Enfields_In_Queue:Austria

It is interesting that published reports are that all of the Oster marked rifles were made during WWII (whether SMLE or No.4's, they don't say). These samples in our collection suggest that the Oster rifles came out of storage.

Rifle 138
SMLE No.1 Mk III , SSA 1916; all matching numbers, marked OSTERR GENDARMERIE on the knox form. Two-digit s/n may indicate this was one of the first 99 SSA rifles delivered; Austria procured a limited number of Enfields immediately after WWII for use by provincial police. The buttstock marking disc is often marked O.G. (Osterreichische Gendarmerie) with a unit number; we have also noted that many of these rifles have the top wood fingers around the backsight removed. Interestingly, this rifle in a Mk III - with a magazine cutoff, rather than a Mk III*, as is all the other 1916 SSA rifles we have encountered.

Rifle 152
SMLE Rifle No.1 Mk III, BSA 1915; all matching numbers, marked OSTERR GENDARMERIE on the knox form. rebarrelled 1931. Windage adjustable backsight with target swivel. New brass buttplate virtually new. Austria procured a limited number of Enfields immediately after WWII for use by provincial police. Interestingly, this rifle in a Mk III - with a magazine cutoff, rather than a Mk III*.

Rifle 167
SMLE No.1 Mk III* made at Ishapore in 1932. Numbers match except for the buttstock which shows some wear, metal has about 65% original finish, stock shows usual dings but not excessive. Bright bore, missing unit disc and stacking swivel; Osterr Gendarmerie on the knox form. No reference to this mark in Skennerton. Buttstock nicely ISA marked.