For Collectors Only®
British Enfield Rifles
2nd Edition, Revise;ed Lee-EnfielIdd No. 4 and No. 5 Rifles
Charles R. Stratto
orth Cape Publications
FOR COLLECTORS ONLY®
British Enfield Rifles
Volume 2 2nd Edition, Revised Lee-Enfield No* 4 and No* 5 Rifles
Charles R. Stratton
North Cape Publications For Joey
My beloved grandson and the newest Stratton ACKNOWLEDGMENTS My sincere thanks to Enfield Research Associates Tom Caceci, Jim Cameron, Brock Dittrick, Jim Doherty, Fred Small, and Greg Young for fielding ques• tions and providing all sorts of useful and interesting background information. And to Ken Fladrich, J. Michael Metzger and Woody Travis of the Armory of Orange, Orange, California for their assistance in locating and photographing specimens.
A special thank you each to Jay Currah, Brian Labudda, Al Petrillo, Ian Skennerton, Steve Redgwell, George Spark and Warren Wheatfield, whose technical reviews of the final manuscript made this book a more accurate one. And, as ever, my appreciation to Joe Poyer-editor extraordinaire and publisher par excellence... Skip Stratton, Moscow Idaho
Copyright10 1999 and 2003 by North Cape Publications. All rights reserved. Reproduction or translations of any part of this work beyond that permitted by Section 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act without the written permission of the copyright holder is unlawful. Requests for permission or for further information should be addressed to the Permission Department, North Cape Publications.
This publication is designed to provide authoritative and accurate information in regard to the subject matter covered. However, it should be recognized that serial numbers and dates, as well as other information given within are necessarily limited by the accuracy of source materials.
ISBN 1-882391-24-1
North Cape Publications, P.O. Box 1027, Tustin, California 92781 800 745-9714, FAX 714 832-5302 Email: [email protected] Internet Website http://www.northcapepubs.com
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ii Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION 1 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND 3 MODELS AND MARKS OF THE NO. 4 SERIES RIFLES 8 No. 4 Mk I 8 No. 4MkI* 10 No. 4 Mk 2 10 No. 4 Mk 1/2 and Mk 1/3 11 No. 4 Mk I (T) and Mk I* (T) 11 No. 5 Rifle 12 No. 4 Mk 2 P.O.F. Rifle 13 Canadian E.A.L. Rifle 13 Canadian 7.62MM Competition Rifle 15 L8 Series 15 L39A1 and Enfield Envoy 16 L42A1 16 L59A1 Drill Rifle 18
CHAPTER 1 RIFLE MARKINGS MODEL AND MARK 19 FACTORY DESIGNATION 20 YEAR OF MANUFACTURE 23 SERIAL NUMBER 25 CONVERSION/UPGRADE DATA 27 MANUFACTURER'S MARKS AND CODES 28 OWNERSHIP/ACCEPTANCE MARKS 30 PROOF MARKS 31 "U.S PROPERTY" LEND-LEASE MARK 31 BRITISH EXPORT MARKS 32 U.S. IMPORT MARKS 33 INTERCHANGEABILITY CODES 34
CHAPTER 2 ACTION BODY ACTION BODY ASSEMBLY 34 Action Body Variations 35 Charger Bridge 39 Charger Bridge Screws 41
iii Ejector Screw 41 BOLT RELEASE ASSEMBLY 42 Bolt Head Catch 42 Bolt Head Catch Plate 42 Bolt Head Catch Spring 42 SAFETY ASSEMBLY 43 Safety Catch 43 Locking Bolt 43 Locking Bolt Spring 45 Locking Bolt Spring Screw 46 TRIGGER GUARD ASSEMBLY 46 Trigger Guard 47 Trigger 48 Trigger Axis Pin 49 Breech Cover Loop 49 Front Trigger Guard Screw 49 Rear Trigger Guard Screw 50 Front Trigger Guard Screw Washer 50 SEAR ASSEMBLY 50 Sear 50 Sear Spring 51 Sear Pin 51 MAGAZINE CATCH 51 Magazine Catch Screw 51 Magazine Catch Pin 52 MAGAZINE ASSEMBLY 52 Magazine Case 53 Magazine Platform 53 Magazine Main Spring 54 Auxiliary Spring 54
CHAPTER 3 BREECHBOLT BOLT BODY 56 Bolt Head Assembly 57 Bolt Head 57 Extractor 58 Extractor Spring 59 Extractor Screw 59
iv Striker Assembly 59 Striker 59 Main Spring 60 Striker Keeper Screw 60 Cocking Piece 60
CHAPTER 4 BACKSIGHT BACKSIGHT ASSEMBLY VARIATIONS 63 Axis Pin Assembly 69 Axis Pin 69 Axis Pin Retaining Pin 69 Plunger 70 Plunger Spring 70 Collar 70 Backsight Assembly Leaves and Slides 70 Backsight Leaves 70 Backsight Slides 73 Other Components of Milled Backsight Assemblies 75 Slide Adjusting Screw 75 Adjusting Screw Nut 76 Adjusting Screw Retaining Pin 76 Adjusting Screw Plunger 77 Plunger Spring 77 Other Components of Stamped Backsight Assemblies 77 Slide Catch 77 Slide Catch Spring 78 Slide Catch Pin 79 Slide Catch Stop Pin 79
CHAPTER 5 BARREL BARREL GROUP 80 HANDGUARD RETAINING RING 84 FORESIGHT ASSEMBLY (No. 4 RIFLES) 84 Foresight Block Band 85 Foresight Block Band Pin 86 Foresight Blade Screw 86 Foresight Blade - No. 4 Rifles 86 Foresight Protector 88
v Foresight Protector Screw 90 Foresight Bracket 90 Foresight Bracket Pin 90 FLASH ELIMINATOR ASSEMBLY (No. 5 RIFLES) 90 Flash Eliminator 91 Flash Eliminator Pins 91 Foresight Blades - No. 5 Rifles 91
CHAPTER 6 FURNITURE Buttstock Assembly 93 Buttstock 93 Stock Bolt 95 Stock Bolt Washer 96 Stock Bolt Spring Washer 96 Stock Bolt Wad 96 FORE-END ASSEMBLY 97 Fore-End 97 Fore-End Cap 100 Fore-End Cap Pins 101 Fore-End Reinforcing Tie-Plate 101 Tie-Plate Pin 101 Fore-End Reinforcing Screw 102 Fore-End Collar 102 HANDGUARD ASSEMBLY 102 Front Handguard 103 Front Handguard Cap 103 Rear Handguard 104 Handguard Liners 105 Handguard Cap and Liner Rivets 105
CHAPTER 7 FITTINGS BUTTPLATE ASSEMBLY (NO. 4 RIFLES) 106 Buttplate 106 Buttplate Screws 107 Buttplate Trap 107 Buttplate Trap Pin 108 Buttplate Trap Spring 108 Buttplate Trap Spring Screw 108
vi SHOULDER PAD ASSEMBLY (NO. 5 RIFLES) 109 Shoulder Pad 109 Shoulder Pad Cap 109 Shoulder Pad Plate 110 Short Retaining Screw 110 Long Retaining Screw 110 BAND AND SWIVEL GROUP 110 Upper Band 110 Lower Band 112 Lower Band Sling Swivel 113 Swivel Screws 113 Butt Swivel Bracket 114 Butt Swivel 115 Butt Swivel Bracket Screws 116
CHAPTER 8 ACCESSORIES SLING 117 BAYONETS AND SCABBARDS 118 Socket Spike Bayonets 118 Spike Bayonet Scabbards 122 Socket Blade Bayonets 124 No. 5 Rifle Bayonet , 125 No. 7 (Swivel Pommel) Bayonet 126 BLADE BAYONET SCABBARDS 127 OIL BOTTLE 129 PULL-THROUGH 129 BREECH COVER 130 CANVAS RIFLE VALISE 130 CANVAS MUZZLE COVER 131 MAGAZINE CHARGER (STRIPPER CLIP) 131
CHAPTER 9 SNIPER AND COMPETITION RIFLES 133 INTRODUCTION 133 OVERVIEW OF SNIPER AND COMPETITION RIFLES 134 ACTION BODY ASSEMBLY 139 EARLY RSAF-ENFIELD CONVERSIONS 139 No.4MkI(T) 139 No. 4 Mk I* (T) 140
vii No. 4 Mk 1/2 (T) and Mk 1/3 (T) 140 Canadian 7.62mm Competition 140 L39A11 140 Enfield Envoy 140 L42A1 141 MAGAZINE ASSEMBLY 141 No. 4 (T) Rifles 141 Canadian 7.62mm Competition and L39A1 141 Enfield Envoy and L42A1 141 BREECHBOLT 142 Early RSAF-Enfield Conversions 142 No. 4 (T) Rifles 142 Canadian 7.62mm Competition 142 L39A1, Enfield Envoy, and L42A1 142 BACKSIGHT 143 No. 4 (T) and L42A1 143 Canadian 7.62mm Competition 143 L39A1 and Enfield Envoy 143 BARREL 142 No. 4 (T) Rifles 143 Canadian 7.62mm Competition 143 L39A1, Enfield Envoy, and L42A1 144 BUTTSTOCK ASSEMBLY 144 No. 4 (T) and L42A1 144 Canadian 7.62mm Competition 144 L39A1 and Enfield Envoy 144 FORE-END AND HANDGUARD ASSEMBLIES 145 No. 4 (T) Rifles 145 Canadian 7.62mm Competition 145 L39A1 and Enfield Envoy 145 FITTINGS 144 Scopes and Scope Mounts 145 No. 32 Scope, Mk I and Mk II 146 No. 32 Scope, MkHI 146 C No. 32 Mk III Scope 146 CNo. 67 Scope 147 Lyman "Alaskan" Scope 147 L1A1 Scope 147
viii Holland & Holland Mount 148 Griffin & Howe Mount 148 ACCESSORIES 149 No. 4 (T) and L42A1 149 Canadian 7.62mm Competition, L39A1 and Enfield Envoy 150
APPENDIX A EXPLODED VIEWS OF THE No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES 152
APPENDIX B DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY 156
APPENDIX C FURNITURE WOOD 160
APPENDIX D CARTRIDGES 162
APPENDIX E METAL FINISHES 163
APPENDIX F SERIAL NUMBER RANGES 164 Observed Serial Number Prefixes - No. 4 Rifles 164 Observed Serial Number Prefixes - No. 5 Rifles 164 Production Estimates 164 Model/Mark Changeovers 165 Assigned Serial Number Ranges 165
APPENDIX G STERLING CONVERSION KITS 173
APPENDIX H BOLT DISASSEMBLY TOOLS 174
APPENDIX J No. 4 MK 2 P.O.F. RIFLE 176
ix APPENDIX K CANADIAN E.A.L. RIFLE 179
APPENDIX L
BIBLIOGRAPHY 184
ABOUT THE AUTHOR 187
OTHER BOOKS IN THE "FOR COLLECTORS ONLY®" SERIES 188
x xi X
A New Zealand sniper takes aim with a No. 4 Mk 1 (T) rifle in the rubble below the monastery at Monte Cassino in 1944. No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
INTRODUCTION
The collector of Lee-Enfield rifles is confronted with a seemingly hopeless array of marks and models and markings and apparently end• less varieties of configurations and conversions. Indeed, the variation is complex. Nearly 14 million Lee-Enfields were manufactured over a period of more than 80 years—from 1888 to the early 1970s. More• over, Lee-Enfields were manufactured at a dozen different rifle facto• ries located on four continents, and many of these factories made .22 caliber, carbine, trials, and special purpose versions of these rifles, as well as the standard .303 caliber (and later 7.62 mm) models.
Of the 14 million Lee-Enfields manufactured, nearly 5 million were No. 4 series rifles—those characterized by the flat-sided action body. These rifles were manufactured from 1941 to 1960, with various con• versions being made until the mid-1970s. The No. 4 series includes the No. 4 rifle itself, the workhorse of the British and Canadian troops during WWII; its close cousin the No. 5 rifle, or "Jungle Carbine"; and the No. 7, No. 8, and No. 9 rifles—all in .22 caliber. Among the conversions to 7.62 mm are the L8 series rifles, the L39A1, the Enfield Envoy, and the L42A1. The last of the series is the L59A1 drill rifle.
In the United Kingdom and countries of the former British Empire, rifles tended to stay in the military system longer than in the U.S. As a result, many WWII-vintage rifles are just now coming onto the sur• plus market. However, most of the rifles available today have under• gone arsenal reconditioning (or factory thorough repair, as the British call it)—sometimes more than once. In the process of reconditioning, metal and wood was refinished and worn and out-of-date parts, in• cluding barrels, were replaced. Upon reassembly, little concern was given to matching parts by manufacturer—or even by country of manu• facture. Thus, most Lee-Enfield rifles one encounters have a mixed bag of parts of different vintages and from different manufacturers.
1 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
What I have attempted in the BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES series is to keep the focus on the collector, leaving minutiae of detail to the scholars. (A number of excellent scholarly works have been published on the Lee-Enfields; see the Bibliography—Appendix L—for references.) My aims are threefold: 1) to allow you to look at a rifle and tell what you have, 2) to guide you in restoring a rifle, and 3) to alert you to scarce (and potentially valuable) models so that you can seek expert advice.
The BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES series consists of the following volumes: Volume 1: SMLE (No. 1) Rifles-Mk I and Mk III Volume 2: Lee-Enfield No. 4 and No. 5 Rifles Volume 3: Enfield Magazine Rifles (and their Conversions) Volume 4: Pattern 1914 and U.S. Model of 1917Rifles Volume 5: Trials, Training, and Special Purpose Rifles
This volume focuses on the main service rifles in the No. 4 series—the No. 4 rifle (and its conversions) and the No. 5 rifle—but also includes a chapter on the No. 4 series sniper and competition rifles. The SMLE (No. 1) rifles are covered in Volume 1 of the BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES series, while Volume 3 deals with the 19th Century "Long Lees" and their conversions and the 19th Century Lee-Enfield carbines. The fourth volume is given over to the "American Enfields," the Pattern 1914 and U.S. Model of 1917. Finally, various prototypes, trials versions, training versions, and special purpose versions of Lee-Enfield rifles are covered in Volume 5 of the series.
As with other volumes in the series, I have, for the most part, used British nomenclature and spelling for components, although I have employed the terms "assembly" and "group" to refer to sets of closely- related parts. Similarly (following the convention of the For Collec• tors Only® series), I have used the terms "First Variation," "Second Variation," etc. to refer to components that differ significantly in con• figuration or material. Wnerever possible, I cross-reference these varia• tions to British (and Canadian) Mark designations.
2 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND The Lee-Enfield No. 4 rifle was developed to provide a receiver- mounted aperture backsight similar to that of the Pattern 1914 (No. 3) rifle. The No. 4 rifle also reflects a new (British) standard in screw threads, making nearly all threaded components incompatible with those of the SMLE (No. 1) rifle. In addition, the No. 4 rifle incorpo• rates a heavier barrel than that of the No. 1 rifle, a stronger design of the action body, and a short "grip-less" bayonet that mounts directly to the barrel, rather than to a separate nose cap mounted on the fore- end. The Lee-Enfield No. 5 rifle is a shortened and lightened version of the No. 4 rifle; while the L8A1 through L8A5 rifles and the L39A1 and L42A1 rifles are 7.62 mm NATO conversions of No. 4 rifles.
The "Enfield" in Lee-Enfield refers to the town of Enfield on the northern outskirts of London, where a Royal Small Arms Factory (RSAF) was established in 1804 to assemble "Brown Bess" flintlock muskets. The "Lee" in Lee-Enfield is James Paris Lee (1831-1904), a Scottish-born American arms inventor who designed, among other things, the box magazine that was instrumental in the development of bolt-action repeating rifles. Around 4.6 million Lee-Enfield rifles in the No. 4 series were manufactured from 1941 through the early 1970s.
Beginning shortly after WWI, trials were conducted at RSAF-Enfield on a rifle with a receiver-mounted backsight. Development continued through the 1920s and 1930s, yielding the SMLE Mk V rifle in 1922 and the No. 1 Mk VI rifle in 1926. In 1931, the No. 1 Mk VI was altered slightly and redesignated the No. 4 Mk I. (These various de• velopmental models will be discussed in Volume 5 of the BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES series.) Trials resulted in the adoption in November 1939 of the No. 4 Mk I Rifle as the new British service rifle.
In England, two new Royal Ordnance Factories (ROF) were estab• lished to manufacture the No. 4 rifle: one at Fazakerley (a suburb of Liverpool) and one at Maltby (near Sheffield). In addition, BSA Co.
3 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES set up a new plant in Shirley (an outer suburb of Birmingham) to manufacture the No. 4 rifle. Production was under way at these plants by the middle of 1941.
The British government also contracted with the Savage Arms Com• pany in the U.S. and with the Dominion Small Arms Factory (later Small Arms, Ltd.) in Canada to produce the No. 4 rifle. Production of Mk I rifles began at the Savage-owned Stevens Arms Co. plant in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts in July 1941, while production of Mk I rifles began at the Small Arms Ltd. plant in Long Branch, Ontario in September 1941.
In February 1942, a telescopic sighted version of the Mk I was ap• proved as No. 4 Mk I (T) Rifle. Mk I rifles were selected for demon• strated accuracy and had high-comb cheek rests and scope mounts added. These rifles were issued as a kit, consisting of the rifle itself, a leather sling, a No. 32 telescopic sight, a telescopic sight mount, a carrying case for the scope and a carrying chest for the rifle and scope. Some 25,000 to 30,000 Mk I (T) rifles were produced by RSAF Enfield and Holland & Holland. In addition, S.A.L. in Canada converted a fair number of Mk I* rifles to (T) model configuration at the Long Branch factory and issued them as the No. 4 Mk I* (T) rifle. Cana• dian-made scopes were marked "C No. 32"; also, U.S.-made Lyman Alaskan scopes (with Griffin & Howe mounts) were used on some Canadian (T) models.
Modifications to the bolt release mechanism of the No. 4 were ap• proved for Savage and Long Branch rifles, leading to the changeover at these factories in 1942 from the No. 4 Mk I to the No. 4 Mk I* Rifle. About the same time, Savage began producing rifles under the Lend Lease program, with these rifles being marked "U.S. PROP• ERTY" on the left side of the receiver.
In 1943, trials began on a shortened and lightened No. 4 rifle, leading
4 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES to the adoption in 1944 of the No. 5 Mk I Rifle, or "Jungle Carbine," as it is commonly known. The No. 5 rifle was manufactured by ROF- Fazakerley and by BSA-Shirley from 1944 until 1947.
Production of No. 4 rifles ceased at Savage in June, 1944, with a total production of just over 1 million rifles. Production of No. 4 rifles was suspended at Long Branch in 1945. In December 1945 Small Arms Ltd. ceased operations, and the Long Branch factory was operated after that by the Small Arms Division of Canadian Arsenals Ltd. (C.A.L.). Production of No. 4 Mk I* rifles resumed at Long Branch in 1949 and continued until 1956, with a total production (1941-1955) of just over 900,000 rifles. C.A.L. ceased operations at Long Branch in June 1976.
In 1944, Long Branch developed a .22 caliber version of the No. 4 rifle for training purposes, which became the C No. 7 .22 in Rifle. It has the same overall appearance as the No. 4 rifle, but the backsight is somewhat different. The British version of this .22 trainer—the No. 7 Mk I Rifle—was developed in 1948. It, too, has the same overall appearance as the No. 4. Introduced at about the same time as the British No. 7 rifle was the .22 No. 8 Mk I Rifle—a training/competi• tion rifle with a pistol-grip stock, a shortened fore-end, and a special heavy barrel. Many of these underwent FTR in the late 1960s at the Enfield factory.
In 1947, the design of the trigger mounting was changed to allow the trigger to be hung from the action body rather than from the trigger guard. In addition, light-colored beech wood was approved for rifle furniture, and Arabic rather than Roman numerals began to be used to designate various Marks of components. These changes led to the adoption in March 1949 of the No. 4 Mk 2 Rifle, with production beginning at ROF-Fazakerley in July, 1949. Production continued until 1955, with Fazakerley being the only British plant manufacturing the No. 4 Mk 2.
5 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
At the same time that the No. 4 Mk 2 rifle was approved (March 1949), authorization was given to convert earlier rifles to the new configuration. The converted No. 4 Mk I rifle was redesignated the No. 4 Mk 1/2 Rifle, while the converted No. 4 Mk I* rifle was redes• ignated the No. 4 Mk 1/3 Rifle. Most conversions were done at ROF- Fazakerley.
Production ceased at BSA-Shirley in the late 1940s, and in the mid- 1950s the rifle fabrication machinery was sold to the Pakistan Ord• nance Factory in Wah, Pakistan. The Pakistan Ordnance Factory (P.O.F.) undertook an extensive FTR program, refurbishing a good many No. 4 Mk I and Mk 2 rifles (and conversions), and also manu• facturing a new rifle which shares features of the No. 4 Mk 2 and the No. 5 rifles. This rifle is designated the No. 4 Mk 2 P.O.F. Rifle. Additionally, No. 4 series rifles were refurbished and parts were manu• factured in South Africa and in Indonesia. Rifles and parts with South African and/or Indonesian markings show up from time to time.
In the mid- to late-1950s, a variant of the No. 4 Mk I* was produced in Canada by Essential Agencies Limited (E.A.L.) of Toronto. This variant, a "sporter" version of the Long Branch military rifle, is gen• erally referred to as the Canadian E.A.L. Rifle. Several thousand were manufactured, and the rifle was issued both to the Royal Cana• dian Air Force as a survival rifle and to the Canadian Rangers.
In the late 1950s, the Royal Navy contracted with the firm of Parker- Hale to convert around 3,000 No. 4 rifles to .22 caliber. This rifle, designated the No. 9 Mk 1.22 RF, has the same overall appearance as the No. 4 rifle. Many are conversions of No. 4 Mk 2 rifles and have beech wood furniture.
In the early 1960s, with the adoption of the CI rifle, the Canadian government saw a need for an accurate bolt-action rifle chambered for the 7.62 mm NATO cartridge to be used in big-bore competition shoot-
6 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES ing. The C.A.L. factory at Long Branch developed a heavy barrel chambered for the 7.62mm which could be fitted to a No. 4 action. A few hundred of these were made up and designated the "Rifle 7.62mm No. 4 Mod (Competition Shooting)" or simply the 7.62mm Competi• tion rifle. These were set up as single-loaders, with the .303 magazine and follower merely serving as a loading platform. C.A.L. also con• verted many other Long Branch No. 4 rifles to 7.62mm NATO, pri• marily for use in Dominion of Canada Rifle Association (DCRA) com• petition shooting. Total production of Long Branch 7.62mm Competi• tion rifles could be as high as 3,000 rifles.
In the late 1960s, the British government approved conversion of vari• ous Marks of No. 4 rifles to accommodate the 7.62mm NATO car• tridge. Conversions of the No. 4 Mk 2 rifle were designated the L8A1 Rifle, while conversions of other Marks of the No. 4 rifle were desig• nated L8A2 through L8A5. The conversions were accomplished by installing new barrels and new extractors, enlarging the magazine wells slightly, and installing new magazines.
Also in the late 1960s, a 7.62mm NATO competition target rifle was approved as the L39A1 Rifle. The L39A1 rifles were converted from No. 4 Mk 2 and Mk 1/2 rifles by installing 7.62mm barrels, shorten• ing the fore-ends, and installing micrometer-adjustable aperture rear sights. Many L39A1 rifles also had pistol-grip buttstocks installed. The L39A1 rifles were set up as single loaders, the standard .303 caliber magazine being used only as a loading platform. About the same time, the Enfield factory produced a commercial version of the L39A1 which they called the 7.62mm Envoy Rifle.
In need of a sniper rifle chambered for the 7.62mm NATO cartridge, the British government approved the L42A1 Rifle in August 1970. The L42A1 rifles are essentially 7.62mm conversions of No. 4 Mk I (T) rifles with shorter and wider fore-ends and shorter handguards. The L42A1 rifles use magazines which are similar to those of the L8
7 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES rifles. The L42A1 rifle remained in service until 1992.
Finally, in the mid-1970s, a non-firing drill purpose conversion of the No. 4 rifle was approved for use by cadets. Designated the Drill Rifle L59A1, this conversion amounted to rendering No. 4 rifles incapable of being fired by milling away portions of the breech, the action body, and the bolt and welding a plug into the breech. L59A1 rifles were converted from No. 4 Mk I, Mk I*, and Mk 2 rifles.
MODELS AND MARKS OF THE NO. 4 SERIES RIFLES The Lee-Enfield No. 4 rifle (Figure 1) has an overall length of 44.4 inches and a nominal weight of 8 pounds, 11 ounces, being in length and weight nearly identical to the SMLE (No. 1) rifle. The action is of the turn-bolt variety, and the rifle is furnished with a 10-round remov• able box magazine. The No. 4 series rifles are characterized by a flat- sided receiver and a receiver-mounted folding leaf backsight with ap• erture sighting.
NO. 4 MK I The major distinguishing characteristic of the No. 4 Mk I rifle is a spring- loaded bolt-head release catch located just behind the charger bridge (Figure 2, arrow). Mk I rifles with dates of 1941 and 1942 are getting scarce, and very good to excellent specimens command a modest premium from collectors—especially those from Savage and Long Branch. Mk I rifles with dates from 1943 to 1945 are quite common and do not command any special premium. Very late Mk I rifles (1948 and 1949 dates) are regarded by some collectors as the finest of the Mk I rifles, and these rifles will sometimes bring a 25 to 50 percent premium over earlier Fi specimens. 9- 2' Bolt-head Release, Mk
8 Fig. 1. Lee-Enfield No. 4 Rifle, Al Petrillo Collection BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
NO. 4 MK I* The No. 4 Mk I* rifle is characterized by a simplified bolt-head re• lease mechanism. The bolt-head release catch of the Mk I is omitted in favor of a simple slot in the bolt track toward the front of the receiver (Figure 3).
In addition, the Mk I* rifles have a charger bridge with more clearance under• neath, a magazine catch pin rather than a screw, and a longer sear pin. Quite of• ten, these rifles were issued with a simple two-position Fig. 3. Bolt Release Slot, Mk 1* Rifle flip-type backsight and a variety of stamped rather than milled parts, including backsights, barrel bands, foresight pro• tectors, and trigger guards.
Points to Watch For: Many Mk I and Mk I* rifles underwent Factory Thorough Repair (FTR) after WWII. Various stamped parts were re• placed with the milled parts characteristic of the earlier Mk I rifles.
Mk I* rifles are quite common and do not command any special pre• mium—with the possible exception of very late Savage rifles with "OC" serial number prefixes and very late Long Branch rifles with 1950s dates.
NO. 4 MK 2 The No. 4 Mk 2 rifle is characterized by a trigger suspended from the action body rather than from the trigger guard (Figure 4). This was done to improve accuracy—or at least to improve consistency in trig• ger action. In addition, most Mk 2 rifles were stocked up with blond-
10 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES colored birch or beech furniture.
Very early Mk 2 rifles (1949 dates) stocked with original walnut furni• ture are sought after by some collectors. Also, many of the later Mk 2 rifles (1950s dates) reached the surplus market in "new- in-the-wrapper" condition. These fetch about double what a "used" Mk 2 rifle will bring.
NO. 4 MK 1/2 AND MK 1/3 These are No. 4 rifles con• verted to the Mk 2 con• Mk 2 Rifle Trigger Suspension figuration by having bosses brazed onto the action bodies and triggers then suspended from the action body rather than from the trigger guard.
The Mk 1/2 and 1/3 rifles do not command a premium at present, but as more of them reach the surplus market they may well become more attractive to collectors be• cause of their historical scarcity.
NO. 4 MK I (T) AND MK I* (T) The No. 4 (T) rifles (Fig• ure 5) are characterized by Fig. 5. No. 4 Mk 1 (T) wooden cheek rests added Cheek Rest to the buttstocks and scope mount pads on the left side of the action body. These pads are held in place by screws threaded into holes drilled and tapped into the action body. The pads are also
l 1 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES soldered in place (Figure 6, arrows). Those (T) models converted by Holland & Holland are identified by the stamped code "S 51" on the underside of the buttstock wrist. In addition, most (T) models are stamped "T" or "TR" on the left side of the action body.
Rifles chosen for conver• sion to telescopic models were selected from rifles with demonstrated accu• racy and had action bod• ies and barrels further hand-fitted to the fore- ends. Often, they were Fig. 6. Scope Mount Pads completely restocked.
No. 4 (T) rifles with pads only will bring a 200 to 300 percent pre• mium, while those with pads and scope mount will bring a 400 to 500 percent premium. A complete No. 4 (T) rifle kit with rifle, mount, No. 32 scope, and carrying cases will fetch 10 times the price of a Mk I or Mk I* in comparable condition.
Points to Watch For: Original scope mounts are quite scarce "on the loose," and a number of replica mounts have been made. Also, rep• lica cheek rests have been produced. These replica components have led to some rather clever counterfeit (T) models being made. More• over, some No. 4 rifles with any old scope mount are offered as (T) models. Before you spend a major premium for a No. 4 (T) rifle, have it appraised by a dealer or collector familiar with these rifles.
NO. 5 RIFLE The No. 5 rifle (Figure 7, overleaf) has an overall length of 39.5 inches and a nominal weight of 7 pounds 1 ounce. The action is simi-
12 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES lar to that of the No. 4, but the barrel and fore-end are shorter. The No. 5 rifle sports a rubber recoil pad on the buttstock and a conical flash eliminator on the muzzle. The most noticeable characteristics of the No. 5 rifle are its short length (39.5 inches), its cone-shaped flash eliminator, and its rubber recoil pad with side-mounted sling loop. The definitive characteristics, however, are the lightening cuts made in the action body (see Chapter 2) and barrel knox form (see Chapter 5).
A No. 5 rifle will bring two to three times as much as a comparable No. 4 rifle. Replicas of the No. 5 rifle abound, however, so take care. Look for the lightening cuts and compare the action body markings (see Chapter 1) to specimens or photos of the real thing.
NO. 4 MK 2 P.O.F. RIFLE The Pakistan Ordnance Factory rifle is similar in appearance to the British No. 4 Mk 2 rifle and is distinguishable chiefly by the mark• ings. The left side of the action body is stamped "No 4 Mk 2" and XX / P.O.F. / CXXXXX" where "XX" indicates the year of manufacture (e.g., 58, 59, 60) and "CXXXXX" is the serial number. The barrels are marked with a "Star in a Crescent" (Pakistani-style, not Turkish- style). The No. 4 Mk 2 P.O.F. rifle is described in more detail in Appendix J.
At present, P.O.F. rifles are not commanding a premium.
CANADIAN E.A.L. RIFLE This rifle (Figure 8) has a full-pistol-grip buttstock with a red rubber recoil pad and a shortened and slimmed down fore-end with a schnobble tip. The action body is newly manufactured, with the charger bridge missing and extensive milling done to sides and rear portion. The left side of the action body is stamped ".303 CAL" and "E.A.L.-" fol• lowed by a 4-digit serial number. The E.A.L. rifle is described in greater detail in Appendix K. Not enough E.A.L. rifles have reached the surplus market to establish a relative value.
13 Fig. 7. Lee-Enfield No. 5 Rifle, Al Petrillo collection
(Photographs not to scale) No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
CANADIAN 7.62MM COMPETITION RIFLE This rifle has the same overall appearance as the No. 4 but has a new 7.62mm barrel with a C.A.L. logo (a C in a vertical oval) and conver• sion serial numbers on the receiver ring and muzzle end of the barrel. Early models were set up as single-loaders, with a standard No. 4 rifle magazine serving as a loading platform only. Many later conversions were set up as repeaters, using either Enfield or Sterling conversion kits; these have the same overall appearance as the L8 series rifles (see below).
Canadian 7.62mm Competition rifles will fetch three to four times the value of a No. 4 rifle in comparable condition. Early models marked "Rifle 7.62mm No. 4 Mod (Competition Shooting)" have an even higher value.
L8 SERIES The L8 series rifle (Figure 9) is similar in appearance to the No. 4 but is equipped with a new, square-profile magazine. They also have new barrels and new stronger bolt heads, and the action bodies have modi• fied markings. The L8s were converted from various Marks of No. 4 rifles as follows:
L8A1 from No. 4 Mk2 L8A2 from No. 4 Mk 1/2 L8A3 from No. 4 Mk 1/3 L8A4 from No. 4MkI L8A5 from No. 4 Mk I*
L8 rifles are quite scarce. It is not likely that very many were actually made—probably only a handful of samples of each type to serve as patterns in case eventual conversion was required. Few, if any, L8A4 and L8A5 were made, as preference was given to the "hung trigger" models for conversion (Mk 2, Mk 1/2, and Mk 1/3).
15 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
L39A1 AND ENFIELD ENVOY In addition to markings and chambering for the 7.62mm NATO car• tridge, the L39A1 rifle (Figure 10) is characterized chiefly by a heavy barrel, shortened fore-end and handguard, and a micrometer-adjust• able aperture rear sight. The trigger is suspended from the action body, in the fashion of No. 4 Mk 2 rifles. L39A1 rifles are somewhat longer and heavier than No. 4 rifles and L8 rifles, the overall length being 46.5 inches and the nominal weight being 10 pounds 1 ounce. The extra weight comes from the heavy barrel. Some L39A1 rifles are fitted with pistol-grip buttstocks. The Enfield Envoy (Figure 11) is essentially a commercial version of the L39A1, all of them having pistol-grip buttstocks.
L39A1 rifles and Enfield Envoy rifles are quite scarce and are highly sought after—not only by collectors but also by competition shooters.
L42A1 The L42A1 rifles (Figure 12) are similar to the No. 4 Mk I (T) rifles from which they were converted. They are distinguishable from (T) models chiefly by a heavy barrel chambered for the 7.62mm NATO cartridge, a shorter and wider fore-end and shorter handguard, and a relatively square-profile magazine. They are distinguishable from L39A1 rifles in that the L42A1 rifles are fitted with scope mounts and L1A1 scopes and in that the trigger is suspended from the trigger guard. The overall length is 45.5 inches, and the nominal weight is 12 pounds 5 ounces, the extra weight coming from the heavy barrel and the scope and mount.
The L42A1 rifle was in service until 1992; at the time of writing only about a thousand have been released for the surplus market. The Brit• ish government is reportedly destroying its remaining stores of this rifle. Needless to say, the L42A1 rifles will command at least the premium that the No. 4 (T) rifles fetch—and probably a good bit more.
16
No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
L59A1 DRILL RIFLE The L59A1 Drill rifles are iden• tified by large "D.P." letters painted on the buttstock and fore- end and by copper-colored bolt bodies and cocking pieces, as well as by the conspicuous milling and relieving on the left side of the action body and barrel. Fig. 13. L59A1 Drill Rifle. The L59A1 rifles are chiefly of interest to collectors; they fetch about half what a functioning No. 4 rifle will bring.
18 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
CHAPTER 1 RIFLE MARKINGS
British service rifles—especially the Lee-Enfields—are profusely marked with various stampings and engravings, numbers and dates, and logos and abbreviations, although the No. 4 series rifles tend to have fewer such markings than the earlier "Long Lees" and SMLE rifles. These markings are a boon to collectors who understand them, but they are a source of major vexation to many collectors who find them hard to understand. The various markings on the action body (receiver), on the barrel, on the furniture, and on many of the indi• vidual components of a Lee-Enfield rifle go a long way toward reveal• ing the origin and history of the rifle, as well as its current condition. Major markings on the No. 4 series rifles include Model and Mark, Factory Designation, Year of Manufacture, Serial Number, Conver• sion/Upgrade Data, Manufacturer's Marks and Codes, Ownership/ Acceptance Marks, Proof Marks, the "U.S. PROPERTY" Lend Lease Mark, British Export Marks, U.S. Import Marks, and Interchange- ability Codes. Markings on sniper and competition rifles are discussed further in Chapter 9.
MODEL AND MARK The Model and Mark designation on No. 4 series rifles is found stamped or electro-engraved on the left side of the action body or buttstock socket in letters about 1/8-inch high. Minor differences in letter size, type style, and spacing are found on rifles from different factories. The Model number (No. 4, No. 5, No. 7, etc.) indicates major differ• ences in configuration and/or differences in the cartridge fired by the rifle. Mark numbers (Mk I, Mk 2, etc.) indicate significant variations in the configuration of a particular model, while lesser variations are indicated by a star, or asterisk, after the Mark number. Spacing be• tween letters and numbers varies. Here are some examples:
19 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
No. 4 MK I No. 4 MK I * No. 4 MK 2 No. 4 MK 1/2 No.5Mk I .22 No8 MK I
Historical Note: On earlier rifles, Roman numerals are used for the Mark number. In the late 1940s, however, both the Canadians and the British began using Arabic numerals.
Beginning in 1946, Long Branch rifles have a "C" in front of the model and mark designation:
C No. 7 MK I C No. 4 MK I *
In the mid 1950s, the British government abandoned the Model and Mark designation in favor of a letter and number code. In place of the Model number, the letter "L" and a numeral was used (LI, L8, L42, etc.), and in place of the Mark number, the letter "A" and a numeral was used (Al, A2, A3, etc.). Examples:
RIFLE 7.62MM L8A1 7.62m/m L39A1
FACTORY DESIGNATION Usually found either stamped on the left side of the buttstock socket or stamped or electro-engraved on the left side of the action body, this is a code that designates the factory at which the rifle was manufactured or assembled. (Codes were used in an attempt to keep the locations of rifle factories secret from the German air force.) Often, the factory code is found on the same line as the Model and Mark designation: S No. 4 Mk I* No.5 Mk I ROF(F)
Since the existing Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield and the BSA Co. rifle factory at Birmingham were not equipped for modern assem• bly line production, two new Royal Ordnance Factories were estab-
20 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
Table 1-1 Models of Lee-Enfield Model Rifle Description
No. 1 Rifle .303 caliber SMLE rifle (Mk III, Mk III* and Mk V)
No. 2 Rifle .22 caliber conversion of the No. 1 rifle
No. 3 Rifle .303 caliber Pattern 1914 rifle
No. 4 Rifle .303 caliber service rifle
No. 5 Rifle .303 caliber "jungle" carbine
No. 6 Rifle .303 caliber carbine version of No. 1 Rifle (Australian)
No. 7 Rifle .22 caliber training rifle
C No. 7 Rifle .22 caliber traiining rifle (Canadian)
No. 8 Rifle .22 caliber competition rifle
No. 9 Rifle .22 caliber conversion of No. 4 rifle
L8 Rifle 7.62 mm NATO conversion of No. 4 rifle
L39 Rifle 7.62 mm NATO competition rifle
L42 Rifle 7.62 mm NATO sniper rifle
L59 Rifle non-firing drill rifle lished—one at Fazakerley and another at Maltby. No. 4 rifles were also manufactured by BSA in a newly-built factory at Shirley, by the Small Arms Ltd. company in Canada, and by the Stevens division of the Savage Arms Corporation in the United States. No. 5 rifles were built at Fazakerley and BSA-Shirley, and No. 4 and No. 5 rifles were arsenal reconditioned (and remarked) at the Pakistan Ordnance Fac• tory. In addition, P.O.F. manufactured new No. 4 Mk 2 Rifles.
21 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
Table 1-2 Marks of Various No. 4 Series Models
Model Mark Description
British manufacture (and early Canadian Mkl and U.S.)
Mk l(T) Mk 1 with Telescope
Mk i* Canadian and U.S. manufacture
Mk P(T) Mk 1* with telescopic sight No. 4 Mk2 Post- WWII British manufacture
Post-WWII conversion to Mk 2 configuration Mkl/2 from Mk 1
Post-WWII conversion to Mk 2 configuration Mkl/3 from Mk 1*
A1 7.62 mm conversion from No. 4 Mk 2 (a)
A2 7.62 mm conversion from No. 4 Mk V2
L8 A3 7.62 mm conversion from No. 4 Mk 1/3
A4 7.62 mm conversion from No. 4 Mk 1
A5 7.62 mm conversion from No. 4 Mk 1*
L39 A1 7.62 mm competition rifle
L42 A1 7.62 mm sniper rifle
L59 A1 Non-firing drill rifle
(a) 7.62 x 51 mm NATO
22 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
Table 1-3 Factory Designation Codes
Code Rifle Factory Location
ROF(F)
FY Royal Ordnance Fazakerley (near Liverpool), UK (F) Factory
UF
ROFM Royal RM Ordnance Maltby (near Sheffield), UK Factory M
M47C BSA Co. Shirley (near Birmingham), UK PS s Savage Arms Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, USA LONG Small Arms Ltd. Long Branch, Ontario, Canada BRANCH
UE RSAF - Enfield Enfield Lock (near London), UK
Pakistan P.O.F. Ordnance Wah, Pakistan Factory
YEAR OF MANUFACTURE Most No. 4 series rifles have the year of manufacture stamped on the left side of the buttstock socket or stamped or electro-engraved on the left side of the action body. In addition, those rifles undergoing con• version or arsenal reconditioning (Factory Thorough Repair) are marked with a later date. Until 1945, the full year was shown (e.g., 1942, 1943)—either on the buttstock socket or on the action body; beginning
23 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
Table 1-4 Dates of Manufacture Model and Mark Factory Dates (Approx)
ROF-Fazakertey 1941-1949
ROF-Maltby 1941-1945
No. 4 Mk 1 BSA-Shirley 1941-1945
Long Branch 1941
Savage 1941-1942
Long Branch 1942-1945; 1949-1956 No.4Mk1* Savage 1941-1944
ROF-Fazakertey 1949-1955 No. 4 Mk 2 Pakistan Ordnance 1958(?)-1961(?) Factory
ROF-Fazakerley 1949-1956 No. 4 Mk 1/2 RSAF-Enfield 1956-1960
ROF-Fazakerley 1949-1956 No. 4 Mk 1/3 RSAF-Enfield 1956-1960
ROF-Fazakerley 1944-1947 No. 5 Mk 1 BSA-Shirley 1944-1946
L8 A1-A5 ROF-Fazakerley 1960-1968(7)
L39 A1 1960-1972
L42 A1 RSAF-Enfield 1960-1971
L59 A1 1975-1977(7)
24 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES in 1945, only the month and year (e.g., 2/45, 9/45) or the last two digits of the year (e.g., 45, 48, 55, 69) were used. Often, the year of manufacture is included on the same line as the Model/Mark designa• tion and the factory code. Here are two examples of date stamping:
1943 5/45
SERIAL NUMBER The serial number on No. 4 series rifles is stamped on the left side of the buttstock socket and/or stamped or electro-engraved on the left side of the action body. In addition, the serial number is usually found on the rear of the bolt handle, the underside of the fore-end, and the bottom of the magazine. (See Appendix F, "Serial Number Ranges" for additional information.)
For early British-manufactured No. 4 Mk I rifles, the British govern• ment assigned unique serial number ranges to various rifle factories in order to avoid duplicate serial numbers (which was common with ear• lier Lee-Enfield rifles).
Table 1-5 No. 4 Rifle Serial Number Ranges
Serial Number Numerical Range Rifle Factory Prefixes
Single Letters & 1000-9999 BSA-Shirley AA thru AV
Single Letters & 10000 - 19999 ROF-Maltby AA thru BZ
Single Letters & 20000 - 29999 ROF-Fazakerley HA thru PF
30000 - 39999 BSA-Shirley Single letters
40000 - 79999 BSA-Shirley A only
25 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
At the Long Branch and Savage factories, where the No. 4 Mk I* rifles were made, a somewhat different scheme was used for serial numbers. A letter prefix was incorporated to indicate the rifle factory: "L" for Long Branch and "C" for Savage's Chicopee Falls, Massa• chusetts plant. A 1- or 2-digit number precedes the letter, starting with "OL" and "OC". When the 4-digit number following the letter reached 9999, the number preceding the letter was increased by one, and num• bering began over again; for example:
0L0001 to 0L9999 1L0001 to 1L9999 2L0001 to 2L9999
Thus, the No. 4 Mk I* rifle with serial number 12L3456 would be the 123,456th rifle manufactured at the Long Branch factory. Similarly, the rifle with serial number 24C6802 would be the 246,802nd rifle
Table 1-6 No. 4 Rifle Serial Number Prefixes
Prefix Rifle Factory Comments
OL thru 95L Long Branch found on 1941-1956 Long Branch rifles
OC thru 99C Savage found on 1941-1944 Savage rifles
OC Savage found on late 1944 Savage rifles
PF Fazakerley found on post-WWII Fazakerley rifles
PS BSA-Shirley found on post-WWII BSA-Shirley rifles
UE RSAF-Enfield found on post-WWII Enfield conversions
UF Fazkereley found only on 1955-dated Mk 2 rifles
Pakistan Ord• C Found on newly-manufactured rifles nance Factory
26 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES manufactured by Savage. In 1944, when production at the Savage fac• tory reached one million rifles, the prefix was changed from "99C to "OC" and a 5-digit serial number was employed. Thus, the rifle with serial number OC 12345 would be the 1,012,345th rifle manufac• tured by Savage.
Following WWII, the factory designation code (see above) and in some cases the year of manufacture were incorporated into the serial number on rifles manufactured or converted at the various British rifle factories. Examples:
PF 68115 UE.72.A1146
Serial numbers on No. 5 rifles consist of a one- or two-letter prefix and a 4-digit number, as indicated in Table 1-7.
Table 1-7 No. 5 Rifle Serial Number Prefixes
Prefix Rifle Factory Comments
FE Fazakerley Initial run of 1000 in early 1944
A thru Z Fazakerley Letters "I" and "J" nor used
AA thru AC Fazakerley 1947 Dates
BB thru MM BSA-Shirley Letters "BA" and "BP not used
CONVERSION/UPGRADE DATA In the years following WWII, many No. 4 rifles underwent arsenal reconditioning, or "Factory Thorough Repair." On such rifles, the Model/Mark designation (and often the serial number) was re-electro- engraved on the left side of the action body and the factory code where the reconditioning took place, the notation "FTR," and the date of the reconditioning was added. For example, the marking:
27 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
No 4 Mk I* F(FTR)48 / 25C6824 would indicate a 1942 Savage rifle that underwent Factory Thorough Repair at the Fazakerley factory in 1948.
A fair number of No. 4 Mk I and Mk I* rifles had their trigger assem• blies converted to the Mk 2 configuration. On such rifles, the notation "/2" or "/3," the factory code and the date of conversion would be added. For example, the marking:
No 4 Mk I /3 F(FTR)49 / E15486 would indicate a Maltby rifle that underwent Factory Thorough Re• pair and conversion to Mk 1/3 configuration at the Fazakerley factory in 1949.
On No. 4 rifles converted to L8, L39, and L42 configuration, the original Model/Mark designation was struck through with a horizon• tal line and the new rifle designation was electro-engraved on the left side of the action body—usually to the rear of the ejector screw:
No 4 Mk 2 / RIFLE 7.62 MM L8A1
Occasionally, one finds a rifle that has undergone several conver• sions. A rifle marked as follows:
No 4 Mk 112 T(rTR)48 / RIFLE 7.62 MM L8A2 would have started life as a Mk I, would have been converted to a Mk 1/2 in 1948, and then converted again to a L8A2 in the 1960s.
MANUFACTURER'S MARKS AND CODES On No. 4 series rifles, furniture, small parts, and some hardware items bear marks or codes that identify the manufacturer. The major rifle factories used identification marks as shown in Table 1-8.
28 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
Table 1-8 Major Rifle Factory Identifying Marks
Identifying Mark Rifle Factory
F ROF- Fazakerely © ROF- Fazakerely M orM ROF - Maltby
RM or ROFM ROF - Maltby
M47C BSA - Shirley tL Long Branch 5 Savage Arms 5 Savage Anns © Savage Arms D RSAF- Enfield Canadian Arsenals Ltd (successor to @ Long Branch)
Canadian Arsenals Ltd
P Pakistan Ordnance Factory
In addition to the major rifle factories, a host of subcontractors made furniture items, small parts, and items of hardware. Many such parts are marked either with the initials of subcontracting firm or with a code consisting of a letter and one to three digits. The letters used are "N" (northern district), "M" (midlands district), and "S" (southern district), and the digits identified the particular firm. The study of subcontractors' codes has warranted a book in itself (Skennerton, 1989); a few codes of commonly-known firms are shown in Table 1-9.
29 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
Table 1-9 Subcontractor Codes and Marks
Code Subcontracting Firm
M1 Accles & Pollock, Ltd. Oldbury
M47A BSA Guns, Small Heath
M47B BSA Guns, Reddich
M94 W.W. Greener, Ltd. Birmingham
General Pressworks and Stampings, M607 Leicester
N64 Sheffield Steel Products, Ltd., Sheffield
Singer Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Clydebank, N67 Scotland
N132 Manchester Die Casting Co., Ltd., London
S51 Holland & Holland, Ltd., London
S88 National Cash Register Co., Ltd., London
S134 Addressograph & Multigraph, Cricklewood
S167 British Oxygen Co., Ltd., London
OWNERSHIP/ACCEPTANCE MARKS As ownership of rifles was transferred from one country to another, the receiving country often would stamp an ownership mark—usually on the receiver ring and/or on the buttstock socket. Similarly, govern• ments would stamp acceptance marks to indicate that the rifle met manufacturing standards. Some of the more common ownership/ac• ceptance marks found on No. 4 series rifles are shown in Table 1-10.
30 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
Table 1-10 Ownership/Acceptance Marks by Various Governments
Identifying Mark Country
-A. orT^ Great Britain
© or© Canada © Australia Nfz New Zealand
GJ or South Africa or A A Iraq Indonesia
Thailand
PROOF MARKS At the time of assembly of a rifle—usually after test firing—proof marks were stamped on the top of the barrel knox form. Generally, proof marks on No. 4 series rifles consist of crossed flags with the letter "P" beneath and a country of origin designation above. The style of the flags differs somewhat from one country's proof mark to another. The U.S. proof mark is quite different, see Table 1-11, overleaf.
"U.S PROPERTY" LEND-LEASE MARK Early production at Savage Arms Corp. of No. 4 Mk I rifles was under a direct purchase contract with the British government. In March of 1941, however, the United States Congress passed the Lend-Lease Act, which allowed U.S. firms to manufacture war materiel and "loan" rather than sell it to Allied countries—chiefly Britain and Russia. This allowed the United States to throw its power and strength into the war effort on the side of the Allies while still maintaining a pretense of neutrality.
31 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
Table 1-11 Proof Marks
Proof Mark Country
England W Canada United States • South Africa (barrels only) Following passage of the Lend-Lease Act, Savage renegotiated its contract with the British government as a Lend-Lease agreement. A provision of the Lend-Lease Act, however, stipulated that war mate• riel "loaned" to the Allies must be marked as property of the United States; so under the new contract, Savage added the marking
U.S.PROPERTY
to the angled flat on the upper left side of the action body. Savage- manufactured No. 4 rifles with the "U.S. PROPERTY" marking first appeared in 1942, the earliest serial number thus far observed being 0C548. Evidently, no more than a few hundred Savage rifles did not carry the "U.S. PROPERTY" marking.
BRITISH EXPORT MARKS On many No. 4 rifles (and conversions) and No. 5 rifles, one finds the word "ENGLAND" stamped in letters 0.08-inch high on the top of the receiver ring or on the left side of the buttstock socket. This indi• cates that the rifle was approved for export. Such rifles also generally carry the British Nitro-Proof stamp—a crown with the letters "BNP" beneath—on the barrel, the receiver ring, or both. Along with the "BNP" stamp on the barrel, one generally finds additional informa• tion stamped:
32 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
.303 2.222" 18.5 TONS PER •"
The first two numbers give the nominal bullet diameter and case length in inches for the .303 British cartridge, while the second line indicates the proof pressure—18.5 tons per square inch.
U.S. IMPORT MARKS American federal law requires that all firearms imported into the U.S. be marked with a code identifying the firm importing the weapon. Some import marks have been identified, and are listed in Table 1-12. The rationale behind this requirement is not clear, since the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (BATF) does not maintain a com-
TABLE 1-12 U.S. Import Marks IMPORT MARK FIRM AND LOCATION
Alpena, Leb. OH Alpena, Lebanon, Ohio
Arlington Ordnance, Arlington BLUE SKY Virginia
Century Arms International, St. CAI ST ALB VT Albans, Vermont
Classic Distributors, Inc., Swanton, CDI SWAN VT Vermont
IAC ALEX VA INTERARMCO, Alexandria, Virginia
JJCO NY NY John Jovino Company, New York, NY
Import Arms Company, Sacramento, IA CO SAC CA California
Navy Arms Co., Ridgefield, New NA Ridgefield NJ Jersey
Federal Ordnance, South El Monte, Fed Ord SEM CA California
33 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES prehensive listing of importer's markings and is unable to provide the names of importers of Lee-Enfield rifles.
For the most part, these import marks are stamped in very small let• ters—0.07-inch or less high. They are generally found on the muzzle end of the barrel (top, right side, or bottom), on the right side of the action body just below the backsight axis pin, or on the left side of the action body just above the rear trigger guard screw. They may be anywhere, however.
INTERCHANGEABILITY CODES In theory, parts for all No. 4 series rifles are interchangeable; in prac• tice, however, it turns out than on many rifles it is difficult to inter• change small parts such as sears, magazine catches, strikers, cocking pieces, and the like. Those rifles found to have non-interchangeable parts were given an "A" suffix to the serial number:
2468 A B 24680 A
34 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
CHAPTER 2 ACTION BODY
The Action Body Group consists of the action body assembly and the major component assemblies closely associated with it. These include the bolt release assembly, the safety assembly, the trigger guard as• sembly, the sear assembly, and the magazine assembly.
ACTION BODY ASSEMBLY The action body assembly (Figure 2-1) consists of the action body (i.e. the receiver) (1) and the parts assembled permanently to it: the charger bridge (2) and the ejector screw (3).
35 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
Action Body The action body is the main component of the rifle and the part which always bears the serial number. In addition, most of the identifying markings are stamped or electro-engraved on the action body. The action body is made of forged steel, milled and polished, and gener• ally finished with an oil blacking process. On early No. 4 rifles, the year of manufacture, serial number, and a code identifying the manu• facturer is stamped on the left side of the buttstock socket. On later No. 4 rifles and No. 5 rifles, this information is stamped or electro- engraved on the left flat of the receiver, along with mark and model, date and conversion/upgrade data. On L8 rifles, the earlier data is barred out, and the new designation is electro-engraved on the left flat of the receiver to the rear of the ejector screw. Action bodies of nine different configurations are found on No. 4 series rifles. See Table 2- 1, overleaf.
First Variation: A combination of three features distinguish this ac• tion body (Figure 2-2), which is found on the No. 4 Mk I (and its conversions). The bolt release is at the rear of the boltway (1), the trigger is pinned to the trigger guard rather than to the action body itself (2), and a rectan• gular boss is present at the right front of the body—just under the receiver ring (3).
36 Table 2-1 Action Body Dates of Manufacture (approx)
Variation Rifle Factory, Years of Manufacture
Fazackerley Maltby BSA Savage Long Branch P.O.F. Enfield
1st (Mk 1) 1941-49 1941-45 1941-45 1941-42? 1941
2nd (Mk 1*) 1942-44 1942-56
3rd (No. 5) 1944-47 1944-46
4th (Mk 2) 1949-54
5th (Mk 1/2) 1949-56 1956-60
6th (Mk 1/3) 1949-56 1956-60
7th (Mk 2) 1955-56
8th (POFMk 2) 1957-60
9th (L59A1) 1970s BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
Second Variation: This action body (Figure 2-3), which is found on the No. 4 Mk I* (and its conversions), has a simplified bolt release that is located at the front of the boltway (1). The trigger remains pinned to the trig• ger guard (2), and the rectangular boss at the right front was retained (3). In addition, the sear boss on the second varia• tion action body is somewhat narrower than those of other action bodies—0.60 inch rather than 0.75 inch.
Third Variation: This action body (Figure 2-4) is found on No. 5 rifles and has portions milled away or cut off in order to make it lighter (1). Most noticeable is the omission of the rectangular boss on the right side under the receiver ring (2). The bolt release on the third variation action body is at the rear of the boltway, and the trigger is pinned to the trig• ger guard—as on the first variation action body.
Historical Note: The rectangular boss on the first and second varia• tion action bodies was a holdover
38 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES from the No. 1 Mk VI rifle and the early No. 4 trials rifles, which had magazine cutoffs. On these rifles, the boss served as the mounting for the magazine cutoff and cutoff screw. The No. 4 production rifles, however, did not have magazine cutoffs, so the boss served no useful purpose at all.
Fourth Variation: This action body (Figure 2-5) is found on early No. 4 Mk 2 rifles (and conversions). The main feature that distin• guishes it is a pair of forged brackets (1) on the lower front portion of the buttstock socket that serve as a mounting point for the trig• ger. (The trigger is mounted using the same trigger axis pin as found on earlier action bodies.) Fig. 2-5. 4th Variation Action Body Fifth Variation: This action body is found on the No. 4 Mk 1/2 (and its conversions). It is identical in configuration to the fourth variation but the brackets are brazed on instead of being integral parts of the forging. Fifth variation action bodies were fabricated from first variation action bodies.
Sixth Variation: This action body, which is found on the No. 4 Mk 1/ 3 (and its conversions), is identical in configuration to the fourth varia• tion but the brackets are brazed on rather than being integral parts of the forging. Sixth variation action bodies were fabricated from second variation action bodies.
Seventh Variation: This action body (Figure 2-6), which is found on late No. 4 Mk 2 rifles (and conversions), is identical to the fourth
39 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
variation except that the rectangu• lar boss (1) on the right side under the receiver ring is eliminated.
Points to Watch For: Some minor milling in the area of the magazine well was required on those action bodies used for L8 rifles to accom• modate the lips on the magazines used with these rifles.
Eighth Variation: Found only on the No. 4 Mk 2 P.O.F. rifle, this action body incorporates a combination of earlier modifications. It has the lightening cuts and the missing rectangular boss of the third varia• tion action body, and it incorporates the forged trigger mounting brack• ets of the fourth and seventh variation .action bodies.
Ninth Variation: This action body is found on L59A1 drill purpose rifles. It is distinguished by slots milled through both the left and right receiver walls toward the rear of the boltway to render the action body unserviceable. These action bodies were converted from a variety of earlier action bodies, so various earlier features and markings are found. Ninth variation action bodies are marked "DRILL RIFLE L59A1" on the left side of the receiver. Under no circumstances should any attempt be made to fire a rifle so marked, or with slots or holes drilled through the receiver walls.
Charger Bridge On No. 4 series rifles, the charger guides are integral parts of the action body forging, and the charger bridge is a steel billet that ties the vertical sides of the action body together.
40 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
Note: On No. 1 rifles, the entire bridge charger guide is a separate forging which is shrink-riveted to the action body.
On early No. 4 rifles, the charger bridge is attached to the action body by screws. On many later No. 4 rifles and No. 5 rifles, the charger bridge is brazed or welded in place and the screws are omitted. With No. 4 rifles converted to the 7.62 mm NATO cartridge, an insert for the charger bridge was provided to accommodate the new rimless cartridge. Three varieties of charger bridge are encountered.
First Variation: This charger bridge (Figure 2-7) is found on all ex• cept the second variation action bodies. It is 0.25 inches wide by 1.08 inches long by 0.45 inches deep and has a circular portion milled out of the bottom. The depth of the first varia• tion charger bridge at the center is about 0.30 inches.
Second Variation: This charger bridge is found on earlier second variation action bodies (No. 4 Mk I* rifles and conver• Fig. 2-7 1st Variation Charger Bridge sions)—those manufactured prior to circa mid-1943. It is similar in appearance to the first variation but has more clearance under it, the depth at the center being only about 0.23 inches. Since the second variation action body has the bolt release at the front of the boltway, the bolt must be able to pass under the charger bridge with the bolt head in the raised position.
Third Variation: This charger bridge (Fig• ure 2-8) is found on later second variation action bodies—those manufactured from circa mid-1943 to the end of production. It was introduced by Long Branch and repre• sents a much simpler machining process. The third variation charger bridge is sim- Fig. 2-8. 3rd Variation Charger Bridge
41 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES ply a rectangular billet 0.25 inches wide by 0.22 inches deep by 1.08 inches long. The simplification also was adopted by Savage Arms.
Charger Bridge Screws The charger bridge screws are steel screws that fit through holes on either end of the charger bridge and thread into blind holes in the vertical sides of the receiver. On most rifles, the screw slots of the charger bridge screws are milled off, so that the screws look like pins or rivets. As noted above, on rifles with the charger bridge welded in place the charger bridge screws are not used.
Ejector Screw The ejector screw, or ejector (refer to Figure 2-1, 3), is a 0.33-inch long by 0.16-inch diameter fillister head screw with a flat nose that is threaded into a hole on the left side of the action body and which protrudes into a recessed track on the inside of the action body. As a spent cartridge casing is drawn rearward by movement of the breechbolt, the rim of the casing travels down the recessed track and strikes the protruding ejector screw. This, of course, ejects the spent casing from the rifle. No changes were made to the ejector screw during its service life.
Historical Notes: With the RSAF-Enfield 7.62 mm conversions of No. 4 rifles, cartridge ejection was accomplished by a lip on the maga• zine rather than by the ejector screw. The 7.62 mm NATO cartridge is not only shorter than the .303 British cartridge, it is rimless, so there is nothing to engage the ejector screw. The ejector screw was retained on these rifles, however, even though it served no purpose.
In the late 1950s, Sterling Armament developed a 7.62 mm conver• sion kit for No. 4 rifles which used a somewhat different ejector screw. These are found on small batches of rifles converted in Canada, Sierra Leone, and New Zealand (see Appendix G, "Sterling Conversion Kits," for additional information.)
42 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
BOLT RELEASE ASSEMBLY The bolt release assembly (Figure 2-9) is found on all except the second variation action bodies. The assem• bly consists of the bolt head catch (1), the bolt head catch plate (2), and the bolt head catch spring (3). The bolt release assembly is attached to the action body by the magazine catch screw, the end of which threads into the bolt head catch plate.
Bolt Head Catch The bolt head catch (Figure 2-9, 1) rides in a milled track on the right side of the action body just behind the charger guide. A lip on the top of the catch en• gages a slot in the bolt head, holding the bolt head in its normal downward position. When the bolt head catch is depressed, the bolt head passes over the catch. This allows the bolt head to be raised so that the bolt can be removed from the rifle. No changes were made to the bolt head catch during its service life.
Bolt Head Catch Plate The bolt head catch plate (Figure 2-9, 2) is an L-shaped piece that fits under the action body and against the sear boss. It serves as a base for the bolt head catch spring and is held in place by the magazine catch screw (see below), which passes through the sear boss. The bolt head catch plate remained unchanged throughout its service life.
Bolt Head Catch Spring The bolt head catch spring (Figure 2-9, 3), which consists of nine coils of 0.025-inch diameter spring steel wire, fits in a slot in the back of the bolt head catch and is held in place by the bolt head catch plate. It serves to keep tension on the bolt head catch, holding it in its normal upward position. The bolt head catch spring has an outside diameter of 0.175 inches and an overall length of about 0.60 inches. It re-
43 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES mained unchanged throughout its service life.
Points to Watch For: With the second variation action body (Mk I* rifles and their conversions), a slot was milled in the forward portion of the boltway so that the bolt head could be raised out of the bolt head track. This allowed the bolt to be drawn out of the rifle and eliminated the need for the bolt release group.
SAFETY ASSEMBLY The safety catch and related components (Figure 2-10) are mounted at the rear of the action body on the left side. Components of the safety assembly are the safety catch (1), the locking bolt (2), the locking bolt spring (3), and the locking bolt spring screw (4). The safety catch is an internal component that actually locks the action; the locking bolt, or locking le• ver, is the moveable external component that most people refer to as the "safety" or "safety catch."
Safety Catch When the locking bolt is rotated rearward, the safety catch (Fig• ure 2-10, 1) moves inward, and the tip engages a slot on the breechbolt and prevents it from being opened. No changes were made to the safety catch during its service life (although the safety catch was not used with the second variation (Mk 2) locking bolt (see below).
Locking Bolt When the thumb piece of the locking bolt is moved rearward, the locking bolt (Figure 2-10, 2) rotates clockwise and cams the cocking
44 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES piece rearward and disengages it from the sear, thus preventing the rifle from being fired. This movement also rotates the safety catch clockwise and engages it with a slot on the breechbolt, thus preventing the bolt from being opened. The locking bolt can be engaged with the cocking piece in either the rearward (cocked) position or the forward (uncocked position)—but not in the middle or half- cocked position. Five varieties of locking bolts are encountered.
First Variation: Used on No. 4 Mk I and Savage Mk 1* rifles (and their conversions), this locking bolt (Figure 2-11) has a round knurled thumb piece. Designated the Mk 1, it is the most commonly encountered Fig. 2-11.1st locking bolt. It is milled from a Variation Locking solid forging, and the shaft of Bolt the thumb piece is considerably thinner than that of later locking bolts.
Second Variation: A wartime expedient used on some early No. 4 Mk I rifles, this locking bolt (Fig• ure 2-12) has no screw threads on the spline and therefore no safety catch is used Fig. 2-12. 2nd with it. Designated the Mk 2, it Variation Locking Bolt was deemed unsafe and was re• placed on most rifles with a first or third variation locking bolt. The spline and thumb piece are ma• chined separately and held together with a pin.
Third Variation: Another war-time production ex• pedient, this locking bolt (Figure 2-13) has an indent in the top of the thumb piece rather than knurling. It Fig. 2-13. 3rd is of two-piece construction like the second variation Variation locking bolt, but the spline is threaded. It is found on Locking Bolt
45 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES mid-WWII-vintage No. 4 Mk I rifles, and on earlier Long Branch No. 4 Mk I* rifles.
Fourth Variation: Characteristic of late war-time and post-war Long Branch No. 4 Mk I* rifles, this locking bolt has a distinctive fishtail- shaped thumb piece (Figure 2-14). It is of two-piece construction, like the second and third variation locking bolts.
Fifth Variation: Found on No. 5 rifles and on the No. 4 Mk 2 (and conversions), this locking bolt (Figure 2-15) is identical to the first variation locking bolt except that the hole in the thumb piece is noticeably Fig. 2-14. 4th larger. Like the first variation, Variation it is of one-piece construction. Locking Bolt
Locking Bolt Spring The locking bolt spring (refer to Figure 2-10, 3) Fig. 2-15. 5th holds tension on the locking bolt and secures it in Variation the engaged (rearward) position or disengaged (for• Locking Bolt ward) position by means of a detent which engages one of two slots on the face of the locking bolt. Two varieties of locking bolt springs are found.
First Variation: This spring (Figure 2-16) is milled and has a 0.24-inch thick block through which the locking bolt spring screw passes. It is the more com• monly encountered, being found on early No. 4 Mk I rifles, on most No. 4 Mk I*, and on No. 4 Fig. 2-16. 1st Mk 2 and No. 5 rifles. Variation Locking Second Variation: A war-time production expedi- Bolt Spring
46 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES ent, this spring (Figure 2-17) is stamped and has a noticeable step-down for the locking bolt spring screw. It is found on later WWII-vintage No. 4 Mk I rifles (and perhaps on a few No. 4 Mk I* rifles).
Historical Note: No. 4 rifles that were converted or repaired following WWII generally had first Fig. 2-17. 2nd variation locking bolt springs installed on them. Variation Locking Locking Bolt Spring Screw Bolt Spring The locking bolt spring screw (refer to Figure 2- 10, 4) is a 0.42-inch long by 0.16-inch diameter fillister head screw that threads into a hole on the action body and retains the locking bolt spring. Only one type of locking bolt spring screw was used.
TRIGGER GUARD ASSEMBLY The trigger guard assembly (Figure 2-18) consists of the trigger guard (1), the trigger (2) and trigger axis pin (3), the breech cover loop (4), the front (5) and rear (6) trigger guard screws, and the front trigger guard screw washer (7). On earlier rifles with first, second, or third variation ac• tion bodies, the trigger is mounted to the trigger guard by means of the trigger axis pin, and the trigger guard is, in turn, Fig. 2-18. Trigger Guard Assembly
47 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES mounted to the action body by the two trigger guard screws. On later rifles, with fourth through eighth variation action bodies, the trigger is mounted directly on the action body. (Ninth variation action bodies are found with either.)
Trigger Guard The trigger guard (refer to Figure 2-18, 1) surrounds the trigger and keeps it from being bumped, which could cause the rifle to discharge accidentally. The trigger guard also serves as a frame for the magazine well in the fore-end. On the front tang of the trigger guard is a small wire loop, which is the breech cover loop (see below). There is a diagonal slot nulled through the upper rear portion which serves to lighten the rifle a bit. (This slot is a hold-over from the design of the No. 1 rifle trigger guard.) Five types of trigger guards are encountered.
First Variation: Used on early No. 4 Mk I and Mk I* rifles (and their conversions), this trigger guard (Figure 2-19) is milled from a single steel forging, and it is drilled for the trigger axis pin.
Second Variation: A wartime expedient, this trigger guard is Fig. 2-19. 1st Variation found on mid-WWII-vintage Trigger Guard No. 4 Mk I and Mk I* rifles. It is fabricated from bar stock, with the trigger ring brazed into place. Minor variations are found / from different manufacturers.
Third Variation: Used prima• rily on No. 5 rifles, this trig-
UARD FI URE 2 20 IS Fig. 2-20. 3rd Variation Trigger Guard §er 8 ( S " ) milled and has a "wasp-waist" front tang. Also, the trigger ring is somewhat narrower than the rings on earlier trigger guards—0.48-inch wide rather than 0.59-inch wide.
48 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
Both modifications were made to save weight. The third variation trigger guard is sometimes found on late WWII and post-WWII No. 4 Mk I rifles.
Fourth Variation: Found on post-WWII Long Branch rifles, this trig• ger guard is fabricated from individually stamped pieces of sheet steel which are brazed together. It has been observed both on C (for Cana• dian) No. 7 rifles with 1945 dates and on C No. 4 rifles with 1950 dates. The fourth variation trigger guard has the wide (0.59-inch) trigger ring.
Fifth Variation: Used on No. 4 Mk 2 rifles and on Mk 1/2 and Mk 1/ 3 conversions, this trigger guard (Figure 2-21) has the top portion omitted to provide I ~~~ jj- clearance for the trigger mount• ing brackets on these rifles. \\ J/ Fig. 2-21. 5th Variation (The missing portion, of Trigger Guard course, is where the holes for the trigger axis pin are found on earlier trigger guards.) The fifth variation trigger guard has the narrow (0.48-inch) trigger ring, and both straight and wasp-waist front tangs have been observed.
Points to Watch For: Some fifth variation trigger guards appear to be modified first variation trigger guards: the top portion is milled away, but they retain the wide trigger ring.
Trigger The trigger (refer to Figure 2-18, 2), regardless of whether it is mounted on the trigger guard or the action body, engages the sear and when pulled rearward allows the striker to fall. (See "Sear," below, and "Striker" in Chapter 3—Breechbolt.) The upper shank of the trigger has two ribs which engage the sear, giving the rifle the characteristic military "two-stage" release. The same trigger is found on both No. 4
49 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES and No. 5 rifles, and the trigger remained essentially unchanged throughout its service life, although one encounters a number of varia• tions from different manufacturers. On some variants the front of the trigger is grooved to give the rifleman's finger a better purchase. Most are flat, however.
Trigger Axis Pin The trigger axis pin (refer to Figure 2-18, 3) is a steel pin 0.60-inch long by 0.15-inch diameter pressed through a pair of holes on the upper frame of the trigger guard (or through holes in bosses on the action body) to hold the trigger in place. One end is flat, while the other end is rounded. No changes were made during its service life.
Assembly Note: The trigger axis pin should be inserted from right to left (the opposite of American practice), so that the rounded end is to the left and the flat end is to the right.
Breech Cover Loop The breech cover loop (refer to Figure 2-18, 4) is a 0.1-inch diameter steel pin bent into a 0.5-inch deep by 0.4-inch wide U-shape and shrink fitted into two holes in the trigger guard in front of the magazine well. A leather thong on the canvas breech cover (see Chapter 8—Accesso• ries) was tied through this loop so that when the breech cover was unsnapped and removed from the breech, the cover would not be lost. The breech cover loop remained unchanged throughout its service life.
Front Trigger Guard Screw The front trigger guard screw (refer to Figure 2-18, 5) is a steel fillister head screw 1.1-inch long and 0.25-inch in diameter that fits through a hole in the front of the trigger guard, passes through the fore-end, and threads into a blind hole in a boss on the action body. No changes were made to the front trigger guard screw during its service life.
50 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
Rear Trigger Guard Screw The rear trigger guard screw (refer to Figure 2-18, 6) is a steel screw 0.92-inch long and 0.14-inch in diameter with a slightly domed head that passes through a boss on the left side of the action body and through the trigger guard and threads into a hole on a boss on the right side of the action body. No changes were made during its service life.
Front Trigger Guard Screw Washer The front trigger guard screw washer (refer to Figure 2-18, 7) is a 0.38-inch diameter by 0.05-inch thick steel lockwasher that fits in a recess in the hole in the trigger guard for the front trigger guard screw.
SEAR ASSEMBLY The sear assembly (Figure 2- 22) consists of the sear (1), the sear spring (2), the sear pin (3), the magazine catch (4), and the magazine catch screw (5).
Sear The lower arm of the sear (re• fer to Figure 2-22, 1) engages the trigger (see above), while Fig. 2-22. Sear the upper arm of the sear en• Assembly gages the cocking piece (see Chapter 3—Breechbolt). Two varieties of sear are found. Fig. 2-23. 2nd
Variation Sear First Variation: Found on most No. 4 rifles and some No. 5 rifles, the first variation sear has flat surfaces on the inside of the pivot apex.
Second Variation: Found on most No. 5 rifles and a few No. 4 rifles (and conversions), this sear (Figure 2-23) has a lightening cut on the inside of the pivot apex.
51 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
Sear Spring The rearward end of the sear spring (refer to Figure 2-22, 2) engages a slot on the lower arm of the sear, while the forward end of the sear spring engages a slot on the magazine catch (see above). No changes were made to the sear spring during its service life. The sear spring is one of only a handful of parts that are interchangeable with those of the SMLE (No. 1) rifle.
Sear Pin The sear pin (refer to Figure 2-22, 3) is a 0.14-inch diameter steel pin which passes through a boss on the underside of the action body and holds the sear in place. Two variations of sear pin are found.
First Variation: Found on first variation action bodies and on third through eighth variation action bodies, this sear pin is 0.75 inch long.
Second Variation: Found only on second variation (Mk I*) action bodies, this sear pin is 0.60 inch long.
Magazine Catch In its normal position, the magazine catch (refer to Figure 2-22, 4) holds the magazine securely in place. The notch on the front of the magazine catch engages a rib on the rear of the magazine. When de• pressed, the magazine catch disengages, allowing the magazine to be removed. Spring tension on the magazine catch is provided by the sear spring, the forward end of which engages the slot on the rear of the magazine catch. No changes were made to the magazine catch during its service life.
Magazine Catch Screw Found on all action bodies which have a bolt head catch (all except second variation action bodies), the magazine catch screw (refer to Figure 2-22, 5) is a 0.75-inch long by 0.14-inch diameter fillister head screw that holds the magazine catch in the sear boss on the underside
52 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES of the action body. The magazine catch screw threads into the bolt head catch plate (see above). The magazine catch screw remained unchanged during its service life.
Magazine Catch Pin Second variation action bodies have no bolt head catch; therefore, they have no bolt head catch plate for a magazine catch screw to thread into. On these action bodies, a magazine catch pin is used in place of the magazine catch screw. The pin is made of steel and is 0.75-inch long by 0.15-inch in diameter. No changes were made to the magazine catch pin during its service life.
MAGAZINE ASSEMBLY The magazine assembly on No. 4 rifles (and conver• sions) and No. 5 rifles is a 10-round, detachable box magazine which is inserted from the bottom of the rifle through an opening in the trigger guard (see above) and held in place by the Fig. 2-24 Magazine Assembly magazine catch. Typically, the magazine was loaded from the top with magazine chargers (strip• per clips), with the magazine being kept in the rifle rather than re• moved and replaced with a full magazine. Each rifleman was issued a second magazine, which he kept in his kit as a spare in case the origi• nal magazine was lost or damaged.
The magazine assembly (Figure 2-24) consists of the magazine case (1), the magazine platform (or follower) (2), the magazine main spring (3), and an auxiliary spring (4).
53 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
Magazine Case The magazine case (refer to Figure 2-24, 1) is the main box portion of the magazine. It is made of stamped sheet metal, folded and brazed, with a milled rib on the rear and an auxiliary spring attached to the front of the case. Magazine cases were manufactured by quite a few different suppliers, and minor differences in design and construction are seen. Only two significant variations of magazine case exist, how• ever.
First Variation: This magazine case (Fig• ure 2-25) is found on all No. 4 rifles cham• bered for .303 British and on all No. 5 rifles. It has the tapered profile that is vir• tually a trade mark of Lee-Enfield rifles. It is similar in appearance to the magazine on SMLE (No. 1) rifles but has a shorter rib on the rear and has no rib spring.
Second Variation: Found on L8 rifles, this magazine case (Figure 2-26) has a dis• Fig. 2-25. 1st Variation tinctive square Magazine Case profile to accommodate the rimless 7.62 mm NATO cartridge. The second varia• tion magazine case is marked "CR12A" along with the year of manufacture.
Points to Watch For: The magazine case for the L42A1 rifle is virtually identical to the second variation case for the L8 rifles but is marked "CR141A" along with the Fig. 2-26. 2nd Variation year of manufacture. Magazine Case
54 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
Magazine Platform The magazine platform, or follower (Figure 2-24, 2), is fabricated from sheet steel and is riveted to the top of the magazine main spring. It serves to align the cartridges so that they can be picked up by the breechbolt and fed into the firing chamber.
First Variation: Used with first variation magazine cases (on rifles chambered for the .303 British cartridge), this magazine platform (Fig• ure 2-27) has a raised portion which stops short of the front of the maga• zine case.
Second Variation: Used with sec• Fig. 2-27. 1st Variation ond variation magazine cases (on Magazine Platform L8 rifles, which are chambered for the 7.62 mm NATO cartridge), this magazine platform (Figure 2-28) has a raised portion which extends all the way to the front of the magazine case.
Magazine Main Spring The magazine main spring (refer Fig. 2-28. 2nd Variation to Figure 2-24, 3) is a zig-zag Magazine Platform shaped piece of spring steel that maintains tension on the magazine platform. It remained unchanged throughout its service life.
Auxiliary Spring A narrow flat spring, the auxiliary spring (refer to Figure 2-24, 4) is clamped to the front of the magazine box and serves to keep the maga• zine platform properly aligned and to aid in the feeding of cartridges. The auxiliary spring on second variation magazine cases (for L8 rifles) is slightly narrower than those found on first variation magazine cases.
55 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
CHAPTER 3 BREECHBOLT
The Breechbolt Group (Figure 3-1) consists of the bolt body (1), the bolt head assembly (2), the striker assembly (3), and the cocking piece (4). When turned counter clockwise and pulled rearward, the breechbolt unlocks the action, extracts a spent cartridge from the firing chamber and ejects it. When pushed forward and turned clockwise, the breechbolt picks up a fresh cartridge from the magazine, in• serts it into the firing chamber, cocks the striker, and locks the ac• tion.
BOLT BODY The bolt body, which is forged from high-carbon steel and machined to close tolerances, serves as a housing for all other Fig. 3-1. Breechbolt components of the Group breechbolt group. It differs in shape and dimensions from the bolt body used on earlier Lee-Enfield rifles. The bolt body used on No. 4 and No. 5 rifles (and con• versions) has a 0.20-inch by 2.90-inch lightening slot milled in the reinforcing Fig. 3-2. 1st lug. Two types of bolt body are found. Variation Bolt Body First Variation: This bolt body (Figure 3-2) has a solid knob on the bolt handle. Most are spherical, but on some the end of the knob is flattened. This is a manufacturing variant
56 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
and is not significant. The first variation bolt body is found mainly on No. 4 rifles (and their conversions).
Second Variation: The bolt-handle knob on this bolt body has a 0.40- inch deep hole in it to lighten it (Figure 3-3). Holes of both 0.313-inch diameter and 0.375-inch diameter have been observed. The second variation bolt body is found on No. 5 rifles and occa• sionally was installed on No. 4 rifles.
Points to Watch For: The bolt bodies used on L59A1 Dummy Training Rifles have a copper-colored finish. These are Bolt Body seriously weakened by milling and MUST NOT be used in rifles intended for firing
BOLT HEAD ASSEMBLY The bolt head assembly (Figure 3-4) consists of the bolt head (1) and the extractor (2), extractor spring (3), and extractor screw (4). Bolt heads for No. 4 and No. 5 rifles were issued in four standard sizes to allow for head space adjustment. The standard sizes are marked "0" through "3" on the lug of the bolt head, with the #0 bolt head being 0.626 inches long and the sizes differing by 0.003-inch. Bolt heads marked "00" and "4" have also been observed.
Bolt Head The bolt head (refer to Figure Fig. 3-4. Bolt Head Assembly 3-4, 1), a case-hardened forg• ing of high-carbon steel, threads into the forward end of the bolt body. It has a lug on the front with a lip milled on its underside that rides in a groove on the action
57 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES body. On all but Mk I* rifles, the lug also engages the bolt head catch mounted on the right side of the action body (see Chapter 2—Action Body). The bolt head has a 0.125-inch diameter hole drilled in the left side to vent gas in the event of a ruptured cartridge. Two variations of bolt head are encountered.
First Variation: Used on No. 4 series rifles chambered for the .303 British cartridge, this bolt head is made of a standard grade high- carbon steel.
Second Variation: Used on No. 4 rifles converted to the 7.62mm NATO cartridge, this bolt head is re-proofed for strength and is marked "19T" to indicate that it will handle a pressure of 19 tons per square inch.
Points to Watch For: If you encounter a bolt head with the striker hole off center, you have a bolt head for one of the .22 caliber training rifles. Don't throw it away!
The bolt heads used in L59A1 Dummy Training Rifles have a copper- colored finish. These have the striker hole welded shut and cannot be used in rifles intended for firing.
EXTRACTOR The extractor (refer to Figure 3-4, 2), made of high-carbon steel, snaps over the rim of a cartridge and withdraws it from the firing chamber. Two varieties of extractor are encountered.
First Variation: Found on all rifles chambered for .303 British car• tridges, this extractor has a "claw" which is 0.20-inch long.
Second Variation: Found only on rifles chambered for 7.62mm NATO cartridges, this extractor has a longer "claw." The claw is 0.24-inch long to better engage the rimless 7.62mm cartridge.
58 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
Extractor Spring The extractor spring (refer to Figure 3-4, 3), which is made of spring steel, keeps the extractor under tension to provide a firm grip on the rim of a cartridge. Several minor manufacturing variants of extractor spring are encountered.
Disassembly Note: Armourers used a special tool to remove and in• stall the extractor spring, and this operation is best not attempted with• out it.
Extractor Screw The extractor screw (refer to Figure 3-4, 4) is a 0.36-inch long steel fillister head screw that threads into the bolt head from the right and retains the extractor. The extractor screw remained essentially un• changed throughout its service life, although two slightly different thread patterns have been encountered.
STRIKER ASSEMBLY The striker assembly (Figure 3-5) consists of the striker, or firing pin (1), the main spring (2), and the striker keeper screw (3).
Striker The striker (refer to Figure 3- 5,1) is high-carbon steel rod, with a rounded point on the front and threads on the rear. When the rifle's trigger is pulled, the striker is forced smartly forward by the compressed main spring and the rounded point of the ^3 ^ Strjker Assemb|y striker passes through the hole in the front of the bolt head and contacts the primer of the chambered cartridge. No changes were made to the striker during its service life.
59 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
Disassembly Note: A bolt disassembly tool is virtually essential for disassembling the Lee-Enfield bolt. These are readily available on the market or can be fabricated (see Appendix H).
Main Spring The main spring (refer to Figure 3-5, 2), which consists of 32 coils of 0.048-inch diameter spring steel wire, fits over the striker. When the action is cocked, the main spring is compressed between the striker collar and the rear of the bolt body. The outside diameter of the main spring is 0.35 inches, and the overall length is about 3.25 inches. The main spring is one of only a handful of parts that is interchangeable with that of the SMLE (No. 1) rifle. No changes were made to the main spring throughout its service life.
Striker Keeper Screw The striker keeper screw (refer to Figure 3-5, 3) is a 0.37-inch long by 0.14-inch diameter steel fillister head screw that threads into a hole in the rear of the cocking piece. The head of the screw engages a detent in the rear of the striker to prevent the striker from turning. The striker keeper screw remained unchanged throughout its service life.
COCKING PIECE The cocking piece is a steel forging that fits on the rear of the breechbolt and into which the striker is threaded. The sear (see "Sear Assembly" in Chapter 2) engages either the sharp angle on front bottom of the cocking piece (or full bent, as it is called) or the detent on the bottom of the cocking piece a short way back from the full bent. The detents on the left side of the cocking piece are engaged by the safety catch when the safety catch locking lever is rotated rearward (see "Safety Assembly" in Chapter 2), locking the cocking piece in either the rear• ward (cocked) position or the forward (uncocked) position. Five varia• tions of cocking pieces are encountered, all of which are interchange• able.
60 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
First Variation: Used on early No. 4 Mk I rifles, this cocking piece (Figure 3-6) has the distinctive round button-like rear portion charac• teristic of SMLE (No. 1) rifles (although it is not interchangeable with them). This cocking piece is desig• nated the Mk I.
Second Variation: Used on later No. 4 Mk I rifles, on Mk I* rifles, and on No. 5 rifles (and conver• sions), this cocking piece (Figure R9 Caking pSceti0n 3"7) haS 3 rectan§ular< or slab- sided, rear portion with three ver• tical grasping grooves on either side. The most commonly encoun• tered cocking piece, this variant is designated the Mk II. Minor dif• ferences in the profile of the rear are found in second variation cock• ing pieces from different manufac• turers. Fig. 3-7. 2nd Variation Cocking Piece Third Variation: A wartime ex• pedient, this cocking piece (Figure 3-8) has no grasping grooves on the sides of the rear portion, and the half-cock notch on the left side is omitted. These are quite scarce, as they were deemed unsafe and were replaced on most rifles.
Fourth Variation: Another war• time expedient, this cocking piece has no grasping grooves, but it does Fig. 3-8. 3rd Variation have a half-cock notch. This varia• Cocking Piece tion is marked with a "V" in a circle; as with the third variation. they are quite scarce.
61 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
Fifth Variation: Used on No. 4 Mk 2 rifles, this cocking piece (Fig• ure 3-9) is flat right in front of the rear portion, rather than dished, as were earlier cocking pieces. Also, it lacks the step-down profile of ear• lier cocking pieces. This is desig• nated the Mk 2. Fig. 3-9. 5th Variation Cocking Piece Points to Watch For: Fifth varia• tion cocking pieces were installed on many No. 4 Mk 1/2 and Mk 1/3 rifles and other No. 4 and No. 5 rifles which underwent Factory Thor• ough Repair (FTR) in the years following WWII.
The cocking pieces used in L59A1 Dummy Training Rifles have a copper-colored finish. These MUST NOT be used in rifles intended for firing.
62 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
CHAPTER 4 BACKSIGHT
The Backsight Group on the No. 4 series rifles is mounted on the action body rather than on the barrel, as is the case with "Long Lees" and SMLE (No. 1) rifles. The backsight group consists of the backsight assembly and the axis pin assembly.
BACKSIGHT ASSEMBLY The No. 4 series backsight assemblies are all two-position affairs, with a spring-loaded plunger holding the backsight leaf in either the upright or flat position. With the backsight leaf in the flat position, sighting is done through a "battle sight" aperture, which has a nomi• nal range of 300 yards. For longer ranges, the backsight leaf is raised to its upright position, where elevation adjustment is available. (Windage adjustment is accomplished by moving the foresight blade back and forth.) Nine varieties of backsight assemblies are found. General de• scriptions of these follow immediately and in Table 4-1, and detailed descriptions of components are given later in this chapter.
Historical Note: Dates are approximate and many exceptions are found, as small parts like backsight assemblies were shipped from one fac• tory to another, as needed, during WWII.
Points to Watch For: Some earlier variations of backsight assemblies and components are identified with Roman numerals (II, III) rather than Arabic numerals (2, 3), but for the sake of consistency, I use all Arabic numerals in this chapter. There is no difference in configura• tion between, for instance, a Mk III backsight slide and a Mk 3 backsight slide.
First Variation Backsight Assembly: This backsight assembly (des• ignated the Mk 1) is characterized by a milled leaf and slide and a
63 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
Table 4-1 Backsight Assembly Dates of Usage (approx)
Var Mark Rifle Factory
Fazak- Long Maltby BSA Savage Enfield erly Branch
1st Mk 1 41-42 41-42 41-42 41-42 41-42
1st Mk 1 46-55
2nd Mk2 ? ? ? 42-44 42-43
3rd Mk3 43-44 43-44 43-44
4th Mk4 44-45 44-45 44-45
5th No. 5, Mk 1 1944 1944
5th No. 5, Mk1 46-47 1946
6th No. 5, Mk 2 44-45 44^5
7th C Mk3 43-44
8th C Mk4 44-55
9th L8 1970s micrometer adjustment for the slide (Figure 4-1). The leaf is gradu• ated from 200 to 1300 yards. The Mk 1 backsight assembly was used first on early No. 4 Mk I rifles (1941 and 1942); usage resumed on post-war Mk I rifles (1946 to 1949) and on all Mk 2 rifles (1949 to 1955). In addition, most rifles with 1943 to 1945 dates which under• went FTR or conversion had Mk 1 backsight assemblies installed. Pakistan Ordnance Factory rifles (1957-1960) used this Mk 1 backsight assembly.
The components of the first variation backsight assembly are: the backsight leaf (1), the backsight slide (2), the slide adjusting screw
64 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
(3), the adjusting screw nut (4), the adjusting screw retaining pin (5), the adjusting screw plunger (6), and the plunger spring (7).
Second Variation Backsight: A war-time expedient, this backsight (designated the Mk 2) is an L-shaped dual aperture flip- type backsight (Fig• ure 4-2). It is found mostly on No. 4 Mk I* rifles of Savage manufacture. It has, however, been ob• served on No. 4 Mk I rifles from all fac• tories and on Long Fig. 4-2. 2nd Variation (Mk 2) Backsight Branch No. 4 Mk I* rifles, although it is not clear if the rifles were issued with Mk 2 backsights or had them installed at a later date. The standard Mk 2 backsight is zeroed for 300 yards and 600 Fig. 4-1. 1st Variation (Mk 1) Backsight Assembly yards on its two legs, which are so marked, although 200/400 yard Mk 2 backsights have been observed.
Third Variation Backsight Assembly: Another war-time expedient, this backsight assembly (designated the Mk 3) is most easily identified by the fact that it was stamped from sheet metal rather than machined from a solid piece of steel as were previous variations. The third varia• tion also has a backsight leaf and backsight leaf slide stamped from sheet metal and a spring-loaded catch on the slide (Figure 4-3). The leaf is graduated from 200 to 1300 yards. The base of the leaf on this backsight assembly is somewhat narrower than other variations, so a
65 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES small collar (see below) was fitted over the backsight axis pin on the right side to provide proper alignment of the leaf. It is found mainly on 1943-dated Fazakerly, Maltby, and BSA-Shirley rifles.
Historical Note: The backsight leaves were given Mark numbers in se• quence. Since the Mk 2 (flip-type) backsight didn't have a backsight leaf, the leaf of the Mk 3 backsight assem• bly is stamped "Mk 2" (or "Mk II"), while the leaf of the Mk 4 backsight assembly (see below) is stamped "Mk 3" (or "Mk III"). The same is true of the backsight slides: the slide of the Mk 3 backsight assembly is stamped "Mk 2" (or "Mk II"), and the slide of the Mk 4 backsight assembly is stamped "Mk 3" (or "Mk III"). Or to put it another way, the Mk 2 leaf and slide are found on the Mk 3 backsight 4-3. 3rd Fig. Variation assembly, and the Mk 3 leaf and slide (Mk 3) Backsight Assembly are found on the Mk 4 backsight as• sembly. This (as you might suspect) can lead to quite a bit of confu• sion.
The components of the third variation backsight assembly are: the backsight leaf (1), the backsight slide (2), the backsight slide stop pin (3), the slide catch (4), the slide catch pin (5), and the slide catch spring (6).
Points to Watch For: Early third variation backsight assemblies have the coil spring on the catch, as illustrated; later assemblies used the clothespin-type spring of the fourth variation backsight assembly, along with the headed catch pin (see below).
66 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
Fourth Variation Backsight Assembly: Yet another war-time expedi• ent, this backsight assembly (Mk 4) was also stamped from sheet metal and has an inward-curving slide catch designed to prevent snagging on clothing and possible dam• age. In addition, the Mk 4 backsight assembly has a clothespin-type catch spring rather than a coil catch spring (Figure 4-4). The leaf is graduated from 200 to 1300 yards. The Mk 4 backsight assembly is found mostly on 1943-dated Fazakerly, Maltby, and BSA-Shirley rifles.
The components of the fourth variation backsight assembly are: the backsight leaf (1), the backsight slide Fig. 4-4. 4th Variation (Mk 4) (2), the backsight slide stop Backsight Assembly pin (3), the slide catch (4), the slide catch pin (5), and the slide catch spring (6).
Fifth Variation Backsight Assembly: Early No. 5 rifles (dated 1944) had backsight assemblies similar to the Mk 1 milled from a solid piece of steel. The leaf was graduated from 200 to only 800 yards. This backsight assembly (designated the No. 5 Mk 1) was also used on post-war No. 5 rifles (dated 1946-47). The components of the No. 5 Mk 1 backsight assembly are the same as the Mk 1 backsight assem• bly (refer to Figure 4-1), and all parts except the leaf and the adjusting screw are interchangeable.
Sixth Variation Backsight Assembly: Late WWII No. 5 rifles (dated 1944-45) had a backsight assembly stamped from sheet metal similar
67 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES to the fourth variation (Mk 4) but with a backsight leaf graduated from 200 to only 800 yards. This backsight assembly was designated the No. 5 Mk 2. The components of the No. 5 Mk 2 backsight assembly are the same as the Mk 4 backsight assembly (refer to Figure 4-4), and all parts except the leaf are interchangeable.
Seventh Variation Backsight Assembly: This backsight assembly, a wartime expedient produced by Long Branch, is designated the C Mk 3 ("C" for Canadian). It is superficially similar to the (British) Mk 3 backsight assembly, but individual components of the C Mk 3 backsight assembly differ somewhat from their British counterparts (see below). It is found on 1942- and 1943-dated Long Branch rifles. 5 The components of the seventh variation backsight assembly (Fig• ure 4-5) are: the backsight leaf (1), the backsight slide (2), the backsight slide stop pin (3), the slide catch (4), the slide catch pin (5), and the slide catch spring (6).
Eighth Variation Backsight As• sembly: This backsight assembly was the standard backsight on Long Branch rifles from 1944 until the end Fig. 4-5. 7th Variation (C Mk 3) of production in 1955. It is desig• Backsight Assembly nated the C Mk 4 backsight assem• bly and is superficially similar to the (British) Mk 4 backsight assem• bly but differs in several details—see below. The components are the same as the C Mk 3 backsight assembly (refer to Figure 4-5).
Ninth Variation Backsight Assembly: Used on L8 series rifles, this backsight assembly is similar to the Mk 1 backsight assembly (milled,
68 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
with micrometer elevation adjustment) but has a lower datum line and is graduated in meters to 1,000 rather than in yards to 1300. The components are the same as the first variation backsight assembly (refer to Figure 4-1).
Historical Note: On No. 4 rifles with Sterling conversions to 7.62mm NATO, the original backsights were used, even though the 7.62mm cartridge has a higher velocity than the .303 British cartridge. It was noted that if the backsight graduations are read as meters rather than yards, the point of impact at various ranges out to 400 or 500 meters is sufficiently accurate.
Axis PIN ASSEMBLY The backsight leaf is attached to the action body by the axis pin and is held firmly in the lowered or upright position by the plunger and spring. The axis pin assembly (Figure 4- 6) consists of the axis p^n (1), the axis pin retaining pin (2), the plunger (3), the plunger spring (4), and the collar (5). The same axis pin assembly components are used with all nine variations of backsight assemblies, and they remained unchanged throughout their service lives. 4 I Axis Pin Eg The axis pin (refer to Figure 4-6, 1) is a 0.14-inch diameter by 1.35-inch long steel " pin with a 0.28-inch diameter flat head Fig. 4-6. Backsight Axis that fits transversely through holes in two Pin Assembly ears on the upper rear portion of the ac• tion body and through the base of the backsight leaf.
Axis Pin Retaining Pin The axis pin retaining pin (refer to Figure 4-6, 2) is a 0.023-inch diameter by 0.30-inch long steel pin that fits through a hole in the
69 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES small end of the axis pin and engages a slot milled in the left backsight ear on the action body. No changes were made to the backsight axis pin retaining pin during its service life.
Plunger The plunger (refer to Figure 4-6, 3) is a 1.1-inch long by 0.1-inch diameter pin with a 0.375-inch diameter head, which is flattened on one side, and a 0.2-inch stepped portion just under the head. The plunger fits into a vertical blind hole on the right side of the action body. Its head bears on the base of the backsight leaf and holds the leaf firmly in either its upright or lowered position. No changes were made to the plunger during its service life.
Plunger Spring The plunger spring (refer to Figure 4-6, 4) is a 0.82-long by 0.2-inch diameter coil spring that fits over the shank of the plunger and pro• vides tension on the plunger. The plunger spring remained unchanged throughout its service life.
Collar The collar (Figure refer to 4-6, 5) is used only with third and fourth variation (Mk 3 and Mk 4) backsight assemblies. The base of the backsight leaf on these backsight assemblies is somewhat narrower than those on other leaves, so the collar is fitted over the axis pin on the right side to provide proper alignment of the leaf. The collar is 0.12-inch thick and 0.25-inch in diameter. No changes were made to the collar during its service life.
BACKSIGHT ASSEMBLY LEAVES AND SLIDES Backsight Leaves In all, eight variations of backsight leaf are encountered on No. 4 series rifles, three milled, three stamped, and two (on later Canadian- made backsights) fabricated with a milled base and a stamped leaf body. All are about 2 inches long by 3/4-inch wide, with a slot in the center and range graduations along either side of the slot. In addition,
70 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES they have a "battle sight" aperture on the rear, which can be sighted through when the leaf is in its lowered position.
Points to Watch For: Some backsight leaves have the "battle sight" aperture milled off. These were used on those No. 4 rifles (and con• versions) fitted with telescopic sights. The "battle sight" aperture was milled off because it interfered with the telescope when the leaf was in its lowered position. (The backsight assembly was retained on the rifle, however, so that the rifle could be used with the telescope dis• mounted.)
First Variation: The first variation backsight leaf (Fig• ure 4-7) is found on Mk 1 backsight assemblies. It is milled and graduated from 200 to 1300 yards. The first variation leaf is designated the Mk 1, but Fig. 4-7. 1st it does not have a mark designation Variation stamped on it. The only markings are the Backsight manufacturer's codes and, after circa 1950 Leaf a part number: "CR 403."
Second Variation: The second variation backsight leaf (Figure 4-8) is found on Mk 3 backsight assemblies. It is stamped from sheet metal, with the "battle sight" ap• erture being stamped, as well. The leaf bears the desig• 8 nation "Mk II" on the front side at the top. The base of the second variation leaf is somewhat narrower than those Fig. 4-8. 2nd of other backsight leaves, requiring the use of an axis Variation Backsight pin collar (see above). The second variation leaf is gradu• Leaf ated from 200 to 1300 yards.
Third Variation: The third variation backsight leaf (Figure 4-9) is found on Mk 4 backsight assemblies. It is similar to the second varia• tion (stamped) leaf but is marked "Mk III" or "Mk 3" on the front
71 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
side at the top. It differs from the second variation in that the slide stop pin (see below) protrudes from the left side rather than the right side, as on the second variation leaf.
Points to Watch For: The "battle sight" apertures on second and third variation (stamped) backsight leaves are quite vulnerable and prone to breakage; hence, many of these leaves are found with the "battle sight" aper• tures broken off. The same is true of the fifth variation backsight leaf (see below). Fig. 4-9. 3rd Variation Fourth Variation: The fourth variation Backsight backsight leaf (Figure 4-10) is found on Leaf No. 5 Mk 1 backsight assemblies. It is similar to the first variation (milled) leaf but is gradu• ated from 200 to only 800 yards and is unmarked except for manufacturer's code.
Fifth Variation: The fifth variation Fig. 4-10. 4th backsight leaf (Figure 4-11) is found on Variation No. 5 Mk 2 backsight assemblies. It is Back sight similar to the third variation (stamped) leaf Leaf but is graduated from 200 to only 800 yards and is un• marked, except for manufacturer's code.
Sixth Variation: The sixth variation backsight leaf (Fig• ure 4-12, overleaf) is found on C Mk 3 backsight as• semblies. It is similar to the second variation (stamped) leaf but has a milled base which is welded to the sheet Fig. 4-11. 5th Variation metal of the leaf body. The base is wider than that of the Back Sight second variation leaf, so an axis pin collar is not re• Leaf quired. This leaf is marked "Mk II."
72 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
Seventh Variation: The seventh variation backsight leaf o Mki is found on C Mk 4 backsight assemblies. It has a milled -ii base, and the slide stop pin protrudes from the left side rather than the right 7i 8. CM" T side, as on the sixth variation leaf. Early (WWII-vintage) seventh variation leaves are marked "Mk III," while later ones (Figure 4-13) are marked "C Mk 3."
Points to Watch For: The "battle sight" Fig. 4-12. 6th aperture on sixth and seventh variation Variation (Canadian) backsight leaves is part of the Backsight milled base and is much more robust than Leaf those of the second, third, and fifth varia• Fig. 4-13. Later tion backsight leaves. The "battle sight" aperture on 7th Variation earlier C Mk 3 backsights is noticeably smaller than Backsight that of the British backsights (0.100-inch Leaf diameter rather than 0.200-inch diameter); however, the later C Mk 3 and the C Mk 4 backsights have the larger aperture.
Eighth Variation: The eighth variation backsight leaf C3i (Figure 4-14) is found on L8 backsight assemblies. It is similar to the first variation (milled) leaf but has a lower datum line and is graduated to 1,000 (meters) rather Fig. 4-14. 8th than 1300 (yards). Variation Backsight Leaf Backsight Slides The backsight slide carries the sighting aperture. The slide fits over the leaf and can be moved up and down when the leaf is in its upright position. The slide has an anti-glare surface on the front and has index lines or arrows on either side that point to the range graduations on the backsight leaf. Six varieties of backsight slide are found: one milled and five stamped.
73 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
First Variation: This backsight slide (Figure 4-15) is found on Mk 1, No. 5 Mk 1, and L8 backsight assemblies. It is milled from bar stock, with diagonal anti-glare cross hatching on the front. First variation slides from the 1940s are unmarked, except for the manufacturer's codes. After circa 1950, they are marked on the left Fig. 4-15. 1st Variation side with an "F" (for Fazakerley) and a part Backsight Slide number: "CR318."
Second Variation: This backsight slide (Fig• ure 4-16) is found on Mk 3 backsight assem• blies. It is stamped from sheet metal and it has horizontal/vertical anti-glare cross hatching on the front and is stamped "Mk II" on the back. The clearance on the back for the sighting ap- Fig. 4-16. 2nd Variation erture is circular (rather than U-shaped), and Backsight Slide the back is flat (rather than dished).
Third Variation: This backsight slide (Figure 4-17) is found on Mk 4 backsight assemblies. It is similar to the second variation slide, but the upper right corner is bev• eled to provide clearance for the curved slide catch (see be• low) used with this slide. It Fig. 4-17. 3rd Variation has horizontal/vertical anti• Backsight Slide glare cross hatching, and it is stamped "Mk III" or "Mk 3" on the back.
Fourth Variation: This backsight slide (Figure 4- 4-18. 4th 18) is found on No. 5 Mk 2 backsight assemblies. It Variation is similar to the third variation slide, but it is un• Backsight Slide marked on the back and the bevel clearance for the
74 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES curved slide catch is internal on the right side of the slide. In addition, the anti-glare cross hatching is diagonal.
Fifth Variation: This backsight slide (Figure 4-19) is found on C Mk 3 backsight assemblies. It is stamped from sheet metal and is marked "Mk II" on the front (the British Mk 2 slide being marked on the back). It has a dotted anti-glare finish rather than cross hatching, and it has pointers rather than index lines for range indicators. The clearance on the back for the sighting aperture is U-shaped (rather than circular), and the back is dished (rather than flat), the dished contour pro• viding clearance for the bolt head so that the bolt can be removed without having to raise Fig. 4-19. 5th Variation Backsight SLide the backsight leaf.
Sixth Variation: This backsight slide is found on C Mk 4 backsight assemblies. It is similar to the fifth variation but the upper right corner is notched to provide clearance for the curved slide catch used with this slide. However, it has all the other characteristics of the Canadian backsight slides: dotted anti-glare finish, range pointers, U-shaped clearance, and dished back. The sixth variation slide is marked "Mk 3" or "C Mk 3" on the front (the British Mk 3 slide being marked on the back).
OTHER COMPONENTS OF MILLED BACKSIGHT ASSEMBLIES Slide Adjusting Screw Found only on milled backsight assemblies, the slide adjusting screw (Figure 4-20, 1) is a 0.10-inch diameter by 1.80-inch long rod with a 0.48-inch diameter knurled knob at the top and a threaded portion toward the bottom. It engages the adjusting screw nut, which in turn is fitted into a hole in the slide. As the adjusting screw is turned, the slide is moved upward or downward. The adjusting screw also has a
75 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
notched collar directly under the knob; this collar engages the adjusting screw plunger to provide a "click" adjustment for eleva• tion of the slide. Two varieties of adjusting screw are found.
First Variation: Used on the Mk 1 backsight assembly, this slide adjusting screw is threaded for its entire length.
Second Variation: Used on the No. 5 Mk 1 backsight assembly, this slide adjusting screw is threaded for only half its length.
Adjusting Screw Nut Found only on milled backsight assemblies, the adjusting screw nut (refer to Figure 4- 20, 2) is a 0.20-inch diameter by 0.38-inch long cylinder with a transverse threaded hole. The nut fits in a hole in the backsight Fig. 4-20. Milled Backsight Assembly slide, with the slide adjusting screw thread• ing into it. The front surface is cross hatched. No changes were made during its service life.
Points to Watch For: Two slightly different thread patterns were used on adjusting screws and adjusting screw nuts on both the Mk 1 and No. 5 Mk 1 backsight assemblies. Hence, these components must be replaced as a set.
Adjusting Screw Retaining Pin Found only on milled backsight assemblies, the adjusting screw re• taining pin (refer to Figure 4-20, 3) is a 0.05-inch diameter by 0.23- inch long steel pin that fits through the top of the backsight slide and engages a slot milled in the adjusting screw—just below the notched
76 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES collar. The retaining pin holds the adjusting screw in position, causing the slide to move up and down when the adjusting screw is named, rather than allowing the screw to back out. The retaining pin remained unchanged throughout its service life.
Adjusting Screw Plunger Found only on milled backsight assemblies, the adjusting screw plunger (refer to Figure 4-20, 4) is a 0.05-inch diameter by 0.36-inch long pin with a 0.10-inch diameter head which fits in a hole bored in the upper arm of the backsight slide. The plunger is spring-loaded, and the head of the plunger engages the notched collar on the slide adjusting screw to provide "click" adjustment.
Plunger Spring Found only on milled backsight assemblies, the plunger spring (refer to Figure 4-20, 5) is a stainless steel coil spring which fits over the shank of the plunger to provide spring-load• ing for the plunger.
Points to Watch For: On early Mk 1 backsight assemblies, a 0.09-inch steel ball was used over the head of the plunger to provide a smoother "click" action. A slightly shorter plunger and plunger spring was used with the ball.
OTHER COMPONENTS OF STAMPED BACKSIGHT ASSEMBLIES Slide Catch Found only on stamped backsight assem• blies, the slide catch (Figure 4-21,1), which is spring-loaded, holds the backsight slide in position by engaging notches in the side Fig. 4-21. Stamped of the backsight leaf. When depressed, the Backsight Assembly
77 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES slide catch disengages from the notches, allowing the slide to be moved up and down. Three varieties are found.
First Variation: Used on early Mk 3 backsight assemblies, this slide catch (4-22, left) is flat and juts out a bit from the backsight slide. It has a dimple that holds the coil-type slide catch spring in place.
Second Variation: Used on later Mk 3 backsight assemblies and on C Mk 3 backsight assemblies, this Fig. 4-22. 1st Variation (I) and 3rd Variation (r) Slide Catches slide catch is similar in shape to the first variation but does not have the dimple, as a clothespin-type slide catch spring was used.
Third Variation: Used with Mk 4, No. 5 Mk 2, and C Mk 4 backsight assemblies, this slide catch (refer to 4-22, right) is curved inward to fit more closely to the backsight slide. This change was made to keep the catch from snagging on clothing. Since the catch curves inward at the top, it was necessary to provide a beveled clearance on the top right corner of the backsight slide (see above). Also with this slide catch, the slide catch stop pin (see below) was changed to protrude from the left rather than from the right so that it wouldn't interfere with the movement of the slide catch when the slide was at the top of the backsight leaf.
Slide Catch Spring The slide catch spring (refer to Figure 4-21, 2) keeps the slide catch engaged in the notches on the side of the backsight leaf. Two varieties are found.
First Variation: Used with early Mk 2 backsight assemblies, this spring is a stainless steel coil spring (refer to Figure 4-22, left).
78 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
Second Variation: Used with later Mk 2, Mk 3, and No. 5 Mk 2 backsight assemblies, this spring is a clothespin-type spring (refer to Figure 4-22, right). The barrel of the spring fits over the slide catch pin.
Slide Catch Pin The slide catch pin (refer to Figure 4-21, 3) is a 0.06-inch diameter by 0.36-inch long steel pin that holds the slide catch to the backsight slide. Minor variations are found.
Slide Catch Stop Pin The slide catch stop pin (refer to Figure 4-21, 4) is a 0.07-inch diam• eter by 0.78-inch long steel pin with a short shoulder on one end. It fits through holes in the sides of the backsight leaf, toward the top and serves to keep the slide from coming all the way off the leaf. No changes were made to the stop pin, the pin just being inserted one way or the other in order to protrude from the left side of the slide or from the right.
79 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
CHAPTER 5 BARREL GROUP
The Barrel Group consists of the barrel, the handguard retaining ring, and the foresight assembly (or flash eliminator assembly for No. 5 rifles).
BARREL The barrel for the No. 4 rifle (Figure 5-1) has the same overall length as that for the SMLE (No. 1) rifle—25.18 inches— but is larger in outside di• ameter and hence some• what stronger. Also, it Fig. 5-1. Enfield No. 4 Barrel has two pairs of lugs machined near the muzzle for mounting the foresight block band and for attaching the bayonet. The bore diameter of the barrel is 0.303 inches, and the groove depth is 0.00575 inches at the breech and 0.0065 at the muzzle. The standard rifling for .303 British barrels is 1:10 left-hand twist, although some Savage-manufactured barrels have a 1:10.5 twist, and some Long Branch barrels have right-hand twist. Rifling patterns with 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 grooves are found on No. 4 rifles. Records are not clear as to precisely which barrels were used by various manufactur• ers and when; therefore only general observations about applicability can be made.
At 18.7 inches in length, barrels for the No. 5 rifle are significantly shorter than those for the No. 4 rifle. In addition, they have a complex forging attached to the muzzle that serves as a foresight base, a bayo• net mount, and a flash eliminator.
80 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
The barrels for L8 rifles are of chrome-molybdenum steel with chrome- plated chambers and, of course, a different bore diameter and rifling pattern.
In all, 13 varieties of barrel are encountered.
First Variation: This barrel has 5-groove rifling. Designated the "Mk I," it is found on most No. 4 Mk I rifles of British manufacture. It is most easily distinguished from the other 5-groove No. 4 rifle barrel— the sixth variation—by its forged knox form. An identical barrel, but newly manufactured, is found on some Fazakerly No. 4 Mk 2 and on P.O.F. No. 4 Mk 2 rifles.
Second Variation: This barrel, with 6-groove rifling, saw limited use on early No. 4 Mk I rifles of Savage manufacture (generally 1941- dated). It was not given a Mark number and was soon replaced by the fourth variation barrel. It is distinguished from the other 6-groove barrel—the eighth variation—by its left-hand twist.
Third Variation: This barrel has 4-groove rifling. Another limited production barrel, it was used on a few No. 4 Mk I rifles of Savage manufacture. Like the second variation, it was not given a Mark num• ber and was soon replaced by the fourth variation barrel.
Fourth Variation: This barrel has 2-groove rifling. Accuracy tests conducted in 1941 showed that the 2-groove barrel was comparable to the 5-groove, and it was easier to manufacture. Designated the "Mk II," the fourth variation barrel is used chiefly on No. 4 Mk I* rifles (Savage and Long Branch), although it is found on some later No. 4 Mk I rifles of Savage and Long Branch manufacture as well as on some No. 4 Mk I rifles of British manufacture and on some No. 4 Mk 2 rifles. The fourth variation barrel was also installed on a few No. 4 Mk 1/2 and Mk 1/3 conversions.
Fifth Variation: In 1942, tests were conducted on 3-groove barrels.
81 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
These were found acceptable and approved, but they were not given a Mark number and very few were made. What few do show up are generally found on No. 4 Mk I rifles of British manufacture dated 1942 or 1943.
Sixth Variation: This 5-groove barrel, designated the "Mk III," was introduced in 1943 and is found on some British-made No. 4 Mk I rifles dated 1943 and 1944. The sixth variation barrel is fabricated from
Fig. 5-2. 6th Variation Barrel a steel mbe> md **** form is a sePa" rate sleeve which is shrink-fitted and se• cured to the barrel with two pins (Figure 5-2). The rifling is "dollied" rather than broach-cut, giving a duller bore than that of other barrels.
Seventh Variation: This barrel is found on the No. 5 rifle. It is 18.7 inches long (20.5 inches with the flash eliminator), and the knox form has four lightening cuts milled in it (Figure 5-3). It has 5-groove 1:10 left-hand twist rifling.
Eighth Variation: This barrel has 6-groove right-hand twist rifling and is found on No. 4 Mk I* rifles manufactured by Canadian Arse• nals Ltd. (C.A.L.) at Long Branch in the 1950s. It is designated the "C Mk 4" barrel and is readily identified by a "6" stamped on the right bayonet lug.
Points to Watch for: In 1959, the firm of Sterling Armament pat• ented a 7.62 mm conversion kit for No. 4 rifles. Most kits contained a barrel made by the Canons Delcour firm in Belgium. Actually, only a few thousand of these kits were ever made into rifles (see Appendix G for further information).
82 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
Ninth Variation: Used on the L8 rifles, this barrel is similar to the Canons Delcour barrel of the Sterling conversion kit but was manu• factured by RSAF-Enfield. It has a nominal 0.308-inch bore and 4- groove right-hand twist rifling. The barrel is made of a chrome-mo• lybdenum alloy steel and has a chrome-plated chamber. A similar barrel was used in Sterling conversions kits—this barrel requiring spe• cial breaching washers which were available in various thicknesses.
Tenth Variation: C.A.L. manufactured a 7.62mm barrel for the Ca• nadian 7.62mm Competition Rifle (see Chapter 9). Some of these were fitted to L8 series rifles but can be distinguished from ninth variation barrels by the C.A.L. logo: a "C" inside a vertical oval.
Eleventh Variation: This barrel is identical to the tenth variation ex• cept that it has no lugs on the muzzle end for a bayonet. It is found on later Canadian 7.62mm Competition rifles and in some Sterling con• version kits.
Twelfth Variation: This variation is a 7.62mm heavy barrel made by C.A.L. and found on some Canadian 7.62mm Competition rifles. It is 25.2 inches long and 0.60-inch in diameter at the muzzle.
Thirteenth Variation: This is a 7.62mm heavy barrel made by RSAF- Enfield and found on L39A1 and L42A1 rifles. It is 27.5 inches long and 0.665-inch in diameter at the muzzle and 0.865-inch in diameter at mid-point. It does not have a bayonet lug.
Points to Watch For: Replacement .303 British barrels were made both by the Pakistan Ordnance Factory (P.O.F.) and by the South African government. These barrels are similar in configuration to the original barrels and differ chiefly in the markings. The Pakistani bar• rels are marked with a "P" or "POF," while the South African barrels had an "S A" logo—a crossed rifle and "rocket" with the letters "S" and "A" to the left and right.
83 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
HANDGUARD RETAINING RING The handguard retaining ring (Figure 5-4) is a 1.43- inch diameter by 0.17-inch wide ring stamped from sheet steel that fits over the barrel and up against the receiver ring of the action body. The upper half of the retaining ring has a lip which fits over the rearward portion of the rear handguard and holds it in place. The handguard retaining ring was used on all No. 4 rifles (and conversions) and on the No. 5 Fig. 5-4. Hand- guard rifle. It remained essentially unchanged throughout Retaining Ring its service life.
Points to Watch For: A few somewhat wider handguard rings (about 0.25-inch) have been observed on early No. 4 Mk I rifles. The origin and purpose of these is unclear.
FORESIGHT ASSEMBLY (NO. 4 RIFLES) On No. 4 rifles (and conversions), the foresight assembly consists of the foresight block band (1), the foresight blade (2), the foresight protector (3), and minor hardware (Figure 5-5). 3 Two variations of block band, three variations of foresight protector, and four variations of foresight blade are found, as well as a device called the fore• sight bracket (see below), which combined the block band and foresight protec• Fig. 5-5. Foresight Group tor into a single unit. (most common shown)
Points to Watch For: During WWII, parts such as foresight assem• bly components were manufactured by a wide variety of subcontrac-
84 No. 4 AND No. 5 RDTLES tors (as well as by the various rifle factories), and parts were shipped from one factory to another, as needed. As a result, from 1942 to 1945 No. 4 rifles were issued from each of the five rifle factories with virtually every combination of block band, blade, and protector fitted. Therefore, it is fruitless to argue whether an "original" Savage rifle had such-and-such combination or an "original" Maltby rifle had so- and-so combination. From 1942 to 1945, virtually all combinations were "original" on rifles from any rifle factory.
Foresight Block Band The foresight block band (refer to Figure 5-5, 1) is a 0.80-inch long by 0.83-inch diameter steel band that slides over the block band mount• ing lugs on the muzzle end of the barrel (refer to Figure 5-1) and is held in place by the block band pin (see below). The integral foresight block, 0.35-inch high, has a dovetail slot cut in its upper surface to support the foresight blade (see below). The block band is milled from a steel forging and is oil blackened. Two types of foresight block bands are encountered.
First Variation: Designated the "Mk I" this foresight block band (Figure 5-6) has a diago• nal kerf sawn through the dovetail portion of the block and a special foresight blade screw (see below) to tighten the front portion of the block and secure the foresight blade in the dove• tail. The solid-base foresight blades (see be- Fig. 5-6. 1st Variation low) are used with this block band. The first Foresight Band variation foresight block band is found on Mk I and Mk I* rifles manufactured from circa 1941 to early 1943, as well as on post-WWII Mk I and on Mk 2 rifles.
Second Variation: Designated the "Mk II," this foresight block band (Figure 5-7) is a wartime expedient approved in April 1943 and found mainly (although not exclusively) on Mk I* rifles, which were manu-
85 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
factored by Savage and Long Branch. It has neither kerf nor foresight blade screw, the fore• sight blade being held in place by friction alone. The slotted-base foresight blades (see below) are used with this block band.
Foresight Block Band Pin The foresight block band pin is a 0.10-inch i- _ _ _ _i i/ * diameter by 0.50-inch long steel pin which Fig. 5-7.2nd Variation _ ' , , ~° _ f Foresight Band "ts transversely through the foresight block band (refer to Figure 5-5, 5) and engages a slot on the top of the barrel. It serves to keep the foresight block band in place.
Foresight Blade Screw Used only with the first variation foresight block band, the foresight blade screw is about 0.14-inch in diameter and 0.40-inch long, with a lugged (rather than slot• ted) head (Figure 5-8). The blade screw passes through the front portion of the block band and threads into a blind hole in the rear portion of the block band (refer to Figure 5-5, 1). When tight• ened, the blade screw clamps the foresight blade into the dovetail slot on the block band. The lugged head requires a special tool, which discouraged ^ 5 g poresjgnt unauthorized adjustment of the foresight blade. Blade Screw
Points to Watch For: On occasion, the lugged foresight blade screw was replaced with a slotted-head or Allen-head screw. Such replace• ments were field or after-market modifications and not "official."
Foresight Blade - No. 4 Rifles The foresight blade (refer to Figure 5-5, 2) is a milled block with a dovetail base and a blade 0.05 inch thick with vertical sides. The
86 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
dovetail base fits into the dovetail slot on the foresight block band (see above). Four variations are found (see Figure 5-9), which differ in the shape of the block or the con• figuration of the dovetail. In addi• tion, nine different heights of each variation are found (and are so marked): -.045, -.030, -.015, 0.0, Fig. 5-9. Foresight blade variations, .015, .030, .045, .060, and .075. clockwise from left: Mk I, Mk I*, Mk II, The "0.0" blade is approximately Mk III 0.980 inch above the centerline of the bore; the others are shorter or taller in 0.015-inch increments. A few +.090 foresight blades have been observed.
Points to Watch For: The height of the actual blade portion is the same for all foresights; the height above the centerline of the bore is determined by the thickness of the block portion of the base.
First Variation: Designated the "Mk I," this blade is the initial type supplied on early Mk I and Mk I* rifles, see Figure 5-9, A. It has a solid dovetail base and is designed for use with the first variation foresight block band (which has the foresight blade screw). On the first variation blade, the rear surface of the block slopes forward.
Second Variation: Designated the "Mk I*," this blade was developed for use on Mk I* rifles fitted with the second variation foresight block band (without the foresight blade screw). It has a split dovetail base, which provides a bit of a spring action to hold the base firmly in the dovetail slot, see Figure 5-9, B. As with the first variation blade, the rear surface of the block slopes forward.
Third Variation: Designated the "Mk II," this blade is found on most later Mk I rifles and on all Mk 2 rifles. It was found that the forward-
87 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES sloping rear surface of the block reflected sunlight, causing a glare that often made sighting difficult. The profile of the base was changed so that the rear surface slopes backward, thus eliminating the reflec• tion and glare, see Figure 5-9, C.
Fourth Variation: Designated the "Mk III," this blade is found on most later Mk I* rifles fitted with the second variation foresight block band. It combines the slotted dovetail base of the second variation blade and the rearward-sloping base of the third variation blade, see Figure 5-9, D.
Points to Watch For: All variations of blade have been observed on both No. 4 Mk I and Mk I* rifles; only third variation have been observed on No. 4 Mk 2 rifles.
Some first and second variation blades have been observed which have cross-hatching on the rear surface of the base to reduce glare. This seems to have been a field or after-market modification.
Those foresight blades made by Savage Arms Co. and Long Branch (and later C.A.L.) are wider than British foresight blades: 0.430 inch vs. 0.380 inch.
Differences in height, dovetail configuration, base configuration, cross- hatching, and width actually yield a total of 144 variations of foresight blades found on No. 4 rifles!
Foresight Protector The foresight protector (refer to Figure 5-5, 3) is essentially a ring with a set of "ears" that slides over the foresight block band and serves to keep the foresight blade from being knocked out of position. The "ears" have holes in them to allow more light to fall on the fore• sight blade, and the rear surfaces of the "ears" are cross-hatched to reduce glare. Four basic variations of foresight protector are found.
88 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
First Variation: Found only on very early Mk I rifles, this foresight protector (Figure 5-10) is ac• tually a hold-over from the No. 1 Mk VI trials rifle. It is milled from a steel forging and is char• acterized by the waisted profile of the "ears." This foresight protector, desig• nated the "Mk I," is rela• tively rare.
Second Variation: Desig• nated the "Mk I-Alternate
Fig. 5-10. 1st Variation, „ _ „ ,r , . , Foresight Protector Pattern and found mainly on Mk I and Mk 2 rifles, this foresight protector (Figure 5-11) is also milled from a steel forging, but the sides of the "ears" are vertical rather than waisted. This is the most Fig. 5-11. 2nd Variation, commonly-encountered Foresight Protector foresight protector.
Third Variation: Approved in April 1943 as a wartime expedient and designated the "Mk II," this foresight protector (Figure 5-12) is found mainly on Mk I* rifles. The body is stamped from sheet steel, and each "ear" has a steel boss brazed into place to stiffen it. Fig. 5-12. 3rd Variation,
Foresight Protector Points to Watch For: Minor differences are found in second and third variation foresight protectors made by Long Branch.
Fourth Variation: A wartime expedient made by Long Branch and found mainly on Long Branch rifles, this foresight protector is similar in appearance to the second variation but is made of cast steel rather than milled from a forging.
89 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
Foresight Protector Screw The foresight protector screw is a 0.014-inch di• ameter by 0.80-inch long domed-head steel screw which passes transversely through the foresight pro• tector and the foresight block band (Figure 5-13) and serves to secure the foresight protector to the Fig. 5-13. Fore• band. Minor variations are sight Protector Screw found.
Foresight Bracket Approved as a wartime expedient in 1943, the foresight bracket (Figure 5-14) is single milled fixture that combines the functions of the fore• sight block band and the foresight protector. It is found most often on Fazakerley, Maltby, and BSA Co. rifles. It remained unchanged through• out its rather brief service life. Fig. 5-14. Foresight Bracket Foresight Bracket Pin The foresight bracket is se• cured to the barrel by the foresight bracket pin (Figure 5-15), which engages the same slot in the barrel as does the foresight block band pin (see above). The foresight bracket pin is 0.85-inch long Fig. 5-15. —significantly longer than the block band pin. No Foresight changes were made during its service life. Bracket Pin
FLASH ELIMINATOR ASSEMBLY (NO. 5 RIFLES) Found only on No. 5 rifles, the flash eliminator assembly (Figure 5- 16) consists of the flash eliminator itself (1), two flash eliminator pins (2), and a foresight blade (3).
Points to Watch For: Over the years, many firms such as Golden State Arms, Federal Ordnance, and Navy Arms have installed flash
90 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES eliminators on shortened No. 1, No. 4, and Ishapore 7.62mm 2 A/2 A1 rifles, calling such modified rifles things like "Jungle Rifle," "No. 4 Jungle Carbine," and "No. 7 Jungle Carbine." These are all unofficial aftermarket conversions; none was ever approved or issued by either British or Commonwealth govern• ments. Fig. 5-16. Flash Eliminator Group
Flash Eliminator The flash eliminator is a milled steel forging with a cone-shaped front (refer to Figure 5-16,1) that fits over the muzzle end of the barrel on the No. 5 rifle. The flash eliminator also integrates the functions of foresight base, foresight protector, and bayonet mounting lug. It should be noted that the No. 5 rifle flash eliminator (like all flash eliminators) serves to direct the muzzle flash away from the rifleman in order to help keep him from losing night vision. In no way does it eliminate or hide the muzzle flash from people to the side of or down range from the rifleman. No changes were made to the flash eliminator during its service life.
Flash Eliminator Pins The flash eliminator pins (refer to Figure 5-16, 2) are 0.11-inch diam• eter by 0.75-inch long tapered pins that pass through the flash elimina• tor and engage slots on the top of the barrel. The pins are inserted from right to left. They remained unchanged throughout their service lives.
Foresight Blades - No. 5 Rifles Although similar to foresight blades for No. 4 rifles, the No. 5 fore• sight blades (Figure 5-16, 3) have different part numbers. They were issued in eight different heights, the -.045 blade not being used with
91 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
No. 5 rifles. Two variations are found—both with split dovetail bases.
First Variation: This foresight blade (Figure 5-17A) has a forward-sloping rear surface, similar to that of the earlier No. 4 rifle foresight blades.
^— 1 Second Variation: This foresight blade ,_. \ , , ? , • Fig. 5-17A
/ || \ (Figure 5-17B) has a rearward-sloping 1 st variation rear surface, similar to that of the later Fig. 5-17B No. 4 rifle foresight blades. 2nd Variation
92 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
CHAPTER 6 FURNITURE
The term "furniture" is common in British parlance to refer to the wooden components of a rifle. The furniture of a Lee-Enfield rifle consists of the buttstock assembly, the fore-end assembly, and the handguard assembly. I am using the term "assembly" here to refer to items of furniture together with their integral or closely associated hardware. The fittings, which include the buttplate assembly and the band and swivel group, are covered in Chapter 7, while the trigger guard assembly is covered in Chapter 2. Different types of furniture wood were used by various rifle factories during various periods of production (see Appendix C, "Furniture Wood," for further informa• tion), and, of course, many different markings are encountered. The variations discussed in this chapter are variations in the configuration of furniture items. Special furniture for sniper and competition rifles is dis• cussed in Chapter 9.
BUTTSTOCK ASSEMBLY The components of the buttstock assembly (Fig• ure 6-1) are the buttstock (1) and the stock bolt (2) and associated hardware. The buttplate and butt swivel base and screws are covered in Chapter 7.
Buttstock Buttstocks were made from various types of wood (see Appendix C, "Furniture Wood") and were issued in bantam, short, normal, and long lengths. The bantam (-1 inch), short (-1/2 inch), and long ( + 1/2 inch)
93 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES buttstocks are marked at the top of the heel with a "B," an "S" or an "L," respectively, while the normal buttstocks generally are unmarked (al• though some have an "N"). The front 0.75-inch of the buttstock is necked down to fit into the buttstock socket of the action body. Two types of buttstock are encountered.
First Variation: This buttstock (Figure 6-2) is found on the No. 4 rifles (and conversions). It is inletted for the standard brass buttplate (although some alloy and/or steel buttplates were used) and the butt swivel bracket. This buttstock is nominally interchangeable with that of the SMLE (No. 1) rifle, although some fitting may be required.
Historical Note: Since the fur• niture wood used during WWII tended to be of lesser quality than that used in earlier pro- Fig. 6-2. 1st Variation Buttstock duction, some first variation buttstocks are found with small pieces of wood mortised and doweled in to replace small knots in the wood. This was done during initial production and is not indicative of a field repair by a unit armourer.
Second Variation: This buttstock (Fig• ure 6-3) is found on the No. 5 rifle. It is inletted for the rubber shoulder pad used on the "Jungle Carbines" and has a shallow relief on the right side for the side-mounted sling. It is NOT inletted for a butt swivel bracket. Also, the second variation buttstock has a 2.25-inch by 0.80-inch by 3.0-inch deep counterbore at the rear to lighten it. On some rifles, the rear surface (under the shoulder pad) is stamped with a "5."
94 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
Points to Watch For: Some conversions of first variation buttstocks to second variation have been observed, the conversion consisting of installing a rubber shoulder pad assembly. This was not an approved conversion. These non-standard conversions can be identified by the presence of the inletting for the butt swivel bracket and the lack of the lightening counterbore at the rear.
Sniper and competition rifles have buttstocks of different configura• tions—see Chapter 9.
Stock Bolt The buttstock is attached to the rear of the action body by means of a 5.0-inch long by 0.430-inch diameter steel fillister head bolt that threads into the rear of the action body. Three va• rieties of stock bolts were used. 482?
First Variation: Used on No. 4 rifles (and conversions), this stock bolt (Figure 6-4) is 0.430-inch in diameter for its entire length. It is identical to the stock bolts used on later a,oc" DO'1 SMLE (No. 1) rifles and is interchangeable with them. The threaded portion of this stockbolt is not milled square, however, so it cannot be used on earlier SMLE rifles fitted with stock bolt keeper plates.
Second Variation: Used on earlier No. 5 rifles, this stock bolt is "waisted"; that is, it is smaller in diameter in the center than it is on either end (Figure 6-5). This was done to reduce the overall weight of the rifle. Variation Stock Bolt The threaded portion is not milled square.
Third Variation: Used on later No. 5 rifles, this stock bolt is not "waisted" but rather has a longitudinal lightening hole drilled in the head end.
95 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
Stock Bolt Washer The stock bolt washer (Figure 6-6, 1) is a 0.75-inch diameter flat washer fitted under the stock bolt spring washer to protect the wood. This washer remained unchanged throughout its service life. 3
Stock Bolt Spring Washer The stock bolt spring washer (refer Fig. 6-6. Stock Bolt Hardware to Figure 6-6,2) fits between the head of the stock bolt and the stock bolt washer. It is a 0.75-inch diameter double spring washer (also called a Thakery lock washer) which keeps recoil shock from loosening the stock bolt. It is interchangeable with the stock bolt washer used on later SMLE (No. 1) rifles.
Stock Bolt Wad The stock bolt wad (refer to Figure 6-6, 3) is a pad which fits over the head of the stockbolt and keeps the oiler from banging on the stock bolt. This not only protected the brass of the oiler but also reduced the noise from the oiler rattling on the head of the stock bolt. The stock bolt wad is a 0.80-inch diameter by 0.15-inch "washer" with a small hole in its center. Two variations are found.
First Variation: This wad is made of leather and is found on all except later No. 4 Mk 2 rifles.
Second Variation: This wad is made of pressed fiber (cardboard) and is found on later No. 4 Mk 2 rifles, starting circa 1954.
Disassembly Note: To keep from damaging the stock bolt wad, fish it out of the hole in the buttstock with a bent wire before attempting to unscrew the stock bolt. Or use the special tool for this purpose issued to armourers.
96 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
FORE-END ASSEMBLY The fore-end assembly (Figure 6-7) consists of the fore-end stock (1) and minor items of hardware: the fore-end cap (2), the fore-end cap pins (3), the fore-end rein• forcing tie-plate (4). The ^>^\^^J trigger guard and associ- \2 ^^ol?^^ atel* ^arc^ware are covered in Chapter 2, while the bar• rel bands and associated hardware are covered in Chapter 6.
Fore-End Besides differences in type of wood (see Appendix C, "Furniture Wood"), eight varieties of fore-ends are encountered on No. 4 and No. 5 rifles (and conversions).
First Variation: Used on early No. 4 Mk I and Mk I* rifles, the first varia• tion fore-end (Figure 6-8) has the right sidewall cut lower (arrow) to provide clearance for a magazine cut-off (even though the No. 4 rifle never had a cut• off). This fore-end was designed for the No. 1 Mk VI rifle (the immediate predecessor of the No. 4)—which did Fig. 6-8. 1st have a magazine cut-off. The rear of Variation the first variation fore-end is reinforced Fore-End with a 0.375-inch wide strap, or tie-plate (see below).
Second Variation: Used on later No. 4 Mk I and Mk I* rifles, this fore-end (Figure 6-9) is the most commonly encountered. The right and left sidewalls are the same height. As with the first variation, the
97 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES rear of the second variation fore-end is reinforced with a tie-plate.
Historical Note: Since the furniture wood used during WWII tended to be of lesser quality than that used in ear• lier production, some second variation Fig. 6-9. 2nd buttstocks are found with small pieces Variation of wood mortised and doweled in to Fore-End replace small knots in the wood. This was done during initial produc• tion and is not indicative of a field repair by a unit armourer.
Third Variation: Used on earlier No. 5 rifles, this fore-end (Figure 6-10) is shorter than No. 4 rifle Fig. 6-10. 3rd Variation fore-ends, being only 19 inches Fore-End long, and is fitted with a sheet steel fore-end cap (see below). The inletting for the lower band is about 3 inches further back than it is on No. 4 rifle fore-ends. The rear is reinforced with a tie-plate. The third variation fore-end was also used on post-WWII No. 5 rifles.
Fourth Variation: Used on No. 5 rifles manufactured later in WWII, this fore-end (Figure 6-11) is simi• lar to the third variation fore-end except that the fore-end cap is omit• ted and the front tip of the fore-end is rounded off in the manner com• mon on sporting rifles. Manufacturer's variants in the con- V^r^ Fig. 6-11 4th Variation tour of the fore-end tip have been Fore-End noted. The rear is reinforced with a tie-plate.
98 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
Fifth Variation: Used on early No. 4 Mk 2 rifles with fourth variation action bodies and on some No. 4 Mk 1/2 and 1/3 conversions, this fore- end (Figure 6-12) is cut all the way through at the rear (arrow) to pro• vide clearance for the trigger mount• Fig. 6-12. 5th Variation ing bosses. The rear of the third Fore-End variation fore-end is reinforced with a transverse screw (see below), rather than with a tie-plate. The fifth variation fore-end is relieved on the right side just behind the receiver ring cutout to provide clearance for the rectangular boss on the fourth variation action body.
Sixth Variation: Used on many No. 4 Mk 1/2 and Mk 1/3 conver• sions, this fore-end (Figure 6-13) is a conversion of the second varia• tion fore-end. The rear portion was cut all the way through (as on the Fig. 6-13. 6th Variation Fore-End fifth variation), the tie-plate was removed, and a reinforcing screw was installed. Small D-shaped pieces of wood were glued into the reliefs for the tie-plate on either side of the rear of the fore-end.
Seventh Variation: Used on later No. 4 Mk 2 rifles with seventh varia• tion action bodies, this fore-end (Fig• ure 6-14) is identical to the fifth varia• tion fore-end except that it is not re• Fig. 6-14. 7th lieved on the right side behind the Variation Fore-End receiver ring cutout, as the seventh variation action body did not have a rectangular boss in this position. The P.O.F. No. 4 Mk 2 fore-end also shares this feature.
99 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
FORE-END CAP The fore-end cap (refer to Figure 6-7, 2) is a semi-cylindrical piece of sheet steel about 0.050-inch thick that fits over the front of the fore- end to protect it from damage. Three varieties of fore-end cap are found.
First Variation: This fore-end cap (Figure 6-15) is about 2.25 inches long and 1.13 inches wide. The fore-end cap matches up with the front handguard cap (see below) to give the front two and one quarter inches of the furniture a complete metal covering. The fore-end cap is secured by two steel pins (see below), the heads of which serve to locate the upper barrel band and keep it from sliding forward or rearward. The first variation fore-end cap has a 0.39-inch deep Fig. 6-15. 1st Variation semi-circular cut in the front for the rifle Fore-End Cap barrel. This cut follows the contour of the fore-end barrel channel, covering all of the wood at the front of the fore-end. It is found on earlier No. 4 Mk I and Mk I* rifles.
Second Variation: A production alternative, this fore-end cap has the same external dimensions but has a 0.82-inch deep U-shaped cut in the front. The deeper cut exposes a portion of the wood at the front of the fore-end. It is found on later No. 4 Mk I and Mk I* rifles and on No. 4 Mk 2 rifles.
Third Variation: Used only on No. 5 rifles with third variation fore-ends, this fore-end cap (Figure 6-16) is similar to other caps but is shorter—about 1.1 inches long—and is held f\g s-16. 3rd Variation in place by a single steel pin. Fore-End Cap
100 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
Historical Note: No. 5 trials rifles had a deeper fore-end cap which was curved to follow the rounded tip of the fore-end. These were deemed too costly to produce, however, so the semi-cylindrical cap was used in production.
Fore-End Cap Pins The fore-end cap pins (refer to Figure 6-7,3) are about 2-inch long by 0.1-inch diameter steel pins that fit transversely through the fore-end to secure the fore-end cap. Two are used with first and second varia• tion caps (on No. 4 rifles), while only one is used with third variation caps (on No. 5 rifles). The pins remained unchanged throughout their service lives.
Points to Watch For: Fore-end cap pins made from brass welding rod have been observed with some third variation fore-end caps. These appear to be recent replacements.
Fore-End Reinforcing Tie-Plate Found on first through fourth variation fore-ends, the fore-end reinforcing tie- plate (Figure 6-17, 1) is a 2.6-inch long by 0.375-inch wide steel strap bent in a C-shape and pinned in place at the rear of the fore-end with a brass rivet. This strap serves to strengthen the rear of the fore-end, as stock bolt keeper plates and fore-end reinforcing screws were not used. The tie-plate remained unchanged during its service life.
Tie-Plate Pin The tie-plate pin, or rivet (refer to Figure 6-17, 2) is a 2.8-inch long by 0.075-inch diameter brass pin with a flat head that fits transversely through the rear of the fore-end and holds the tie-plate in place. No changes were made during its service life.
101 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
Fore-End Reinforcing Screw Found on fifth, sixth, and seventh variation fore-ends, the fore-end reinforcing screw is a 1.65-inch long by 0.14-inch diameter fillister head screw that fits transversely through the rear of the fore-end to reinforce it. The reinforcing screw replaces the tie-plate and pin of earlier fore-ends. A 0.25-inch diameter round, slot-head nut is used to secure the reinforcing screw. The screw remained unchanged during its service life.
Fore-End Collar The fore-end collar is a 0.5-inch long by 0.37-inch diameter steel bushing pressed into the hole for the front trigger guard screw. It remained unchanged throughout its service life.
Disassembly Note: On No. 4 rifles, the fore-end collar often fits rather tightly in the hole for the front trigger guard screw and is difficult to remove. For most purposes, it is not necessary to remove it. Con• versely, the fore-end collar on No. 5 rifles often fits so loosely that it falls out. Care should be taken not to lose it.
HANDGUARD ASSEMBLY The handguard assembly (Figure 6-18) consists of the front (1) and rear (2) handguards and asso- 4 1 ciated hardware. The ( ( °f1fc\ handguards are relatively thin 3 pieces of wood that fit over the top of the barrel and protect the rifleman's hands from a hot Fig. 6-18. Handguard barrel. They also minimize Assembly heat-riser mirage from hot bar- rels. The handguards are held in place by various fittings (see Chapter 6—Fittings) and were made from a variety of different kinds of wood (see Appendix C, "Furniture Wood").
102 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
Front Handguard The front handguard (refer to Figure 6-18, 1) is a semi-cylindrical piece of wood 10-3/4 inches long and 1-1/8 inches wide that fits over the forward portion of the barrel, ahead of the lower barrel band, and rests on the upper surfaces of the fore-end. It is used on No. 4 rifles (and conversions), the No. 5 rifle not having a front handguard. Riv• eted to the front handguard are the front handguardcap and a hand- guard liner (see below). Two variations of front handguard are found.
First Variation: Found only on very early No. 4 Mk I rifles with hinged upper bands (see Chapter 7), this front handguard has a 1.00- inch long by 0.25-inch wide by 0.80-inch deep relief milled in the top to accommodate the hinge of the upper band. The relief lines up with the slot in the front handguard cap (see below).
Second Variation: Found on all later No. 4 rifles, this Top View front handguard has no relief milled in it, as none was necessary because later upper bands did not have hinges. o o The second variation front handguard is far and away the more common.
Front Handguard Cap Used with both first and second variation front handguards (on No. 4 rifles), the front handguard cap (refer to Figure 6-18, 4; Figure 6-19) is semi-cylinder about 2.25 inches long and 1.13 inches wide that is o o attached to the forward end of the handguard by four , 4 brass rivets. It is stamped from 0.050-inch thick sheet steel and serves to strengthen the handguard and pro• tect it from damage. No changes were made to the cap during its service life. End View
Historical Note: The front handguard cap has a 1.15- Fig. 6-19. Front inch long by 0.50-inch slot cut in the top of it—origi- Handguard Cap
103 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES nally to accommodate the hinge of the first variation upper band. With later No. 4 rifles, the hinged upper band was eliminated, but the slot in the front handguard cap was retained—even though it served no particular purpose.
Rear Handguard The rear handguard (refer to Figure 6-18, 2) is a semi-cylindrical piece of wood that fits over the rear portion of the barrel, behind the lower barrel band, and over the knox form. It rests on the upper surfaces of the fore-end. The rearward end of the rear handguard is chamfered to fit under the rear handguard retaining ring (see Chapter 4). Three types of rear handguard are encountered.
First Variation: Used on No. 4 rifles (and conversions), this rear handguard is about 11 inches long and 1.55 inches wide (at the rear). A handguard liner (see below) is attached to the front of the rear handguard by two brass rivets. The upper surface of the first variation rear handguard is smooth, with no grasping grooves.
Second Variation: Found on some No. 4 Mk I and Mk I* rifles, this rear hand is identical to the first variation except that it has four longi• tudinal grasping grooves, about 7-1/4 inches long, cut in either side of the upper surface to afford the rifleman a better grip on the rifle.
Points to Watch For: Both first and second variation rear handguards have been observed on No. 4 Mk I and Mk I* rifles of British, Cana• dian, and U.S. manufacture, although the second variation (grooved) handguards tend to be found most often on Savage-manufactured rifles. Both nongrooved and grooved handguards have been found on rifles manufactured at the same factory during the same time period, which suggests that the grooving does not necessarily represent a later de• sign or later production. Handguards with "L/B" markings have been found on Savage rifles, and handguards with "S" markings have been found on Long Branch rifles, as well. Evidently, the two factories
104 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES traded wood fairly frequently, and both shipped rear handguards to the British factories as well.
Third Variation: Found only on No. 5 rifles, this rear handguard is shorter-about 9 inches long—and has no handguard liner on the front. Instead, the front of the third variation handguard is rounded over. Also, it has a recess cut in it about 0.5-inch behind the front end to accommodate the lower barrel band.
Handguard Liners The handguard liners (refer to Figure 6-18, 3) are semi-cylindrical pieces of sheet steel 0.050-inch thick attached by rivets to the front of the rear handguard and to the rear of the front handguard. Each liner is about 0.68-inch long and 1.1 inches wide. The liners serve to strengthen the ends of the handguards and protect them from damage. They remained unchanged throughout their service lives.
Handguard Cap and Liner Rivets The rivets used to attach the front handguard cap and the handguard liners are made of brass and are about 0.2-inch long, with about 0.2- inch diameter flat heads. Minor variations are found from different manufacturers.
105 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
CHAPTER 7 FITTINGS
The fittings consist of various items of hardware mounted on or fitted to the buttstock and fore-end (see Chapter 6). The fittings include the buttplate assembly (or shoulder pad assembly) and the band and swivel group.
BUTTPLATE ASSEMBLY (NO. 4 RIFLES) Found on No. 4 rifles (and conversions), the buttplate assembly (Fig• ure 7-1) consists of the buttplate (1), the buttplate screws (2), and the buttplate trap (3) and associated hardware. The trap provides access to the hole for the stock bolt and for storage of the oiler and pull- through (see Chapter 8).
Buttplate The buttplate (refer to Figure 7-1, 1) serves mainly to protect the rear of the buttstock from chipping and cracking. Three types of buttplates are encountered. Fig. 7-1. Buttplate Assembly First Variation: This buttplate is made of cast brass, which is subse• quently machined to final dimensions, and is fitted with a buttplate trap directly over the hole for the stock bolt. It is the most commonly encountered variation, being found on No. 4 Mk I and Mk 2 rifles and on many rifles converted and/or arsenal reconditioned after WWII. Buttplates manufactured after WWII tend to be more finely finished than war-time production models. Also, one encounters minor varia• tions in color and shape from different manufacturers.
106 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
Historical Note: Up until circa 1908, the British used the term "gun metal" rather than "brass" to refer to the material from which the first variation buttplates were made. Some collectors continue to use the term "gun metal" when referring to buttplates. Gun metal is a type of bronze containing between 8 and 10% tin and 2 and 4% zinc, plus copper.
Second Variation: This buttplate is identical in configuration to the first variation but is made of a cast alloy material, gray in color, with the trade name "Zamac." This buttplate is found on some Mk I* rifles— both of Savage and Long Branch manufacture.
Third Variation: This buttplate is identical in configuration to the first variation but is made of steel and oil blackened. It is found on later No. 4 Mk I* rifles of Long Branch manufacture and on all C No. 7 rifles.
Points to Watch For: Buttplates for No. 4 rifles and for SMLE (No. 1) rifles differ chiefly in the shape of the relief beneath the buttplate trap. The relief on the No. 4 buttplate is wider and deeper than the relief on the No. 1 buttplate. Another difference lies in the tangs at the top of the buttplates. The tang of the No. 4 buttplate is 0.82-inch wide and quite more rounded, while the tang on the No. 1 buttplate is 0.76- inch wide and rather more pointed.
Buttplate Screws The buttplate is attached with two steel screws (refer to Figure 7-1, 2), which are 0.31-inch in diameter and 1.5-inch long. The buttplate screws remained unchanged throughout their service lives, although minor differences are found from different manufacturers.
Buttplate Trap The buttplate trap (refer to Figure 7-1, 3) gives access to the hole for the stock bolt for the purpose of storing the oil bottle and pull-through
107 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
(see Chapter 8). It is pinned through a boss on the buttplate and held in tension by a blue steel spring, which in turn is secured to the buttplate by a steel screw. Brass, alloy, and steel buttplate traps are found. No changes were made during their service lives.
Points to Watch For: One occasionally encounters a brass buttplate with an alloy or steel trap or a steel or alloy buttplate with a brass trap. The trap for the No. 4 rifle has a thumbnail slot milled in its lower edge, while the trap for the SMLE (No. 1) rifle has a small lifting tab forged as part of its lower edge.
Buttplate Trap Pin The buttplate trap pin, or trap axis pin, is a 0.10-inch diameter by 0.61-inch long steel pin which serves as a hinge for the buttplate trap. The pin is pressed through a hole in the tang of the buttplate trap, and the ends fit into a recess milled in the rear surface of the buttplate. The pin remained unchanged throughout its service life, although minor variations are found from different manufacturers.
Points to Watch For: The pin for the buttplate trap on the SMLE (No. 1) Rifle is 1.24 inches long and projects through the outside forming small ovals.
Buttplate Trap Spring The buttplate trap spring (refer to Figure 7-1, 4) is made of blue spring steel and is 1.45-inch high by 0.625-inch wide. It serves to maintain tension on the buttplate trap. No changes were made during its service life, although minor differences are encountered from dif• ferent manufacturers.
Buttplate Trap Spring Screw The buttplate trap spring screw is a steel fillister head screw 0.15-inch in diameter and about 0.35-inch long (the length being hard to deter• mine because the end of the screw is ground to the contour of the
108 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES buttplate). No changes were made during its service life, although minor differences are encountered from different manufacturers.
SHOULDER PAD ASSEMBLY (NO. 5 RIFLES) The shoulder pad assembly (Figure 7-2) is found only on the No. 5 rifle. Because the No. 5 rifle is about a pound and a half lighter than the No. 4 rifle, it was felt that a rubber shoulder pad would be helpful to reduce the effects of recoil. (Having fired several hundred rounds from my No. 5, I would tend to agree.) The shoulder pad assembly consists of the shoulder pad (1), the shoulder pad cap (2), the shoulder pad plate (3), and a short and a long retaining screw (4 and 5).
Shoulder Pad The shoulder pad (Figure 7-2, 1) is block of molded rubber circa 3.8 inches long, 1.15 inches wide and 0.70 inches thick, with a 0.20- inch flange on the bottom.
The top and bottom ends are rounded, and the rear surface has four 0.10-inch slots in it to pro• vide flexibility. No changes were made to the pad during its service life.
Shoulder Pad Cap The shoulder pad cap (refer to Figure 7-2, 2) is fabricated from sheet steel and contoured to fit the shoulder pad. It has a 1.70-inch by 0.70- inch loop of 0.15-inch rod welded to the right side to serve as a sling loop, and it has tabs on the top and bottom to accommodate the retain• ing screws. It is oil blackened. The cap remained unchanged through• out its service life.
109 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
Shoulder Pad Plate The shoulder pad plate (Figure refer to 7-2, 3) is a 4.10-inch long by 1.5-inch wide steel plate with rounded ends that fits between the shoul• der pad and the buttstock. The plate, which remained unchanged throughout its service life, was used only on earlier No. 5 rifles.
Short Retaining Screw The short retaining screw (refer to Figure 7-2, 4) is a 0.20-inch diam• eter by 1.20-inch long steel oval head screw with a 0.80-inch threaded portion that is stepped down to 0.14-inch diameter. The short retain• ing screw is inserted through the bottom tab on the shoulder pad cap and threads into the end of the long retaining screw. No changes were made during its service life.
Long Retaining Screw The long retaining screw (refer to Figure 7-2, 5) is a 0.20-inch diam• eter by 3.70-inch long steel oval head screw with 0.14-inch internal threads at the small end. It is inserted through the top tab on the shoul• der pad cap, and when the short screw is threaded into it the result is a 0.20-inch "pin" with 0.40-inch slot heads on each end. No changes were made during its service life.
BAND AND SWIVEL GROUP The band and swivel group consists (as you might suspect) of bands and swivels. The group consists of: the upper band, the lower band, the lower band sling swivel, the sling swivel screws, the butt swivel bracket, the butt swivel, and the butt swivel screws.
Upper Band The upper band is used on No. 4 rifles (and conversions) but not on No. 5 rifles. It is a 1.0-inch wide loop that fits around the fore-end cap and front handguard cap (see Chapter 6) and serves to hold the hand- guard in place. The upper band is made of steel (either milled or stamped) and is oil-blackened. The upper band has lugs at the bottom
110 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES with space between them to accommodate a piling swivel; although by the time the No. 4 rifles entered production, piling swivels were no longer being used. The upper band is clamped in place by a swivel screw. Five varieties of upper band are encountered.
First Variation: This upper band (Figure 7-3) is hinged at the top, with the two halves being con• nected by a joint pin. The halves are milled, and each half has a lug at the bottom through which the swivel screw passes. It is found on very early Mk I rifles (and con• versions). Fig. 7-3. 1st Variation Upper Band
Second Variation: This upper band (Figure 7-4) is milled from a solid forging, with the hinge and joint pin being eliminated. The lugs are integral parts of the band. It is found on early Mk I Fig. 7-4. 2nd Variation Upper Band and Mk I* rifles (and conver• sions).
Third Variation: This upper band is milled, but the lugs are milled separately and welded in place. It is found on later Mk I and Mk I* rifles.
Fourth Variation: This upper band is stamped from sheet steel and milled lugs are brazed in place. It is the most commonly-encountered upper band, being found on later Mk I and Mk I* rifles (and conver• sions) and on Mk 2 rifles (and conversions).
Ill BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
Fifth Variation: A war-time production concession, this upper band is stamped from sheet metal, with the lugs being stamped as integral parts of the band. It is found on later Mk I and Mk I* rifles.
Points to Watch For: Many fifth variation upper bands were replaced with fourth variation bands as rifles were arsenal reconditioned and/or converted during the years following WWII.
LOWER BAND Found on both No. 4 rifles (and conversions) and on No. 5 rifles, the lower band (Figure 7-5,1) is a 0.43-inch wide loop that serves to hold the handguards in place and also as a point of attachment for a sling swivel.
The lower band fits in a slot inletted in the fore-end. On No. 4 rifles (and conversions), this slot is located 10.8 inches forward of the receiver ring—right at the juncture of the front and rear handguards. On No. 5 rifles, the slot for the lower band is located 8.0 inches forward of the receiver ring, with the handguard having a corresponding slot inletted in it.
The lower band is made of steel (either Fig. 7-5. 1 st Variation milled or stamped) and is oil-blackened. The Lower Band lower band has lugs at the bottom with space between them to accommodate a sling swivel. Four varieties of lower band are encountered.
First Variation: This lower band is milled from a solid forging, with the lugs being integral parts of the band. It has a noticeably rounded contour, similar to the lower band of the Pattern 1914 (No. 3) rifle. It is found on very early No. 4 Mk I rifles (and conversions).
112 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
Second Variation: This lower band is milled but the lugs are milled separately and welded in place. It has been observed on earlier No. 4 Mk I and Mk I* rifles.
Third Variation: This lower band is stamped from sheet steel, and milled lugs are brazed in place. This is the most commonly encountered lower band, being found on later No. 4 Mk I and Mk I* rifles (and conversions) and on No. 5 rifles. It is also found on No. 4 Mk 2 rifles.
Fourth Variation: A war-time production concession, this lower band is stamped from sheet metal, with the lugs being stamped as integral parts of the band. It is found on later WWII-dated Mk I and Mk I* rifles.
Points to Watch For: Many fourth variation lower bands were re• placed with third variation bands as rifles were arsenal reconditioned and/or converted during the years following WWII.
Lower Band Sling Swivel The lower band sling swivel (refer to Figure 7-5, 2) consists a flat• tened oval of 0.20-inch diameter round steel bar stock and a milled steel lug. The bar stock is pressed through the upper hole in the lug and then bent into a 1.75-inch wide flattened oval. A swivel screw (see below) passes through the lower hole in the lug to secure the swivel to the lower band.
Points to Watch For: The sling swivels on SMLE (No. 1) rifles are offset to the right to provide physical and visual clearance for the long range volley sights. Since volley sights are not used on No. 4 series rifles, their sling swivels are not offset. Also, the SMLE sling swivels are forged as a single unit rather than being fabricated.
Swivel Screws Made of steel, the swivel screw (refer to Figure 7-5, 3) is 0.65-inch long and 0.19-inch in diameter, with a dimple bored into the threaded
113 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES end so that the screw can be enlarged with a center punch after instal• lation so that it won't work loose. The same screw is used on both the upper band and the lower band; it is also used on the first variation butt swivel bracket (see below).
Points to Watch For: Swivel screws on No. 4 series rifles are nomi• nally interchangeable with those of SMLE (No. 1) rifles, although the threads are slightly different.
Butt Swivel Bracket The butt swivel bracket attaches to the buttstock near the toe and serves as a mount for the butt swivel. The bracket is inletted into the buttstock and attached with a pair of butt swivel bracket screws. Three varieties of butt swivel bracket are encountered.
First Variation: This butt swivel bracket (Figure 7-6, 1) is milled from a steel forg• ing and has two bosses with holes—one threaded to accommodate a swivel screw. It is found on all No. 4 series rifles except 1950s-dated Long Branch rifles and on late No. 4 Mk 2 rifles. The first variation butt swivel is used with this bracket. Fig. 7-6. 1st Variation , „ , Butt Swivel Bracket Second Varia• tion: This butt swivel bracket (Figure 7-7,1) is an assembly which is fabricated from sheet steel and has the butt swivel as an integral component. The bracket consists of two pieces stamped from 0.05-inch thick sheet steel and welded together. The upper piece is bent to Fig. 7-7. 2nd Variation form a loop, and a second variation butt swivel Butt Swivel Bracket is placed in this loop before the two pieces of the bracket are welded together. This butt
114 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES swivel bracket is found only on Long Branch (C.A.L.) No. 4 Mk I* rifles with 1950s dates.
Third Variation: This butt swivel bracket (Fig• ure 7-8, 1) is stamped from 0.10-inch thick sheet steel and bent into a loop. A third varia• tion butt swivel is held in place between the bracket and the wood of the buttstock when the bracket is screwed into place. This butt swivel bracket is found only on late No. 4 Mk Fig. 7-8. 3rd Variation 2 rifles (circa 1954-1955). Butt Swivel Bracket
Butt Swivel The butt swivel is simply the sling swivel loop that is attached to (or part of) the butt swivel bracket. Three varieties are found.
First Variation: Used only with first variation butt swivel brackets, this butt swivel (refer to Figure 7-6, 2) is identical to the lower band sling swivel (see above) and, in fact, is interchangeable with it.
Second Variation: Used only with second variation butt swivel brack• ets, this butt swivel (refer to Figure 7-7, 2) is a flattened oval of 0.20- inch diameter round steel bar stock, the oval being 1.75 inches wide and about 0.7 inches high. For all intents and purposes, this butt swivel is the same as the oval portion of the lower band sling swivel (see above).
Points to Watch For: The second variation butt swivel is an integral part of the second variation butt swivel bracket. It is shown separately in Figure 7-7 only for clarity.
Third Variation: Used only with third variation butt swivel brackets, this butt swivel (refer to Figure 7-8, 2) is an irregular loop of 0.20- inch diameter round steel bar stock. The upper portion is 1.75 inches
1 15 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES wide (to accommodate a sling), while the lower portion is about 0.75 inches wide (to fit under the butt swivel bracket).
Butt Swivel Bracket Screws The butt swivel bracket screws are No. 10 (0.19-inch diameter) steel wood screws with oval heads. Two varieties are found.
First Variation: Found on all No. 4 series rifles of British and U.S. manufacture and on No. 4 rifles of Canadian manufacture with WWII dates, these screws are nominally 1.0-inch long. First variation screws are nominally interchangeable with the butt swivel bracket screws on SMLE (No. 1) Mk III and Mk III* rifles.
Second Variation: Found only on those No. 4 series rifles of Cana• dian manufacture with dates later than circa 1945, these screws are nominally 1.25-inch long.
Points to Watch For: Some 1945-dated Long Branch rifles have been observed with one long butt swivel bracket screw and one short one.
116 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
CHAPTER 8 ACCESSORIES
This chapter describes the common accessories for No. 4 series rifles, which include the sling, bayonet and scabbard, oil bottle, pull-through bore cleaning device, breech cover, canvas muzzle cover and maga• zine charger. Specialized accessories such as grenade launching de• vices, wirebreakers, periscope mirrors, armourer's tools and gauges, or telescopic sights are not included. For additional information on these accessories, see Skennerton (1993), Skennerton (1982), and vari• ous articles in The Enfield Collector's Digest.
SLING The sling for the No. 4 rifles (and conversions) and the No. 5 rifle was used principally as a carrying strap rather than as a device to steady the rifle for aiming (except for sniper rifles, which were fitted with Brit• ish-marked U.S. Ml907 slings). Ap• proved for use on No. 4 rifles in 1939, the standard sling (Figure 8-1) is the same one used on SMLE (No. 1) rifles. Made of cotton web, it is 44 inches long and 1- 1/4 inches wide, with 1-1/4-inch long Fig. 8-1. Standard Sling brass fittings riveted to each end. These fittings hold a 1-1/4-inch wide C-shaped brass fixture.
Points to Watch For: Most Canadian-made slings have blued or liver- colored steel end fittings. Brass rivets are most commonly found on the end fittings, but both copper and steel rivets have been observed.
The sling is mounted to the rifle by passing the ends of the sling through the sling swivels and hooking the ends of the C-shaped fix• tures over the standing part of the sling. The sling can be tightened or
117 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES loosened by sliding the C-shaped fixtures upward or downward along the standing part of the sling.
Points to Watch For: The sling will function pretty much the same with the short ends inside the standing part (next to the stock) or out• side, but most photographs show the sling installed with the short ends inside the standing part so that only the "hooks" of the C-shaped fix• tures show when the rifle is set in a rifle rack.
Early slings were khaki; later slings were various shades of tan, green, or olive drab. Many are marked with the name of the manufacturer and date of manufacture, and minor variations in material and con• struction are found.
Points to Watch For: A sling similar in appearance but made of olive drab nylon was issued for use on LI A1 rifles but occasionally shows up on post-WWII SMLEs. The brass fittings are of lighter weight and the webbing is thinner than those of the cotton web sling.
BAYONETS AND SCABBARDS Nearly all bayonets for the No. 4 series rifles (and conversions) are socket-type bayonets, without the "knife handle" characteristic of most other 20th-century bayonets. The socket at the rear of the bayonet is slipped over the lugs milled in the barrel and given a quarter-turn to allow a spring-loaded catch to secure the bayonet to the rifle. Earlier bayonets for No. 4 rifles are spike bayonets, while later ones are blade bayonets. The bayonet for the No. 5 rifle is more conventional, having a knife handle and muzzle ring. One last bayonet used on No. 4 rifles is an interesting swivel pommel model that is a combination of socket and knife handle bayonet.
Socket Spike Bayonets The bayonets used from the late 1930s until 1948 were spike bayonets rather than blade bayonets (except for the relatively infrequent use of
118 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES the No. 7 swivel pommel bayonet—see below). These spike bayonets consisted of a socket with a spring-loaded catch and an 8-inch long spike, the overall length of the bayonet being 10 inches. It had been found that the heavy blade bayonet used with the SMLE (No. 1) rifle caused the rifle to have a significantly different point of impact with bayonet mounted than without. The socket spike bayonets are much lighter and did not significantly affect the point of impact. Four varia• tions were produced, see Table 8-1.
Table 8-1 Socket Spike Bayonets
Var Manufacturer Approved Production Markings
1st Singer Mfgr. Co. Nov 1939 75,000 S.M.C.; S.M.
2nd Singer Mfgr. Co. Feb 1941 1,148,000 S.M.; N67
2nd Various Others Feb 1941 unknown Various i n U 1 2nd Savage Arms Co. Feb 1941 1,250,000
2nd Long Branch Feb 1941 910,000 k 3rd Various Feb 1941 1,368,000 Various
4th Joseph Lucas, Ltd. Feb 1943 200,000 M 158
Historical Note: Evidently, all variations were in production simulta• neously during the years 1941-1943. Each variation has been observed with No. 4 Mk I and Mk I* rifles of various dates and all manufactur• ers (although the tendency, of course, is for earlier bayonets to be found with earlier rifles and Savage and Long Branch bayonets to be found with American and Canadian rifles.) The same is true of scab• bards.
119 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
A catch (1), plunger (2), and spring (3) (Figure 8-2) are used with all variations, as well as with the two variations of socket blade bayonet (see be• low). The catch used with the fourth variation spike bayonet (see below) is somewhat dif• ferent from the others. The bayonet variations are shown Fig. 8-2. Socket Bayonet Catch, Plunger without the catch, plunger, and and Spring spring installed.
First Variation: The first variation spike bayonet (Figure 8-3), designated the No. 4 Mk I, has a spike with longi• tudinal flutes milled in it to yield a cru• ciform cross-section. The theory (left over from the 19th Century) was that a wound from a bayonet with a cruciform Fig. 8-3. 1st Variation Spike Bayonet or tri-form cross section would heal more slowly than a poke from a blade or simple rod. The first variation spike bayonet was used with early No. 4 Mk I rifles, having been approved in 1930 for the No. 1 Mk VI rifle and brought into production in 1939. The Mk I is milled from a single forging.
Points to Watch For: First variation spike bayonets are relatively scarce and much more valuable than later models.
Second Variation: The second variation spike bayonet (Figure 8-4), designated the No. 4 Mk II, is the most commonly encountered of the No. 4 bayonets. It has a spike consisting of a sharpened rod, the milled flutes having been done away with to simplify production. Ap-
120 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
proved in 1941, this bayonet was made by Singer and other subcontractors in the U.K. and by both Savage and Long Branch. Like the first variation, this bayo• net is milled from a single forging.
Third Variation: The third variation Fig. 8-4. 2nd Variation spike bayonet (Figure 8-5), designated Spike Bayonet the No. 4 Mk II*, is similar in appear• ance to the second variation, but the rod is fabricated separately, pinned to the socket, and then welded in place. Approved at the same time as the sec• ond variation, this bayonet is a war• time expedient made by a number of subcontractors but only in the U.K. Production ceased in 1945. 3'd Varia.tion Spike Bayonet Fourth Variation: Another wartime expedient, the fourth variation spike bayonet (Figure 8-6) has a socket fabricated from sheet steel and rather rough castings rather than being milled from a single billet. The rod is fabricated separately and pinned and welded to the socket, and a somewhat different catch is used. Designated the No. 4 Mk III, this bayonet was approved in 1944 and made only by the firm of Joseph Lucas, Ltd. As with the third varia• tion, production ceased in 1945.
Points to Watch For: The fourth varia• tion spike bayonet is quite a bit more scarce than either the second or third variations and is relatively hard to find. Fig. 8-6. 4th Variation At present, it does not command a par• Spike Bayonet ticular premium from collectors, but that will most likely change.
121 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
Some bayonets are found with the points blunted by grinding. Usually marked "D.P." on the socket, these bayonets are intended for use with drill purpose rifles.
Spike Bayonet Scabbards The scabbard for the spike bayonet is essentially an 8-inch long cylin• der or tapered cylinder with a closed bottom and an open top. The scabbard was suspended from a web frog, the frog in turn having a belt loop and a leather and brass keeper for attaching it to an equip• ment belt. Five variations of scabbard are encountered.
First Variation: The first variation scabbard (Figure 8-7) is an 8.1 inch long tapered steel cylinder, 0.80 inch in diameter at the top, with a round knob on the lower end. It is oil blackened. A fabricated steel throat and a fingered spring are fit• ted into the top and secured by a pair of small screws. The spring holds the bayonet securely in the scabbard. On
Fig. 8-7. 1st Variation Spike me front of ^ scabbard is a 0.60
Bayonet Scabbard Jnch diameter 5utton brazed t0 a boss about 0.80 inches down from the top. The button engages a slot in the frog to hold the scabbard securely in place. The first variation scab• bard was issued with trials rifles in the 1930s and was adopted for• mally in November 1939 as the No. 4 Mk I scabbard. First variation scabbards are marked "No. 4 Mk 1" on the top of the throat.
Second Variation: Approved in March 1941, the second variation scabbard is identical to the first variation except that it has a throat made from zinc alloy rather than from steel. The second variation scabbard is also designated the No. 4 Mk I scabbard. Some are marked "No. 4 Mk I" on the top of the throat, while others have unmarked throats.
122 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
Third Variation: The third variation scabbard (Figure 8-8) is a non- tapered steel cylinder, oil blackened, with a flat bottom. It is 0.80 inch in diameter for its entire 8.1-inch length and has a throat and spring and a frog button similar to those of the second variation scabbard. The third variation scabbard entered production early in Fig- 8-8. 3rd Variation Spike 1941, although it was not officially Bayonet Scabbard approved until March 1943. It is designated the No. 4 Mk II scabbard and was in production until 1948.
Fourth Variation: The fourth variation scabbard (Figure 8-9) is a wartime expedient made in the United States by Beckwith Manufac• turing Co., a firm which made millions of scabbards for U.S. bayo• nets. Made of canvas-reinforced plas• tic resin, this scabbard has a distinc• tive step-down profile, with the top 1- 1/2 inch being 0.80 inch in diameter, followed by a fairly sharp shoulder to
Fig. 8-9. 4th Variation Spike about 060 incn diameter and ^ to" Bayonet Scabbard pering to 0.50 inch diameter at the bot• tom. This scabbard has no frog but• ton; instead it has a web loop frog integrally attached to the top (the frog is not shown in Figure 8-9). This scabbard also has a special mouthpiece. Since the Beckwith logo is a stylized "V/P" character, the fourth variation spike bayonet scabbard is sometimes called the "Victory Plastics" scabbard. It is also referred to as the No. 1 Mk I (U.S. Pattern) scabbard and as the M5 Bayonet Scabbard. Terminol• ogy varies, as this scabbard was never officially introduced, although it was accepted for service early in 1943.
Fifth Variation: The fifth variation scabbard (Figure 8-10) has the same general shape and dimensions as the third variation scabbard but
123 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES is made of black phenolic resin plastic. A late-WWTI item, it is not tapered and does not have a knob on the lower end; it does, however, have a frog button molded into the front, and it has a zinc alloy throat. This scab• bard bears no manufacturer's markings but was probably manufactured in the U.S. (or possibly Canada). Skennerton (1986) estimates the production at more inAmn , , . .. • .. Fig. 8-10.5th Variation Spike than 100,000 and notes that it is quite BayQnet Scabbard common in Canada. The fifth variation scabbard is often referred to as the No. 4 Mk III scabbard, although in fact the British Mk III scabbard (a Bakelite plastic model adopted in July 1943) was never manufactured.
SOCKET BLADE BAYONETS By the mid-1940s, there was considerable pressure to return to a blade bayonet, the spike model never having been terribly popular with the troops. Another factor was the success of the short-blade bayonets developed in both India and Australia for the No. 1 rifle. The first of the British short-blade bayonets were the No. 5 and the No. 7 (see below), but in 1948, a blade bayonet was approved for use on No. 4 rifles and designated the No. 9 Mk I. Consisting of a knife-point blade affixed to a somewhat modified socket, this bayonet was issued with late No. 4 Mk I rifles and with No. 4
Fig. 8-11.1st Variation Mk 2 rifl Two types are encountered. Blade Bayonet 3 v
First Variation: Manufactured in the U.K. by the Royal Small Arms Fac• tory at Enfield and the Royal Ordnance Factory at Poole and in Canada by Ca• nadian Arsenals Ltd., this bayonet (Fig• ure 8-11) has an 8-inch blade which is essentially identical to the blade of the No. 5 rifle bayonet (see below). It was manufactured from circa 1948 until 1962. Production at Enfield was around 377,000; Poole
124 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
made fewer—probably less than 200,000, and C.A.L. made fewer than that.
Second Variation: Manufactured in South Africa by a subsidiary of Armscor, this bayonet (Figure 8-12) has a 6-1/2-inch blade which is essentially identical to that of the bayonet manufactured in Israel for the Uzi submachine gun. It has a non- fullered blade with a spear point. The second variation blade bayonet was manufactured in the 1960s.
No. 5 Rifle Bayonet The new No. 5 rifle needed a bayonet. Fig. 8-12. 2nd Variation The flash eliminator on the muzzle of Socket Bayonet the No. 5 rifle precluded the use of a socket bayonet, and pressure was mounting for a blade bayonet with a knife handle. In late 1943, pro• duction began on No. 5 bayonet (see Table 8-2), with official ap• proval coming in September 1944. The No. 5 bayonet is similar to the No. 1 Mk VI* bayonet made in India for the SMLE (No. 1) rifle. It has an 8-inch fullered blade with a knife point and a 4-inch pommel
Table 8-2 No. 5 Rifle Bayonets
Manufacturer Production Markings
Wilkinson 188,000 W.S.C.; S 294
Radcliffe (assembly) 75,000 N 187
Elkington 11,000 M 78
Viners, Ltd. 42,000 V N S; N 79 ROF Poole unknown ©
125 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES with wood grips, the pommel being very much like that of the Pattern 1907 and No. 1 series bayonets used on SMLE (No. 1) rifles. The hilt has a large diameter muzzle ring, which fits over the flash eliminator of the No. 5 rifle. Two varieties of bayonet are found, both of which are des• ignated No. 5 Mk I. No. 5 Bayonet First Variation: This early production bayonet (Figure 8-13) has only a single grip screw. It was manufactured only by Wilkinson late in 1943 (and perhaps early in 1944).
Second Variation: This later production bayonet (Figure 8-14) is iden• tical to the first variation except that it has two grip screws. These were manufactured in 1944 and 1945.
Points to Watch For: An un• known quantity of No. 5 bayo• nets were made commercially
Fig. 8-14. 2nd Variation b Sterling. Most of these have No. 5 Bayonet ' . r , plastic grips, and many incor• porate parts salvaged from military bayonets. No. 7 (Swivel Pommel) Bayonet Approved in 1945, the No. 7 bayonet answers the demand for a com• bination bayonet and fighting knife. The pommel portion of the grip is a bayonet socket, which is mounted on a spindle about which it ro• tates. With the pommel swiveled downward (Figure 8-15), the No. 7 bayonet resembles a regular knife-type bayonet. With the pommel swiveled upward, however (Figure 8-16), the socket can be fitted over the barrel of the rifle, and the blade hangs under the barrel—
126 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
similar to the No. 9 bayonet. The hilt has a muzzle ring to allow its use with the STEN submachine gun; the muzzle ring serves no function when the bayo• net is mounted on a No. 4 rifle. Fig. 8-15. No. 7 Bayonet, Pommel Down No. 7 bayonets were approved only for Land Service, so they are marked "No. 7 Mk I L" on the blade. Grips of various plastic and composite resin materials are found, with colors ranging from brown to red-orange. About 330,000 No. 7 bayonets were manufactured in 1945 by Elkington, ROF Poole, ROF Newport, and BSA. Repair components were made in the early 1950s by a variety of subcontrac• tors.
8 6 Blade Bayonet Scabbards Fi9- "1 - Na f Bayonet, J . Pommel Up An all-steel scabbard was developed in 1943 for the No. 5 Mk I bayonet and was subsequently used with the No. 7 and No. 9 bayonets. The scabbard for the blade bayonets (Fig• ure 8-17) is essentially a slightly tapered 8-1/2-inch long steel tube with an oval cross section. The tube has an open top, into which is fitted a fabricated throat and fingered spring, which holds the bayonet securely in the scabbard. The throat and spring are held in place by a small screw.
The scabbard was suspended from a Fig. 8-17. Blade web frog which is somewhat larger than Bayonet Scabbard the frog used with the spike bayonet scabbards. The frog has a loop toward the top to secure the pommel of the No. 5 and No. 7 bayonets. The scabbard has a 0.60 inch diameter button brazed to a boss on the front
127 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
OIL BOTTLE The oil bottle, or oiler, for the No. 4 series rifles (Figure 8-18) is a 3- 3/4-inch long by 5/8-inch diameter cylinder with a threaded stopper that is used to carry lubricating oil. The stopper has a sealing washer just above the threads to seal the bottle. The oil bottle is stored in a hole in the buttstock, access to which is gained through the buttplate trap. Two varieties of oil bottle are encountered.
First Variation: This oil bottle, designated the Mk IV, is made of brass and has a brass spoon attached to the stopper and a leather sealing washer. It was in use during the 1930s and early 1940s.
Points to Watch For: Oil bottles Mk I through Mk III were used with earlier Lee-Enfield rifles. They are made of brass but differ somewhat in size and shape from the Mk IV.
Second Variation: Approved during WWII, this oil Fig. 8-18. bottle, the Mk V, is made of black or brown plastic Oil Bottle and has a plastic spoon on the stopper and a rubber sealing washer. It was used with later No. 4 Mk I and Mk I* rifles and with No. 4 Mk 2 rifles, and also shows up with conversions of earlier rifles. Some oil bottles of translucent amber plastic have been observed; these are of later manufacture.
PULL-THROUGH The pull-through (Figure 8-19) is a cotton cord about 51 inches long with a double loop on one end and a 3-inch long by 1/4-inch diameter brass weight attached to the other. Fig. 8-19. Pull-Through To clean his rifle, a rifleman removed the breechbolt, dropped the weight through the bore from the breech end, attached a flannel cleaning patch to upper loop of the pull-through, oiled
128 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
OIL BOTTLE The oil bottle, or oiler, for the No. 4 series rifles (Figure 8-18) is a 3- 3/4-inch long by 5/8-inch diameter cylinder with a threaded stopper that is used to carry lubricating oil. The stopper has a sealing washer just above the threads to seal the bottle. The oil bottle is stored in a hole in the buttstock, access to which is gained through the buttplate trap. Two varieties of oil bottle are encountered.
First Variation: This oil bottle, designated the Mk IV, is made of brass and has a brass spoon attached to the stopper and a leather sealing washer. It was in use during the 1930s and early 1940s.
Points to Watch For: Oil bottles Mk I through Mk III were used with earlier Lee-Enfield rifles. They are made of brass but differ somewhat in size and shape from the Mk IV.
Second Variation: Approved during WWII, this oil Fig. 8-18. bottle, the Mk V, is made of black or brown plastic Oil Bottle and has a plastic spoon on the stopper and a rubber sealing washer. It was used with later No. 4 Mk I and Mk I* rifles and with No. 4 Mk 2 rifles, and also shows up with conversions of earlier rifles. Some oil bottles of translucent amber plastic have been ob• served; these are of later manufacture.
PULL-THROUGH The pull-through (Figure 8-19) is a cotton cord about 51 inches long with a double loop on one end and a 3-inch long by 1/4- inch diameter brass weight attached to the Fig. 8-19. Pull-Through other. To clean his rifle, a rifleman removed the breechbolt, dropped the weight through the bore from the breech end, attached a flannel cleaning patch to upper loop of the pull-through, oiled
129 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES the patch, and pulled the patch through the bore, repeating the process until the bore was clean. A square of wire gauze could be attached to the lower loop of the pull-through, but was rarely used. The pull-through was stored along with the oil bottle in the stock bolt hole under the butt trap. Minor variations of pull-through are encountered.
BREECH COVER Approved during WWI but still © © in use in WWII, the breech cover (Figure 8-20) is a fitted rectangle of waterproofed can• ® vas about 11 inches by 12 inches, with three snaps, which Fig. 8-20. Breech Cover is fastened over the breech to keep out dust and moisture. The front of the breech cover has a leather thong, which is tied to the breech cover loop so that when the cover is removed from the breech it is still attached to the rifle. The breech cover was used with both No. 4 rifles and No. 5 rifles. Minor varia• tions of breech cover are encountered.
CANVAS RIFLE VALISE The canvas rifle valise (Figure 8-21) is waterproofed canvas case about 45 inches long and about 10 inches wide at the top, tapering to about 5 inches wide at the bot• tom. It has a buckle flap at the top and an 4-inch by 8-inch flapped pocket sewn to the front; some ... „ _ _...... Fig. 8-21. Canvas Rifle Valise, have been observed with Jim Cameron collection web shoulder straps, as well. The rifle valise is known officially as the "Cover, Short Rifle"; most were manufactured by the Mills Equipment Company and are marked inside the cover flap with the initials "M.E.Co.," the date of manufacture, and a broad arrow. The rifle valise was in use by 1942,
130 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES its most probable use being to carry rifles on vehicles and pack ani• mals. Late in 1944, it was included as part of the No. 4 Mk I (T) Rifle Equipment (see Chapter 9), even though the No. 4 (T) rifle with scope attached would not fit in the valise. Also, the purpose of the pocket on the front is unclear—it is much too large for a spare magazine or a cleaning kit, but too small for a scope case.
CANVAS MUZZLE COVER The canvas muzzle cover (Figure 8-22) is a small bag, about 3-inches by 6-inches, made of water• proofed canvas that slips over the muzzle of the rifle to keep dust and moisture out of the bore. It has a single snap on the open end; minor varia• tions are encountered.
Points to Watch For: The WWI-era muzzle cover does not have a o Fig. 8-22. Canvas 1 (5 "0 snap; it is held in place R Muzzle Cover o o with wrap-around thongs. o 1 t Historical Note: Various types of brass and •Q steel muzzle covers were used from time to o o; time, as well. See Skennerton (1993) for fur• ther information.
MAGAZINE CHARGER (STRIPPER CLIP) Although not strictly an accessory, the maga• zine charger, or stripper clip (Figure 8-23), is Fig. 8-23. Magazine an integral part of the Lee-Enfield cartridge Charger loading system. The charger is made of steel and formed to hold five cartridges, the rimmed bases being staggered so the cartridges will feed properly into the magazine. Loaded charg• ers were carried in bandoleers or in ammunition pouches. With the
131 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES breechbolt open, a charger was inserted into the charger guides, and the cartridges were pushed downward into the magazine with the thumb of the left hand. The charger used with the No. 4 series rifles is desig• nated the Mk IV; it has four lightening holes and is marked with a "IV" or a "Mk4."
Points to Watch For: Earlier chargers (Mk I - Mk III) differ from the Mk IV chiefly in the number of lightening holes and the pattern of the ribs. Many minor variations of charger are found from different manu• facturers.
Chargers for 7.62mm NATO cartridges are narrower than the .303 chargers and not as deep. Various styles are found, which differ in minor details.
132 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
CHAPTER 9 SNIPER AND COMPETITION RIFLES
INTRODUCTION Very early on in WWII, the British government saw the need for a telescopically-sighted sniper rifle built on the No. 4 action. The sniper rifles available at that time were Pattern 1914 (No. 3) rifles fitted with scopes and mounts, but only a couple thousand of these had been made and even fewer were available. (These rifles will be discussed in detail in Volume 4 of the BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES series—The Pattern 1914 and U.S. Model of 1917Rifles.) In the late 1930s, a new scope, designated the No. 32 Mk I Telescope, had been developed for the BREN light machine gun. In 1940 around 1,400 No. 4 rifles were equipped with these scopes and fitted out as sniper rifles. This work was done at RSAF-Enfield and represents the beginning of the sniper role for the No. 4 series rifles.
No special competition models of the No. 4 rifle in .303 caliber were adopted for military use by the British. Instead, standard issue rifles were re-worked by unit armourers and individual competitive shoot• ers to improve accuracy. It was only after Great Britain and Canada had adopted the 7.62mm NATO cartridge that special competition rifles were formally adopted and given their own Model designations.
Points to Watch For: About 1,200 competition rifles in .303 caliber were produced for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and a lesser num• ber for the Royal Canadian Air Force. Many, many counterfeits of the RCMP and RCAF competition rifles have been made; consult with an experienced collector before you pay a premium for one of these.
The various sniper rifles and competition rifles in the No. 4 series are all conversions of standard military models. All components are stan• dard for a given Mark and Model—except as noted in this chapter.
133 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
One may well find several variations of a particular model of sniper or competition rifle—particularly among the various 7.62mm conversions. Conversion often took place over a span of years, and records of changes and variants for the later sniper and competition rifles are not as readily available as for earlier standard service rifles.
OVERVIEW OF SNIPER AND COMPETITION RIFLES In February of 1942, the No. 4 Mk I (T) rifle was officially adopted (although the No. 4 (T) rifles had been in the system since 1940). The rifle was part of a kit designated the "No. 4 Mk I (T) Rifle Equip• ment." The kit (Figure 9-1) consisted of the following items (see "Ac• cessories" below for descriptions):
Wooden Carrying Chest (S.A. No. 15 Mk I) No. 4 Mk I (T) Rifle Wooden Cheek Piece (with two screws) Leather Sling Scope Case (No. 8 Mk I) No. 32 Telescope Scope Mount Leather End Caps Adjusting Tool and Polishing Cloth Short Rifle Case (added in 1944)
The No. 4 (T) rifles (Figure 9-2) were conversions of No. 4 Mk I rifles which had been selected for accuracy. These included rifles manufactured by ROF Fazakerley, ROF Maltby, and the BSA-Shirley plant, although many—perhaps most—conversions seem to have been BSA-Shirley rifles (marked "M47C" on the left side of the receiver ring). Around 24,000 of these conversions were done by the Holland & Holland company from 1942 to 1944. In addition, the S.A.L. fac• tory at Long Branch converted around 2,000 Long Branch No. 4 rifles; these were designated the No. 4 Mk I* (T) Rifle. A handful of Sav• age-made No. 4 Mk I* rifles were also converted to (T) models. (For
134 in
Fig. 9-1. No. 4 Mk I (T) Rifle Equipment, Brock Dittrick Collection BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
Fig. 9-2. No. 4 Mk I (T) Rifle, North Cape Publications Collection an exhaustive study of the No. 4 sniper rifles, see Laidler, 1992.) In the late 1940s and early 1950s, some No. 4 (T) rifles were con• verted to the "hung-trigger" configuration of the No. 4 Mk 2 rifle and re-designated the No. 4 Mk 1/2 (T) and the No. 4 Mk 1/3 (T).
In the early 1960s, with the adoption of the CI rifle, the Dominion of Canada Rifle Association (DCRA) convinced the Canadian govern• ment of the need for an accurate bolt-action rifle chambered for the 7.62mm NATO cartridge to be used in big-bore competition shooting. The C.A.L. factory at Long Branch developed a heavy barrel cham• bered for the 7.62mm which could be fitted to a No. 4 action. A few hundred of these were made up and designated the Rifle 7.62mm No. 4 Mod (Competition Shooting) or simply the 7.62mm Competition rifle (Figure 9-3). These were set up as single-loaders, with the .303 magazine and follower merely serving as a loading platform. C.A.L. also converted many other No. 4 rifles to 7.62mm NATO for various No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES shooting clubs and individual competition shooters; many of these em• ployed Sterling or Enfield conversion kits. Total production of Long Branch 7.62mm Competition rifles could be as high as 3,000 rifles.
Historical Note: From 1944 to 1946, the rifle factory at Long Branch produced a large number (probably several thousand) of action bodies. These were stamped "Long Branch" and dated but not serial numbered. Most of these were assembled as 7.62mm competition rifles or as C No. 7 .22 caliber training rifles. A fair number of these action bodies, how• ever, found their way into various military units and were assembled by unit armourers as scoped hunting rifles, .22 caliber plinking rifles, and (T) rifle look-alikes. Often, these action bodies remained un-numbered, although in some cases quite realistic—but bogus—Long Branch serial numbers were stamped on the buttstock sockets.
In Great Britain, a few No. 4 (T) rifles were fitted with 7.62mm heavy barrels (most of Canadian manufacture) and modified to L8 configu• ration (new magazine, extractor, etc.) These were designated No. 4 Mk I (T) 7.62 CONY or in some cases L8 (T). These full-stocked conversions, however, were deemed not accurate enough for sniping and competition purposes.
In the late 1960s, on request of target shooters in the UK, RSAF- Enfield developed a half-stocked version, which allowed the Enfield- made heavy barrel to float free. This improved accuracy consider• ably, and the rifle eventually became the L39A1 rifle (Figure 9-4). L39A1 rifles were converted from No. 4 Mk 2 and Mk 1/2 rifles, so they have the trigger suspended from the action body rather than mounted on the trigger guard. They were issued with neither fore• sights nor backsights, as competition grade aperture sights would be installed by unit armourers. The L39A1 is set up as a single-loader, with a .303 magazine and follower serving as a loading platform. A cadet training version of the L39A1 was released as the 7.62mm CENTAR, but very few were made.
137 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
Fig. 9-4. L39A1 Rifle, Warren Wheatfield Collection The Enfield factory also manufactured a commercial version of the L39A1, which they designated the Enfield Envoy rifle, see Figure 9- 5. The Envoy featured new furniture with a full pistol-grip buttstock and a somewhat longer fore-end and handguard, provisions for mount• ing competition sights, and a magazine which would accommodate the 7.62mm NATO cartridge and allow the rifle to be fired as a repeater.
Fig. 9-5. Enfield Envoy Rifle, Warren Wheatfield Collection
In addition, RSAF-Enfield developed a half-stocked conversion of the No. 4 (T) rifle, which was approved in 1970 as the L42A1 rifle (Fig• ure 9-6). The L42A1 employs essentially the same barrel as the L39A1 and Envoy rifles, but the barrel is fitted to No. 4 Mk I or Mk I* action bodies. The No. 4 (T) buttstock (with attached cheek piece) is retained on the L42A1 rifle. The L42A1 continued in British service until 1992.
Fig. 9-6. L42A1 Sniper Rifle, North Cape Publications Collection
138 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
ACTION BODY ASSEMBLY No new action bodies were manufactured for the various sniper and competition rifles; all were conversions of existing No. 4 series rifles. On the sniper rifles, front and rear scope mounting pads were added on the left side, the pads being held in place by screws threaded into holes drilled and tapped into the action body (Figure 9-7). The pads are also soldered in place, and the screws are staked.
Early RSAF-Enfield Conversions The sniper rifles produced in
1940 at RSAF-Enfield were _. n7C lD' ^ »r . Fig. 9-7. Scope Mount Pads on the conversions of No. 4 Mk I tn- N0 4 ^ •) (j) Rifle als rifles. The action bodies on these rifles are characterized by a magazine cutoff (or the presence of a slot for a magazine cutoff in the right sidewall), as shown in Figure 9-8, arrow.
No. 4 Mk I (T) These sniper rifles utilized the first variation action body (Mk I), although earlier first varia- Fig. 9-8. No. 4 Mk I Made from Trials tion action bodies without a flat Rifle Showing the Magazine Cutoff milled for the front scope mount pad were not used. Most retain the original date and factory designation and have a "T" or "TR" stamped or electro-engraved after the model/mark designation— or have the complete designation "No. 4 Mk I T" electro-engraved on the left side of the action body.
139 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
No. 4 Mk I* (T) The second variation action body (Mk I*) was used on these rifles, with about 2,000 conversions being done by Long Branch. Marking is similar to that of the No. 4 Mk I (T).
No. 4 Mk 1/2 (T) and Mk 1/3 (T) The action bodies on these sniper rifles are the fifth and sixth variation (Mk 1/2 and Mk 1/3). A "T" is added after the model/mark designation.
Canadian 7.62mm Competition These rifles have second variation action bodies manufactured at Long Branch. The action bodies are electro-engraved with a 1- to 4-digit conversion number on the right side of the receiver ring, along with a stylized broad arrow mark.
L39A1
Most L39A1 competition rifles were built 7.62 /M . L39 A1. on fourth and seventh variation (Mk 2 and UE.72.A1145 later Mk 2) action bodies, although some utilized fifth variation (Mk 1/2) action bod- F'9- 9"9- TyP'cal markings on ies. The original markings are milled off, L39A1 Rlfle and the rifles are re-marked as shown in Figure 9-9. The left side is drilled and tapped to accommodate a variety of receiver-mounted ap• erture rear sights.
Enfield Envoy Like the L39A1 rifles, the Envoy rifles
M utilized fourth, fifth, and seventh varia- Envoy 7.62 /M nonaction bodies; however, minor ma- JJE 71 E 775 chining is done in the magazine well to
accommodate the new 7.62mm maga- Fjg 9_10 Typica| markings zine. Again, the original markings are Enfield Envoy and L42A1 Rifles milled off and the rifles are remarked as shown in Figure 9-10.The charger bridge has an insert to accom• modate the 7.62mm NATO stripper clip (charger).
140 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
L42A1 Since the L42A1 rifles were converted from existing No. 4 Mk I (T) and Mk I* (T) rifles, they utilize the first and second variation action bodies rather than the later ones. The magazine wells are modified. Earlier markings on the left side of the receiver are milled off (except for the "T"), and the rifles are re-marked "L42A1," along with the RSAF-Enfield logo and date of conversion. The charger bridge has an insert to accommodate the 7.62mm NATO stripper clip (charger).
MAGAZINE ASSEMBLY No. 4 (T) Rifles All of the No. 4 (T) rifles use standard No. 4 .303 magazines.
Canadian 7.62mm Competition and L39A1 These rifles are both set up as single-loaders. They have standard No. 4 .303 magazines, with the magazine platform (follower) being used merely as a loading platform. (Some Canadian competition rifles, how• ever, were equipped with "CR 141 A" magazines or Sterling conver• sion kits and set up as repeaters—see below.)
Enfield Envoy and L42A1 These rifles employ a square-profile magazine (Figure 9-11) with a modi• fied magazine platform and an ex• tended lip on the left side which serves as an ejector. These maga• zines are marked "CR 141 A" but are identical to and interchangeable with the magazines developed for the L8 rifles (the "CR 12 A").
Points to Watch For: A somewhat different magazine was manufac• tured by Sterling Armament as part Fig. 9-11. 7.62 mm Magazine
141 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES of their conversion kit. These magazines are somewhat different in profile from the Enfield-manufactured magazines and are marked "STERLING" in a rectangle and "7.62 MM CONV'N" on the left side or below. They are not readily interchangeable with the Enfield-manu• factured 7.62mm magazines. (See Appendix G for more information on the Sterling conversion kits.)
BREECHBOLT Early RSAF-Enfield Conversions The breechbolts on these rifles are fitted with the round, or button- style, cocking piece characteristic of WWI-vintage SMLE (No. 1) rifles.
No. 4 (T) Rifles
These rifles all have standard No. 4 breechbolt assemblies.
Canadian 7.62mm Competition The top of the bolt handles on these rifles are electro-engraved with the same conversion number that appears on the receiver ring. In addition, they are fitted with a new bolt head that bears the Canadian Arsenals logo (a C with a smaller A inside it). L39A1, Enfield Envoy, and L42A1 The breechbolts on these rifles are fitted with stron• ger bolt heads, which are marked "19 T," indicating a proof testing of 19 tons per square inch. The bolt heads are fitted with an ex• tractor which has a longer "claw," see Figure 9-12. No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
BACKSIGHT No. 4 (T) and L42A1 The standard Mk I backsight assembly is retained on these sniper rifles, so that they may be fired in combat without the scope mounted. The "battle sight" aperture is milled off the leaf (see Figure 9-13), however, to provide clearance for the scope when it is mounted. Canadian versions have the C Mk 3 or C Mk 4 backsight assembly.
Canadian 7.62mm Competition These rifles were issued with the standard C Mk 3 backsight, but in many cases the backsight was replaced by a Parker Hale 5C or a Alfred J. Parker TZ 4/47 fully- adjustable competition-style aperture rear sight. b Fig. 9-13. No. 4 Mk I (T) Backsight L39A1 and Enfield Envoy These rifles were issued (or sold) without backsights, but virtually all wind up having fully-adjustable competition-style aperture rear sights installed on the receivers by their new owners. BARREL No. 4 (T) Rifles These rifles all have standard No. 4 barrel assemblies.
Canadian 7.62mm Competition The barrel on these rifles has a nominal .308-inch bore with 4-groove left-hand twist rifling. The barrel is about 27.5 inches long and 0.59 inches in diameter at the muzzle; it has lugs for the foresight block band but none for the bayonet. The top of the barrel's muzzle is stamped with the Canadian Arsenals logo and "7.62."
143 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
Points to Watch For: Some early barrels have been observed that retain the bayonet lugs.
L39A1, Enfield Envoy, and L42A1 The barrel on these rifles has a nominal .308-inch bore with 4-groove right-hand twist rifling. The barrel is 27.6 inches long, with a 0.59- inch diameter at the muzzle. In addition, the barrel has a special fore• sight block and foresight protector with provisions for installing either military or competition foresights.
BUTTSTOCK ASSEMBLY No. 4 (T) and L42A1 These rifles have standard No. 4 buttstocks which have had wooden cheek pieces added. Most cheek pieces are walnut, but some beechwood specimens have been observed. The cheek piece is attached to the comb of the buttstock with two steel wood screws.
The cheek piece on Canadian-converted rifles has a somewhat differ• ent contour than the British models and is mounted more nearly on top of the comb. Also, it bears the Canadian ownership mark (a vertical arrow in a C) on the underside.
Canadian 7.62mm Competition These rifles have the standard No. 4 buttstock in the four standard lengths: bantam, short, normal, and long.
L39A1 and Enfield Envoy Some L39A1 rifles are fitted with standard No. 4 buttstocks, while others are fitted with the buttstock first used on the No. 8 .22 caliber small-bore competition rifle. This buttstock has a high comb, a pistol grip that is somewhat flattened on the bottom, and a competition but• tplate. Both the standard and pistol-grip buttstocks have holes bored in them for the storage of front sight kits. All Envoy rifles observed have
144 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES
had the pistol-grip buttstocks. FORE-END AND HANDGUARD ASSEMBLIES No. 4 (T) Rifles These rifles have standard No. 4 fore-ends and handguards. Both plain and grooved handguards have been observed on various No. 4 (T) rifles.
Canadian 7.62mm Competition
These, too, have standard No. 4 fore-ends and handguards.
L39A1 and Enfield Envoy These rifles use a fore-end and handguard similar to those developed for the No. 8 .22 caliber small-bore competition rifle, although the L39A1/Envoy fore-end has a magazine well cut in it while the No. 8 fore-end does not. The No. 8 fore-end has a larger barrel channel to accommodate its heavy barrel, as does the handguard, making them suitable for the 7.62mm heavy barrel as well. In addition, the No. 8 fore-end is wider than the No. 4 fore-end, with a somewhat flattened lower surface—almost a "beaver-tail" cross section. The fore-end and handguard on the L39A1 and Enfield Envoy rifles are shorter than those of the No. 8 rifle, however, with new recesses being cut for the barrel band. FITTINGS All sniper and big-bore competition rifles have a sporting-type sling swivel installed at the front of the trigger guard and secured by the front trigger guard screw. This is used in conjunction with the leather loop-type sling (see below) to provide a stable hold.
SCOPES AND SCOPE MOUNTS A variety of scopes and mounts are found on the No. 4 series sniper rifles. These are discussed in more detail in Volume 5 of the British Enfield Rifles series Trials, Training, and Special Purpose Rifles; I present just the high points here.
145 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
No. 32 Scope, Mk I and Mk II Developed in 1940, the No. 32 scope (Figures 9-14) is a 3- power scope with a 1-inch di• ameter tube and a 19 mm ob• jective lens. The overall length is 11 inches. The No. 32 scopes Fig. 9-14A. No. 32 Telescopic are marked on the top (or left Sight mounted, North Cape Publications Collection side) "TEL STG. NO. 32 MK I" fol• lowed by the name of the maker, part number, and scope serial num• ber. (The "TEL STG" desig• nates "sighting telescope.") The Mk I has a sliding sun shade on the front, 2-minute- of-angle clicks on the windage knob, and 50-yard click incre• ments on the elevation knob. Fig. 9-14B. No. 32 On the Mk II, the sun shade Telescopic Sight Markings was eliminated, and both wind• age and elevation knobs have 1-minute-of-angle clicks. The Mk II was approved in April 1943.
No. 32 Scope, Mk III The Mk III represents a significant improvement over earlier scopes. Mainly, this scope is (more or less) waterproof, and the lenses are "bloomed" to improve light-gathering. Also, minor changes were made to the adjustment knobs. The No. 32 Mk III scopes were painted with a red "W" (waterproof) and a blue "B" (bloomed). The Mk III was approved in October 1944 and is found on later No. 4 (T) rifles as well as on L42A1 rifles.
C No. 32 Mk III Scope Canadian versions of the No. 32 scope were manufactured by Re-
146 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES search Enterprises Ltd. (R.E.L.) and are marked "R.E.L. CANADA." Mk I, Mk la, and Mk II variations were made, but the most com• monly encountered is the C No. 32 Mk III, a waterproof scope with bloomed lenses. The Canadian scopes are similar to the British mod• els but are considered by many to be of superior quality.
C No. 67 Scope The C No. 67 scope, a redesignation of the C No. 32 Mk 4, has a larger objective lens (24 mm) and greater magnification (3.5x) than earlier No. 32 models. It is also quite a robust scope and a favorite among Canadian long-range shooters.
Lyman "Alaskan" Scope Late in WWII, a small number of Canadian (T) model rifles were set up with scopes made commercially by the Lyman Gun Sight Corpora• tion of Middlefield, Connecticut. Some reports put the number at 99, while others estimate the total to be around 450. The model of scope used, the "Alas• kan" (Figure 9-15), is
Fig. 9-15. Lyman Alaskan Telescopic Sight, North & 25 r wim Cape Publications Collection „„_ . , ,. a 0.875-inch diameter tube and a 0.70-inch objective lens. The overall length is 10.6 inches. Lyman "Alaskan" scopes are marked on the top with "THE LYMAN GUN SIGHT CORP. / MADE IN U.S.A. MIDDLEFIELD, CONN. / U.S. PATENT NO. 2078858" followed by the word "ALASKAN" in somewhat larger lettering. This is followed by a serial number electro-engraved on the tube. These scopes have 1-minute-of-angle clicks and 2-minute-of- angle hash marks on both the windage and elevation knobs. The "Alas• kan" scopes are fitted in special Griffin & Howe mounts. L1A1 Scope No. 32 Mk III scopes were upgraded for use on L42A1 rifles and redesignated "TEL STG L1A1," with the earlier markings being lined
147 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES out. The L1A1 scope is ranged in meters rather than yards, and the serial numbers are prefixed with an "M" (for meters).
Holland & Holland Mount This mount, a robust cast steel model (Figure 9-16), was designed by engineers at Holland & Holland, but manufactured by a number of other firms. It is characterized by large knurled knobs on the two screws that attach it to the scope mounting pads on the rifle. In addition, the upper and lower ring halves are number- coded so that the upper halves will not be switched or installed backwards. A similar mount also was made in Canada, al• though the Canadian versions Fig. 9-16. Holland & Holland Mount are not as finished on the flats. The British-made Holland & Holland style mounts generally are engraved with the serial number of the scope and bear a manufacturer's code: "N 92," "J G," or "K D." The Canadian-made mounts are generally engraved with the serial number of the rifle rather than the scope.
Points to Watch For: A number of aftermarket Holland & Holland style mounts have been made over the years. While many of these are quite well done, they lack the proper manufacturer's codes and gener• ally are not as well finished as the original mounts. Some recent ones have been marketed as "S.A.S. mounts," but no documentation exists for such items.
Griffin & Howe Mount Quite a few Canadian sniper rifles were equipped with a scope mount designed and manufactured by Griffin & Howe (Figure 9-17). This mount is a two-piece affair, with a ring flange that is separate from the
148 No. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES base. The base is perma• nently attached to the rifle, and the ring flange is per• manently attached to the scope. The scope (with flange) is mounted to the base by means of a dove• tail cam on the base. The flange is fitted over the Fi9" 9"17- Griffin & Howe Mount cam and rotated 90 degrees to cinch it down (in a manner similar to that of the Redfield JR and SR scope mounts). Once in position, the ring flange is held securely to the base by a pair of single-wing thumb screws. A somewhat different Griffin & Howe mount was used with the C No. 67 scope.
ACCESSORIES No. 4 (T) and L42A1 Accessories for these rifles consist primarily of the items included in the No. 4 Mk I (T) Rifle Equipment: the carrying chest, a leather sling, and the scope items—case, scope caps, adjusting tool, and pol• ishing cloth. Additional accessories include a standard oiler and pull- through; in addition, a canvas rifle case, or rifle valise, was also com• monly used with these rifles (see Chapter 8).
Carrying Chest— Made of 5/8-inch pine stock with dovetail joints, the carrying chest is 46-7/16 inches long, 10-1/8 inches tall, and 4-3/4 inches deep, with carrying handles of either leather or canvas web. The interior of the chest has partitions and blocks to provide secure mounting of the rifle, scope case, and minor items. On the inside of the hinged cover is a label that lists the equipment and gives instructions for its care. The chest is shown in Figure 9-1.
Leather Sling—The sling used with these rifles is the U.S. Model 1907 sling, but it has a British broad arrow acceptance mark and no U.S. markings. Most bear WWI dates. The sling consists of a lower
149 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES loop, an upper loop, and two leather keepers. The lower loop is 1-1/ 4 inches wide by 24 inches long, with pairs of holes spaced 1-1/4 inches apart for most of its length. It has a double claw riveted to one end and a rectangular loop sewn onto the other end. The upper loop is 1-1/4 inches wide by 47-1/2 inches long, with pairs of holes for most of its length. It has a double claw riveted to one end. Early claws and rectangular loops are brass; later ones are steel. The keepers are strips of 1/2-inch wide latigo leather folded and sewn into a rectangular loop 3/4-inch deep by 1-1/2 inches wide.
Scope Items—Different types of scope carrying cases were issued. Some are hinged metal boxes about 4 inches by 5 inches by 18 inches long, while others are made of rubberized canvas with an internal metal frame, as shown in Figure 9-1. These are 18 inches long, 4-1/2 inches wide, and 2-7/8 inches deep. Plain canvas cases are also found. Both styles of scope case have web carrying straps to allow them to be carried over the shoulder. The cases have provisions for the scope (with a set of leather scope caps), the scope mount, an adjusting tool, and a polishing cloth. Some scope caps are quite square on the ends, while others are rather more rounded.
Canadian 7.62mm Competition, L39A1 and Enfield Envoy The only special accessory for these rifles is a leather sling of the type described above. Most of these competition rifles, however, are fitted with a Parker Hale or similar receiver-mounted aperture rear sight and a Lyman No. 11 hooded front sight with interchangeable aper• tures; these are often considered to be accessories.
150 APPENDIX A EXPLODED VIEWS OF THE NO. 4 AND No. 5 RIFLES 152
APPENDIX B DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY 156
APPENDIX C FURNITURE WOOD 160
APPENDIX D CARTRIDGES 162
APPENDIX E METAL FINISHES 163
APPENDIX F SERIAL NUMBER RANGES 164 Observed Serial Number Prefixes - No. 4 Rifles 164 Observed Serial Number Prefixes - No. 5 Rifles 164 Production Estimates 164 Model/Mark Changeovers 165 Assigned Serial Number Ranges 165
APPENDIX G STERLING CONVERSION KITS 173
APPENDIX H BOLT DISASSEMBLY TOOLS 174
APPENDIX J No. 4 MK 2 P.O.F. RIFLE 176
APPENDIX K CANADIAN E.A.L. RIFLE 179
APPENDIX L BIBLIOGRAPHY 184
151 APPENDIX A EXPLODED VIEWS OF THE NO. 4 AND NO. 5 RIFLES
No. 4 RIFLE
1 Stock Bolt 41 Action Body C\ J Stock Bolt Wad 42 Charger Bridge 3 Stock Bolt Spring Washer and Washer 43 Backsight Assembly 4 Buttplate Trap 44 Locking Bolt Spring Screw 5 Buttplate 45 Locking Bolt Spring 6 Butt Swivel Bracket and Sling Swivel 46 Locking Bolt 7 Buttstock 47 Safety Catch C O Fore-End Collar 48 Cocking Piece 9 Trigger Guard 49 Bolt Body 10 Rear Trigger Guard Screw 50 Bolt Head 11 Front Trigger Guard Screw 51 Extractor Screw 12 Front Trigger Guard Screw Washer 52 Extractor 13 Trigger Axis Pin 53 Extractor Spring 14 Trigger 54 Striker 15 Sear 55 Main Spring (Striker) 16 Sear Spring 56 Striker Keeper Screw 17 Sear Pin 18 Axis Pin (Backsight) Not Illustrated (or Not Numbered) 19 Bolt Head Catch Plate Auxiliary Spring (Magazine) 20 Bolt Head Catch Axis Pin Retaining Pin (Backsight) 21 Magazine Catch Breech Cover Loop 22 Magazine Case Butt Swivel Bracket Screws 23 Magazine Main Spring Buttplate Screws 24 Magazine Platform Buttplate Trap Pin 25 Fore-End Reinforcing Tie Plate and Pin Buttplate Trap Spring 26 Fore-End Buttplate Trap Spring Screw 27 Rear Handguard Charger Bridge Screws 28 Front Handguard Collar (Backsight Axis Pin) 29 Swivel Screw Ejector Screw 30 Sling Swivel Fore-End Cap Pins 31 Lower Band Fore-End Reinforcing Screw 32 Swivel Screw Foresight Blade Screw 33 Piling Swivel Foresight Block Band 34 Upper Band Foresight Block Band Pin 35A Fore-End Cap Foresight Bracket 35B Front Handguard Cap Foresight Bracket Pin 36 Foresight Protector Handguard Cap and Liner Rivets 37 Foresight Blade Magazine Catch Screw 38 Foresight Protector Screw Plunger (Backsight Detent) 39 Handguard Retaining Ring Plunger Spring (Backsight Detent) 40 Barrel
152 Fig. A-1. Enfield No. 4 Rifle No. 5 RIFLE (AKA JUNGLE CARBINE)
1 Shoulder Pad 31 Foresight Blade 2 Long and Short Retaining 32 Rash Eliminator Screws 33 Main Spring (Striker) 3 Shoulder Pad Cap 34 Striker 4 Buttstock 35 Extractor 5 Stock Bolt Assembly 36 Extractor Spring 5A Stock Bolt Wad 37 Extractor Screw 5B Stock Bolt Spring Washer 38 Bolt Head 5C Stock Bolt Washers 39 Bolt Body 6 Trigger Guard 40 Striker Keeper Screw 7 Front Trigger Guard Screw 41 Cocking Piece Washer 42 Action Body
O C Front Trigger Guard Screw 43 Plunger Spring (Backsight Detent) 9 Rear Trigger Guard Screw 44 Collar (Backsight Axis Pin) 10 Trigger Pin 45 Magazine Catch Screw 11 Trigger 46 Ejector Screw 12 Sear 47 Axis Pin Retaining Pin (Backsight) 13 Sear Spring 48 Plunger (Backsight Detent) 14 Sear Pin 49 Backsight Assembly 15 Axis Pin (Backsight) 50 Safety Catch 16 Bolt Head Catch Plate 51 Locking Bolt 17 Bolt Head Catch 52 Locking Bolt Spring 18 Magazine Catch 53 Locking Bolt Spring Screw 19 Magazine Case 20 Magazine Main Spring Not Illustrated (or Not Numbered) 21 Magazine Platform Auxiliary Spring (Magazine) 22 Fore-end Bolt Head Catch Spring 23 Fore-End Reinforcing Tie Plate Breech Cover Loop 24 Rear Handguard Charger Bridge Screws 25 Lower Band Flash Eliminator Pins 26 Swivel Screw Fore-End Cap 27 Upper Sling Swivel Fore-End Cap Pin 28 Barrel Fore-End Collar 29 Handguard Retaining Ring Shoulder Pad Plate 30 Bayonet Lug Portion of Flash Eliminator
154 Fig. A-2. Enfield No. 5 Rifle BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
APPENDIX B DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY
These instructions cover No. 4 rifles and conversions (refer to Figure A-l in Appendix A). Following the main instructions are notes for the disassembly and assembly of No. 5 rifles.
Open the bolt and examine the breech and magazine to make certain the rifle is not loaded.
If necessary, apply penetrating oil to all screws and let the rifle sit for several hours to let the oil work. Use a toothpick to clean dirt and crud from all screw slots. When removing a screw, turn the screw clock• wise a bit to break it free before turning it counterclockwise to remove it. Use a good screwdriver with a square hollow-ground bit, and al• ways use a screwdriver with a bit nearly as wide as the screw slot is long.
To remove the magazine, depress the magazine catch (in the forward end of the trigger guard ring) and pull the magazine downward. To remove the magazine platform (follower) and spring from the maga• zine box, depress the rear of the platform while easing the front of the platform past the lips on the magazine box. The spring is attached to the platform.
To remove the bolt (Mk I and Mk 2 rifles), push the safety locking lever (on the left side) forward and raise the backsight leaf to its ver• tical position. Open the bolt and pull it to the rear until the bolt head is just in front of the charger bridge. With your right thumb, depress the bolt head catch; and with your left hand, pull the bolt to the rear as far as it will go. Raise the bolt head to a vertical position and draw the bolt out from the action body.
156 THE NO. 4 AND NO. 5 RIFLES
To remove the bolt (Mk I* rifles), push the safety locking lever (on the left side) forward and raise the backsight leaf (if present) to its vertical position. Open the bolt and pull it to the rear about 1/2 inch- until the base of the bolt head lines up with the slot in the bolt track on action body. Raise the bolt head to a vertical position and draw the bolt out from the action body.
To disassemble the bolt, unscrew the bolthead from the forward end. This gives sufficient access to the interior of the bolt for cleaning.
To remove the striker and cocking piece, you need a special tool (see Appendix H). Turn the cocking piece to the lower of the two notches in the bolt body. (This takes almost all of the compression off of the main spring.) Remove the striker keeper screw from the rear of the cocking piece, and then unscrew the striker with the bolt disassembly tool.
Remove the front trigger guard screw and then the rear trigger guard screw. (Removing the front screw first takes tension off the rear screw and makes it easier to remove.) Remove the trigger guard. You may need to tap it loose with rubber hammer. If so, strike the sides of the trigger bow lightly, alternating from side to side until the trigger guard loosens. Do not attempt to jerk it out or you will split the edges.
Remove the foresight protector screw and slide the foresight protector off the front of the barrel. Remove the swivel screws from the upper and lower bands. Spread the base of the upper band apart with a wide- bladed screwdriver until the sides of the upper band will clear the upper band retaining rivets on the fore-end and front handguard. Slide the upper band off the front of the barrel. Remove the front hand- guard.
Spread the base of the lower band apart with a wide-bladed screw• driver until the sides of the lower band will clear the wood of the fore-
157 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES end. Slide the upper band off the front of the barrel. Remove the rear handguard and the handguard retaining ring.
With No. 4 Mk 1/2, Mk 1/3 and Mk 2 rifles, remove the fore-end reinforcing screw.
Remove the fore-end. If the fore-end is tight on the action body, tap on the top rear corners of the fore-end. Use a small block of soft pine 1x2 on top of the fore-end to keep from dinging the fore-end wood.
For normal cleaning, it is not necessary to remove the sear group (see Chapter 2). If you wish to do so, remove the magazine catch screw (Mk I and Mk 2 rifles) or the magazine catch pin (Mk I* rifles). Use a drift pin and hammer to drive the magazine catch pin out (right to left). Remove the magazine catch and the sear spring. Use a drift pin and hammer to drive the sear pin out (right to left). Remove the sear.
To remove the backsight assembly (see Chapter 4), remove the axis pin retaining pin and the axis pin. (Note: the plunger is spring-loaded— take care not to let it fly out as you withdraw the axis pin from the action body.) Remove the collar (if present) and remove the backsight group. Further disassembly of the backsight group is not recommended.
To remove the buttstock, open the butt trap and fish the stock bolt wad out of the butt trap hole (the large center hole) with a bent wire. Remove the stock bolt with a long screwdriver having a square or octagonal shank. Insert the screwdriver into the butt trap hole and engage the slot of the stock bolt. Unscrew the stockbolt, using an adjustable wrench or vice grips on the shank, if necessary, to turn the screwdriver.
Assemble the rifle in reverse order of disassembly. Install all swivel screws from left to right. Install all pins (except the backsight axis pin) from left to right.
158 THE NO. 4 AND NO. 5 RIFLES
After firing a dozen rounds or so, retighten all screws—especially the front trigger guard screw.
With No. 5 rifles (refer to Figure A-2 in Appendix A), it is not neces• sary to remove the flash eliminator to disassemble the rifle. Loosen the lower band, slide it forward off the fore-end, and let it hang on the barrel just ahead of the fore-end.
To remove the buttstock from No. 5 rifles, you must first remove the shoulder pad group (see Chapter 7). Secure the long retaining screw (on the top) with one screwdriver, and loosen and remove the short retaining screw (on the bottom) with a second screwdriver. Remove the long retaining screw, using a drift pin if necessary. Slide the shoulder pad cap—together with the pad and pad plate—off the rear of the buttstock.
Disassembly and assembly of all other components of No. 5 rifles is the same as with No. 4 rifles (and conversions).
159 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
APPENDIX C FURNITURE WOOD
The standard wood used for furniture on WWII-vintage No. 4 Mk I rifles (British manufacture) and on No. 5 rifles is a good grade of naturally seasoned English walnut (Juglans regia). This wood is mod• erately dark brown and has a tight, straight grain; however, during the latter years of the war, more open-grained grades of walnut began to be used, as was walnut with sapwood and small knots and other imperfections. At some point, however, beechwood (g. Fagus) was accepted as a substitute standard for Mk I rifles, as WWII-dated rifles with beech furniture have been observed. By the mid- to late-1940s, beechwood was quite common—especially for replacement compo• nents installed during Factory Thorough Repair. Beech is a light yel• low to blond wood with a tight, straight grain. There doesn't appear to be any clear date for a changeover from walnut to beechwood. Walnut furniture is found on Mk I rifles of all WWII-dates (1941-1945), but beechwood shows up frequently on 1944- and 1945-dated rifles. The years following WWII saw a return to a higher grade of English walnut for furniture wood, as well as a return to better fit and finish. By the 1950s, most No. 4 Mk 2 rifles have beechwood furniture; however, Mk 2 rifles with dates as late as 1954 have been encountered with walnut. The standard furniture wood on Mk I* rifles (American and Ca• nadian manufacture) is a fine grade of American black walnut (Juglans nigra). This wood is a somewhat darker brown than English walnut but exhibits the same tight, straight grain. The quality of the wood used remained consistently high throughout production; however, the quality of fit and finish fell off a bit toward the end of WWII. Evi• dently, birch (g. Betula) was accepted as a substitute standard for furniture wood on Long Branch and Savage rifles, as a number of these rifles with birch furniture have been observed. Further, a Cana• dian technical order states that No. 4 rifle stocks can be made from
160 THE NO. 4 AND NO. 5 RIFLES
"seasoned walnut, birch or beechwood." The wood of the birch is light yellow—almost blonde—with an open, somewhat wavy grain. Some maple stocks have been observed on Long Branch rifles, as well as some laminated stocks, but these are most likely experimental rather than standard production. Postwar Canadian production saw a return to quality workmanship and walnut furniture, and the Long Branch (CAL) rifles of the 1950s represent some of the best stocking of all the No. 4 series rifles. After WWII, large numbers of rifles were put in storage, and the furniture on these rifles was often coated with a heavy petroleum grease, or cosmoline. This grease attracted dirt and grime and tended to soak in to the wood and discolor it. Refurbishing the furniture on such rifles is a matter of wiping off as much of the storage grease as possible, leaching the remaining grease out with acetone or paint thin• ner, washing the wood with soap and water, and reoiling it with lin• seed oil or a good furniture polish (see Stratton, 1994-95).
161 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
APPENDIX D CARTRIDGES
Cartridges Mark I through Mark VI are all low velocity (1850-2050 fps muzzle velocity) cartridges and were not used in No. 4 series rifles. They could be fired in No. 4 series rifles, but the sighting would be considerably off.
Cartridge, Mark VII 174 gr pointed bullet; Berdan primed Muzzle Velocity: circa 2450 fps Approved Nov 1910
Cartridge, Mk VIII 175 gr pointed bullet with boat-tail; Berdan primed Muzzle Velocity: circa 2450 fps Approved Nov 1938
Cartridge, 7.62mm NATO 147 gr pointed bullet; Boxer primed Muzzle Velocity: circa 2750 fps Approved Dec 1953
162 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
APPENDIX E METAL FINISHES
The steel components of No. 4 trials rifles and early No. 4 Mk I and Mk I* rifles were oil-blackened to yield a rather durable dull black finish. Oil-blackening, which is virtually part of the hardening and tempering process, consists of heating the part to around 600 degrees F, dipping it in oil, and letting the oil drain off. Often, the heat of the part would ignite the oil, which was allowed to burn off. In either case, a deposit of carbonaceous material was left on the surface. Some evidence suggests that during WWII a hot black oxide, or Du-Lite, process was substituted. The part was cleaned in a hot alka• line solution and submersed in a black iron oxide solution at 300 de• grees F for 15 to 30 minutes, then rinsed in cold water, dried and coated with an oil-based sealant to yield a rust-resistant black finish that while not as durable as oil blackening was still quite serviceable. Toward the end of WWII, a number of rifles manufactured by Long Branch were finished with a manganese phosphate, or Parkerizing, process that gave a gray or gray-green color character• istic of WWII-vintage U.S. military weapons. Specimens with 1943 and 1945 dates have been observed. Following WWII, some rifles were given a green antirust coating over the blackening. This is a surface treatment, however, and will readily come off if the metal is subjected to a mineral spirits. The steel components on many rifles undergoing arsenal recon• ditioning or Factory Thorough Repair (FTR) were given a second black oxide coating, while others were given a surface treatment of matte or semigloss black paint where the original black finish had worn off. Often, the entire barreled action was buffed first, yielding a finish that is smooth and attractive—although not as durable as the original oil-blackening or black oxide treatment. The metal components of 1950s-vintage Long Branch (CAL) rifles were polished to a fairly high luster before being blackened, yielding a finish that appears similar to the nitrate salt bluing common on sporting rifles in years past.
163 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
APPENDIX F SERIAL NUMBER RANGES
Between 1995 and 1999, the Enfield Research Associates gathered serial number data on thousands of Lee-Enfield rifles from hundreds of collectors. Results of this study, together with a review of previ• ously-published data, allow us to draw somewhat closer correlations between dates of manufacture and serial number ranges than have been available until now. Data is summarized in five sections: Ob• served Serial Number Prefixes for No. 4 rifles, Observed Prefixes for No. 5 rifles, Production Estimates, Model/Mark Changeovers, and Assigned Serial Number Ranges. An explanation of the general form of serial numbers is given in Chapter 1.
OBSERVED SERIAL NUMBER PREFIXES - No. 4 RIFLES Tables F-l through F-6 summarize the alphanumeric prefixes used each year by the various rifle factories making No. 4 rifles. The data reflects only serial numbers actually observed and reported in the Enfield Research Associates study. Only a handful of Pakistan Ord• nance Factory (P.O.F.) No. 4 Mk 2 rifles have been reported. These have had dates from 1957 to 1960, and all have had 5-digit serial numbers with "C" prefixes.
OBSERVED SERIAL NUMBER PREFIXES - No. 5 RIFLES Tables F-7 and F-8 summarize the alphanumeric prefixes used each year by the two rifle factories making No. 5 rifles. The data reflects only serial numbers actually observed and reported in the Enfield Re• search Associates study.
PRODUCTION ESTIMATES Based on observed serial numbers and previously published data, we can estimate that around 4,651,000 No. 4 rifles and around 251,000 No. 5 rifles were manufactured. Production estimates by rifle factory are shown in Tables F-9 through F-l 1.
164 THE NO. 4 AND NO. 5 RIFLES
MODEL/MARK CHANGEOVERS Table F-12 summarizes the date and approximate serial number at which model/mark and major changeovers occurred at the various factories (data based on observed serial numbers from the Enfield Research Associates study).
ASSIGNED SERIAL NUMBER RANGES With the "Long Lees" and SMLE (No. 1) rifles, each rifle factory ran its own set of serial numbers and serial number prefixes. This practice led to duplicate serial numbers from several different factories and, indeed, even duplicate serial numbers from the same factory. To avoid this problem with the No. 4 series rifles, the British government elected to assign specific serial number ranges to the three factories in En• gland which were making No. 4 rifles, as indicated in Table F-13.
With No. 5 rifles, a different scheme was used. The two rifle factories manufacturing No. 5 rifles used the same numerical ranges (1 - 9999) but instead were assigned unique serial number prefixes (Table F-14).
Following WWII, ROF - Fazakerley was the only British rifle factory to continue manufacturing No. 4 rifles for the British military, and in the 1950s, under contract to various countries. Data from the Ministry of Defence Pattern Room indicates the serial number ranges assigned to these foreign contracts, as summarized in Table F-15.
Evidently, the 50,000 No. 4 Mk 2 rifles manufactured for the Irish Republic were never delivered, because of political problems. Instead, they were kept in storage in England as war reserve until they were released for surplus in the early 1990s. In addition to the various foreign contracts, Fazakerley manufactured approximately 200,000 No. 4 Mk 2 rifles for the British government. Most of these were never issued but were kept in storage as war reserve until released for surplus. (This includes about 21,000 rifles with "UF 55A" serial num• ber prefixes).
165 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
Many people refer to all of these unissued No. 4 Mk 2 rifles as "Irish Contract" rifles, but in fact it is proper to so designate only the 50,000 in the PF 309348 - PF 359347 serial number range.
Table F-1 BSA-Shirley
Year Serial Number Prefixes Observed
1941 None observed (a)
1942 None, A, D, E, O, R , U, V, X ,Y
1943 AC, AD, AE, AL, AQ, AV
1944 A, C, F, H, K, L, M, M, P, Q,( b)
1945 V,Y(c)
a. BSA Production during 1941 was only 3000, to 4,000 rifles b. All numbers in the 3xxxx range c. Only tworifles reporte d
Table F-2 ROF Maltby
Year Serial Numbers Observed
1941 None, A, E, F, G
1942 Q, M, T, Z, AC, AE
1943 AG AK, AP, AQ, BB, BD, BQ BH, BL
1944 BM, BN, BO, BQ, BR, BT, BU, BV, BW, BX, BZ
1945 BZ(a)
a. Maltby production during 1945 was only a few thousand rifles.
166 THE NO. 4 AND NO. 5 RIFLES
Table F-3 ROF Fazakerley (WWII) Year Serial Numbers Observed
1941 None observed (a)
1942 A, B, N, R
1943 HA, HB, HC, KA, KB
1944 LB, LC
1945 None Observed (b) a. Fazakerley production during 1941 was only 3,000 to 4,000 rifles. b. In all likelihood, Fazakerley did not make No. 4 rifles during 1945
Table F-4 ROF Fazakerley (Post WWII) Year Serial Numbers Ranges Observed (a)
1946-47 None observed (b)
1948 PF 15118 to PF68xxx
1949 PF68xxxto PF 139xxx
1950 PF184XXXtoPF223xxx
1951 PF228xxx
1952 PF231xxxto PF263xxx
1953 PF 264xxx to PF 309xxx
1954 PF314xxxto PF 376xxx (c) (d) (e)
1955 UF55Axxx to UF.55A34567
167 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
Table F4, Cont. a. All post-war Fazakerley rifleshav e "PF" or "UF55A" prefixes, so serial number ranges are given. b. In all likelihood, Fazakerley did not manufacture new rifles during these years. c. Numbers in the 326 and 357 ranges with 1952 dates have been reported. d. Numbers in the 338, 361, 366, 368 and 370 ranges with 1953 dates have been reported. e. Numbers in the 333, 336, 337, 338 and 339 ranges with 1955 dates have been reported. f. Use of the "." between the "UF" and the "55A" started in the 13xxx range.
Table F-5 Savage Arms
Year Serial Numbers Observed
1941 0C(a)
1942 OC to 40C
1943 40Cto 84C (b)
1944 90C to 0C6XXXX (c) (d) a. Savage production during 1941 was only a few thousand rifles. b. Rifles in this number range are not dated. It is assumed they were made during 1943. c. After 99C, Savage went to a OC prefix with a 5-digit number following. d. Production ceased in mid-1944; highest observed serial number is 0C63036.
Table F-6 Long Branch
Year Serial Number Prefixes Observed
1941 OLto 1L(a)
1942 1Lto20L
1943 21Lto56L (b)
1944 58L to 84L (c)
168 THE NO. 4 AND NO. 5 RIFLES
Table F-6, cont
1945 84L to 90L
1946-48 none observed (d)
1949 91L
1950 91Lto95L
1951-56 none observed (e) a. Long Branch production in 1941 was only 10,000 to 15,000 rifles. b. Numbers in the 20L, 21L and 25L ranges with 1942 dates have been reported. c. Numbers in the 60L range with 1943 dates have been reported. d. In all likelihood, Long Branch did not make any No. 4 riflesdurin g these years. e. Receivers are dated "1950" but later barrel dates have been reported.
Table F-7 ROF Fazakerley No. 5 Rifles
Year Serial Number Prefixes Observed
1944 A, B,C,D,E
1945 F, Q L, N, 0, P, Q, R, S, T
1946 U, V, W, Y
1947 Y Z, AA, AB, AC
Table F-8 BSA-Shirley No. 5 Rifles Year Serial Number Prefixes Observed
1945 BB, BD, BE, BF, BG
1946 BH, BJ
1947 BK
169 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
Table F-9 Production Estimates (No. 4 Rifles - WWII)
Rifle Factory Production Dates Estimated Production
BSA-Shirley 1941-1945 665,000
ROF-Maltby 1941-1945 737,000
ROF-Fazakerley 1941-1944 619,000
Savage Arms 1941-1944 1,236,000
Long Branch 1941-1945 906,000
Total WWII Production (est): 4,163,000
Table F-10 Production Estimates (No. 4 Rifles - post-WWII)
Rifle Factory Production Dates Estimated Production
ROF-Fazakerley 1946-1955 396,000
Long Branch 1948-1956 50,000
P.O.F. 1957-1960 (?) 40,000 (?)
Total Post-WWII Production (est): 488,000
Table F-11 Production Estimates (No. 5 Rifles)
Rifle Factory Production Dates Estimated Production
ROF-Fazakerley 1944-1947 170,000
BSA-Shirley 1945-1947 81,300
Total Production (est): 251,300
170 THE NO. 4 AND NO. 5 RIFLES
Table F-12 Major Changeovers
Factory Changeover Date Approx. s/n
Mk 1 to Mk 1* 1942 13Cxxxx Savage Arms First use of "U.S. 1941 4Cxxxx Property1' mark
Mk1 toMkl* 1942 1L8xxx Long Branch First use of "C No. 4 Mk 1950 92L8xxx I" stamping
Mk 1 to Mk 2 4/1949 PF 8xxx Fazakerley First use of new (7th 11/1954 PF325xxx Variation) action body
Table F-13 Assigned Serial Number Ranges (No. 4 Rifles) Numerical Factory Serial Number Prefixes Range
1000-9999 BSA-Shirley Single letters & AA thru AV
10000- 19999 ROF- Maltby Single Letters & AA through BZ
20000 - 29999 ROF - Fazakerley Single Letters & HA thru PF
30000 - 39999 BSA - Shirley Single Letters
40000 - 70000 BSA - Shirley A Only
Table F-14 Assigned Serial Number Prefixes (No. 5 Rifles) Rifle Factory Serial Number Prefixes
ROF - Fazakerley Single Letters & AA thru AC
BSA-Shirley BB thru BM
171 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
Table F-15 Assigned Serial Number Ranges for Foreign Countries Number of Serial Number Range Country Rifles
PF 301548-PF 304047 Anglo-Egyptian Sudan 2,500
PF 309348 - PF 359347 Irish Republic 50,000
PF 359748-PF 359817 Zambia 70
PF 359818-PF 359952 Singapore 135
PF 359953 - PF 360052 Jamaica 100
PF 360053 - PF 360202 Trinidad 150
PF 360203 - PF 360238 St. Vincent 36
PF 360239 - PF 360258 St Kitts 20
PF 360460-PF 361159 Uganda 20,700
PF 361260-PF 401086 Burma 39,827
PF 405393-PF 405412 St. Vincent 20
PF 407449 - PF 407648 Trinidad 200
PF 407649 - PF 407728 Zanzibar 80
PF 411265-PF 411461 Kenya 197
PF 411462-PF 411471 Hong Kong 10
172 THE NO. 4 AND NO. 5 RIFLES
APPENDIX G STERLING CONVERSION KITS
In the late 1950s, there was a growing interest in 7.62mm versions of the No. 4 rifle. To help meet this need, the Sterling Armament com• pany developed a conver• sion kit which enabled No. 4 rifles to be converted from .303 British to 7.62mm NATO. The kit consists chiefly of a re• placement barrel and magazine, with a new bolt head, extractor, and ejec• Fig. G-1. Sterling Conversion Kit from .303 tor and a charger guide to 7.62 mm NATO, Warren Wheatfield adaptor being provided, as Collection well. Figure G-1 shows two kits—one fully packaged and the other opened to show the barrel and the magazine and small components in their indi• vidual wrappings, along with the instruction sheet that was included. Figure G-2 shows a Sterling con• version kit installed on a Long Branch No. 4 Mk I* Fig. 6-2. Sterling Conversion Kit Installed. rifle. Note Name on Magazine Body. Several thousand Sterling conversion kits were made for the No. 4 rifle, and a handful for the No. 5 rifle. Similar conversions kits were also manufactured by the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield.
173 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
APPENDIX H BOLT DISASSEMBLY TOOL
The bolts of No. 4 series rifles (as well as SMLE or No. 1 rifles) require a special tool for complete disassembly. Such a tool can be purchased commercially from a variety of sources, or one can be fabricated, as follows:
1. Obtain a piece of steel tubing 6 inches long with an outside diam• eter of 3/8 inches. y i—< 2. With a file or hacksaw, cut two notches 180 degrees apart (Figure H-l). Fig. H-1. Notches 3. Adjust the shape of the notches and the re• maining extensions until the tool will drop down over the lugs on the striker.
4. Drill a small hole through the other end of | the tube and insert a 6d nail with the point and head cut off to serve as a handle (Figure H-2). 1
To disassemble the bolt, proceed as follows: Fig. H-2. Handle
5. Remove the bolt from the rifle. 6. Unscrew the bolt head from the bolt body.
7. Turn the cocking piece to the lower of the two notches in the bolt body. (This takes almost all of the compression off of the main spring).
8. Remove the striker keeper screw from the rear of the cocking piece.
174 THE NO. 4 AND NO. 5 RIFLES
9. Insert the bolt disassembly tool over the pointed end of the striker, and turn it back and forth until it drops down over the lugs of the striker.
10. Using the bolt disassembly tool, unscrew the striker from the cock• ing piece.
175 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
APPENDIX J NO. 4 MK 2 P.O.F. RIFLE
In the mid-1950s, the Pakistan Ordnance Factory in Wah, Pakistan acquired the tooling and machinery from the B.S.A. Co. Shirley plant and began a program of refurbishing No. 4 Mk I and No. 4 Mk 2 rifles. For years it was thought that the Pakistan Ordnance Factory did not manufacture any new No. 4 rifles, but recently P.O.F. rifles of new manufacture have been showing up on the American surplus market. The rifles are similar in appearance to the British No. 4 Mk 2 rifles and are chambered for the .303 British cartridge. Serial number data suggests that more than 40,000 of them were made; manufacture dates of 1957, 1958, 1959, and 1960 have been observed. Those rifles examined have newly-manufactured action bodies and barrels, with a mix of Pakistani-made small parts and parts salvaged from WWII- vintage No. 4 rifles.
MARKINGS The No. 4 Mk 2 P.O.F. rifles typically are marked on the left side of the action body as follows:
No 4.MK.2 No. 4.MK.2 58/P.O.F./C117XX 60/P.O.F./C411XX
where the first two digits are the year of manufacture, and the "CXXXXX" is the serial number. The barrels are marked with a "Star in a Crescent" (Pakistani-style, not Turkish-style). Minor parts (bolt, backsight, safety components, trigger guard, etc.) sport a vari• ety of "P" markings, such as "P over V" and "V over PC" as well as WWII-vintage manufacturer's markings, such as the Savage "Square S," the BSA-Shirley code "M47C," and "ROFB." In addition, one finds here and there a variety of marks which appear to be characters of the Urdu alphabet. Those No. 4 Mk 2 P.O.F. examined bore the
176 THE NO. 4 AND NO. 5 RIFLES
Century Arms International U.S. import stamp (refer to Table 1-12) on the barrel near the muzzle.
ACTION BODY ASSEMBLY The action body on the P.O.F. rifle represents more or less a combi• nation of the third variation (No. 5 rifle) and the seventh variation (late ROF-Fazakerley Mk 2 rifle) action bodies. The P.O.F. action body has lightening cuts similar to the third variation (refer to Figure 2-4) and the rectangular boss on the right side under the receiver ring is omitted. However, the P.O.F. action body has the forged brackets on the lower front portion of the buttstock socket that serve as a mount• ing point for the trigger (refer to Figure 2-6). The P.O.F. action bod• ies appear to have been well polished before oil blackening, yielding an attractive high-luster finish.
BREECHBOLT The breechbolt assembly appears to be a standard No. 4 rifle version. No modification is apparent. The P.O.F. serial number is stamped on the rear of the bolt handle.
BACKSIGHT ASSEMBLY The backsight assembly is a standard first variation (Mk I) milled micrometer-type assembly (refer to Figure 4-1). Backsight leaves with "B over broad arrow" markings have been observed.
Barrel Assembly The barrels on the P.O.F. rifles are newly-manufactured first varia• tion (5-groove) barrels, similar to those found on later ROF-Fazakerley No. 4 Mk 2 rifles. The P.O.F. barrels have Pakistani rather British proof marks, however.
FURNITURE The furniture on some P.O.F. rifles appears to be salvaged from WWII- vintage No. 4 rifles, while the furniture on others appears to be newly-
177 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES manufactured. Buttstocks are standard first variation (No. 4 rifle) buttstocks (see Chapter 6). One buttstock observed had an "L" (for Long) stamp on the heel and a large "P in a square" proof mark on the underside of the wrist. Handguards with lateral grasping grooves and Savage markings have been observed. Both sixth variation fore-ends (refer to Figure 6-13) and seventh variation fore-ends (refer to Figure 6-14) have been observed, the difference being that the sixth variation is relieved for the rectangular boss on the right side of the action body, while the seventh variation is not.
FITTINGS Fittings are of standard No. 4 rifle configuration, and in fact many appear to have been salvaged from earlier No. 4 rifles, as a variety of British and American markings are found. Buttplates of oil-blackened steel, similar to third variation buttplates on later Long Branch No. 4 Mk I* rifles, have been observed.
178 THE NO. 4 AND NO. 5 RIFLES
APPENDIX K CANADIAN E.A.L. RIFLE
The firm of Essential Agencies Limited (E.A.L.) was founded in 1945 as a sporting goods importer/distributor and was still in business in Markham, Ontario at the time this book was written. In the period from 1953-1960, E.A.L. apparently purchased surplus action bodies, barrels, and small parts from Canadian Arsenals Ltd. (C.A.L.) of Long Branch, Ontario and built several thousand "sporter" versions of the Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk I* which have become known as "Cana• dian E.A.L. Rifles." These are newly-manufactured rifles—not con• versions or "sporterized" versions of existing service rifles.
Fig. K-1. E.A.L. Sporter Rifle, Warren Wheatfield Collection
Both a commercial version (Figure K-1) and a military version (Fig• ure K-2 were produced, the two versions differing mainly in the place• ment of the backsight and the size of the magazine. The commercial models are serial numbered in the range of 2000 to 5000, while the
Fig. K-2. E.A.L. Military Version, Jim Doherty Collection
179 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES military models are numbered in the 6000 to 6999 range. The com• mercial models have 10-round magazines and military Mk II (two- position flip-type) rear sights, while the military models have 5-round magazines and an express-type rear sight with two folding blades.
At least 1000 E.A.L. rifles were purchased by the Canadian govern• ment and issued to the Royal Canadian Air Force for use as a survival rifle, and to the Canadian Northern Rangers for use as a standard longarm. Various Canadian government documents refer to the E.A.L. rifle military model as NATO stock number 1005-21-8-8-9499 and RCAF number EO.30-65FE. Other RCAF documents list the E.A.L. Rifle as ".303 cal rifle sports model." Rifles in the range of 6280 to 6999 appear to have been issued to Ranger units.
MARKINGS The action body of the E.A.L. carries a distinctive stamping on the left side (Figure K-3). A second style of marking has been observed, having no caliber designation and no periods after the letters, for ex• ample: "EAL 2580". The action bodies are NOT stamped with the usual "No.4Mk I*" model iden• tification or the "Long Branch" factory designa• tion, nor were they dated or serial numbered by Fig. K-3. E.A.L. Rifle Marking C.A.L. No sign of thinning is apparent on the portions of the action body where model and factory identifying marks are normally found. Also, high magnification reveals no signs of Long Branch serial numbers having been removed. The action bodies do bear Canadian proof marks and C.A.L. inspector's marks, however, these being from the time period of 1953 to 1960. In addition, bolts, cocking pieces, trigger guards, and safety locking levers bear "CA"
180 THE NO. 4 AND NO. 5 RIFLES markings. The barrels have "CA" markings on the knox form and "crown and lance" proof marks on the right side.
ACTION BODY ASSEMBLY The action bodies are extensively modified (see Figure K-4). The charger bridge and most of the top portions of the action body are milled away, leaving only the base for the backsight axis pin on the commercial version and no top portion at all on the military ver• sion. Records indicate that E.A.L. contracted with the firm of S.T. Francis and Sons at 166A York Street, Toronto to machine the action bodies. The action body and other metal parts Fig. K-4. E.A.L. Modified Receivers are polished and blued, rather than oil-blackened. The commercial version has a standard 10- round magazine, while the military rifle sports a flush-mounted five- round magazine.
BREECHBOLT ASSEMBLY The breechbolt assemblies on both the commercial and military mod• els appear to be standard No. 4 military rifle versions. No modifica• tion is apparent.
BACKSIGHT ASSEMBLY The backsight on the commercial version is the standard second varia• tion backsight assembly (see Chapter 4), the two-position flip-type sight; while the backsight on the military version is a folding-leaf express-type sight mounted on the barrel.
181 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
BARREL ASSEMBLY The barrels appear to be No. 4 military rifle barrels shortened to 21-3/8 inches and re-crowned. The barrels are polished and blued. The military version of the E.A.L. rifle has a dovetail cut in the knox form for the express-type backsight. Both versions have foresight ramps with stan• dard No. 4 military foresight blades installed. The ramp on the commer- ••^wl!!JBByj5jg cial version is a bit taller than that of WKt^f/jfftgmH^^^ me miliary version.
FURNITURE The furniture is newly manufac• tured from American black walnut. The buttstocks (refer to Figure K- 1) are thinner in cross section and Fig. K-5. E.A.L. Fore-Ends deeper at the toe than are No. 4 rifle buttstocks and have full pistol grips; hence, they cannot be modified military buttstocks. The fore- ends bear a resemblance to standard No. 4 fore-ends but they are quite a bit shorter and have no inletting for a lower barrel band. Also, they lack the lightening cuts in the barrel channel that are characteristic of military fore-ends. The front portions of the fore-ends have a slightly different contour on the commercial (Fig• ure K-5, top) and military (Figure K-5, bottom) versions of the rifle.
FITTINGS The buttstocks are fitted with JOSTAM "Anti-Flinch" rubber recoil pads (Figure K-6), of the same type found on No. 67 sniper rifles. A standard military butt swivel assembly is inletted into the buttstock about Fig. K-6. E.A.L. Buttpad four inches forward of the recoil pad. An identical military butt swivel assembly is utilized for the front swivel,
182 THE NO. 4 AND NO. 5 RIFLES the butt swivel bracket being inletted into the bottom of the fore-end (refer to Figure K-5). The trigger guards are standard No. 4 rifle models, but the breech cover loop has been milled off from those of the military E.A.L. rifles.
183 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
APPENDIX L BIBLIOGRAPHY
American Rifleman (1990), British Enfield Rifles, reprint, NRA Book Service, Washington, DC, 25 pp.
British Defence Council (1970), Rifle 7.62mm L39A1 Technical Hand• book (Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Regulations: Small Arms and Machine Guns, G/97802/WPNS), 7 pp.
British Land Service General Staff (1971), User Handbook for the Rifles, 7.62mm, L42A1 & L39A1 (Army Code No 60704 26/PUBS/ 11455), 67 pp + annexes.
British Ministry of Defence (1973), Illustrated Parts Catalogue for Rifle, 7.62mm L39A1, and Rifle, 7.62mm L42A1 (Army Code No. 60776), 26 pp.
British War Office (1929), Textbook of Small Arms, Stationery Of• fice, London, 427 pp.
British War Office (1955), Infantry Platoon Weapons: No. 4 Rifle and Bayonet (Infantry Training Volume I, Pamphlet No. 3, WO Code No. 8903), 88 pp.
Canadian Forces, DLAEEM (1984), Rifle, Calibre .303, No 4, All Marks, Operating Instructions, (Canadian Forces Publication number C-71-111-000/MB-000), 11 pp.
Canadian Forces, DLAEEM (1984), Rifle, Calibre .303, No 4, All Marks, First Line Maintenance Instructions, (Canadian Forces Publi• cation number C-71-111-000/MM-000, 77 pp.
184 THE NO. 4 AND NO. 5 RIFLES
Dynes, Robert J. (1979), The Lee: British Service Rifle from 1888 to 1950, Museum Restoration Service, Bloomfield, Ont., Canada, 24 pp, ISBN 0-919316-17-4.
Laidler, Peter with Ian D. Skennerton (1993), .303 No. 4 (T) Sniper Rifle: An Armourer's Perspective, Greenhill Books, London, 126 pp, ISBN 0-949749-17-6.
Petrillo, AlanM. (1992), The Lee Enfield Number 4 Rifles, Excalibur Publications, PO Box 35369 Tucson, AZ 85740-5369, 64 pp, ISBN 1-880677-00-8.
Petrillo, Alan M. (1994), The Number 5 Jungle Carbine, Excalibur Publications, PO Box 35369 Tucson, AZ 85740-5369, 32 pp, ISBN 1-880677-06-7.
Reynolds, E.G.B. (1960), The Lee-Enfield Rifle, Arco Publishing Co., New York, 224 pp, LoC Cat No: 62-16462.
Skennerton, Ian D. (1982), The British Service Lee I.D. Skennerton, Margate, Q, Australia. Also Arms & Armour Press, London, 410 pp, ISBN 0-9597438-8-X.
Skennerton, Ian D. and Robert Richardson (1986), British & Com• monwealth Bayonets, I.D. Skennerton, Margate, Q, Australia), 370 pp.
Skennerton, Ian D. (1989), British Small Arms of World War 2 - The Complete Reference Guide to Weapons, Makers' Codes & 1936-1946 Contracts, I.D. Skennerton, Ashmore City, Australia.
Skennerton, Ian D. (1993), The Lee-Enfield Story, I.D. Skennerton, Ashmore City, Australia, 504 pp, ISBN 1-85367-138-X.
185 BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES
Smith, W.H.B. and Joseph E. Smith (1979), The Book of Rifles, Castle Books, New York, 689 pp.
Stratton, Charles "Skip" (1995), "Refurbishing and Restoring Aging and Ailing Enfields," 77**? Enfield Collector's Digest (Vol III, No. 1, pp 10-12; Vol III, No. 2, pp 4-6; Vol HI, No. 3, pp 5-6).
Stratton, Charles "Skip" (1997), British Enfield Rifles, Volume 1, SMLE (No. 1) Rifles, Mk I and Mk III, North Cape Publications, PO Box 1027, Tustin CA 92781, 162 pp.
Webster, Donald B. (1993), Military Bolt Action Rifles, 1841-1918, Museum Restoration Service, Bloomfield, Ont., Canada, 142 pp, ISBN 0-88855-004-9.
Woodend, Herbert (1981), British Rifles: A Catalogue of the Enfield Pattern Room, Stationery Office, London, 80 pp, ISBN 0-11-771930-7.
186 THE NO. 4 AND NO. 5 RIFLES
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Charles R. (Skip) Stratton has published widely both in print and on the Worldwide Web. He is founder of Enfield Research Associates, maintains the Enfield Rifle Research web site (http://www.uidaho.edu/ ~stratton/en-page.html), and has written articles on military rifles for The Enfield Collector's Digest and the International Arms & Militaria Collector Quarterly. Skip had done pioneering work with hypertext articles on militaria, including one on U.S. Army saddle scabbards for The Military Collector's Exchange and another on re• furbishing Enfield rifles for the North Cape Publications Newsletter. He has two more hypertext articles in progress on U.S. M-1910 can• teens and U.S. military sleeping gear. Dr. Stratton's previous publi• cations include a couple hundred scholarly and technical articles, a dozen technical manuals, a textbook on technical writing, and—of course—Volumes 1 and 4 of the BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES series. Volume 3 is now in progess and Volume 5 is forthcoming. He is a retired university professor and now devotes his time to travel, research and writing. He and his wife reside on a small farm near Moscow, Idaho.
187 British Enfield Rifles
OTHER BOOKS FROM NORTH CAPE PUBLICATIONS®, INC. The books in the "For Collectors Only" and "A Shooter's and Collector's Guide" series are designed to provide the firearm's collector with an accurate record of the markings, dimensions and finish found on an original firearm as it was shipped from the factory. As changes to any and all parts are listed by serial number range, the collector can quickly assess not only whether or not the overall firearm is correct as issued, but whether or not each and every part is original for the period of the particular firearm's production. "For Collectors Only" and "A Shooter's and Collector's Guide" books make each collector and shooter an "expert."
For Collectors Only Series The American Krag Rifle and Carbine by Joe Poyer, edited by Craig Riesch ($19.95). A new look on a part-by-part basis at the first magazine repeating service arm adopted for general service in American military history. It was the arm first adopted for smokeless powder and it required new manufacturing techniques and processes to be developed for its production at Springfield Ar• mory. The Krag was an outstanding weapon that helped define the course of American arms development over the next fifty years. In this new text, the Krag is redefined in terms of its development. Old shibboleths, mischaracterizations and misinterpretations are laid to rest and a true picture of this amazingly col• lectible rifle and carbine emerge. The author has also devised a monthly serial number chart from production, quarterly and annual reports from Springfield Armory and the Chief of Ordnance to the Secretary of War.
The Model 1903 Springfield Rifle and its Variations, by Joe Poyer (22.95). Includes every model of the Model 1903 from the ramrod bayonet to the Model 1903A4 Sniper rifle. Every part description includes changes by serial number range, markings and finish. Every model is described and identified. Abundant color and black and white photos and line drawings of parts to show details precisely. 440 pages.
The .45-70 Springfield by Joe Poyer and Craig Riesch ($16.95) covers the entire range of .45 caliber "trapdoor" Springfield arms, the gun that really won the west. "Virtually a mini-encyclopedia... this reference piece is a must." Phil Spangenberger, Guns & Ammo
188 The No. 4 and No. 5 Rifles
U.S. Winchester Trench and Riot Guns and other U.S. Combat Shotguns by Joe Poyer ($15.95). Describes the elusive and little-known 'Trench Shot• gun" and all other combat shotguns used by U.S. military forces. "U.S. military Models 97 and 12 Trench and Riot Guns, their parts, markings [and] dimen• sions [are examined] in great detail... a basic source of information for collec• tors." C.R. Suydam, Gun Report
The Ml Carbine: Wartime Production by Craig Riesch ($16.95) describes the four models of Ml Carbines from all ten manufacturers. Complete with codes for every part by serial number range. "The format makes it extremely easy to use. The book is a handy reference for beginning or experienced collec• tors." Bruce Canfield, Author of "Ml Garand and Ml Carbine"
The Ml Garand 1936 to 1957 by Joe Poyer and Craig Riesch ($19.95). "The book covers such important identification factors as manufacturer's markings, proof marks, final acceptance cartouches stampings, heat treatment lot num• bers .. . there are detailed breakdowns of... every part ... in minute detail. This 216 page ... volume is easy to read and full of identification tables, parts diagrams and other crucial graphics that aid in determining the originality of your Ml and/or its component parts." Phil Spangenberger, Guns and Ammo
Winchester Lever Action Repeating Firearms, by Arthur Pirkle. Volume 1, The Models of 1866,1873 & 1876 ($19.95) Volume 2, The Models of 1886 and 1892 ($19.95) Volume 3, The Models of 1894 and 1895 ($19.95) These famous lever action repeaters are completely analyzed part-by-part by serial number range in this first new book on these fine weapons in twenty years. "... book is truly for the serious collector... Mr. Pirkle's scholarship is excellent and his presentation of the information ... is to be commended." H.G.H., Man at Arms
The SKS Carbine, by Steve Kehaya and Joe Poyer ($16.95). The "SKS Car• bine" is profusely illustrated, articulately researched and covers all aspects of its development as well as ... other combat guns used by the USSR and other Communist bloc nations. Each component. . . from stock to bayonet lug, or lack thereof, is covered along with maintenance procedures . . . because of Kehaya's and Poyer's book, I have become the leading expert in West Texas on [the SKS]. Glen Voorhees, Jr., Gun Week
189 British Enfield Rifles
British Enfield Rifles, by Charles R. Stratton Volume 1, SMLE (No. 1) Mk I and Mk III ($16.95) "Stratton... does an admirable job of... making sense of... a seemingly hopeless array of marks and models and markings and apparently endless varieties of con• figurations and conversions... this is a book that any collector of SMLE rifles will want." Alan Petrillo, The Enfield Collector's Digest Volume 2, The Lee-Enfield No. 4 and No. 5 Rifles ($16.95) In Volume 2, "Skip" Stratton provides a concise but extremely thorough analy• sis of the famed British World War II rifle, the No. 4 Enfield, and the No. 5 Rifle, better known as the "Jungle Carbine." It's all here, markings, codes, parts, manufacturers and history of development and use.
Volume 4, The Pattern 1914 and U.S. Model 1917 Rifles ($16.95) In Volume 4, the author describes the events that led to the development of the British Pattern 1914 Enfield and its twin, the U.S Model 1917 Enfield rifle. The M1917 was produced in and used on the Western front in far greater num• bers than was the Ml903 Springfield. Skip Stratton provides not only the usual part-by-part analysis of both rifles to show how the M1917 evolved from the Pattern 1914, but provides a cross-check of which parts are interchangeable. Even includes the sniper and Pedersen device variants. Also, all markings, codes and finishes for all parts.
The Mosin-Nagant Rifle (2nd Revised and Expanded edition) by Terence W. Lapin ($19.95). For some reason, in the more than 100 years that the Mosin- Nagant rifle has been in service around the world, not a single book has been written in English about this fine rifle. Now, just as interest in the Mosin-Nagant is exploding, Terence W. Lapin has written a comprehensive volume that cov• ers all aspects and models from the Imperial Russian rifles to the Finnish, Ameri• can, Polish, Chinese, Romanian and North Korean variations. His book has set a standard that future authors will find very difficult to best. Included are part- by-part descriptions of all makers, Russian, Chinese, American, Polish, Roma• nian, etc. Also includes all variants such as carbines and sniper rifles from all countries.
The Swedish Mauser Rifle by Steve Kehaya and Joe Poyer ($19.95). The Swedish Mauser rifle is perhaps the finest of all military rifles manufactured in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. A complete history of the development and use of the Swedish Mauser rifles is provided as well as a part-by-part de-
190 The No. 4 and No. 5 Rifles scription of each part. All 24 models are described and a complete description of the sniper rifles and their telescopic sights are included. All markings, codes, regimental and other military markings are charted and explained. A thorough and concise explanation of the Swedish Mauser rifle, both civilian and military.
A Shooter's and Collector's Guide Series The M16/AR15 Rifle, by Joe Poyer ($19.95). The M16 has been in service longer than any other rifle in the history of the United States military. Its civil• ian counterpart, the AR15, has recently replaced the M14 as the national match service rifle. This 134 page, profusely illustrated, large format book examines the development, history and current and future use of the M16/AR15. It de• scribes in detail all civilian AR15 rifles from more than a dozen different manu• facturers and takes the reader step-by-step through the process of accurizing the AR15 into an extremely accurate target rifle. Ammunition, both military and civilian, is discussed and detailed assembly/disassembly and troubleshoot• ing instructions are included.
M14-Type Rifles, A Shooter's and Collector's Guide, by Joe Poyer ($14.95). A study of the U.S. Army's last and short-lived .30 caliber battle rifle which became a popular military sniper and civilian high power match rifle. A de• tailed look at the National Match M14 rifle, the M21 sniper rifle and the cur• rently-available civilian semiautomatic match rifles, receivers, parts and acces• sories, including the Chinese M14s. A guide to custom-building a service type- rifle or a match grade, precision rifle. Includes a list of manufacturers and parts suppliers, plus the B ATF regulations that allow a shooter to build a legal look- alike M14-type rifle.
The SAFN-49 Battle Rifle, A Shooter's and Collector's Guide, by Joe Poyer ($14.95). The SAFN-49, the predecessor of the Free World's battle rifle, the FAL, has long been neglected by arms historians and writers, but not by collec• tors. Developed in the 1930s at the same time as the Ml Garand and the SVT38/ 40, the SAFN-49 did not reach production, because of the Nazi invasion of Belgium, until after World War II. This study of the SAFN-49 provides a part- by-part examination of the four calibers in which the rifle was made. Also, a thorough discussion of the SAFN-49 Sniper Rifle and its telsecopic sights, plus maintenance, assembly/disassembly, accurizing, restoration and shooting. A new exploded view and section view are included. The rifle's development and mili• tary use is also explained in detail.
191 British Enfield Rifles
Collector's Guide to Military Uniforms The "Collector's Guide to Military Uniforms" endeavors to do for the military uniform collector what the "For Collectors Only" series does for the firearms collector. Books in this series are carefully researched using original sources and are heavily illustrated with line drawings and photographs, both period and contemporary, to provide a clear picture of development and use. Where uni• forms and accouterments have been reproduced, comparisons between original and reproduction pieces are included so that the collector and historian can differentiate the two.
Campaign Clothing: Field Uniforms of the Indian War Army Volume 1,1866 to 1871 ($12.95) Volume 2,1872 to 1886 ($14.95) Lee A. Rutledge has produced a unique perspective on the uniforms of the Army of the United States during the late Indian War period following the Civil War. He discusses what the soldier really wore when on campaign. No white hats and yellow bandanas here.
A Guide Book to U.S. Army Dress Helmets 1872-1904, by Mark Kasal and Don Moore ($16.95). From 1872 to 1904, the men and officers ofthe U.S. Army wore a fancy, plumed or spiked helmet on all dress occasions. As ubiquitous as they were in the late 19th Century, they are extremely scarce today. Kasal and Moore have written a step-by-step, part-by-part analysis of both the Model 1872 and 1881 dress hel• mets and their history and use. Profusely illustrated with black and white and color photographs of actual helmets.
All of the above books can be obtained directly from North Cape Publica• tions®, Inc, P.O. Box 1027, Tustin, CA 92781 or by calling Toll Free 1-800 745-9714. Orders only to the toll free number please. For information, call 714 832-3621. Orders may also be placed by FAX (714 832-5302) or via Email to [email protected]. CA residents add 7.75% sales tax. Postage is currently $3.95 for 1-2 books, $5.50 for 3-4 books, $7.95 for 5-8 books. Call, fax or email for UPS and Federal Express rates, for postage on quantities of 9 or more books and for foreign postage rates.
192 The No. 4 and No. 5 Rifles
Also, visit our Internet web site at http://www.northcapepubs.com. Our complete, up-to-date book list can always be found there. Also check out our linked On-Line Magazine for the latest in firearms-related, magazine-qual• ity articles and excerpts from our books.
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Books for Firearms Enthusiasts and Collector The .45-70 Springfield Revised and greatly expanded 3rd Edition. All parts in all models described by serial number rangi All inspector's markings, serial numbers and finishes. $15.95
Winchester Lever Action Repeating Firearms Volume 1: The Models of 1866, 1873 and 1876 Volume 2: The Models of 1886 and 1892 Volume 3: The Models of 1894 and 1895 The most famous long guns in American history described part-by-part by serial number range. Th first new reference work on Winchesters in 25 years. Each $19.95, two for $35.95, all three, $51.9
M1 Garand 1936 to 1957 2ml Edition, revised and expanded, the Ml Garand, part-by-part by serial number range. Every par change by all manufacturers listed. Includes Ml C, Ml D, MC 52, Navy's 7.62 NATO and the Nation Match Rifles. Illustrated. $19.95
U.S. Ml Carbine: Wartime Production Newly revised and expanded 3,d Edition. A classic work describes all M1 Carbines part-by-part b) serial number range by manufacturer Easy to ready "parts charts." A must book for M1 Carbine Collectors! $16.95
U.S. Winchester Trench and Riot Guns, and other U.S. Combat Shotguns. First time that the American combat shotgun has been analyzed and described. All markings, dimensions and parts changes by serial number range. $15.95
The SKS Carbine A comprehensive examination of the Cold War classic. Soviet, Chinese, East German, North Korean, North Vietnamese and Yugoslav SKS Carbines examined part-by-part. History of development, markings and parts changes. $16.95
British Enfield Rifles, Vol. 1. SMLE (No. 1) Mk. I and Mk III $16.95 Vol. 2 No. 4 and No. 5 Rifles $16.95 (order both for $30.95) Complete analysis and description of British and Commonwealth-produced Enfield rifles, includini the Indian 2A and 2A1 and the rare Pakistan Ordnance Factory rifles.
The Mosin-Nagant Rifles Thorough, part-by-part review of this world-famous but little known battle rifle throughout its eighty- year history. All national types from Russia to the United States to Finland; sniper rifles, bayonets, accessories, codes and markings. $19.95
The Swedish Mauser Rifle The most accurate, precision-produced military arm in history is thoroughly examined and describe part-by-part. All models including the carbine, infantry rifle, sniper rifle and all target rifles and theii accessories are included. $16.95
To order, write or call ISBN 1-662311-24-1 North Cape Publications PO Box 1027 Tustin CA 92781 800 745-9714/Email: [email protected] http://www.northcapepubs.com