set of galilean (telescopes and sights without a joining tube) Lattey patent optical sights. First issued for front line use in September 1915. The rear unit attaches to the rear sight leaf block with a small plate held on by two screws. The front sight sits over the rifles end cap,and held in place by a small plate held by a screw. Both sights bear broad-arrow markings. Issued in very small numbers, and to be fair, not very good for their purpose. Galilean sites were used less as SMLE rifles were fitted with a more familiar full telescopic sight for sniping from 1915 onwards. Lattey sights are very rare and sought after today. In November 2024 a semi-relic set with heavily corroded screws sold at auction for around £3500 with commission. 

Lastly, the rifle is fitted with a 1903 pattern bayonet with a 1917 dated attachment for wire breaking. The device has a switch lever to the bottom to allow the device to be used with the 1903 pattern bayonet, or the 1907 pattern  bayonet with its slimer blade. The user would push the rifle into the enemy wire, the bayonet blade would guide the wire into the V cut on the device which lined the wire dead centre to the rifle's bore,  then the wire broken by bullet fire. The 1903 pattern bayonet with issue marks to the 11th Battalion Sherwood Foresters who saw action on the 1st day of the battle of the Somme, 1st July 1916. 





















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