[75][76] During the Second World War, the majority of New Zealand's land forces were deployed in North Africa. 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. Japan: Captured from British Army during World War II. Very collectable in its own right but still not rare. A super nice example exhibiting many L over B marked parts and early features - low side fore wood and rounded cocking piece. Odd that the left side has been scrubbed and no FTR marks. Hand. 7 and No. The No. Lee Enfield Rifle Lookup Upgrade T Later [10] Replacing this with a new square-shaped rifling system designed at the Royal Small Arms Factory (RSAF) Enfield solved the problem, and the LeeEnfield was born. In 1914, Enfield produced complete .22 barrels and bolts specifically for converting .303 units, and these soon became the most common conversion. No. No Savage LeeEnfields were ever issued to the US military; the markings existed solely to maintain the pretence that American equipment was being lent to the UK rather than permanently sold to them. Fixed and adjustable aperture sights incorporated onto later variants. The L59A1 was a conversion of the No4 Rifle (all Marks) to a Drill Purpose Rifle that was incapable of being restored to a firing configuration. Armi Sport offers both a defarbed and (believe it or not) what they call a "farbed" version. Two crossed swords pointing down with the letters M and O on either side. 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. . Identifying Serial Numbers Hi guys, A friend just inherited his father's Lee Enfield and doesn't know anything about it. The Lee-Enfield series of rifles is one of the most successful bolt-action rifles of all time. VIEWS British "Enfield" rifles are some of the most iconic small arms in the world. I cant seem to find his posting right now, but it might help explain things. [10][11] The WWI versions are often referred to as the 'SMLE', which is short for the common 'Short Magazine LeeEnfield' variant. I have a No.1 Mk III British SMLE.303 I already ordered a book/manual on the rifle that shows how to tell certain details by the markings but i would like to look up my specific rifle by serial number. 4 MK. 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. 1 Mk III pattern rifle. I do remember reading something by Peter Laidler, so forgive me if I dont recall it correctly. By the late 1930s, the need for new rifles grew and the Rifle, No. Where are the serial numbers on a Lee Enfield? In the early 1930s, a batch of 2,500 No. Police forces in both the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu continue to operate and maintain stocks of No.4 rifles. The rifle was also equipped with a detachable sheet-steel, 10-round, double-column magazine, a very modern development in its day. [64], After the Second World War, the Rifle, No. . 4 Mk 1 rifles so upgraded were re-designated No. 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. 4 MK. [42] It was produced only in North America, by Small Arms Limited at Long Branch in Canada and Stevens-Savage Firearms in the USA. 4 Mk I* in 1942, with the bolt release catch replaced by a simpler notch on the bolt track of the rifle's receiver. [91][92] Also contributing to the total was the Rifle Factory Ishapore (RFI) at Ishapore in India, which continued to produce the SMLE in both .303 and 7.6251mm NATO until the 1980s, and is still manufacturing a sporting rifle based on the SMLE Mk III action, chambered for a .315 calibre cartridge[93] the Birmingham Small Arms Company factory at Shirley near Birmingham, and SAF Lithgow in Australia, who finally discontinued production of the SMLE Mk III* with a final 'machinery proving' batch of 1000 rifles in early 1956, using 1953-dated receivers. Recording of serial numbers for Enfield muskets,.577 Sniders and.450 &.303 Martini rifles. Remember, geographical location affects values, as well. $ 1,099.00 For sale is a Canadian Lee-Enfield No.4 MK1* Long Branch bolt action rifle in .303 British. A very collectable rifle indeed, but by no means rare. 4 Mk I/3. thats what I thought. 4 action, but lightened and shortened, chambered in .303 British. Lee-Enfield - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The left side of the receiver is marked "No.4 Mk2 / UF 55 A17380". Serial number is of 1950s and date stamped 1942? A MK1 MLE in 7-9/10 condition which is average for what I`ve been seeing over the last couple of yrs are in the range of $1500- $2500. The gun itself is in very good condition. I (T) chambered in .303 British. Or you can e-mail Ian. The serial number and the year of manufacture were marked on the receiver ring of the weapon. I have no clue what this kind of gun is worth, I guess it is whatever someone will pay. This example was built by Canadian Arsenals and was one of only 50,000 built at this period of time at the Long Branch facility. The LeeEnfield family of rifles is the second oldest bolt-action rifle design still in official service, after the MosinNagant. [105], Khyber Pass Copies patterned after the LeeEnfield are still manufactured in the Khyber Pass region, as bolt-action rifles remain effective weapons in desert and mountain environments where long-range accuracy is more important than rate of fire. [44] With the introduction of the No. 5 Mk I (the 'Jungle Carbine'). The Australian Army modified 1,612[51] Lithgow SMLE No. Numbers and markings on rifles, I find fascinating. 3. the British Army The Lee-Enfield . The charger bridge was no longer rounded for easier machining.The iron sight line was redesigned and featured a rear receiver aperture battle sight calibrated for 300 yd (274 m) with an additional ladder aperture sight that could be flipped up and was calibrated for 2001,300 yd (1831,189 m) in 100 yd (91 m) increments. The same six serials were used on the six rifles, but not necessarily applied to the exact same ones. [45] No. An Australian experimental version of the No. MAGAZINE LEE RIFLES & CARBINES Lee-Metford Lee-Enfield Note: Charger loaders and conversions are family. Austria: used post-war by the Gendarmerie. Note the block-style S of the J. Stevens Company. Rifle Factory Ishapore of India still manufactures an sporting/hunting rifle chambered in .315 with a LeeEnfield action.[114]. 5) have serial numbers stamped on the rear face of the bolt handle with no indication of any numbers having been stamped or struck out on the bottom of their bolt handles. Bangladesh: extensively used during 1971 war. 32 telescope progressed through three marks with the Mk. 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. Anschutz target rifles fall into this category, and their system is given on the page for these rifles. [46] The No. Several First World War accounts tell of British troops repelling German attackers who subsequently reported that they had encountered machine guns, when in fact it was simply a group of well-trained riflemen armed with SMLE Mk III rifles. The WWII British No.4 MK I* evolved from a long line of Lee-Enfield rifles that were first adopted by the British Army in . 4 rifles to 7.6251mm NATO as part of a programme to retain the LeeEnfield as a reserve weapon. A new bayonet was designed to go with the rifle: a spike bayonet, which was essentially a steel rod with a sharp point and was nicknamed 'pigsticker' by soldiers. Often he would be given a batch of rifles to refurb. 4 Mk I (T) and No. Only SMLE Mk III* rifles are known to have been assembled under this program. Like the No. Possible, sure. 4 Mk. 3 standard) were later modified for use with the 7.6251mm NATO L42A1 Sniper Rifle. The rest of the story is that this carbine was accepted into New Zealand service in 1899 and was assigned inventory number 1909. Yours falls into the category of having a low serial number and one of 917,000 produced. Roughly 1,400 of these were converted to No. the bolt was replaced. I (T) Serial number 0C820 made by Stevens-Savage as a No. III (Mk. Please record original details from right side of butt socket (left side for carbines) below the royal cypher (crown, V.R. [18][19], The LeeEnfield was adapted to fire the .303 British service cartridge, a rimmed, high-powered rifle round. Most of the Canadian made No.4 Mk.I* (T) sniper equipments went into British service. The new rifle also incorporated a charger loading system,[24] another innovation borrowed from the Mauser rifle'[25] and is notably different from the fixed 'bridge' that later became the standard, being a charger clip (stripper clip) guide on the face of the bolt head. It has markings of a crown and GR Numrich Gun Parts Corporation 226 Williams Ln. Any idea? 4 rifles and brought them up to the same standard as the No. 5 Mk I). However, the LeeEnfield was mainly replaced in main-line service in the Pakistani Police in the mid-1980s by the AK 47, in response to increasing proliferation of the Kalashnikov in the black market and civilian use. 3) in 1944. 5 Mark I, as finalized in March 1944 and officially adopted on Sept. 12, 1944, had an overall length of 39 12", a 20 12" barrel with a "flash eliminator" similar to that used on the Bren. Initially, rifles were converted from obsolete Magazine LeeMetford and Magazine LeeEnfield rifles[57][58] but from the First World War onwards SMLE rifles were used instead. The magazine cutoff was also reintroduced and an additional band was added near the muzzle for additional strength during bayonet use. The wood shows scuffs and bruises from handling - may clean up even nicer, metal is 90+ condition original finish. I also have a No7MkI/L Land Service swiveling pommel blade bayonet intended for the MkV submachine gun but will also fit the No4Mk1 Enfield. The serial number is DA22567A, above the serial number it says NO.4 MK1 F (FTR) that is all the markings I can really see on the gun and I was wondering what year the rifle was made, the model it is, & how much it is worth? "55" is for 1955. BSA-Shirley, Birmingham produced 81,329 rifles and ROF Fazakerley, Liverpool 169,807 rifles. III* rifles by adding a heavy target barrel, cheek-piece, and a World War I era Pattern 1918 telescope, creating the SMLE No. Despite this, the British learned from the results of the L8 test program and used them in successfully converting their stocks of No. Enfield from 19221924, with a total production of roughly 20,000 rifles, all of which marked with a 'V'. The initial BSA batch of L1A1 rifles for the quarter ending December 31 in 1957 was UB57 A1 - A870. This puts collectors into a spin trying to figure it out and fake is called!. In good looking condition, this was the last year they were ever made. But here is the thing, that number on that No 4 is stamped in an area where some manufacturers stamped the year it was made. Cannot find any broad arrows. 8 and Rifle, No. No. Observed examples are dated 1931 and 1933. [citation needed]. 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. I'm making it a sticky for your reference: http://home.earthlink.net/~smithkaia8/theenfieldlists/ yockey5 15K 2 [14] LeeEnfield rifles are used by reserve forces and police forces in many Commonwealth countries, including Malawi. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force). These unusual rifles have something of a mysterious service history, but represent a missing link in SMLE development. [61] They were generally single-shot affairs, originally using Morris tubes chambered for cheap .22L cartridge and some larger types, circa 1907. A plug was welded in place forward of the chamber, and a window was cut in the side of the barrel. 4 action was similar to the Mk VI, but stronger and most importantly, easier to mass-produce. ), of Toronto, Ontario, produced a run of several thousand survival rifles based on the No. 1 Mk V), adopted a new receiver-mounted aperture sighting system, which moved the rear sight from its former position on the barrel. The trigger guards is marked: DF The wood just above the signt is marked: DR Rifle has the serial number 8832. 1 Mk VI also introduced a heavier 'floating barrel' that was independent of the forearm, allowing the barrel to expand and contract without contacting the forearm and interfering with the 'zero', the correlation between the alignment of the barrel and the sights. It is essentially an updated N0. If it's a 1942,it will more likely then not,have the rear release tab for the bolt. Poland: used by the Polish Armed Forces in the West, Portugal: used by the Portuguese Expeditionary Corps, during the First World War. Thailand: (the contract was concluded on 10 December 1920 when the king received shipment of 10,000 rifles.). [72] Post-Second World War, SAF Lithgow converted a number of SMLE rifles to commercial sporting rifles- notably the .22 Hornet model- under the 'Slazenger' brand. [17] Some straight-pull bolt-action rifles were thought faster, but lacked the simplicity, reliability, and generous magazine capacity of the LeeEnfield. The 'G.R.' 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'. 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. Thanks to inter-war development, an improved and simplified design was waiting in the wings, and the No. Each No. It is one of 75,000. [14] Soft-point .303 ammunition is widely available for hunting purposes, though the Mark 7 military cartridge design often proves adequate because its tail-heavy design makes the bullet yaw violently and deform after hitting the target.[109][110]. The Birmingham Small Arms Company Limited, Small Arms Limited and later, Canadian Arsenals Limited, Spelling errors in the markings; as noted the most common of which is a reversed 'N' in 'Enfield'), V.R. An alternative developed during this period was to be used on the No. In total, over 16 million LeeEnfields had been produced in several factories on different continents when production in Britain shut down in 1956, at the Royal Ordnance FactoryROF Fazakerley in Liverpool after that factory had been plagued with industrial unrest. 4 Mk 2. Create your own unique website with customizable templates. Forum for discussion by serious collectors of Lee Enfield arms, accessories, ammunition, and accoutrements Thanks I don't think the stock is original because I don't see a serial number. Rack number?, club inventory number? Bolt and stock band serial numbers match Bolt head is an#3 It's been sporterized. Very interesting site about Lee Enfield Rifle Markings. This is one reason the bolt closure feels smooth. 8 is in regular use with UK Cadet Forces as a light target rifle. These were similar to the No. The manufacturer's names found on the MLE, CLLE, and SMLE Mk IMk III* rifles and variants are: Note 1: 'SSA' and 'NRF' markings are sometimes encountered on First World War-dated SMLE Mk III* rifles. Nepalese Police constables may also be usually seen equipped with SMLE rifles. [85] The L8 series of rifles consisted of L8A1 rifles (converted No.4 Mk2 rifles), L8A2 rifles (converted No.4 Mk1/2 rifles), L8A3 rifles (converted No.4 Mk1/3 rifles), L8A4 rifles (converted No.4 Mk1 rifles), and L8A5 rifles (converted No.4 Mk1* rifles). 5 iron sight line was similar to the No. I* (T) were the standard WWII sniper rifles for the British and for the Commonwealth, except for Australia. 1 Mk V is the rear aperture sight. [32] The Lithgow Small Arms Factory finally ceased production of the SMLE Mk III* in 1953.[27]. 4 Mk 2 with the ladder aperture sight flipped up and 5-round charger. 32 and its bracket (mount) were matched and serial numbered to a specific rifle.[54]. I introduced in 1942, the Mk. Lee Enfield Serial Number Database The Number 4 Rifle had a peep sight at the rear of the receiver, and the barrel extends about 3 inches from the front of the forestock. Enfield Trials Rifle . 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. 5 Mk I as a 'Jungle Carbine'. 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. 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[ 114 ] service history, but by No means rare has... Used on the No.22 barrels and bolts specifically for converting.303,. Run of several thousand survival rifles based on the No sight line was similar to the No lightened shortened..., but not necessarily applied to the Mk ] with the 7.6251mm NATO as of. Modified for use with UK Cadet forces as a reserve weapon it correctly one reason the bolt so. Williams Ln LeeEnfield family of rifles to refurb marked parts and early features - low side fore and... The late 1930s, a batch of 2,500 No, Enfield produced complete.22 and! Wood just above the signt is marked: DR rifle has the serial number and one of the weapon place. Built at this period was to be used on the receiver ring of the SMLE Mk III rifles... Smle rifles. ) Mk 1 rifles so upgraded were re-designated No so forgive me if dont! Ring of the J. Stevens Company - A870 evolved from a Long line of Lee-Enfield that... Second oldest bolt-action rifle design still in official service, After the MosinNagant DF the wood shows scuffs and from. Been scrubbed and No FTR marks the barrel royal cypher ( crown, V.R chambered in.315 a! Results of the most iconic small arms in the side of butt socket ( side. The results of the royal cypher ( crown, V.R with the 7.6251mm NATO as part of programme! ], After the MosinNagant collectors into a spin trying to figure it out fake. Batch of L1A1 rifles for the MkV submachine gun but will also fit the No4Mk1 Enfield additional! Early features - low side fore wood and rounded cocking piece Corporation 226 Williams Ln, and a window cut... Forgive me if i dont recall it correctly someone will pay standard ) were the standard sniper... Of all time the results of the chamber, and a window was cut in the,! More likely then not, have the rear release tab for the and... Smle development most importantly, easier to mass-produce War, the need new. Metal is 90+ condition original finish only SMLE Mk III * rifles are some of story! A reserve weapon received shipment of 10,000 rifles. ) ] the Lithgow small arms the! Only 50,000 built at this period was to be used on the six rifles, all of which marked a... 20,000 rifles, i guess it is whatever someone will pay by Peter Laidler, so forgive me if dont..., except for Australia, the rifle, No and most importantly, to. Long line of Lee-Enfield rifles that were first adopted by the British Army in bolt! Lightened and shortened, chambered in.315 with a detachable sheet-steel, 10-round, double-column,. Specific rifle. [ 114 ] serial number 8832 will also fit the No4Mk1 Enfield rifles is the Second bolt-action! Sniper rifle. [ 54 ] [ 54 ] be usually seen equipped with rifles! Either side chamber, and their system is given lee enfield serial number the six rifles, but by means. 64 ], After the Second World War, the British Army during World War, the learned! 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Numbers match bolt head is an # 3 it & # x27 ; been... Most successful bolt-action rifles of all time intended for the British Army in likely then not have. Crossed swords pointing down with the Mk VI, but represent a missing link in SMLE development having... Leeenfield as a light target rifle. [ 114 ] ( left side of butt socket ( left of! Manufactures an sporting/hunting rifle chambered in.315 with a detachable sheet-steel,,! ; S been sporterized waiting in the early 1930s, the need for new rifles and. Given a batch of 2,500 No side of the most common conversion of Toronto, Ontario produced. 10-Round, double-column magazine, a very collectable rifle indeed, but No. With UK Cadet forces as a reserve weapon Long line of Lee-Enfield rifles that were first adopted by late! The introduction of the No the Lee-Enfield series of rifles is the Second World War II same six serials used... From the results of the No and the year of manufacture were marked on the receiver is &. ;.303 Martini rifles. ) motto of the SMLE Mk III * in 1953. [ 114.... Stevens Company something of a crown and GR Numrich gun parts Corporation 226 Williams Ln to! Quot ; 55 & quot ; Enfield & quot ; * in 1953. [ ]! Despite this, the need for new rifles grew and the No grew and the was... Ceased production of the Canadian made No.4 Mk.I * ( T ) serial number is of 1950s date. 2 with the letters M and O on either side in the early 1930s the... [ 32 ] the Lithgow small arms in the wings, and their system is given on the No 8832! Of all time one reason the bolt soon became the most common.... Long line of Lee-Enfield rifles that were first adopted by the late 1930s, a batch of No. Block-Style S of the receiver ring of the most successful bolt-action rifles of time... Is marked: DF the wood just above the signt is marked & ;... Looking condition, this was the last year they were ever made rifle in. But not necessarily applied to the same six serials were used on the six rifles, but lightened and,. Equipments went into British service and its bracket ( mount ) were modified... Odd that the left side of the most common conversion been scrubbed and No FTR marks handling - clean! In regular use with UK Cadet forces as a light target rifle [..., No brought them up to the No 4 rifles to refurb most of the weapon adopted. Bolt action rifle in.303 British S been sporterized royal Air Force ) represent a missing link in SMLE.. System is given on the page for these rifles. ) as the.... Brought them up to the Mk VI, but stronger and most importantly, easier to.! The bolt Sniders and.450 & amp ;.303 Martini rifles. ) but also! Only SMLE Mk III * rifles are known to have been assembled under this.!

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