{
  "apiVersion": 1,
  "kind": "work-order",
  "purpose": "Taking the firearm apart for a job such as refinishing, and putting it back together to specification.",
  "firearm": {
    "slug": "lee-enfield-no1-smle",
    "name": "Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk III (SMLE)",
    "manufacturer": {
      "id": "royal-small-arms",
      "name": "Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield"
    },
    "category": "rifle",
    "action": "bolt-action",
    "calibers": [
      ".303 British"
    ],
    "alsoKnownAs": [
      "SMLE",
      "Short Magazine Lee-Enfield",
      "Rifle No. 1 Mk III*"
    ],
    "coversAlso": [
      "Rifle No. 1 Mk III and Mk III*",
      "Lithgow and Ishapore SMLE production"
    ],
    "page": "firearms/lee-enfield-no1-smle.html",
    "bundle": "api/v1/firearms/lee-enfield-no1-smle.json",
    "lastUpdated": "2026-10-29"
  },
  "notices": [
    "This work order is written for the Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk III (SMLE). It is reported to cover Rifle No. 1 Mk III and Mk III*; Lithgow and Ishapore SMLE production — if the firearm on the bench is one of those, check the torque notes: values do not always carry over.",
    "No torque values are recorded for this firearm. Get them from the manufacturer or a gunsmith; do not estimate."
  ],
  "disclaimer": {
    "headline": "Read this before you use anything here.",
    "points": [
      "This is a guide, not an authority. Entries are compiled from manufacturer manuals, technical manuals, published references, and community knowledge. Some of it comes from sources that are not authoritative, and some of it may simply be wrong.",
      "Always consult the manufacturer's manual for your specific firearm and serial-number range. Manufacturers change designs mid-production without renaming the model. The manual that shipped with your firearm outranks anything on this site.",
      "Consult a licensed gunsmith for anything beyond routine field stripping and cleaning, for any firearm you are unsure about, and for any procedure marked as gunsmith-recommended here.",
      "Treat every firearm as loaded. Verify it is unloaded, with the magazine removed and the chamber physically and visually checked, before any procedure in this database. Point it in a safe direction the entire time.",
      "Disassembly can damage a firearm or injure you. Springs are under tension, parts can launch, and reassembling a firearm incorrectly can make it unsafe to fire in a way that is not obvious from the outside. If a reassembled firearm does not pass a function check, stop and see a gunsmith.",
      "Torque values are shown in two groups. Values from the manufacturer or the issuing military are shown as such, with the document they came from. Values reported by anyone else — parts makers, gunsmithing publishers, articles, forums — are shown separately with who said them, how reliable that source is, and their exact words. Those are not specifications. Confirm any torque value with the manufacturer or a licensed gunsmith before relying on it.",
      "Nothing here is legal advice. Firearms law varies by country, state, and city, and some modifications or configurations are regulated or prohibited. You are responsible for knowing and following the law where you are.",
      "No warranty of any kind. Contributors and maintainers accept no liability for damage, injury, or loss arising from use of this material."
    ],
    "page": "disclaimer.html",
    "legal": {
      "summary": "Legal notice: this material is third-party information compiled from sources of varying reliability and is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not gunsmithing, technical, safety or legal advice, it is not verified or endorsed by any manufacturer, and it must not be taken as fact. Any work on a firearm beyond the routine field stripping described in its own owner's manual should be performed only by a licensed and insured gunsmith. You use this material entirely at your own risk. Fundamental Build LLC and the project's contributors make no warranty of any kind and accept no liability for death, injury, damage or loss arising from its use. Full terms: LEGAL.md.",
      "page": "legal.html",
      "notice": "https://github.com/Fundamental-build-LLC/Pew-Takedown/blob/main/LEGAL.md"
    }
  },
  "sourcing": {
    "confidence": "medium",
    "verification": "community-reviewed"
  },
  "manufacturerDisassembly": {
    "status": "not-recorded",
    "limit": null,
    "statement": null,
    "source": null
  },
  "recalls": [],
  "shopTier": {
    "tier": 2,
    "group": "rifle",
    "rating": "Pew-Takedown editorial rating (1 easy – 3 hardest), not the manufacturer's",
    "reason": "Same bolt and striker-tool traps as the No. 4, plus more woodwork: a nose cap with two screws, separate front and rear handguards (the rear one has thin flanges around the rear sight), outer band, and a stock bolt. It has more parts than the No. 4, but they all go in order, with no timing.",
    "confidence": "medium",
    "partCount": {
      "value": 70,
      "kind": "line-items",
      "covers": "complete No. 1 Mk III (SMLE) rifle incl. magazine per the Gun Digest exploded drawing legend 'No. 1, Mark III (SMLE) Bolt-Action Rifle', keys 1-70. The rear sight is one key ('Rear Sight Assembly with",
      "basis": "publication-diagram",
      "source": {
        "title": "The Gun Digest Book of Exploded Gun Drawings (975 isometric views) - 'No. 1, Mark III (SMLE) Bolt-Action Rifle'",
        "publisher": "Gun Digest Books / Krause Publications (scan on archive.org)",
        "reliability": "secondary",
        "url": "https://archive.org/download/the-book-of-exploded-gun-drawings-975-isometric-views/The%20Book%20of%20Exploded%20Gun%20Drawings%20-%20975%20Isometric%20Views.pdf",
        "page": "book p. 534 (PDF page 535)",
        "pdfPage": null,
        "pageUrl": null,
        "quote": "Trapdoor Spring Screw"
      }
    },
    "painPoints": [
      {
        "issue": "The striker is unscrewed from the cocking piece with a notched tube tool while holding inward pressure, or the mainspring ejects it.",
        "during": "both",
        "source": {
          "title": "Exploded View: Short, Magazine Lee-Enfield, Mk III",
          "publisher": "American Rifleman (NRA)",
          "reliability": "secondary",
          "url": "https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/exploded-view-short-magazine-lee-enfield-mk-iii/",
          "page": null,
          "pdfPage": null,
          "pageUrl": null,
          "quote": "engage the striker (57) and unscrew it from the cocking piece (54) making sure to maintain an inward pressure against the mainspring to keep it from forcibly ejecting the striker when it is totally unscrewed."
        }
      },
      {
        "issue": "The rear handguard clips to the barrel and has thin flanges around the rear sight that crack if levered.",
        "during": "both",
        "source": {
          "title": "Exploded View: Short, Magazine Lee-Enfield, Mk III",
          "publisher": "American Rifleman (NRA)",
          "reliability": "secondary",
          "url": "https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/exploded-view-short-magazine-lee-enfield-mk-iii/",
          "page": null,
          "pdfPage": null,
          "pageUrl": null,
          "quote": "Unclip the rear handguard (66) from the barrel, taking care not to damage the thin flanges that surround the rear of the backsight assembly (5) (Fig. 5)."
        }
      },
      {
        "issue": "The buttstock bolt is reached through the butt trap after pulling a leather wad, and usually needs a wrench on the screwdriver.",
        "during": "both",
        "source": {
          "title": "Exploded View: Short, Magazine Lee-Enfield, Mk III",
          "publisher": "American Rifleman (NRA)",
          "reliability": "secondary",
          "url": "https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/exploded-view-short-magazine-lee-enfield-mk-iii/",
          "page": null,
          "pdfPage": null,
          "pageUrl": null,
          "quote": "using a wrench for extra leverage, unscrew and remove the stock bolt."
        }
      },
      {
        "issue": "The striker has to be unscrewed from the cocking piece with a notched takedown tool while holding the mainspring; the pamphlet warns a makeshift rig can damage it.",
        "during": "both",
        "source": {
          "title": "Lee-Enfield Rifle Manual, No.1 Mk III, No.3, No.4, No.5 (Pamphlet 1)",
          "publisher": "unknown publisher (archive.org \"Lots of gun PDFs\")",
          "reliability": "secondary",
          "url": "https://archive.org/download/lots-of-gun-pdfs-firearms-manuals/Gun%20PDFs/leeenfield.pdf",
          "page": null,
          "pdfPage": null,
          "pageUrl": null,
          "quote": "may cause damage and should be left to a qualified gunsmith."
        }
      },
      {
        "issue": "The V-shaped extractor spring is eased out through a tiny hole in the bolt head with a fine punch and jumps if not covered; it seats on a small projection going back.",
        "during": "both",
        "source": {
          "title": "Lee-Enfield Rifle Manual, No.1 Mk III, No.3, No.4, No.5 (Pamphlet 1)",
          "publisher": "unknown publisher (archive.org \"Lots of gun PDFs\")",
          "reliability": "secondary",
          "url": "https://archive.org/download/lots-of-gun-pdfs-firearms-manuals/Gun%20PDFs/leeenfield.pdf",
          "page": null,
          "pdfPage": null,
          "pageUrl": null,
          "quote": "To reassemble, place the spring into the extractor slot and seat the small projection on the spring into its seat in the bolt head."
        }
      }
    ],
    "minutes": {
      "strip": 40,
      "rebuild": 55,
      "basis": "estimated",
      "note": "Estimate: as the No. 4 plus the nose cap, outer band, front and rear handguards and cut-off. Rebuild longer for the striker, the handguard clips and the nose cap screws.",
      "source": null
    },
    "stripScope": [
      {
        "assembly": "Bolt",
        "removes": [
          "bolt head",
          "striker screw, striker, mainspring, cocking piece (with tool)",
          "extractor and spring"
        ],
        "tools": [
          "striker tool (notched tube)"
        ]
      },
      {
        "assembly": "Receiver",
        "removes": [
          "safety catch and spring",
          "magazine cut-off",
          "magazine catch",
          "trigger (with trigger guard)",
          "rear sight"
        ],
        "tools": [
          "drift punch"
        ]
      },
      {
        "assembly": "Stock and furniture",
        "removes": [
          "front and back nose cap screws, nose cap",
          "outer band and swivel screw",
          "front handguard",
          "rear handguard",
          "front/back trigger guard screws, trigger guard",
          "fore-end",
          "buttstock (leather wad and stock bolt)",
          "butt plate"
        ],
        "tools": [
          "long screwdriver plus wrench for the stock bolt"
        ]
      }
    ],
    "hardware": {
      "pins": 3,
      "springs": 8,
      "detents": 0,
      "basis": "counted by name in the same legend. Pins: 20 magazine catch pin, 24 trigger pin, 42 front sight pin (1 firing pin not counted). Springs: 5 extractor spring, 6 firing pin spring, 11 safety spring, 19 b"
    },
    "specialTools": [
      {
        "tool": "Striker tool (3/8 in tube with two notches)",
        "usedFor": "Unscrewing the striker"
      },
      {
        "tool": "Fine drift punch",
        "usedFor": "Extractor spring"
      },
      {
        "tool": "Long wide-bladed screwdriver plus wrench",
        "usedFor": "Stock bolt"
      }
    ],
    "fitOnRebuild": [
      {
        "check": "Bolt and bolt head fitted to the rifle",
        "why": "Bolts and bolt heads are fitted to their own boltway (headspace); keep the serial-matched bolt with the rifle",
        "source": {
          "title": "Lee-Enfield Rifle Manual, No.1 Mk III, No.3, No.4, No.5 (Pamphlet 1)",
          "publisher": "unknown publisher (archive.org \"Lots of gun PDFs\")",
          "reliability": "secondary",
          "url": "https://archive.org/download/lots-of-gun-pdfs-firearms-manuals/Gun%20PDFs/leeenfield.pdf",
          "page": null,
          "pdfPage": null,
          "pageUrl": null,
          "quote": "They have been fitted to their respective boltways."
        }
      },
      {
        "check": "Fore-end/king screw and band tension",
        "why": "Fore-end bedding pressure and band screw tension affect zero; re-zero after the woodwork is off",
        "source": null
      }
    ],
    "assessed": "2026-10-29"
  },
  "videos": [],
  "configurations": [],
  "tools": [
    {
      "name": "Bore guide",
      "required": true,
      "usedFor": "Cleaning from the breech without wearing the throat or the crown. On a surplus rifle the crown is often the difference between accuracy and none."
    }
  ],
  "phases": [
    {
      "id": "clear",
      "title": "Clear and make safe",
      "steps": [
        {
          "n": 1,
          "instruction": "Point the muzzle in a safe direction and keep your finger off the trigger."
        },
        {
          "n": 2,
          "instruction": "Apply the safety catch on the left rear of the receiver."
        },
        {
          "n": 3,
          "instruction": "Press the magazine catch inside the front of the trigger guard and remove the magazine.",
          "partsFreed": [
            "Magazine"
          ]
        },
        {
          "n": 4,
          "instruction": "Lift the bolt handle and draw the bolt fully rearward, ejecting any chambered round."
        },
        {
          "n": 5,
          "instruction": "Inspect the chamber and magazine well with a light and physically confirm the chamber is empty.",
          "warning": "Removing the magazine does not clear the chamber."
        },
        {
          "n": 6,
          "instruction": "Remove all live ammunition from the work area."
        }
      ],
      "videos": []
    },
    {
      "id": "disassemble",
      "title": "Disassemble",
      "videos": [],
      "procedures": [
        {
          "procedure": "field-strip",
          "title": "Field Strip — Bolt Removal",
          "level": "field-strip",
          "configuration": false,
          "steps": [
            {
              "n": 1,
              "instruction": "Complete the Clear and Make Safe procedure."
            },
            {
              "n": 2,
              "instruction": "Move the safety to the fire position."
            },
            {
              "n": 3,
              "instruction": "Lift the bolt handle and draw the bolt rearward until the bolt head reaches the release position in the receiver track."
            },
            {
              "n": 4,
              "instruction": "Raise the bolt head out of its guide rib and withdraw the bolt assembly rearward out of the receiver.",
              "warning": "The No. 1 bolt head lifts out of its rib rather than being released by a separate catch as on the No. 4. Do not force it — rotate the bolt head up.",
              "partsFreed": [
                "Bolt assembly"
              ]
            },
            {
              "n": 5,
              "instruction": "Clean the bore from the breech using a bore guide, and clean the bolt face, lugs, and chamber.",
              "warning": "Always use a bore guide on a surplus rifle. Cleaning rod wear at the crown is a permanent accuracy loss and is very common on milsurp."
            },
            {
              "n": 6,
              "instruction": "Stop here for routine maintenance. Bolt disassembly is a separate procedure and is not part of normal cleaning."
            }
          ]
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "refinish",
      "title": "Refinish",
      "components": [
        {
          "name": "Bolt assembly",
          "procedure": "field-strip",
          "level": "field-strip",
          "step": 4
        }
      ],
      "manufacturerPartsList": null,
      "partsDiagrams": [],
      "materials": [],
      "note": "The components the procedures above separate. Coating, masking and cure are outside this database; follow your coating system's instructions. A part the manufacturer marks \"factory fit\" should not be swapped or reworked."
    },
    {
      "id": "reassemble",
      "title": "Reassemble",
      "videos": [],
      "procedures": [
        {
          "procedure": "reassembly",
          "title": "Reassembly",
          "configuration": false,
          "steps": [
            {
              "n": 1,
              "instruction": "Confirm the bolt head is screwed fully home on the bolt body and correctly oriented."
            },
            {
              "n": 2,
              "instruction": "Align the bolt with the receiver track, bolt head raised so it can enter."
            },
            {
              "n": 3,
              "instruction": "Slide the bolt forward, letting the bolt head drop into its guide rib, and close the bolt handle."
            },
            {
              "n": 4,
              "instruction": "Cycle the bolt several times to confirm it runs smoothly, cocks, and locks up.",
              "warning": "If the bolt will not close fully and lock, withdraw it and check the bolt head orientation. Do not force it."
            },
            {
              "n": 5,
              "instruction": "Reinstall the magazine and perform the function check."
            }
          ],
          "instruction": null
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "torque",
      "title": "Torque",
      "coverage": "none-recorded",
      "manufacturer": [],
      "reported": [],
      "notes": null
    },
    {
      "id": "function-check",
      "title": "Function check",
      "checks": [
        "Verify the rifle is unloaded — chamber and magazine — before each check.",
        "Cycle the bolt and confirm it cocks and closes fully into battery.",
        "With the action cocked, engage the safety and press the trigger. The striker must not release.",
        "Disengage the safety without touching the trigger. The striker must not release.",
        "Press the trigger and confirm the striker releases with a firm snap.",
        "Load dummy rounds and confirm they feed and eject cleanly.",
        "If you have any doubt about the rifle’s history, have headspace gauged by a gunsmith before firing live ammunition.",
        "Confirm the two-stage trigger has a distinct first stage and a clean second stage.",
        "Confirm the magazine cut-off works if your rifle has one — many Mk III rifles do, Mk III* rifles generally do not."
      ],
      "videos": []
    }
  ],
  "troubleshooting": [],
  "sources": [
    {
      "n": 1,
      "id": null,
      "title": "Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 3: Rifle",
      "publisher": "British War Office",
      "reliability": "primary",
      "url": null,
      "accessed": null
    },
    {
      "n": 2,
      "id": null,
      "title": "The Lee-Enfield Rifle",
      "publisher": "Herbert Jackson / various",
      "reliability": "secondary",
      "url": null,
      "accessed": null
    },
    {
      "n": 3,
      "id": "tier-977ca2d1",
      "title": "Exploded View: Short, Magazine Lee-Enfield, Mk III",
      "publisher": "American Rifleman (NRA)",
      "reliability": "secondary",
      "url": "https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/exploded-view-short-magazine-lee-enfield-mk-iii/",
      "accessed": "2026-10-29"
    },
    {
      "n": 4,
      "id": "tier-1b7a7e71",
      "title": "Lee-Enfield Rifle Manual, No.1 Mk III, No.3, No.4, No.5 (Pamphlet 1)",
      "publisher": "unknown publisher (archive.org \"Lots of gun PDFs\")",
      "reliability": "secondary",
      "url": "https://archive.org/download/lots-of-gun-pdfs-firearms-manuals/Gun%20PDFs/leeenfield.pdf",
      "accessed": "2026-10-29"
    },
    {
      "n": 5,
      "id": "tier-41721d1b",
      "title": "The Gun Digest Book of Exploded Gun Drawings (975 isometric views) - 'No. 1, Mark III (SMLE) Bolt-Action Rifle'",
      "publisher": "Gun Digest Books / Krause Publications (scan on archive.org)",
      "reliability": "secondary",
      "url": "https://archive.org/download/the-book-of-exploded-gun-drawings-975-isometric-views/The%20Book%20of%20Exploded%20Gun%20Drawings%20-%20975%20Isometric%20Views.pdf",
      "accessed": "2026-10-29"
    }
  ]
}