TOPIC:

I recently purchased a .303 rifle and I'm wondering if anyone could tell me something of its origins.
Below the bolt it carries these markings: VR with SPARBROOK below followed by 1896 followed by LE and the latter I below that.
The butt is stamped M&D LONDON.
.
Any ideas?

Could it read Sparkbrook?
If so, that could be Sparkbrook, Birmingham, West Midlands, I think Le Enfields were manufactured there. BSA took over the site at some point I believe.
VR ...Victoria Regina?
Not sure about the M&D London, there was a Canadian Provincial Lee Enfield marking, see below.
M&D Militia & Defense. Commonly found on pre-WWI (1914) arms.

Thank you for your reply. You're quite right - it reads Sparkbrook. What puzzles me is that the rifle is dated 1896. Didn't know the Enfield was around before the Boer War.
Thanks again. Tony Maxwell

Tony
The Enfield factory first produced rifles for the British army during the Napoleonic wars (the Baker flintlock) and was certainly around before the Boer war. The rifle you describe sounds like a Magazine Lee Enfield Mk.1 (or 1*) and that pattern of infantry rifle was approved for manufacture in November of 1895. Royal Small Arms Factory Sparkbrook, Birmingham, was a Government facility and apparently commenced production of Lee Metford rifles in 1890. RSAF Sparkbrook was later sold to the BSA company in 1906.
Your rifle's "M&D London" butt marking could well have been a retailer's marking after the rifle had been sold out of service. Government butt markings on such a rifle would include a manufacturing roundel with a broad arrow and the title "R-Crown-M" and Sparkbrook. Class Marks would also have been applied. However, these official markings could well have been removed after the rifle's sale.
A couple of "coulds" there - unfortunately.
Regards
IL.

Photos would be nice to see. Is there anything stamped on the Nock's form of the barrel or the tang of the brass butt plate?

Thank you for your reply to my post. I've attached the two photos you suggested. Hope it helps. Cheers, Tony