Had another chance at a very low serial number arm (54) that I just couldn't pass up. I stumbled across this No I Mk V trials rifle and just had to have it. This was always one of my favorite looking SMLE rifles the British ever did. Now to find a Pattern 13 trials rifle and my British collection will be nearly complete :)

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Jeremy - That is a nice Short M.L.E. Mark V.

With British stuff, there is always some model that eludes the grasp!

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Thanks Chuck! Boy you aren't whistling Dixie on the British collection always having an elusive item. That is an absolute truth :)

By the way you always have awesome photos to accompany your posts! Thank you for sharing them.

Thanks:

My Aunt's father, Jimmy Miller, from Wick, Scotland in South Africa, probably around 1906. Rifle is a S.M.L.E. Mark I. Note 'sliding charger-guide' on bolt-head and 'wind-gauge' (windage adjustable) rear sight. Cool Dog, too!

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Here is another Brit military that is not in most collections.  An Alexander Henry trials rifle. made in May 1869, subcontracted from AH by BSA.  Caliber is .450 Boxer-Henry Long.  The original cartridges were composite brass & paper, like an old paper shotgun shell.  Cartridges were too long to function in the Martini action, but the Brits liked the load, 84 gr Fg and a 480 grain bullet, so the .577/450 Martini-Henry was dreamed up.

I fireform .450 3 1/4" BPE thin rim cases from Jamison International and they work well, probably better than the 1869 originals.  I know why they put all those retaining springs on bands and cleaning rods. This rifle has none of those and everything comes loose at every shot.

I have shot this rifle in two 1,000 yard 10-shot "hit or miss" matches.  2 hits on a 6-foot steel disk out of 20 shots fired for record.  Big purple bruise on my arm.

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That's one hell of a fine looking rifle! Aside from the purple bruise I bet she is a real joy to shoot.

I am impressed with reincarnated's Alexander-Henry trials rifle!

I like my 'short-lever' Martini Henrys.  With three, I can stack them!

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Nice looking Martini Henry's there! A long lever Martini Henry and a 577 Snider Artillery Carbine have been on my to acquire list for awhile now. Big bore British armament is something I do not have at the moment.

I bet you don't have a B.S.A. Bicycle to sling your S.M.L.E. on either!

Hahaha, you are correct in that assumption. Boy don't give me any ideas though!  ;)

The AH trials rifle pictured is the 5th rifle made by BSA.  It is the 5th rifle completed under their first contract, May 1869.

It has the best trigger pull of any sidehammer BP rifle I have ever shot.  But for any time at the range, I remove the ramrod and forward band. They will come off anyhow.

Boy I totally understand that. It's a truly fine looking rifle!