SMLE Ishapore

RoyalTermite · 04-23-2018, 12:23 PM

Went to a gun show in Philadelphia this past weekend. It was pretty small and the selection of vintage firearms was very slim. I was looking for a World War 1 era SMLE Enfield but there were none to be had. As I was leaving my buddy pointed to a guy holding a rifle walking around and said "hey how about that gun. You like old stuff" It just happened to be an SMLE however it was an Indian Ishapore made in 1965.

The seller told me it was .303 and had sights for a 30-06 which he removed and installed a B-square scope mount and there was an Enfield sniper cheek rest screwed to the butt. He also told me it had the rare 12 round magazine for the 303. I knew at this point this guy had no idea what he had. I offered him $240 which he gladly took.

Upon closer examination, it is an all numbers matching rifle including the magazine. The site is missing yes but I can easily find one. The stock is slightly buggered up in a couple spots but it's okay to shoot. It wound up being an SMLE Ishapore 2a chambered in 7.62x51. This is not a converted 303 rifle. They actually built these rifles with a better grade steel around the 308 cartridge. It was a stopgap rifle that was issued to the Indian forces because they could not get enough FAL rifles in the early 60s. It was the last bolt action rifle to be issued to an armed force other than sniper rifles.

Needless to say, it has filled a gap in my collection and I got something better than I hoped for.

Douglas Jr. · 04-23-2018, 04:06 PM

Very nice addition indeed.

rolandtg · 04-23-2018, 11:21 PM

Terrific rifle! I also have an Ishapore Enfield in .308. Mine was made in '66.
I picked it up ~16 years ago or so.
I enjoy shooting it very much and I shoot well with it, better than with my Mauser or Springfield.

04-23-2018, 12:23 PM	#1
RoyalTermite User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Kennett Square. PA Posts: 63 Thanks: 37 Thanked 56 Times in 19 Posts	SMLE Ishapore Went to a gun show in Philadelphia this past weekend. It was pretty small and the selection of vintage firearms was very slim. I was looking for a World War 1 era SMLE Enfield but there were none to be had. As I was leaving my buddy pointed to a guy holding a rifle walking around and said "hey how about that gun. You like old stuff" It just happened to be an SMLE however it was an Indian Ishapore made in 1965. The seller told me it was .303 and had sights for a 30-06 which he removed and installed a B-square scope mount and there was an Enfield sniper cheek rest screwed to the butt. He also told me it had the rare 12 round magazine for the 303. I knew at this point this guy had no idea what he had. I offered him $240 which he gladly took. Upon closer examination, it is an all numbers matching rifle including the magazine. The site is missing yes but I can easily find one. The stock is slightly buggered up in a couple spots but it's okay to shoot. It wound up being an SMLE Ishapore 2a chambered in 7.62x51. This is not a converted 303 rifle. They actually built these rifles with a better grade steel around the 308 cartridge. It was a stopgap rifle that was issued to the Indian forces because they could not get enough FAL rifles in the early 60s. It was the last bolt action rifle to be issued to an armed force other than sniper rifles. Needless to say, it has filled a gap in my collection and I got something better than I hoped for.

04-23-2018, 04:06 PM	#2
Douglas Jr. User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: South America Posts: 948 Thanks: 598 Thanked 584 Times in 254 Posts	Very nice addition indeed.

04-23-2018, 11:21 PM	#3
rolandtg User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 472 Thanks: 365 Thanked 255 Times in 111 Posts	Terrific rifle! I also have an Ishapore Enfield in .308. Mine was made in '66. I picked it up ~16 years ago or so. I enjoy shooting it very much and I shoot well with it, better than with my Mauser or Springfield.