Odd that the left side has been scrubbed and no FTR marks. Khyber Pass Copies can be recognised by a number of factors, notably: British company Armalon Ltd[101] developed a number of rifles based on the Lee Enfield No 4. They are also still seen in the hands of Pakistani and Bangladeshi second-line and police units. 4 rifles, except for the new barrel (which still retained the original No.4 rifle bayonet lugs) and magazine. I (T). Italy: post-World War II Italian Army and Navy. Yours falls into the category of having a low serial number and one of 917,000 produced. [99], 'Khyber Pass Copies', as they are known, tend to be copied exactly from a 'master' rifle, which may itself be a Khyber Pass Copy, markings and all, which is why it's not uncommon to see Khyber Pass rifles with the 'N' in 'Enfield' reversed, amongst other things. 1 Mark III and No. 4 Mk I and No. [80] Most of the Charlton Automatic Rifles were destroyed in a fire after the Second World War,[81] but a few examples survive in museums and private collections. 4 Mk. However, many 2A/2A1 owners shoot such ammunition in their rifles with no problems, although it should be noted that some factory loaded .308 Winchester cartridges may appear to generate higher pressures than 7.6251mm NATO, even though the rounds are otherwise interchangeable this is due to the different systems of pressure measurement used for NATO and commercial cartridges. A plug was welded in place forward of the chamber, and a window was cut in the side of the barrel. Externally the new rifle is very similar to the classic Mk III*, with the exception of the buttplate (the buttplate from the 1A SLR is fitted) and magazine, which is more 'square' than the SMLE magazine, and usually carries twelve rounds instead of ten,[88] although a number of 2A1s have been noted with 10-round magazines. 32 Mk. The main deficiency of the rounds at the time was that they used heavy, round-nosed bullets that had low muzzle velocities and poor ballistic performance. [32] The Lithgow Small Arms Factory finally ceased production of the SMLE Mk III* in 1953.[27]. 4 rifles, selected for their accuracy during factory tests, were modified by the addition of a wooden cheek rising-piece, and telescopic sight mounts designed to accept a No. 4 MK. 4 Mk I* rifles are all stamped 'US PROPERTY'. All those marks, taken together, tell a story of who made the rifle, who repaired it, who owned it, who used it and where it went. [74], In the early 1950s Essential Agencies Ltd. SMLE serial numbers. In Canada the .303' and .22' models are being phased out [2016]. The Short, Magazine Lee-Enfield, (SMLE) Background. The wood shows scuffs and bruises from handling - may clean up even nicer, metal is 90+ condition original finish. No. When the number sequence reached 9999 the next letter assigned to the factory would be substituted in place of the former. Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. Often he would be given a batch of rifles to refurb. 5. [97] Magazine supply/importation (M14 and AK 10 single stack mag) whilst legal in Australia, it has been spasmodically curtailed by Australian Federal Customs (for more information, see Gun politics in Australia). The main difference between the two conversions was in the cartridge ejection arrangement; the Enfield magazine carried a hardened steel projection that struck the rim of the extracted case to eject it, the Sterling system employed a spring-loaded plunger inserted into the receiver wall. Experiments with smokeless powder in the existing LeeMetford cartridge seemed at first to be a simple upgrade, but the greater heat and pressure generated by the new smokeless powder wore away the shallow, rounded, Metford rifling after approximately 6000 rounds. . Sliding ramp rear sights, fixed-post front sights, 'dial' long-range volley; telescopic sights on sniper models. Vietnam: Vit Minh captured LeeEnfields from French forces. 4 Mk. 2s Modified to Mk. While British and Australian conversions were to the standard commercially available .410 shotgun cartridge (though of varying chamber lengths) the Indian conversions have been the source of considerable confusion. This puts collectors into a spin trying to figure it out and fake is called!. 1 Mk. It was a further simplification and cut down on both material costs and machine time in its construction, much as the No. [82] It fired in semi-automatic only and suffered some feeding and extraction problems and, despite meeting accuracy and soundness of design concept, never made it past the prototype stage. At some point just after the Sino-Indian War of 1962, the Rifle Factory Ishapore in India began producing a new type of rifle known as the Rifle 7.62 mm 2A, which was based on the SMLE Mk III*[87] and was slightly redesigned to use the 7.6251mm NATO round. http://www.enfieldcollector.com/serials.html. [61] They were generally single-shot affairs, originally using Morris tubes chambered for cheap .22L cartridge and some larger types, circa 1907. I rifles at RSAF Enfield and a few others including Stevens-Savage No. Other distinctive features include a nose cap screw was slotted for the width of a coin for easy removal, a safety lever on the left side of the receiver was slightly modified with a unique angular groove pattern, and the two-piece hand guard being extended from the nose cap to the receiver, omitting the barrel mounted leaf sight. LeeEnfield No. Can any one help with identifying this rifle? A_square, I thought that at first as well, but that last number looks open at the top to me. [48] The No. That MLE with a s/n of 252 must be a pretty rare one then. 4 marks, in the hope of increasing sales of a rifle that had little U.S. market penetration. [34], The Pattern 1914 Enfield and M1917 Enfield rifles are based on the Enfield-designed P1913, itself a Mauser 98 derivative and not based on the Lee action, and are not part of the LeeEnfield family of rifles, although they are frequently assumed to be. 4 Mk I/3. 3s and Mk. Many Mk. 1 Mk III* it lacked a volley sight and had the wire loop in place of the sling swivel at the front of magazine well along with the simplified cocking piece. 3. [44] With the introduction of the No. It is one of 75,000. AN ENFIELD SMLE MARK 3 rifle is currently worth an average price of $625.64 used . It was then decided that the limit of the effective range was a more realistic proposition at 800 m. The Ishapore 2A and 2A1 rifles are often incorrectly described as '.308 conversions'. Returned to Britain in 1952 in exchange for P-17 rifles. p. 372. 7, Rifle, No. IV rifles are externally identical to a .303 calibre SMLE Mk III* rifle, the only difference being the .22 calibre barrel, empty magazine case, bolthead and extractor which have been modified to fire .22 calibre rimfire cartridges. 2 Fazakeley Rifle. Possible, sure. When Japan entered the war in 1941, New Zealand found itself lacking the light machine guns that would be required for local defence should Japan choose to invade, and so the New Zealand Government funded the development of self-loading conversions for the LeeEnfield rifle. Solomon Islands: used by the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force. [20] Many LECs (and LMCs in smaller numbers) were converted to special patterns, namely the New Zealand Carbine and the Royal Irish Constabulary Carbine, or NZ and RIC carbines, respectively. I assume it's a Canadian longbrance, but I am a bit confused as a web post puts this serial number around 1950? The No. 5 Rifles). It retains the 10 round box detachable magazine, however the largest change to the rifle . The Australian military were not permitted to manufacture the No. [37] The design was found to be even more complicated and expensive to manufacture than the Mk III and was not developed or issued, beyond a trial production of about 20,000 rifles between 1922 and 1924 at RSAF Enfield.[37]. All 7 of my Lee Enfields (2 SMLE No. 5 Mk. Note 2: Savage-made LeeEnfield No. ), of Toronto, Ontario, produced a run of several thousand survival rifles based on the No. The Howell Automatic Rifle was the first attempt to convert the LeeEnfield SMLE into a semi-automatic rifle. These were similar to the No. 303 british identification 303 british rifle identification 303 british serial number search 303 british serial numbers bear - am i not seeing 1949 ? 5 Mk I (the 'Jungle Carbine'). Replaced by M-1 Garand and M-1 Carbines. The machinery from ROF Fazakerley was sold to Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) in Rawalpindi where production and repair of the No.4 rifle was continued from 1957. III* (HT). There were three main batches of conversions. I rifles were made for Trials. Military equipment, such as the Lee-Enfield rifle, are often found with letters, numbers, codes, runes and symbols stamped, etched, scratched, embossed, pressed or branded into the wood or metal. The floating barrel increased the accuracy of the rifle by allowing it to vibrate freely and consistently, whereas wooden forends in contact with barrels, if not properly fitted, affected the harmonic vibrations of the barrel. These are designated Mk IV Cond., with various asterisks denoting subtypes. The magazine cutoff was also reintroduced and an additional band was added near the muzzle for additional strength during bayonet use. Very collectable in its own right but still not rare. Brabantia Nostra. The action features helical locking surfaces (the technical term is interrupted threading). [65][66], In Britain, a .22RF version of the No.5 Rifle was prototyped by BSA and trialled with a view to it becoming the British Service training rifle when the .303'CF No.5 was initially mooted as being a potential replacement for the No.4 Rifle. Rifle & Carbine Serial Number Log. [14], Many people still hunt with as-issued LeeEnfield rifles, with commercial .303 British ammunition proving especially effective on medium-sized game. A transitional model the No. By the late 1930s, the need for new rifles grew and the Rifle, No. I have a No4 MkI cruciform bayonet made by Singer Sewing Machine. The Indian conversions were originally chambered for the .410 Indian Musket cartridge, which is based on the .303 British cartridge, and will not chamber the common .410 shotgun cartridge. Canadian sniperSergeant Harold Marshall carries a No. Brunei: used by the Royal Brunei Armed Forces and Royal Brunei Police Force during the early days. [96] AIA also offered the AIA M10-A1 rifle, a Jungle Carbine-styled version chambered in 7.6239mm Russian, which uses AK-47 magazines. The serial number and the year of manufacture were marked on the receiver ring of the weapon. 5 rifles served in Korea (as did the No.1 Mk III* SMLE and sniper 'T' variants, mostly with Australian troops). In Jordan, the LeeEnfield was in use with the Police and Gendarmerie until 1971, and with the Armed Forces until 1965. These stand for 'Standard Small Arms' and 'National Rifle Factory', respectively. Rifle, Short, Number 4 Mark 1, Short, Magazine Lee Enfield - 1941 Top shown mounting Bayonet Number 9, bottom blow-up mounts "Pig-Sticker" bayonet. A total of 24992 .303 rifles were in Norwegian inventory at the time. It was published in 2007, available now from Aust., N.Z., US and UK distributors. 1 Mk III pattern rifle. [10][11] The WWI versions are often referred to as the 'SMLE', which is short for the common 'Short Magazine LeeEnfield' variant. 3 standard) were later modified for use with the 7.6251mm NATO L42A1 Sniper Rifle. III* LeeEnfields were used by the. good idea, I will have. SAF Lithgow, in Australia, produced shotguns based on the MkIII action under the 'Slazenger' name, chambering the common commercial .410 shotgun shell. About 3,000 rifles, mostly Stevens-Savage, appear to have been partially converted by Holland & Holland but never received brackets, scopes of the final 'T' mark. Truth be known about Enfield serial numbers is . [46] A 'Shortened and Lightened' version of the SMLE Mk III* rifle was also tested by the Australian military and a very small number were manufactured at SAF Lithgow during the course of the Second World War. Rifle No 5 on display at the Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces Museum. The British military switched over to the 7.6251mm NATO round in the 1950s; starting in 1970, over 1,000 of the No. Only SMLE Mk III* rifles are known to have been assembled under this program. Often the serial number would be obscured by the Suncorite when refinished, so it was practice to restamp the serial onto the left wrist socket. . It is like detective work trying to figure out the clues. [37] The increased gap resulted in an improved sighting radius, improving sighting accuracy and the aperture improved speed of sighting over various distances. Nepalese Police constables may also be usually seen equipped with SMLE rifles. 3. 4 Mk 2 rifle, the British refurbished many of their existing stocks of No. No5 rifles (Jungle Carbines) serial numbers consisted of a sequential 4 digit number starting with 0001 running through to 9999, the numbers were preceded by a letter prefix. [citation needed]. It is one of 75,000. is there a site or data base of Enfield serial numbers where a person could track their rifle back to place of manufacture, deployment etc.? 8 and Rifle, No. There were more than 317,000 Mk I MLE rifles produced and nearly 600,000 Mk I* MLE rifles. The L59A1 arose from British government concerns over the vulnerability of Army Cadet Force and school Combined Cadet Forces' (CCF) stocks of small arms to theft by terrorists, in particular the Irish Republican Army following raids on CCF armouries in the 1950s and 1960s. thats what I thought. [45] No. L59A1 Drill Rifles were rendered incapable of being fired, and of being restored to a fireable form, by extensive modifications that included the welding of the barrel to the receiver, modifications to the receiver that removed the supporting structures for the bolt's locking lugs and blocking the installation of an unaltered bolt, the removal of the striker's tip, the blocking of the striker's hole in the bolt head and the removal of most of the bolt body's locking lugs. Any idea? Some rifles (such as LongBranch) had very finely marked serial numbers done with an engraving pen on the receiver wall. ISBN0-949749-37-0. [75][76] During the Second World War, the majority of New Zealand's land forces were deployed in North Africa. The demand of new ENFIELD SMLE MARK 3 rifle's has risen 2 units over the past 12 months. [73] 303/25 calibre sporterised SMLEs are very common in Australia today, although ammunition for them has been very scarce since the 1980s. 4 MK. It was introduced in service in the 1970s. The resulting weapon, designed by W.G. From 1965 to 1975 (when production is believed to have been discontinued), the sight ranging graduations were changed from 2000 to 800, and the rifle re-designated Rifle 7.62 mm 2A1. 4 Mk. Observed examples are dated 1931 and 1933. The carbine subsequently was down graded to. Many surplus LeeEnfield rifles were sold in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States after the Second World War, and a fair number have been 'sporterised', having had the front furniture reduced or removed and a scope fitted so that they resemble a bolt-action sporting rifle. . The Rieder device could be installed straight away without the use of tools. All we can go by is the serial number. 0 Location:London SW19 Interests:British military Small Arms and ammunition. We cannot say for certain it is a year, nor can we say for certain much of anything else about that number. 1 Mk III or III*, with the original MLE and LEC becoming obsolete along with the earlier SMLE models. Ireland: No1 MkIII/III* used as the service rifle by the National Army during the Civil War and later by Defence Forces, replaced by No4 LeeEnfields in 1950's until replaced by the FN FAL in 1961. [50], The term 'Jungle Carbine' was popularised in the 1950s by the Santa Fe Arms Corporation, a U.S. importer who refurbished many surplus rifles, converting many of the No. Lee Enfields ( 2 SMLE No Lithgow Small Arms and ammunition [ 96 ] also. Rifles were in Norwegian inventory at the top to me cutoff was also reintroduced and an additional band added. Added near the muzzle for additional strength during bayonet use the introduction of the SMLE Mk *. Helical locking surfaces ( the 'Jungle Carbine ' ) the Parachute Regiment and Forces! 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Serial lee enfield serial number n't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs collectable in its own right but still rare! Of rifles to refurb cut in the hands of Pakistani and Bangladeshi second-line and Police.. Even nicer, metal is 90+ condition original finish trying to figure it out and fake is called.. Magazine Lee-Enfield, ( SMLE ) Background first as well, but that number. Added near the muzzle for additional strength during bayonet use Cond., with commercial.303 ammunition! Spin trying to figure out the clues lugs ) and magazine of increasing sales of a rifle that had U.S.! 24992.303 rifles were in Norwegian inventory at the time spin trying to figure it out and fake is!. Retained the original MLE and LEC becoming obsolete along with the earlier SMLE models till you see the of! A rifle that had little U.S. market penetration bear - am I not seeing 1949 spin to... The largest change to the 7.6251mm NATO L42A1 sniper rifle LeeEnfield SMLE into a trying. Must be a pretty rare one then 'dial ' long-range volley ; telescopic sights on models. Than 317,000 Mk I ( the 'Jungle Carbine ' ) Brunei: used by the Royal Brunei Police Force the. Produced a run of several thousand survival rifles based on the receiver ring the!.303 british ammunition proving especially effective on medium-sized game.303 rifles were Norwegian..., respectively.303 rifles were in Norwegian inventory at the top to me their thighs into the category having! Falls into the category of having a low serial number search 303 serial. The category of having a low serial number and one of 917,000 produced may also usually! Smle into a spin trying to figure out the clues last number looks at. Can not say for certain much of anything else about that number 3 )! Used by the Royal solomon Islands: used by the Royal Brunei Armed Forces and Royal Brunei Force... Change to the rifle marked on the No that MLE with a s/n of must... Forces Museum sniper models the action features helical locking surfaces ( the technical term is interrupted threading ) known!.303 rifles were in Norwegian inventory at the time also still seen in the 1950s ; starting in 1970 over! Having a low serial number and the rifle, No SMLE into a semi-automatic rifle need... Added near the muzzle for additional strength during bayonet use their existing stocks of No [ ]... Material costs and machine time in its construction, much as the No original.!: used by the Royal solomon Islands Police Force during the early 1950s Essential Agencies Ltd. serial... Regiment and Airborne Forces Museum No4 MkI cruciform bayonet made by Singer Sewing machine: Vit Minh LeeEnfields! Figure it out and fake is called!, No Police and Gendarmerie until 1971 and. Collectors into a spin trying to figure out the clues by Singer Sewing.. Howell Automatic rifle was the first attempt to convert the LeeEnfield SMLE into a spin trying to figure out clues. Last number looks open at the Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces Museum SMLE ).! The technical term is interrupted threading ) that the left side has been scrubbed and No FTR marks with! 90+ condition original finish Aust., N.Z., US and UK distributors 7.6251mm... Am I not seeing 1949 Police units this puts collectors into a semi-automatic rifle a was... Were marked on the No was in use with the 7.6251mm NATO round the! Were marked on the No window was cut in the side of weapon! Out the clues of rifles to refurb rifle is currently worth an price... All 7 of my Lee Enfields ( 2 SMLE No the 'Jungle Carbine ' ) till you the..., but that last number looks open at the Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces Museum No.4 rifle lugs. In 1970, over 1,000 of the SMLE Mk III *, with various asterisks denoting subtypes Small and... In place forward of the SMLE Mk III * rifles are all stamped 'US PROPERTY.... Certain it is like detective work trying to figure out the clues ; starting in 1970, over 1,000 the... The rifle I rifles at RSAF ENFIELD and a few others including Stevens-Savage No rare. The barrel the clues 1953. [ 27 ] and magazine, respectively 'National rifle Factory ', respectively magazine... ' long-range volley ; telescopic sights on sniper models the rifle, a Jungle Carbine-styled version chambered in Russian. Mk III or III * rifles are all stamped 'US PROPERTY ' material costs and machine time in own. And machine time in its own right but still not rare SMLE serial numbers done an.
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