NationStates Jolt Archive


Surplus Mk I III* SMLE Rifles For Sale

Roycelandia
07-12-2003, 14:35
Dateline: Port Royal (Capital of the Empire of Roycelandia)

Increased activity in the Armaments Industry in Roycelandia has lead to a surplus of the standard issue rifle for the Imperial Armed Forces, the Mk I III* Lee-Enfield rifle.

We have 100,000 of these rifles for sale, all manufactured to precision grade quality by Imperial Armaments, and packaged in factory-sealed crates.

The Imperial Defence Bureau has authorised their sale to any nation that is not currently hostile to any nation in the Palm Islands, nor likely to become so in the immediate future.

The Weapons are available for USD$100 each, complete with bayonet and nylon padded sling.


The Statistics are:

Mk I III* Short, Magazine, Lee-Enfield

Action: Bolt

Calibre: .303 British

Magazine Capacity: 10 rounds (detachable box magazine or stripper clip loading)

Range: 2,000 yards

Accessories: P1907 Bayonet (18" blade), Nylon Padded Sling, Recoil Pads

In Addition, the Empire of Roycelandia is prepared to supply .303 British Ammunition to any nation not currently hostile to any nation in Palm Islands nor likely to become so in the immediate future.

All Ammunition has been manufactured by Imperial Armaments to Match Grade quality and is available in Full Metal Jacket, Jacketed HollowPoint, and Incendiary configurations.

Prices are:

Full Metal Jacket: USD$35/100

Jacketed HollowPoint: USD$50/100

Incendiary: USD$75/100

All enquiries to the:

Bureau of Defence
Port Royal, Empire of Roycelandia
Palm Islands

Payment can be made either by International Electronic Funds Transfer or Trade for useful Goods etc.

Authorised by Jack Sword, Commander in Chief, Roycelandian Imperial Armed Forces.
Walmington on Sea
07-12-2003, 14:57
Following the positive and even envious reports from infantrymen who formerly served with the WEF to Britain, prior to the opening-up of the North African fronts, Great Walmington has taken it upon herself to investigate this reported surplus.

The Chassire Arms Free Magazine Infantry Rifle has long been accused of clumsiness, and possession of a slow action; criticisms rarely given of the SMLE family.

Now to clarify the specifics of the weapon, if we may-
It is well enough known that the .303" Rifle, Short Magazine, Lee-Enfield Mark I appeared so early as 1903, and that since then many changing designations have been applied to a mire of marginally altered successors. The precise designation MkI III* is presently unfamiliar to the Walmingtonian Defence Ministry, which has record of the MkI, MkI*, MkI***, MkII*, MkIII, MkIII* and Number 4 MkI amongst others, but not MkI III* -a fashion of numeral arrangement not apparently well used in British rifle nomenclature.

We wonder if this is a simple intelligence short-fall on our part with regards to British weaponry, and error on your own part, or indicative of a native adaptation to the British design.

Regardless, W£2.5million (US$10million equivalent) has been ear-marked by the Defence Ministry for the probable bid to come.

Respectfully,
William Orchard, Junior Minister for Defence, WoS.
07-12-2003, 15:01
Her Majesty's War Office would like to place an order for 20,000 rifles, to be delivered against a mutually acceptable schedule, and subject to initial quality assurance by staff at the Royal Ordnance Munitions Establishment in New Marlborough. A sum of US $2,000,000 will be transferred via electronic funds transfer in line with an agreed schedule of payments.

At the current time we do not require ammunition, as the .303 cartridge is already standard in our military and manufactured locally.

On behalf of Her Majesty Alexandra I Regina,

Baroness Farringdon of Upholland
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence Procurement
Walmington on Sea
07-12-2003, 15:04
(And I thought WoS accounted for 50% of the nations on earth who refuse to accept the obsolete nature of the .303 bullet. We're down to 25% already!)
07-12-2003, 15:05
(And I thought WoS accounted for 50% of the nations on earth who refuse to accept the obsolete nature of the .303 bullet. We're down to 25% already!)
You can't beat a classic!
Holy Latin Empire
07-12-2003, 15:06
We would be interested, but our last 303 bullet factory was turned into artillery shell factory.
Bayorta
07-12-2003, 15:09
Bayorta wishes to purchase 10 of these. The Prime-minister is looking for a new toy to play with and some gifts for Christmas. These should cover them.
Crookfur
07-12-2003, 15:59
(And I thought WoS accounted for 50% of the nations on earth who refuse to accept the obsolete nature of the .303 bullet. We're down to 25% already!)

You mean you have never noticed that alongside our 9x90mm HMGs and 6.25mm light machine guns Crookfur still uses the vickers Mk2? (and likely will continue to do so even with the introduction of our versions of the OCSW) it is just such a nicely reliable gun and far superior to any GMPG in certain roles.

Some of our snipers still use modified No4s (mainly as they get to chose whatever rifle they like) and some light forces keep a few No5 carbines about.

I did consider a modern .303 upgrade round but it kind of stalled (hhmmm a .303 sabot round... perhaps using the 5.56mm slug...).
Walmington on Sea
07-12-2003, 16:11
You know, I had not noticed that, no. It is now noted. In my sieve-like memory.
In WoS however, the .303 round is standard, used as it is by the standard-issue CAFMIR rifle, Camel LMG (similar to the Lewis gun), and assorted aviation guns. One day we'll have a dedicated sniper's rifle, probably, but the .303 will be around until.. [looks around and leans in to whisper] the .280, due once we're through with Jerry and co. 's right- no NATO standard for WoS!

[/hijack]
07-12-2003, 16:35
Coltlandia's armed forces are desperately in need of ammunition owing to the seizure of a supply dump on Dutch Elm Island.

We require 100,000 rounds of .303 British JHP and will wire the money to you as soon as confirmation of despatch is received.
Roycelandia
07-12-2003, 17:07
FROM: Bureau of Defence, Empire of Roycelandia
TO: All Interested Parties

Thank you for your interest in our surplus Mk I III* SMLE rifles.

A few points are in order before orders are despatched.

The Imperial Armoury informs us that Lee-Enfield Rifles were manufactured in two Marks: Mark I and Mark II. Mark II Lee-Enfields are commonly referred to as No. 4 Lee-Enfields, depending on which designation system is used.

The various SMLE Marks were numbered I, II, III, III* and so forth.

For all intents and purposes, a Mk I III* is identical in every way to a Mk III*, the differences are purely in nomenclature. Indeed, the terms are possibly somewhat archaic in nature- such is the nature of British military designations, alas.

One (1) example of the rifle has been despatched to the relevant defence forces of your respective nations for ballistics trials and testing. We trust it will meet and exceed your expectations...

Royal New Monmouth: Your shipment is being processed as we speak. a deposit of Fifty Percent (50%) would be appreciated to cover our shipping and handling costs. Upon receipt of this amount your rifles will be despatched to the most convenient port for you. The remainder will be due upon delivery and acceptance

Bayorta: Your rifles will be shipped as soon as we receive payment in full (USD$1,000). Expect them via overnight courier as soon as the money is transferred.

Coltlandia: Your ammunition has been despatched via Urgent Courier and should be arriving any minute now. The bill has been placed on your Account, to be finalised at a later point, as per the terms of the Palm Islands Mutual Defence Treaty.
Walmington on Sea
07-12-2003, 17:48
Ah, the mass-production version of the MkIII, though not noticibly an inferior weapon.

With that information considered, the Defence Ministry, on behalf of the Army, wishes to confirm the order of the remaining eighty thousand (or 79,990?) rifles.

Production of .303 ammunition in Walmington is presently not sufficiently strained for import to be economic, and as such none shall be required.

William Orchard, Junior Minister for Defence, WoS.
Roycelandia
07-12-2003, 18:14
With the appropriate funding now in our Offshore Account, the Defence Bureau has authorised the release and shipping of 79,990 Mk III* SMLE rifles and bayonets.

They should be with you in less than 24 hours.

Thank you for your business, and we look forward to metting your defence needs in the future...

On behalf of Jack Sword, Commander, Imperial Defence Forces
07-12-2003, 21:17
Royal New Monmouth: Your shipment is being processed as we speak. a deposit of Fifty Percent (50%) would be appreciated to cover our shipping and handling costs. Upon receipt of this amount your rifles will be despatched to the most convenient port for you. The remainder will be due upon delivery and acceptance.
Funds have been deposited to meet the requisite amount. We look forward to concluding a mutually satisfactory trade, and thank you for your time in this matter.

On behalf of Her Majesty Alexandra I Regina,

Baroness Farringdon of Upholland
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence Procurement
07-12-2003, 21:40
OOC: How many are left as of now? Does it matter if I don't RP at the same tech level? I'm interested in buying several thousand of these, if modern-tech nations aren't discounted.
Roycelandia
08-12-2003, 01:21
OOC: We've got more in reserves if you want them. 100,000 was just an early release for a test of the market. Same price, same equipment.
08-12-2003, 02:38
The Free Republic of Thirtycaliber requests 10,000 of your fine rifles. This should come to $1,000,000. Also, we request an initial order of 1,000,000 rounds of FMJ ammunition, which comes to $350,000. Totaled up, this should come to $1,350,000. Payment will be wired upon order confirmation.


------------------------------------------
Roger Apfelsine
Secretary of Defense
The Free Republic of Thirtycaliber



OOC: If you're wondering what a modern-ish tech nation wants with a 100 year old design, it's quite simple... we're developing a new carbine for weapons crews and squad leaders that is around the power range of an SMLE. On a side note, about what's the length of the barrel?
Roycelandia
09-12-2003, 00:48
Your order has been crated up and is on its way...

The barrel length is about 3', but we can provide you with some No 5 Jungle Carbines for the same price (but without bayonets) if you're interested...
09-12-2003, 02:17
IC:

Thank you for your fast, friendly and efficient service. I am certain the No. 1 Mk III* Rifles will meet and exceed our expectations. $1,350,000 has been wired to the treasury of Roycelandia.

------------------------------------------
Roger Apfelsine
Secretary of Defense
The Free Republic of Thirtycaliber



OOC:
I'm just wondering, rightabouts what tech level do you, WoS, and Iansisle RP at? It seems like a rather enjoyable era :D
Roycelandia
10-12-2003, 08:16
OOC: We're actually Current tech-level, but utilitising WWII era equipment by choice. Roycelandia has nuclear weapons and a space program, as well as kevlar Airships and an Orbital Weapons platform etc.

The Imperial Navy is made up of current-era type vessels, and the SAS use whatever weapons they like.

However, the Imperial Air Force is still using Spitfire turboprop fighter planes, C-47 Dakota transports, UH-1H helicopter/gunships etc.

All in all, it's a good mix of old and new...
10-12-2003, 08:29
OOC: We're actually Current tech-level, but utilitising WWII era equipment by choice. Roycelandia has nuclear weapons and a space program, as well as kevlar Airships and an Orbital Weapons platform etc.

The Imperial Navy is made up of current-era type vessels, and the SAS use whatever weapons they like.

However, the Imperial Air Force is still using Spitfire turboprop fighter planes, C-47 Dakota transports, UH-1H helicopter/gunships etc.

All in all, it's a good mix of old and new...
That sounds like our own nation's style too. A mix of old -- SMLEs, upgraded Lightning (http://www.vflintham.demon.co.uk/aircraft/lightning/lightnng.htm) fighters -- and new (modern ATGMs, AAMs and electronics).
Iansisle
10-12-2003, 09:25
OOC:
I'm just wondering, rightabouts what tech level do you, WoS, and Iansisle RP at? It seems like a rather enjoyable era :D

(Heh, I think it is, anyway. Iansisle's using what I term 'regressive progression'. That is, I started in 1860ish technology wise, and am advancing my technology slowly (well, rapidly in the view of my citizens) while society and culture lags behind in the late Victorian age. Currently, we do have early-to-mid Second World War style equipment, but our thinking is still rooted in pre-Great War Europe.

Walminton on Sea is more towards 1940s all over, being based on a sitcom made in (I believe) the sixties that was about a British reserve unit in WWII.)
Kajiraki
10-12-2003, 09:28
What is the metric measurment of the .303? 7.62x??
10-12-2003, 09:30
Almost right - 7.7mm (http://web4.integraonline.com/~bbroadside/General_Info.html).
Kajiraki
10-12-2003, 09:32
Ah, ok. Never mind then.
Walmington on Sea
10-12-2003, 17:35
Splendid. The near eighty thousand SMLE's should be dropping Italians in Libya by the end of the week!

Of course this will probably create a touch of hostility between units boasting the SMLE, and those still carrying the cumbersome old CAFMIR.

And yes, WoS is presently fighting out an alternate second world war on the side of our friends the Ians (it's a bit full already, for the record), and our technology befits such a contest, more or less.

We're behind the times a little in some respects.. we pretty much scrapped the entire navy just before war broke out, as WoS dodged the Great War, and never learned the appropriate lessons. Our fleet was tiny and C19th. Actually, two ex Iansislian warships were bought and refitted, and for a time were the most powerful ships we had.. one of them was recently sunk in the Denmark Strait attempting to keep the Bismarck's battlegroup from breaking out. We've only recently launched our first ever carrier, and have just two battleships, and don't entirely believe in submarines or mines. Both are considered quite underhanded and are employed to a very limited degree (22 U-boats with no plans for more, and mines only in defensive positions around our own harbours, never dropped in the enemy's).
However, we do have decent radar, and are in the middle of inventing the computer, after capturing a Jerry "clatterbox" (Walmy slang for typwriter- in this case an enigma machine, of course).
We're also presently encountering some strange phenomenon at well over six hundred miles per hour when putting our (Iansislian engined) jet fighter prototypes into high speed dives.. can't quite figure that one out yet.

Eventually WoS is headed to early/mid cold-war tech levels, and I'm most annoyed to find that someone else got to the English Electric Lightening first ;) Looks like we'll be going Avro..

(sorry, Walmingtonians will ramble on about their homeland if you give them half a chance, heh)
Iansisle
10-12-2003, 17:41
...
We're also presently encountering some strange phenomenon at well over six hundred miles per hour when putting our (Iansislian engined) jet fighter prototypes into high speed dives...

(grumbles about the freakin' cricket...take our engine and build a better aircraft, eh? Well, we'll just have to be bitter, I guess!

It is worth mentioning that the 'Derby' project has been scrapped althogether as a stupid idea...though I may use the nickname for a later (more sane) project)

(Edit: It may also be worth mentioning that Iansisle is still more bitter (bitterer?) about the Capable incident than the Cricket...though only slightly.)
Walmington on Sea
10-12-2003, 17:47
Interesting.
If WoS doesn't fall *too* far behind we might come after you again for more powerful engines when we decide to rip-off the Avro Arrow post-war. You make the engine, we'll make the onboard computer (I wonder what high G-forces will do to the paper tapes?), and..er..we'll steal the airframe from Canada.
Eh, right.
-goes to put the kettle on-


Edit: Capable? -ponders- Jerry's theft? Or entirely bad memory on my part..
Iansisle
10-12-2003, 17:50
(Yeah, that'd be the one...I'd imagine you're slightly less bitter about it, as you lost a Colt but gained an enigma...)
10-12-2003, 18:38
Interesting.
If WoS doesn't fall *too* far behind we might come after you again for more powerful engines when we decide to rip-off the Avro Arrow post-war. You make the engine, we'll make the onboard computer (I wonder what high G-forces will do to the paper tapes?), and..er..we'll steal the airframe from Canada.
Damnit. There goes my plan to purloin the Arrow. Guess it's TSR-2s for me...
Roycelandia
11-12-2003, 01:55
Roycelandia is still utilising the Spitfire, albeit with modern on-board systems and a turboprop engine.

We do have plans to introduce the Harrier Jump Jet on a limited basis soon, primarily for deployment from our Carrier Airships...
Walmington on Sea
11-12-2003, 03:24
I'd pit a DAMkI* Musca against an upgraded Spitfire any day, and if not that, a JFMkI Cricket, certainly.
How's it armed now? Still carrying the horrible lay-out of guns too small to seriously damage many metal aircraft?
I take it your turboprop at least doesn't leave the Spit prone to...getting too much into its dive and neglecting to pull-up.

Spitfire to Harrier? Quite the leap!

I'm curious as to what you fellows do for tanks.. Walmington's always been proud of her tanks.

(The Musca is Walmington's answer to the Mosquito, the first version powered by 1,900hp engines and mounting 4x.303"mg and 4x.55"mg, the second, with * attached, powered by two Calarcan 3,500hp engines and mounting 6x20mm cannon. The actual Mosquito, a fine aircraft you'll agree, was powered by 1,640hp engines.
The Cricket is WoS's first jet fighter, resembling a Goster Meteor, is powered by three 1,966lb (ish) engines, and mounts 8x20mm cannon. Sadly we have yet built just six, and one has since crashed.)
Roycelandia
13-12-2003, 03:09
The Imperial Aerospace Spitfire is armed with Four Imperial Armaments 20mm Cannon, Eight Imperial Armaments .50 calibre MGs, and the option of eight AMRAAM radar guided missiles.

In addition, it features full ECM Missile Defence Systems and an Exhaust Cooler, radar-absorbing material, and an ejection seat.

Tanks are provided by EvaTech Military Industries, being the Emperor Class Tank.

Armament: 120mm main gun, .303 Gatling Gun for the Turret MG, .303 Bren Gun in AA configuration (100 round drum magazine) for the Commander, and .303 BESA MG for the driver.

It also mounts 8 Orca Missiles and has 8" thick frontal armour...
Walmington on Sea
13-12-2003, 04:23
Ah, okay, so it's not actually a Supermarine Spitfire at all, because that airframe would never support those guns, let alone eight air to air missiles on top of them. The whole of RAF fighter command at the time of the Spit's service would have struggled to lift that much firepower!

I thought we were pushing it a bit with the Cricket-

JFMkI Cricket
Length:36'2"
Span:48'7
Weight:10,175 lb empty 16,250 full
Power Plant: Three Graye-Hudson Model 1,966lb thrust 3G turbojets
Top Speed: 648mph
Cruising Speed:420mph
Range:1,040miles+ at cruising speed.
Ceiling: 39,000ft
Armament: Eight 20mm aviation cannon- four in front fuselage, and four in wings.

(Walmington's most numerically important fighter is still the MFMkII Wren (Crew-1 Engine Power-1,100hp Speed-312mph Ceiling-33,500ft Range-560miles Armament-6x.303 in wings))

As for tanks- hey, I think our Armadillo has thicker armour! (small victories!) Of course it only has a 3" gun at the moment, and couldn't possibly take out a modern battle tanks, but that'll be 4" soon enough... not that said would do much better against modern armour, except maybe at point blank range. We'll probably invent APDS ammo in a year or two :?

I'm not sure that we'll ever get so far as mounting 120mm guns, at least not the same highly modern sort as mounted by the likes of Challenger, Leopard II, Abrams, or Leclerc.



Em, I hope you don't mind the complete derailing of this thread. I believe we bought out most of the available rifles anyway :)

I'm done now..
Roycelandia
13-12-2003, 09:50
It LOOKS like a Supermarine Spitfire, but that's about where the similarities end. It has to be able to go up against F-15s etc and have a vaguely sporting chance of winning, after all...