The first gun show of the year in Washington, PA was this weekend. I saw a very nice 1917 Enfield No 1 Mk III that looked like it did not see any use during WW1 or beyond. The bore looked untouched, the external metal parts were still about 90% coated with bare metal showing here and there on high areas, the muzzle showed zero erosion, the headspace was good. I wasn’t equipped to check throat erosion. The stock is relatively ding free but has that raw, dry look to it like it has never been oiled. The brass butt plate has a nice patina and looked ding free. The rifle didn’t appear to have been refinished.

The only thing I wondered about was the faded light colored 2 inch wide painted ring around the stock located right above the middle barrel band. I know it means something but I don’t remember what it is. Is this a drill rifle?