British Enfield Rifles

For Collectors Only®
British Enfield Rifles
2nd Edition, Revised

;ed
Id
Lee-Enfield
No. 4 and No. 5 Rifles
Charles R. Stratto
orth C a p e Publications
FOR COLLECTORS ONLY®
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
10
Copyright 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: ncape@ix.netcom.com
Internet Website http://www.northcapepubs.com
Printed in USA by KNI, Inc. Anaheim, CA 92806
ii
T a b l e of C o n t e n t s
INTRODUCTION 1
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND 3
MODELS AND MARKS OF THE NO. 4 SERIES RIFLES 8
No. 4 Mk I 8
No. 4 M k I * 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
L39A1, Enfield Envoy, and L42A1 142
BACKSIGHT 143
No. 4 (T) and L42A1 143
BARREL 142
L39A1, Enfield Envoy, and L42A1 144
BUTTSTOCK ASSEMBLY 144
No. 4 (T) and L42A1 144
FORE-END AND HANDGUARD ASSEMBLIES 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
C N o . 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
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
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 M k 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
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
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
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
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
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 N O . 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.
N O . 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
specimens. Fi
9 - ' Bolt-head Release, Mk
2
8
Fig. 1. Lee-Enfield No. 4 Rifle, Al Petrillo Collection
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
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.
N O . 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 h a v i n g
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.
N O . 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
l1
soldered in place (Figure 6, arrows). Those (T) models converted by

Holland & Holland are identified by the stamped code "S 5 1 " 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.
N O . 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
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)

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
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
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
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
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 ( L I , L8, L42,
etc.), and in place of the Mark number, the letter " A " and a numeral
was used ( A l , 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
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 traiiningrifle(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
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
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
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
No. 4 Mk 1/3
RSAF-Enfield 1956-1960
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
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
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
manufactured by Savage. In 1944, when production at the Savage fac-

tory reached one million rifles, the prefix was changed from " 9 9 C
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
No 4 Mk I* F(FTR)48 / 2 5 C 6 8 2 4
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 / E 1 5 4 8 6
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 ( r T R ) 4 8 / 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
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
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
Table 1-10
Ownership/Acceptance Marks by Various Governments
Identifying Mark Country
-A. o r T ^ Great Britain
© or© Canada
© Australia
Nfz New Zealand
GJ or South Africa
A or
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
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
.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 C O SAC CA
California
Navy Arms Co., Ridgefield, New

NA Ridgefield NJ
Jersey
Federal Ordnance, South El Monte,

Fed Ord SEM CA
California
33
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
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
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 ) , w h i c h 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-
g u l a r b o s s 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

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 r e c t a n g u l a r
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 r e c t a n g u l a r
boss on the first
and second varia-
tion action bodies
was a h o l d o v e r
38
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 m o u n t i n g
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Variation
with it. Designated the Mk 2, it
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
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
Locking Bolt
it is of one-piece construction.
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
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
r e a r (6) t r i g g e r
guard screws, and
the front trigger
guard screw
w a s h e r ( 7 ) . On
earlier rifles with
first, second, or
third variation ac-
tion b o d i e s , the
trigger is mounted
to the trigger guard
by means of the
trigger axis pin,
and the t r i g g e r
guard is, in turn,
Fig. 2-18. Trigger Guard Assembly
47
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-
Fig. 2-20. 3rd Variation Trigger Guard §
U A R D F I U R E 2 2 0 I S
e r
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
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 m i s s i n g p o r t i o n , 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
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
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 Variation: Found on most No. 4 rifles and
F i r s t
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
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
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
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
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
Magazine Case
tinctive square
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
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
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
c h a m b e r , c o c k s 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
c o m p o n e n t s 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
Variation lug. Two types of bolt body are found.
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
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 h i g h - c a r b o n s t e e l ,
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
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
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 ^ S t r j k e r A s s e m b | 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
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
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
R 9 ti0n 3 7 ) h a S 3 r e c t a n u l a r o r
Caking pSce " § < 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
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
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
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
(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-
Fig. 4-2. 2nd Variation
tories and on Long
(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
Fig. 4-1. 1st Variation (Mk
backsight is zeroed for 300 yards and 600
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
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
Fig. 4-3. 3rd 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
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
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
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
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
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 4 0 3 . "
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
Variation
of other backsight leaves, requiring the use of an axis
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
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
Leaf
similar to the third variation (stamped) 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
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
i
7 8.
from the left side rather than the right
C M "
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 Fig. 4-13.
those of the second, third, and fifth varia-
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
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: " C R 3 1 8 . "
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
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
Fig. 4-19. 5th Variation
bolt can be removed without having to raise
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
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
Fig. 4-20. Milled
hole. The nut fits in a hole in the backsight
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
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
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
Fig. 4-22. 1st Variation (I) and
C Mk 3 backsight assemblies, this
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
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
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-
Fig. 5-1. Enfield No. 4 Barrel what stronger. Also, it
has two pairs of lugs
m a c h i n e d n e a r 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
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
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 s t e e l m b e
> m d
**** f o r m i s a se
P "
a
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
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 " P O F , " 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
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
Fig. 5-4. Hand-
all No. 4 rifles (and conversions) and on the No. 5
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 ( N O . 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
h a r d w a r e (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
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 p jg
g o r e s n t
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
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,
Mk III The "0.0" blade is approximately
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
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
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 P a t t e r n
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 Watch For: Minor differences are
P o i n t s t o
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
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-
sight Protector
band. Minor variations are
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 ( N O . 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
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
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 s t variation
rear surface, similar to that of the later
Fig. 5-17B No. 4 rifle foresight blades.
2nd Variation
92
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
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
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.
a , o c D O 1
It is identical to the stock bolts used on later " '
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
Variation to reduce the overall weight of the rifle.
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
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
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?^^ a t e l
* ^ ^ a r c w a r e
covered a r e
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
Fore-End
the first variation fore-end is reinforced
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
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
Fore-End
of wood mortised and doweled in to
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
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
Fig. 6-13. 6th
cut all the way through (as on the
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
Variation Fore-End
lieved on the right side behind the
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
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
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
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
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).
Top View
Second Variation: Found on all later No. 4 rifles, this
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
, 4
attached to the forward end of the handguard by four
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
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
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
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
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 ( N O . 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
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
(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
buttplate). No changes were made during its service life, although

minor differences are encountered from different manufacturers.
SHOULDER PAD ASSEMBLY ( N O . 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 C a p
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
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
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
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
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
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.
, „ , 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
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
Butt Swivel Bracket
2 rifles (circa 1954-1955).
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
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
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. M l 9 0 7 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
loosened by sliding the C-shaped fixtures upward or downward along

the standing part of the sling.
Points to W a t c h 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 W a t c h 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
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
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
and Spring
without the catch, plunger, and
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
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
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
spike bayonet (Figure 8-5), designated
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.
3 d V a r i a t i o n
Production ceased in 1945. ' .
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
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 m e ^
f r o n tb b a r d is a 0.60
o f s c a
Bayonet Scabbard J n c h d i a m e t e r 5 u t t o n b r a z e d t 0 a b o s s
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
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
a b o u t 0 6 0 i n c n d i a m e t e r a n d to
Fig. 8-9. 4th Variation Spike ^ "
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
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
i n A m , n , . .. • .. Fig. 8-10.5th Variation Spike
than 100,000 and notes that it is quite B a y Q n e t S c a b b a r d
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 M Two types are encountered.
k 2 r i f l
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
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 VN S; N 79
ROF Poole unknown

©
125
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 V a r i a t i o n : 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 bSterling. 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
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.
Blade Bayonet Scabbards Fi

9- " 1 -
8 6
N a
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
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
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
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 p o c k e t
sewn to the front; some ... „ _ _... .. ..
Fig. 8-21. Canvas Rifle Valise,
have been observed with J i m C collection
a m e r o n
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 . C o . , " the date of
manufacture, and a broad arrow. The rifle valise was in use by 1942,
130
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.
o R
Points to W a t c h F o r :
The W W I - e r a m u z z l e
cover does not have a
Fig. 8-22. Canvas
o o 1 (5 "0 snap; it is held in place
with wrap-around thongs. Muzzle Cover
o •Q 1 t Historical Note: Various types of brass and
o o; steel muzzle covers were used from time to

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
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 " M k 4 . "
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
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
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 M k 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 M k 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

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
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
M k 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
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
N o . 4 AND N o . 5 RIFLES

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 p l a c e by s c r e w s
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 _. '
. Fig. 9-7. Scope Mount Pads on the
n 7 C l D
^ »r
conversions of No. 4 Mk I tn- N ^ •) (j) Rifle04
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 M k 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 t i o n a c t i o n b o d i e s
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
No. 4 M k 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 M k 1/2 (T) a n d M k 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.
C a n a d i a n 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 / . L39 A 1 . M
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- '9- 9"9- yP'cal markings on
F T
L 3 9 A 1 R l f l e
ies. The original markings are milled off,
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
utilized fourth, fifth, and seventh varia- Envoy 7 . 6 2 M / M
nonaction bodies; however, minor ma- JJE 71 E 775
chining is done in the magazine well to
accommodate the new 7.62mm maga- _
F j g 9 1 0 T y p i c a | m a r k i n g s
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
N o . 4 AND N o . 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.
C a n a d i a n 7.62mm Competition a n d 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 a n d 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
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.
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.

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.

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
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.

These rifles have the standard No. 4 buttstock in the four standard
lengths: bantam, short, normal, and long.

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
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.
These, too, have standard No. 4 fore-ends and handguards.

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
No. 3 2 Scope, M k I
and M k 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. 3 2 Scope, M k 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. 3 2 M k III Scope

Canadian versions of the No. 32 scope were manufactured by Re-
146
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 & 2 5 r w i m
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
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
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
F i 9 9 1 7 G r i f f i n & H o w e M o u n t
flange is fitted over the " " -
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
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
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

Stock Bolt Wad 42 Charger Bridge
C\J
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
Fore-End Collar 48 Cocking Piece
CO
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
( A K A 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
OC
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
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 i n c h -
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
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
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
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
"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
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
Approved Nov 1938
Cartridge, 7.62mm NATO

147 gr pointed bullet; Boxer primed
Approved Dec 1953
162
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
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 - N o . 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 - N o . 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
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
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 tworiflesreported
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
Table F-3
ROF Fazakerley (WWII)
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
Table F4, Cont.
a. All post-war Fazakerleyrifleshave "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
1941 0C(a)
1942 OC to 40C
1943 40Cto84C (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
1941 OLto 1L(a)
1942 1Lto20L
1943 21Lto56L (b)
1944 58L to 84L (c)
168
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. 4riflesduring these years.
e. Receivers are dated "1950" but later barrel dates have been reported.
Table F-7
ROF Fazakerley No. 5 Rifles
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
1945 BB, BD, BE, BF, BG
1946 BH, BJ
1947 BK
169
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)
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)
BSA-Shirley 1945-1947 81,300
Total Production (est): 251,300
170
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
Property' mark
1
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
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
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 B r i t i s h to
7.62mm NATO. The kit
consists chiefly of a re-
p l a c e m e n t b a r r e l 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
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
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
APPENDIX J
NO. 4 M K 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 P C " 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
Century Arms International U.S. import stamp (refer to Table 1-12)

on the barrel near the muzzle.

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
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
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
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 N O T
stamped with the usual
" N o . 4 M k I*" model iden-
tification or the " L o n g
Branch" factory designa-
tion, nor were they dated
or serial n u m b e r e d 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
markings. The barrels have "CA" markings on the knox form and
"crown and lance" proof marks on the right side.

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
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-
••^ w l ! ! J
BByj5jg cial version is a bit taller than that of
WKt^f/jfftgmH^^^ m e
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 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
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
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, A l a n M . (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
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
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
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 M l 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 M l 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 o f . . . 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, 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
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
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
ncape@ix.netcom.com. 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
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.
193
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

ml
2 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

,d
Newly revised and expanded 3 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: ncape@ix.netcom.com
http://www.northcapepubs.com

British Enfield Rifles - Volume 2 - Lee-Enfield No 4 and No 5 Rifles (PDFDrive)

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

British Enfield Rifles - Volume 2 - Lee-Enfield No 4 and No 5 Rifles (PDFDrive)

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

For Collectors Only®

2nd Edition, Revised

British Enfield Rifles

North Cape Publications

My beloved grandson and the newest Stratton

North Cape Publications, P.O. Box 1027, Tustin, California 92781

Printed in USA by KNI, Inc. Anaheim, CA 92806

CHAPTER 1 RIFLE MARKINGS

CHAPTER 2 ACTION BODY

CHAPTER 9 SNIPER AND COMPETITION RIFLES 133

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 187

OTHER BOOKS IN THE "FOR COLLECTORS ONLY®" SERIES 188

Of the 14 million Lee-Enfields manufactured, nearly 5 million were

In the United Kingdom and countries of the former British Empire,

What I have attempted in the BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES series is to keep

The BRITISH ENFIELD RIFLES series consists of the following volumes:

The "Enfield" in Lee-Enfield refers to the town of Enfield on the

Beginning shortly after WWI, trials were conducted at RSAF-Enfield

In England, two new Royal Ordnance Factories (ROF) were estab-

set up a new plant in Shirley (an outer suburb of Birmingham) to

In February 1942, a telescopic sighted version of the Mk I was ap-

Modifications to the bolt release mechanism of the No. 4 were ap-

In 1943, trials began on a shortened and lightened No. 4 rifle, leading

to the adoption in 1944 of the No. 5 Mk I Rifle, or "Jungle Carbine,"

Production of No. 4 rifles ceased at Savage in June, 1944, with a total

In 1944, Long Branch developed a .22 caliber version of the No. 4

Production ceased at BSA-Shirley in the late 1940s, and in the mid-

In the mid- to late-1950s, a variant of the No. 4 Mk I* was produced

ing. The C.A.L. factory at Long Branch developed a heavy barrel

In the late 1960s, the British government approved conversion of vari-

In need of a sniper rifle chambered for the 7.62mm NATO cartridge,

rifles. The L42A1 rifle remained in service until 1992.

Finally, in the mid-1970s, a non-firing drill purpose conversion of the

MODELS AND MARKS OF THE N O . 4 SERIES RIFLES

In addition, the Mk I* rifles

Points to Watch For: Many Mk I and Mk I* rifles underwent Factory

soldered in place (Figure 6, arrows). Those (T) models converted by

Rifles chosen for conver-

A No. 5 rifle will bring two to three times as much as a comparable

NO. 4 MK 2 P.O.F. RIFLE

At present, P.O.F. rifles are not commanding a premium.

CANADIAN E.A.L. RIFLE

(Photographs not to scale)

CANADIAN 7.62MM COMPETITION RIFLE

L8A1 from No. 4 Mk2

L39A1 AND ENFIELD ENVOY

L59A1 DRILL RIFLE

MODEL AND MARK

RIFLE 7.62MM L8A1 7.62m/m L39A1

S No. 4 Mk I* No.5 Mk I ROF(F)

Model Rifle Description

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 traiiningrifle(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