The No 1, Mk III* Short, Magazine, Lee Enfield (SMLE): Musketry of WWII - 1939 Rifle Course (War)

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Here, we explore the first of the wartime rifle courses introduced in 1939.
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[@jubsy]

Let's give him another 10 likes rapid!

[@mrlucky5025]

Ready! Ten likes rapid! Commence Liking!

[@davidseale716]

The twins are back.

[@charlesratcliff2016]

Lee Enfield is the Cadillac of rifles. You are a true historian

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Just interested in the subject, that's all.

[@charlesratcliff2016]

@@britishmuzzleloaders I have to say that through your interest, You have rekindled mine.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

@@charlesratcliff2016 Glad to hear!

[@babylonsburning1]

Perhaps you mean the Rolls Royce of rifles.

[@markthemaniac3350]

You now need to create a T-shirt with “great big buggerence” on it.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Haha!

[@joeblow9657]

I love these intro sketches. They're better than what one may initially think

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Glad to hear!

[@firebladenut]

With a moustache like that you really do need to get some staff sgt stripes on your uniform haha 👍

[@brandonbentley8532]

Now this is a great way to spend your morning. The editing, backdrop, humour, and history are second to none! Many thanks.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thanks Brandon!

[@rosssmithies8331]

Fantastic as always. The encumbrance of helmet, body armour and pack remain an issue when shooting to this day. The British Army's Mk7 helmet, and now Virtus, were partly designed with that issue in mind (hence the rising rear-line). Thankfully we don't have gas capes flopping around anymore! I'd still much prefer an SMLE to my L85A2 though...

[@lewismacdonald7262]

I'd rather a SMLE over anything

[@rosssmithies8331]

@@snowflakemelter1172 How so?

[@mitchelwalsh5356]

Rufus Chucklebutty Well, numerous countries still use the SMLE to this day, and they probably get on quite well!

[@OhStylo]

THE INTRO oh my lord. The intro..... does @britishmuzzleloaders like Laurel and Hardy, perchance? Cause it seems that way, that stoogeish, childish arguing over technical stuff, and nonsense, a bit..... brilliant! I was lying dead within the first 1 minute of the vid.

[@barrywebber100]

The doubling up of your image worked seamlessly and with great humour. Well done for some high scoring shooting. Thanks for posting, good stuff!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you!

[@Ben_not_10]

21:07 that fire trench must’ve been made for the giant that would use that 70 caliber snider carbine.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

I know! Kinda deep, eh!

[@Ben_not_10]

britishmuzzleloaders just outta curiosity would you ever be interested in the pattern 14 rifle. I know it didn’t see much in the way of action in either first or second world wars, but I did see a picture of Canadian troops training with pattern 14 (or no3 mk1* by that time) and their kakhi bush shirts reminded me of you.

[@josemoreno3334]

I have one that was made in 1917 in Australia. Nice. No.1 Mk III* SMLE. Grate video, Thanks.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

You are most welcome!

[@ilfarmboy]

the things you do for your videos wow (shooting from the top of a hillside 21 minute mark )

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

I try!.

[@jameswells554]

Outstanding adaptation of the terrain to accommodate the rifle course. Luckily firing from a trench is much like firing from a fighting hole, but you can still see the Great War mentality in the training. Love your work.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Glad you enjoyed it. A "trench" doesn't have to be a great long thing with sandbags... it can be a slit trench or some such... as long as you can stand up and rest your elbows.. Firing from a trench is still a practiced form of shooting today.

[@loganholmberg2295]

Another great vid! Its so hard to find anyone doing Canadian/British war history as well as you do,

[@danklvac4746]

Fantastic living history/marksmanship channel

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

I like to call it, "Historical Shooting"

[@danklvac4746]

@@britishmuzzleloaders I guess so, since you are following the period-specific conduct for the drills.

[@MyBlueZed]

Thank you for teaching me things about rifles and historical training my Canuck friend! Let me return the favour. The correct saying at 13:40 is “The proof of the pudding is in the eating.” 😘🇦🇺🇨🇦

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Sure thing, thank you.

[@norwegianwiking]

can we petition Marstar or one of the gun movie rentals to give you access to a BREN to do that part of the courses?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Please do! That would be a great project!

[@Jazzman-bj9fq]

Wow, those mountains are beautiful! Anyway, making the jump to get my own SMLE so I'm starting to watch your vids, subbed as well

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you!

[@zipobrand7095]

As always the quality and focus on the historical accuracy is stupendous, can’t wait for the new topic

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

That is very kind. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@Preuen-zs1fz]

It's a long way to tipperary intensified!

[@stevebettany8778]

I’ve waited for the right time to watch this latest video so I can really take it in. As always very informative and interesting.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Glad you enjoyed it! Cheers!

[@mcsmash4905]

Gotta love the absolutely lovely tunes in the background

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Cheers!

[@kiltymacbagpipe]

The intro made me laugh.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Glad to hear!

[@chrisgodfrey6353]

Love your stuff lad, at the risk of sounding misty eyed or jingoistic thanks for your input and the service of Canadians throughout history, ex squaddie

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Glad you enjoyed it! Cheers.

[@lisar3006]

I have five No.1 MK.III,s and one No.1 MK.1 along with a 22 trainer made by BSA in 1914 one No.4 MK.1 and two No-5 jungle carbines.. I love these rifles the lee Enfield was the best bolt action rifle every produced. If I had the go to war with a bolt gun it would be the Lee Enfield. Great video thanks. .

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Odin029]

1:44 somebody's probably already said this, but that scenery is pretty amazing

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Cheers!

[@robsmock6042]

I have a 1917 MK* SMLE . I believe mine was made Ishapore. Mine in extremely good condition for being as old as it is. It's an extremely reliable rifle. Watching you is what inspired me to learn more about my rifle.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Nice!

[@robsmock6042]

@@britishmuzzleloaders I've learned so much from watching your videos. Thank you for making it so entertaining!

[@stevenrickett4333]

21.35 What a fantastic view.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

It was a great day!

[@SmittyMRE]

"I'm mean it....WAS SO CLOSE" Hahaha, ah rotten luck, but fantastic video, good sir.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

It really was.... :-)

[@haroldlittell689]

For the U.S. Army Pro mask, (protective or gas mask). From the call, "GAS GAS GAS", till the first target comes up is eight seconds. Remove K-pot, (Kevlar helmet). Take pro mask from bag at the left hip, (Right hip for wrong handed people like Ian). Put it then K-pot on, start shooting. The new M-50 pro masks with the large single eye piece is a big improvement.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Similar drills everywhere, yes.

[@r.d.6546]

Another great video Rob. Excellent shooting as well. Now I have to take my smile out this afternoon. Keep up the good work. Rick

[@blueband8114]

The work put in to these videos is fantastic, and greatly appreciated.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you!

[@stuartmoody3518]

Great to see a video on the Enfield by someone who actually knows He is talking about!!!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Plenty more of that on the Channel, if you are interested.

[@jimf3932]

Would be great to see a side by side accuracy comparison among all three- Lee Metford, SMLE and No. 4- at say, 200 or 300 yds for ten shots each... Great vid! Keep 'em coming!!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

That's a good idea!....

[@HaydnHaendel]

Around 24:00. Fredericus Rex playing. I think german psiops are invading you channel, my dear canadian. You might want to check you allegiance to your Crown. Nice video as always, greetings from Italy!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Did you watch the last "Alberta Shoot" video?.... :-)

[@mpetersen6]

Standard kit for the BEF in France 1940 1 Lee Enfield mk4, 120 rounds .303 Ball, 1 3rd class Europass ticket russels to Dunkirk

[@snowflakemelter1172]

A return ticket ?

[@seangannon6081]

An informative, entertaining video with spectacular scenery... this is what military videos should be.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you! Very kind.

[@notarokescientist3003]

So much for team work Mackenzie

[@jacoklopper4772]

Thank you for all the effort! I really enjoyed this! Well done as always

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you!

[@Ben_not_10]

+britishmuzzleloaders as per your usual, you have done a fantastic job with this video. If KZbin would allow, id give you two thumbs up and two big toes for this production.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Very kind Lawrence!

[@JenniferinIllinois]

Ok Rob, that background during practice 5. BREATHTAKING!!!!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Good spot, eh?

[@JenniferinIllinois]

@@britishmuzzleloaders Absolutely. I have to say you're very disciplined to be able to complete the course of fire with that spe tacar scenery. High Command would be proud. 😉😉😉

[@aliencatcrew3336]

The opening of this video is priceless. Did that really happen?? "Give me 10 rounds down no man's land, rapid" "what?!?! 10 rounds?? Thsts a round every 2 seconds, what?!!! We did that?? When?!! Reality. "Cowardice" BANG!!!! IM GOING OVER, BANG!!! BOTH MEN DEAD. YESH SURE IN GOJNG OVER HOLD ON LET NE AIM THE GUN AT MY OWN HEAD OK JOLD ON. BANG!!! GERMANS "MEN ARD DYING ABD WE DIDBT FIRE ANY ROUNDS" WHATS GOING ON??? Only thing that's missing is "nyuk nyuk nyuk, look at the golf!!! You choppa choppa choppa what do you do???!!!

[@Crashing310]

Beautiful scenery.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Very fortunate.

[@idrinkwine]

Great work reproducing this course of fire! It was fun to see what men did in training.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@dennis2376]

To funny. Welcome back. Beautiful location again.

[@88porpoise]

What are you, some sort of Yankee? That is a figure “Four Ack”. That American “Able” stuff won’t spoil our King’s Army until ‘43.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Good pick up! After the fact, I realized that I was using a late war designation... forgot to put a comment in the video about it....

[@wolfpack4694]

Great opening skit impression of me, as an US Army Aviator Captain giving commands to (aka negotiating with) my Warrant Officer Pilots! :-)

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Haha!

[@misterfrizit]

Always very enjoyable . Many thanks for all your time and effort. I have a 1942 Lithgow and a 1944 No. 5. I need to wring them out someday .

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Nice!

[@fergytheprop]

The current standard for Marksman qualification is 85% max score which would equate to a score of 162/190 from the 1939 practice.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Sure thing! Cheers.

[@WarriorPoet01]

Excellent shooting with all that cumbersome gear! I no longer have any excuses for my shooting - from the comfort of my shooting mat, under shade, in comfy clothes :D

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thanks! It was a fun project!

[@jonprince3237]

Absolutely brilliant job once again, it's incredible how much you're able to achieve by yourself, great quality production, clear and authoritative explanations, really informative and entertaining. Keep up the great work.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MrRedbeard762]

Well done, fun and informative, Thanks!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thanks!

[@pmjn0943]

Oh yet another Brilliant Historical video, points out of 10 I'd give you 11, Thank's.

[@realhorrorshow8547]

"Known as the 'rifle number one'", yes it is.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Yup.

[@dellawrence4323]

Canada is so beautiful, a great backdrop for your videos, keep them coming.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

This part of Canada anyway.... :-)

[@bobheale2521]

What an amazing backdrop to your 200 yard trench

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Big mountain...

[@paulmanson253]

Can you imagine having to fight in that terrain ? Complain about being too hot ? No problem lads,you can cool off once you get to the snowline . Take that high ground ! Up you go ! Now once there,move forward. Sure pal. So easy,you do it. Now sleep on a side hill. Think of the guys who are tasked with resupply and removing the wounded. Oof. The only food you could scrounge would be,oh deer mice perhaps. Take a lot of them to boil up a soup. Skin them and boil up the rest. Better than nothing but on the whole I prefer Campbell's. NOT the tartan.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

That took things to a new level!.... :-)

[@thetazman666]

Great channel Love the instruction and the light hearted humor

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you!

[@Jack-yg7pi]

Wow. This view is absolutely incredible.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@vermontvermont9292]

That's some beautiful country you have.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Indeed!

[@happy_camper]

I just love this channel. Brilliant content.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you!

[@Glenfilthie1]

Cracking good show as usual, Private McKenzie!!! Looks like you had some sticky extraction problems though - can you shed any light on that for us?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Cheers. The sticky brass is due to it's being neck sized repeatedly and it being used many times... some of them need a bit of a bump to get the shoulder back a tad...

[@MaximilienRobespierre1]

Amazing videos here, subscribed

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you kindly!

[@Real_Claudy_Focan]

Again.. a very good video and somehow still relevant for modern "training"

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

To a point, yes,... the 1942 was a tad better, IMHO.... If you are interested, have a look at the Musketry of 1914 series... .Very modern when you take it as a complete program...

[@joey243win]

I was worried you were not doing more videos. ..well done on ghis one its awesome!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Why is that?

[@joey243win]

@@britishmuzzleloaders its been a while since we had seen any new releases from you ...im aware of youtubes "thing" against firearm content thought maybe g hey got you also

[@CodeyMcewen]

Good morning sir.

[@Futureshucks]

You sir, are a gentleman.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you kindly.

[@mikecawood]

The world's finest bolt action rifle. And its successor the Rifle No.4.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

They certainly have their place in history!

[@string-bag]

Great video Mr. Enfield!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you!

[@nocturnalemission6822]

Your subs are increasing! Keep it up, my dude. 👍

[@ASAP2525]

This is the most British thing I saw all day

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Or the most Canadian...

[@tykellerman6384]

Well done soldier🤠👍

[@willtheww2collector742]

this was very interesting. i learnt a lot from this, thank you

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you!

[@willtheww2collector742]

@@britishmuzzleloaders your welcome

[@weirdscience8341]

have you ever seen a lefthanded person do a mad min we can aim rack the bolt and shoot about 10 to 20seconds faster than rightys at army cadets i used t o get in trouble for shooting too fast

[@isaiahmadrid6738]

I'm curious about your choice of music at 21:35. Why the Fridericus-Rex-Grenadiermarsch? I would have expected something more British. Not that I'm complaining!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

In this case, it's taken from a recording of a Tattoo.... The Germans were present.... That said, lot's of Prussian music is played in the British Commonwealth tradition.... just not with the glockenspiel... :-)

[@Russianpaintrain]

Well done , as always.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you!

[@jusportel]

One of these days you’re going to have to cover the P-14. 🙂

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

One of these days, yes...

[@gunslinger2172]

What was the training regime for a British or Commonwealth Solider, using pistols and revolvers? What was the British view of use and carry of handguns by their Armies? Please advise Thanks I really enjoyed and learned alot from your videos.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

HI there. There were training schemes and range practices for the pistol. Pistols were carried by Officers and those who didn't use a rifle.. tankies and the like. Infantrymen, generally, did not carry them.

[@snowflakemelter1172]

I'd happily live there in a log cabin.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Who wouldn't? :-)

[@djwoody1649]

Brilliant work mate, as always. I suppose the added gas cape was due to learning from mustard gas toward the end of the Great War?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Indeed it was for protection against such agents. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MrKeserian]

I know you're mostly into British military equipment, but I'd love to see a comparison between British training and standards with the SMLE and US training with the Garand. I've shot the Garand and found it to be a very pleasant weapon (if you watch out for your thumb), but I've never had a chance to shoot the SMLE.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Maybe the documentation is online somewhere....

[@andrewphillips8341]

I love the background!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Cheers!

[@jacobgalfi1420]

I would really like to see something like this done with the M1903, 03A3 and M1.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Apparently "Americanmuzzleloaders" did a series on this.... 🙂

[@jesseusgrantcanales]

Poor Mackenzie, bless his heart for being honest; he needs a little confidence boost, and extra training before taking the field next time.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Indeed. These are his close friends the "Ross Twins". While MacKenzie always seems to have kit and uniform issues, the Ross's tend to centre their mishaps around musketry...

[@troymundy7420]

Beautiful scenery! do you hit a target shooting fast ? great video

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Lots of SMLE and No4 shooting here on the channel... if you are interested. Maybe that will answer your question?.... :-)

[@timriffe1423]

Great history lesson Thank you

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Most welcome!

[@MegadethTillDeth]

Quite enjoyable

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Glad to hear!

[@maximilienrobespierre7927]

Great video, chap, as usual. Here's an idea that I think would be interesting to explore (and a topic I'm really interested in myself) - what's the difference the SMLE III and SMLE III*?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Glad you enjoyed it! The Mk III and * are discussed in the SMLE Intro video.

[@julieblundell7421]

Hello Rob, great video mate, beautiful countryside too, where are you filming, Lee.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Glad you enjoyed it Lee!

[@babyinuyasha]

Try pushing your tin hat to the left when you lie down to prevent the gas cape from pushing on it

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Actually, to the left would put it in a worse position....

[@thetazman666]

Great views

[@Preuen-zs1fz]

Now I do like German guns but I'll have to be honest the SMLE shoots like a semi auto compared to German bolties and 5+ rounds and the fact that you chamber wnother round without lowering the gun so thats nice

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

They have their good points, for sure.

[@ilfarmboy]

how do you put up with those troublemakers lol( btw another well done video)

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

They are very hard to work with...

[@celston51]

Don't worry. They probably got sent to Norway instead of joining the BEF in France.

[@gunslinger2172]

Can you teach us how to avoid rim lock when using a charger? A skill most Americans lack because our rifle was rimless the M1 Garand at the time Thanks, I learned alot in shooting !

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

All the loading of the Lee Enfield on the Channel (SMLE and No 4) (see any rapid firing in the WWII or WWI playlists) is done with modern ammunition placed in chargers loaded in the service style... The magazine geometry ensures that things go in correctly... Rimjam happens very infrequently.

[@blancsteve4819]

I would be inclined to take a pair of tinsnips to the back of mister Brodies's hat.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

And pay for the replacement..... :-)

[@snowflakemelter1172]

It does seem to be an awful design helmet.

[@blancsteve4819]

@@snowflakemelter1172 It saved thousands of lives in the world wars. So bloody heavy though. I think there was a black market in "light" versions that appeared to be steel but were in fact some lighter metal.

[@jeremyhannaford1306]

Enbuggering? Is that a Canadian thing? 60 years I have managed to exist- 30 over there (🇬🇧), and 30 over here (🇺🇸). And that was my first ‘enbuggering’. In the context used, excellent wordage.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

I don't know. Sounded OK when I said it, to me. If something is an "embuggerance" (which is quite a straightforward word), then that "embuggerance" is by default, "embuggering", wouldn't you say?

[@jeremyhannaford1306]

Brilliant. Good job, carry on.

[@Oneofthetwelve]

Beautiful BC👍🏻👍🏻

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Yes indeed!

[@Oneofthetwelve]

@@britishmuzzleloaders When you come to the lower-mainland join me at the range in Langley. I’ll bring supplies needed. Cheers 👍🏻

[@waynemcauliffe-fv5yf]

Yeah that`s the one Aussies used in WW2. Cheers mate

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

The whole Empire used it….

[@lucasaccount573]

Were you an RCMP officer, that’s the only place I know where they call basic training “depot”

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Depot is a common Commonwealth military term.