Enfield SMLE III ~Ishapore Conversion ~ .410 shotshell 2.5 inch

Enfield SMLE III chambered in .410 Shot shell, 2 1/2". Overall condition is very good. This SMLE was first manufactured in 1941 buy G.R.I, then rechambered to .410 by RFI in 1949. The gun is complete with all serial number matching and proper proof markings. We have read about this conversion but have never seen one come into our gun library. This is something you don't see every day. During the era of British occupation in India, the .410 Indian Musket and weapons chambered in it were issued to native Indian troops in lieu of standard .303 ammunition for fear of potential uprisings where it could be used against the British. The .410 Indian Musket was also used by riot police and prison guards. Conversion of rifles to smoothbore guns was carried out in several locations, at various times, for varying reasons. RFI, in India, converted a large number of MkIII rifles to single-shot muskets, chambered for the .410 Indian musket cartridge. These conversions were for issue to police and prison guards, to provide a firearm with a much-reduced power and range in comparison to the .303 cartridge. A further likely consideration was the difficulty of obtaining replacement ammunition in the event of the rifle's theft or the carrier's desertion. While British and Australian conversions were to the standard commercially available .410 shotgun cartridge (though of varying chamber lengths) the Indian conversions have been the source of considerable confusion. The Indian conversions were originally chambered for the .410 Indian musket cartridge, which is based on the .303 British cartridge, and will not chamber the common .410 shotgun cartridge. Many of these muskets were rechambered, after being sold as surplus, and can now be used with commercially available ammunition.