Siamese Twins Enfield and Mauser

$2499 each with bayonets (value of the bayonets is between $400-$700) or the pair for $4499 and free shipping

THE SIAMESE LEE ENFIELD

SMLE n.1 mkIII* for Wild Tiger Corps

In 1920 the king of Siam Vajiravudh, also known as Rama VI, during his time studying in England became an avid admirer of the Lee-Enfield SMLE. He then  ordered 10,000 SMLE (short magazine lee Enfield n.1 mk3) for his personal Regiment "The Wild Tiger Corps". The Regiment also included his personal Royal Guards.

The "Wild Tigers" were a Paramilitary Regiment founded by Rama VI in person in 1911 with the purpose and function of civil order and close protection.

The rifle featured Birmingham Small Arms (BSA), showing it’s distinctive tiger’s head on the receiver with the inscription ‘Rama VI Model 2462’ which in the Buddhist calendar corresponds to the year 1919.The rifle shows matching Siamese characters on the breech, bolt and barrel that guarantees originality.

Today this weapon is extremely difficult to find in good/excellent condition and in addition to its discrete rarity many were destroyed during the Japanese invasion of WW2 with the few surviving rifles falling victim to the harsh Jungle environment. Despite not being of great technical interest (it’s a standard No1 Mk3 after all), it remains a specimen of great collecting importance, especially among the Lee-Enfield variety.

THE BAYONET: It is the standard 1907 SMLE model but has the Wild Tiger Corps logo instead of the Crown. The sheath has the same shape as the classic SMLE but is produced in metal. 

Type 46/66  Siamese Mauser Contract Made in Imperial Japan

Siam's king, Rama V (Chulalongkorn), considered modernization an important check against French colonial expansion from Indochina and British colonial expansion from Malaya following territorial concessions forced upon Siam by both powers. Many countries yielded to pressure from France and Britain and refused to sell Siam modern weapons.

The Siamese Type 66 rifle is an export model of the Japanese Type 38 rifle ordered in 1923 and built in the Koishikawa Arsenal. Delivery was delayed until 1928-29 due to catastrophic damage to Tokyo from the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake. Although a Type 38 in appearance and function, very few of the Type 66 parts are interchangeable with the Japanese rifle. Although not strictly a Mauser rifle, the Arisaka receiver is a modified Gewehr 98 action.

The Bayonet: has the Gregorian (western) Calendar lettering and is original issued for the rifle.