The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Tactical Rifle & Carbine => Topic started by: billt on March 09, 2010, 09:28:59 AM
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(http://img273.imageshack.us/img273/5874/enfield30318yw.th.jpg) (http://img273.imageshack.us/my.php?image=enfield30318yw.jpg)
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I picked up this Enfield back around 1994. I was living in Lake Havasu City at the time, and the Arizona Republic newspaper was running an ad for them from a local Phoenix gun shop. It was $160.00 brand new, unissued in the Cosmoline, complete with unissued bayonet and scabbard. It is the knife style, not the spike. I know, I wish I'd bought 10 of them!
The gun came "mummy wrapped" in white cloth. After getting it home I removed the bolt and magazine and soaked them overnight in a coffee can full of clean Kerosene, then blew them dry with compressed air. The bore was packed solid with Cosmoline, and when I ran a cleaning rod through it, the Cosmoline came out the muzzle like toothpaste out of a tube. After I got the whole thing cleaned up, it was absolutely flawless! The barrel was as bright as any new weapon I have ever purchased. I shot it once, and it was amazingly accurate with the stock issue sights.
I was told they came from a stash of weapons the Irish Republican Army sold off, they had in storage since the early 50's. If that is true or not, I don't know. I know it's a crappy picture, but I was wondering if anyone knows the model of it? Many look so alike it's hard to tell which model it is unless you really know the platform, and I don't. I was lucky enough to find 3 brand new magazines for it at a local gun show here a few years back. I also picked up 10 new stripper clips. But again I came up short in the knowledge department when it comes to loading them. The .303 British is a rimmed cartridge, and I was wondering the loading sequence so you don't have the rims of the cases interfering with each other? Thanks in advance for any info you guys might be able to provide. Bill T.
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If anyone needs more detailed photographs to ID anything, let me know and I'll try and post some. Bill T.
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Well, here we go on another research path. There are Enfield experts out there so they'll probably know just by some of the more obvious characteristics.
It's clearly a No 4 but not sure if it is a Mk 1, Mk 1*, Mk 1/2, Mk 3 or what. What are the marketing on the metal band at the wrist? That should help some. If I recall, the Mk 1* was a simplified Mk 1 by removing the bolt release catch. The Mk 2 had a change in where the trigger was attached (new design attached trigger into the receiver). When Mk 1's were upgraded to Mk 2, they were marked 1/2 and when 1* were upgraded they were marked Mk 1/3.
Is the buttplate brass? Is the wood beech? If so, that means it is probably post-WWII. Wartime buttplates were steel.
As for loading, I've always just loaded the cartridges so the round on top has its rim in front of the one below it. I don't recall difficulty with the Enfield magazines making them set themselves up that way.
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It is a No. 4 but to be sure which variant look on the left side of the rifle opposite of the bolt handle and there will be a metal piece that wraps around the stock just back from the trigger guard. On it there will be the model.
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I'll check it out. Thanks! Bill T.
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Is the buttplate brass? Is the wood beech? If so, that means it is probably post-WWII. Wartime buttplates were steel.
The buttplate is definitely brass. The wood appears to be Beech. It's for sure not Walnut. I'll dig it out of the safe and check the markings on the wrist band. Bill T.
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Next thing you know, billt will have a never fired Martini-Henry "just laying around"....
Just how big is your darn safe????
Walk in closet comes to mind,.... :P
Thanks billt.
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All right thats it!!!! I'm moving to Glendale AZ! BILLT say hi to your new neighbor!
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I bought one one of the Irish rifles at the same time, mine was a No4 Mk2. IIRC Century was the importer.
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Bugger how did i Miss this
yep it is a No# 4
what are the markings on the receiver ??? also at the top and the date
I have the Bible for Lee Enfield by Ian Skennerton
I can let you know more info about it
also does it have the flip up battle sight on it
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wow I just saw how much the book is going for
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Skennerton-The-British-Service-Lee-HC-DJ_W0QQitemZ310020121414QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Nonfiction_Book?hash=item482ea3a346#ht_500wt_1182
better wrap that one up and keep in a safe place
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Yes, the sight is a flip up type. I'll post some better pics as soon as I can. Bill T.