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Enfields in Queue: Palestine

gendarmerie (“gen·dar·me·rie) noun

 

A gendarmerie is a military force with law enforcement duties among the civilian population. The term gendarme is derived from the medieval French expression gens d'armes, which translates to "men-at-arms" (literally, “armed people”).

 

Lee-Enfield rifle unit markings - Palestine

Rifle 111
SMLE No. 1 Mk III*. BSA 1918. P.G. and "9 24" marked on the steel marking disk. Palestine Gendarmerie. Overall, 90%, wood VG with typical small dings and dents. Matched (bolt, receiver, barrel, sight, nosecap, and forestock. No import marks.

 

The Palestine Gendarmerie was formed in 1922 as a mixed (Christian, Muslim, Druze) mounted para-military Arab force (like the RIC) whose purpose was to police the British Mandate of Palestine and intervene between the warring Arabs and Jews. A short-lived corps, in 1926 it was disbanded with its policing functions going to the new Palestinian Police and the military function to the new Arab Legion.