British Enfield Rifles

BMHSM,ENMEIL!

RIFLES

PUBLICATIONS Copyright

©1990

National Rifle A s s o c i a t i o n of A m e r i c a 11250 Waples Mill R o a d Fairfax, Virginia 2 2 0 3 0 - 9 4 0 0 Eleventh Printing, September 2 0 0 4 The Cover: L e e - E n f i e l d rifles from the collection of the National Firearms M u s e u m , Fairfax, Virginia Uniforms and accouterments

from

National Capital Historical Sales, Springfield, Virginia D e s i g n by M i c h a e l R. B l o o m P h o t o g r a p h by J o h n R. L a m s o n

C A U T I O N : T h e m a t e r i a l c o n t a i n e d h e r e i n is r e p r i n t e d f r o m p a s t i s s u e s of t h e AMERICAN RIFLEMAN m a g a z i n e , a c o p y r i g h t e d p u b l i c a t i o n of the N a t i o n a l Rifle A s s o c i a t i o n of A m e r i c a ( N R A ) . T h e r e f o r e , w h i l e t e c h n i c a l l y s o u n d a n d h i s t o r i c a l l y r e l e v a n t , it m a y h a v e b e e n u p d a t e d b y r e s e a r c h m o r e r e c e n t t h a n t h e o r i g i n a l d a t e of p u b l i c a t i o n . All technical d a t a in this p u b l i c a t i o n , e s p e c i a l l y for h a n d l o a d i n g , reflect the l i m i t e d e x p e r i e n c e of i n d i v i d u a l s u s i n g specific t o o l s , p r o d u c t s , e q u i p ment and c o m p o n e n t s u n d e r specific conditions and c i r c u m s t a n c e s not necessarily r e p o r t e d in t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n , a n d o v e r w h i c h t h e N R A h a s n o c o n t r o l . T h e d a t a h a v e n o t o t h e r w i s e b e e n t e s t e d o r verified b y t h e N R A . T h e N R A , its a g e n t s , officers and e m p l o y e e s accept n o responsibility for the results obtained by p e r s o n s using s u c h d a t a a n d d i s c l a i m all l i a b i l i t y f o r a n y c o n s e q u e n t i a l i n j u r i e s o r d a m a g e s .

Enfield— Britain's SpringfieldAnd Its Rifles Its products have served well in wars over the globe, including ours, in

1861-65

By E. G. B. REYNOLDS

B

RITISH l a b o r e r s p l a n t i n g n u m e r o u s walnut trees in 1800 a n d m u s k e t r y in the A m e r i c a n Civil W a r w e r e a n ocean a n d m o r e t h a n a half c e n t u r y apart. Y e t a relationship exists. It is p a r t of a firearms kinship which has extended, in one way or another, t h r o u g h a series of w a r s i n t o the present time. T h e t r e e s set o u t i n q u a n t i t y a r o u n d Enfield L o c k , a canal lock in the L e a waterway in Middlesex, were a source of g u n s t o c k s f o r m o r e t h a n 5 0 0 , 0 0 0 m u z z l e l o a d i n g Enfield rifled muskets bought by both the U n i o n and the C o n f e d e r a c y . T h i s a r m w a s , in fact, m o r e used b y i n f a n t r y of b o t h sides than any other except the M 1 8 6 1 - 6 3 Springfield. The muzzleloaders were mass-prod u c e d in p a r t with i m p o r t e d Y a n k e e m a c h i n e r y . I n W o r l d W a r I, p r i v a t e industry in the U n i t e d States m a n u factured P a t t e r n 14 bolt-action Enfields in c a l i b e r . 3 0 3 a n d t h e n c h a n g e d , after A m e r i c a ' s e n t r y , t o p r o d u c i n g t h e m in . 3 0 - ' 0 6 as t h e U . S. Rifle, M o d e l 1 9 1 7 —still popularly called the Enfield. L a r g e q u a n t i t i e s of s u r p l u s British E n fields o f W o r l d W a r s I a n d I I a r e d o i n g d u t y in the U n i t e d States, C a n a d a a n d elsewhere t o d a y as sporting a r m s , usua l l y s o m e w h a t m o d i f i e d . S o it i s v e r y m u c h in o r d e r to take a l o o k at t h e o r i g i n a n d d e v e l o p m e n t of t h i s rifle.

m a n u f a c t u r e d privately in L o n d o n a n d B i r m i n g h a m "by m e n working by h a n d in w r e t c h e d cellars a n d attics," as o n e o r d n a n c e r e p o r t p u t it. S t a n d a r d i z a t i o n a n d w h a t is m o d e r n l y c a l l e d q u a l i t y control were largely lacking. M e a n w h i l e efforts w e r e b e i n g m a d e t o find a b e t t e r i n f a n t r y a r m f o r t h e British A r m y . T h e choice lay between s m o o t h b o r e with r e a s o n a b l y fast loadi n g b u t little a c c u r a c y b e y o n d 1 0 0 y d s . , a n d rifled w e a p o n s t h a t w e r e m o r e a c curate but slower to load. T h e first serious rival to the s m o o t h b o r e B r o w n Bess was the Baker flintlock rifle. I n 1823, Enfield received a n o r d e r for 5 , 0 0 0 a n d t h e rifle c o n t i n u e d i n s e r v ice, with modifications, for nearly 4 0 years. By 1839, Enfield w a s converting 30,000 flintlock muskets to the percussion system. George Lovell, a storekeeper in 1 8 2 3 , p l a y e d a p r o m i n e n t p a r t in the conversion program and was promoted i n 1 8 4 0 t o t h e p o s t of G o v e r n m e n t I n s p e c t o r of S m a l l A r m s . L a r g e l y d u e t o L o v e l l , t h e B r u n s w i c k rifle, first rifled a r m t o g o i n t o full p r o d u c t i o n , h a d its e a r l y b a c k - a c t i o n l o c k r e p l a c e d with an i m p r o v e d bar-action lock in 1 8 4 1 . A fire g u t t e d t h e rifle works h o p s in t h e T o w e r of L o n d o n t h a t

ABOUT T H E

First arms works T h e first B r i t i s h G o v e r n m e n t a r m s w o r k s a t E n f i e l d L o c k , a l o c a t i o n affording both water transportation and w a t e r p o w e r f r o m t h e l o c k fall, w a s established in 1804 largely to assemble B r o w n B e s s flintlock m u s k e t s , t h e p r i n c i p a l a r m of B r i t i s h i n f a n t r y f o r o v e r 100 years. Parts, excepting stocks, w e r e

AUTHOR

For 14 years, Major E. G. B. Reynolds was a Technical Officer on the Inspectorate of Arma m e n t s Headquarters Staff, and dealt chiefly w i t h t h e inspection and development of rifles and other small arms. Major Reynolds was closely connected with the inspection and development of the No. 4 Lee-Enfield rifle since first it went into production in 1 9 4 1 . He was a m e m b e r of 10 British Dewar Trophy t e a m s and was the first person to fire 4 0 0 x 400 in this m a t c h .

s a m e year, so m u c h w o r k w a s transferred to Enfield. Lovell designed the first B r i t i s h p e r c u s s i o n m u s k e t , w h i c h w e n t into p r o d u c t i o n at Enfield in 1 8 4 2 . I n 1 8 5 2 t h e first B r i t i s h M i n i e rifles, o u t w a r d l y r e s e m b l i n g t h e P e r cussion Musket, 1842, were manufact u r e d at Enfield.

New rifle adopted In 1852 Lord Hardinge, then MasterG e n e r a l of O r d n a n c e , i n v i t e d t h e l e a d ing gunsmiths to enter into competition w i t h t h e o b j e c t o f finding t h e b e s t p o s sible w e a p o n for the British A r m y . A special c o m m i t t e e , assembled at Enfield to survey the n u m e r o u s weapons subm i t t e d , wisely c h o s e t h e best f e a t u r e s of the various weapons, including a smaller bore, and 2 experimental rifle-muskets w e r e m a d e at the R o y a l Enfield M a n u factory. After n u m e r o u s trials, the n e w rifle w a s a d o p t e d a n d o f f i c i a l l y i n t r o d u c e d a s t h e Rifle, M u s k e t , Pattern 1853. It w a s m o r e c o m m o n l y referred t o a s T h e Enfield 3 - g r o o v e Rifle, a n d t h e initial c o n t r a c t for 2 0 , 0 0 0 w a s p l a c e d with t h e Enfield factory. T h e i m p r o v e d P r i t c h e t t b u l l e t f o r t h i s rifle w a s a d o p t e d 2 years later. T h e E n f i e l d r i f l e , t h e first r i f l e d a r m to bear the factory's n a m e , quadrupled t h e e f f e c t i v e fire o f t h e E n g l i s h r e g i m e n t s i n w h i c h it r e p l a c e d t h e M i n i e rifle i n t h e C r i m e a n W a r . I t w a s g e n e r a l l y a g r e e d t h a t it w a s s u p e r i o r t o a l m o s t a l l rifles i n t h e C o n t i n e n t a l armies. W h e n it w e n t i n t o p r o d u c t i o n t h e E n field f a c t o r y , l a r g e l y d u e t o t h e e f f o r t s of L o v e l l , e x p a n d e d in s t a t u r e . N e w w o r k s h o p s a n d a n e w rolling plant and o t h e r m a c h i n e r y w e r e installed, a n d the factory r e a c h e d a n a n n u a l capacity for 50,000 muskets and 5000 swords. In

1 8 5 5 , a n u m b e r of Enfield

rifles 1

A s s e m b l y of c a l . . 7 5 3 B r o w n B e s s s m o o t h b o r e f l i n t l o c k t a s k c a r r i e d o u t a t Enfield e s t a b l i s h m e n t . i n f a n t r y a r m for m o r e t h a n

m u s k e t s w a s first

IV2 ft. w i d e by 2V2 ft. d e e p a t 1 0 0

It w a s m o s t a c c u r a t e B r i t i s h m i l i t a r y a r m a t t i m e of i t s

An e a r l y t y p e of b a c k - a c t i o n this

rifle

was

Brunswick first

made

with

rifle w a s difficult t o l o a d w h e n b o r e b e c a m e

made

long

sword

with

to the 60th Corps) on

the

Enfield

shorter

bayonets, Rifles

and

(King's

barrels were Royal

a n d t h e Rifle B r i g a d e . same

principle

and issued

were

Three

shortened

version

years

later

was

made

was

m a d e for S e r g e a n t s of I n f a n t r y .

was

more

accurate

than

as sergeants w e r e t h o u g h t

made

time

at and

for

the

lower

and,

to h a v e

ranks

for

they

the

have

the

Although

1842

most

accurate

improvements

less

actual

firing, it w a s c o n s i d e r e d i m p e r a t i v e

another

R o y a l N a v y to replace the P a t t e r n

than

It

t h e l o n g rifle

Carbines

and issued to the Artillery

Cavalry.

Rifle

Sea-Service muskets. A similar a r m

that

weapons. had

been

e f f e c t e d , t h e r e w a s still d i s s a t i s f a c t i o n

in

yds.

introduction.

rifle m a d e a t E n f i e l d . 11-groove

2 - g r o o v e for u s e w i t h b e l t e d s p h e r i c a l b a l l . A s t a n d a r d

were

British

100 years.

B a k e r rifle w a s c a p a b l e of m a k i n g g r o u p s

Brunswick,

important

Brown B e s s m u s k e t w a s s t a n d a r d

Named

rifling,

after

later

D u k e of

changed

rifle for 4 0 y e a r s ,

to

Brunswick

fouled.

G o v e r n m e n t circles r e g a r d i n g the supply of s m a l l a r m s t o t h e B r i t i s h F o r c e s , a n d the w e a p o n s generally were

considered

inferior to t h o s e m a d e in A m e r i c a .

Even

a t Enfield t h e s y s t e m w a s b a d . S o m e of the work was done under contract, tools were often men.

The

t h e p r o p e r t y of

situation

improved

1 8 6 0 , t h e first E n f i e l d production. In

and

work-

and,

by

rifle w a s i n

full

1 8 6 1 it w a s p r o u d l y

ac-

c l a i m e d in t h e H o u s e of C o m m o n s

British Breech-Loading Service Rifles M a d e Or Designed At The Enfield Royal S m a l l Arms Factory 1 8 7 1 - 1 9 4 4

that

9 0 , 7 0 7 rifles h a d b e e n m a d e i n t h e

fac-

tory that year. Largely due to the

visit

of

a

British

Commission

to the U .

G o v e r n m e n t Armories at H a r p e r s a n d Springfield, the Enfield factory

Model Designation &

Year of Adoption

Over-all Barrel Action System Weight Length Length Caliber (Magazine Capacity) (lbs.—ozs.) (inches) (Inches)

Martini-Henry (1871)

.45

Lee-Metford (1888)

.303

Lee-Enfield (1895)

.303

Short Magazine Lee-Enfield .303 (1902) Pattern 1914 Enfield (1916) .303 No. 4 Rifle (1939) No. 5 Rifle (1944)

.303 .303

Pivoting-block (single-shot) Lee bolt-action (8 rounds) Lee bolt-action (10 rounds)

Lee bolt-action

9

49.5

9—8

49.5

9—4

49.5

8—l A l

(10 rounds) Mauser-type bolt-action 8—11 (5 rounds) Lee bolt-action 9—1 (10 rounds) Lee bolt-action 7—2V4 (10 rounds)

44.5 46.3 44.5 39.5

33.2

modernized Rifling Form & Twist Rate

Henry 7-groove Right, 1 turn in 22" 3 0 . 2 Metford 7-groove Left, 1 turn in 10" 3 0 . 2 Enfield 5-groove Left, 1 turn in 10" 2 5 . 1 8 Enfield 5-groove Left, 1 turn in 10" 26 Enfield 5-groove Left, 1 turn in 10" 25.18 Enfield 5-groove Left, 1 turn in 10" 18.75 Enfield 5-groove Lett, 1 turn in 10"

by American

pressed

Rear: 100-1450 yds.

for

a breech-loading

had

rifle

and,

in 1 8 6 7 , it w a s d e c i d e d t o c o n v e r t exist-

Rear: 300- 1900 yds. Dial: 1800 •3500 yds. Rear: 200- 1800 yds. Dial: 1600 2800 yds. Rear: 200- 2000 yds. Dial: 1600 2800 yds. Rear: 400- 1900 yds. Dial: 1600 •2800 yds. Rear: 200- 1300 yds.

ing stocks

carried

out

Rear: 200-800 yds.

a t E n f i e l d . T h e rifle w a s c a l l e d t h e

En-

field

car-

Enfield

of

by

the

American,

Jacob

conversion,

and

facture barrels

1853

a method

muzzle-loading

submitted

Snider.

Photos

by

an

work

of

the

manu-

of n e w S n i d e r s fitted w i t h (earlier

wrought-iron

courtesy

The

eventually

Snider

Enfield

barrels), and,

with

M.o.D.

Pattern

Room,

steel

weapons

was the

t r i d g e , t h e rifle's a c c u r a c y 2

was

machinery.

F o r some years the British A r m y Sighting

S.

Ferry

Boxer

had

improved.

Nottingham,

England

British Army Muzzle-Loading Arms M a d e At Or Associated With The Enfield Royal S m a l l Arms Factory Over-All Barrel Caliber Weight Length Length (inches) lbs.—ozs. (inches) (inches)

Name & Approximate Year of Introduction Brown Bess (About 1790) Baker Rifle (1800) Brunswick Rifle (1836) Percussion Musket (1842) British Version Minie Rifle (1851) Enfield Rifle (1853) Short Enfield Rifle (1858)

.753

10-2

55

39

.628

9-7

45V4

30-

.704

11-5V4

46

.753

9-14

54 /

.702

9—13 8-14'/

.577

8—11%

2

Smoothbore 7

30

2

39

Smoothbore

55

39

4

541 i

39

3

48',

33'

5

!

.577

Number Grooves

4

(1) These figures are approximations (2) Some Baker rifles with 20" barrels were made for British Cavalry. (3) The Short Enfield Rifle of 1855 had 29" barrel.

Rifling Twist Rate

Sighted Bullet Bullet Powder to Diameter Weight Charge (yds.) (inches) (irs.)' ( l i s . ) ' 1

_

200

.683

480

164

Vi turn in 30" 1 turn in 30" —

200

.625

350

110

300

.696

557

68

150

.683

480

123

1000

.690

680

68

900

.568

530

68

1200

.568

530

68

1 turn in 78" 1 turn in 78" 1 turn in 48"

T h e Enfield Snider w a s intended as a s t o p - g a p p e n d i n g d e v e l o p m e n t of a n e w breech-loading a r m . I n 1869 a special W a r Office c o m m i t t e e a p p o i n t e d 3 y e a r s e a r l i e r r e c o m m e n d e d a d e v e l o p m e n t of the Peabody breech-mechanism entered b y F r i e d e r i c h v o n M a r t i n i of Switzerland. T h e barrel was designed by Alexa n d e r H e n r y of E d i n b u r g h . T h e n e w a r m was called the Martini-Henry, and 2 0 0 w e r e m a d e at Enfield a n d issued for t r o o p trials. In i n t r o d u c i n g this cal. .45 rifle, t h e c o m m i t t e e h a d a c h i e v e d a r e d u c t i o n in b o r e a t t h a t t i m e b e l i e v e d i m p o s s i b l e for this class of m i l i t a r y a r m . M u c h of t h e d e v e l o p m e n t w o r k w a s carried out at Enfield a n d n u m e r o u s modifications w e r e effected before the rifle a n d a n e w b o t t l e n e c k cartridge w e r e a d o p t e d . I n 1 8 7 1 t h e y w e r e officially i n t r o d u c e d for the British A r m y

(Top) Rifle, M u s k e t , P a t t e r n 1 8 5 3 . S n i d e r h i n g e d - b r e e c h a c t i o n u s e d in c o n v e r t i n g P a t t e r n 1 8 5 3 for b r e e c h - l o a d i n g . L o w e r a r m is S n i d e r c a r b i n e i s s u e d t o c a v a l r y a n d a r t i l l e r y u n i t s . I n t r o d u c e d in 1 8 6 7 , S n i d e r c o n v e r s i o n w a s a s t o p - g a p d e v e l o p m e n t . C o n v e r s i o n a n d m a n u f a c t u r e of c a l . . 5 7 7 S n i d e r a r m s w e r e c a r r i e d o u t a t Enfield.

S h o r t e n e d v e r s i o n of M o d e l 1 8 5 3 Enfield rifle d e s i g n a t e d 1 8 5 6 . It p r o v e d m o r e a c c u r a t e t h a n l o n g rifle.

Sergeant's

Fusil,

Model

E x p e r i m e n t a l S e r v i c e P a t t e r n c a l . . 4 5 W h i t w o r t h rifle m a d e a t Enfield. H e x a g o n a l - b o r e W h i t w o r t h , p o p u l a r for t a r g e t s h o o t i n g , w a s n o t i s s u e d g e n e r a l l y for S e r v i c e u s e . Photos

courtesy

M.o.D.

Pattern

Room.

Nottingham.

England

3

e r o s i o n of c o r d i t e t h a n d i d t h e s h a l l o w M e t f o r d g r o o v i n g . It w a s t h e r e f o r e t h e r i f l i n g t h a t b r o u g h t b a c k t h e n a m e of E n f i e l d i n t o t h e rifle's d e s i g n a t i o n .

P r i n c i p a l d i f f e r e n c e b e t w e e n M a r t i n i - H e n r y rifle ( u p p e r ) a n d E n f i e l d - M a r t i n i ( c e n t e r ) w a s in form of rifling. E n f i e l d - M a r t i n i rifle h a d l o n g e r a c t i o n lever t o i m p r o v e e x t r a c t i o n power. In 1 8 9 5 m a n y of t h e s e c a l . . 4 5 rifles w e r e fitted w i t h c a l . . 3 0 3 b a r r e l s a n d r e d e s i g n a t e d Martini-Enfield. Martini-Henry c a r b i n e (bottom) was issued to cavalry and artillery units.

L e e - M e t f o r d Mark I c a l . . 3 0 3 rifle ( u p p e r ) a d o p t e d in 1 8 8 8 , w i t h L e e - E n f i e l d rifle (lower) a d o p t e d in 1 8 9 5 . T h e i n t r o d u c t i o n of c o r d i t e s m o k e l e s s p o w d e r led t o a d o p t i o n of d e e p e r Enfield rifling form in 1 8 9 5 . and the Royal N a v y . Later, about 7 0 , 0 0 0 M a r t i n i rifles e m b o d y i n g M e t f o r d rifling w e r e m a d e a t E n f i e l d . T h e y were called Enfield-Martini's, but w e r e n e v e r officially a d o p t e d ; t h e y w e r e e v e n t u a l l y fitted w i t h H e n r y b a r r e l s a t E n field a n d b e c a m e t h e M a r k I V p a t t e r n Martini-Henry. F o r a n u m b e r of y e a r s t h e B r i t i s h R o y a l N a v y had pressed for a m a g a z i n e rifle, a n d m u c h e x p e r i m e n t a l a n d d e s i g n w o r k w a s c a r r i e d o u t at E n f i e l d b e f o r e t h e L e e - a c t i o n m a g a z i n e rifle w a s a p p r o v e d f o r m a n u f a c t u r e in 1 8 8 8 . T h i s weapon, embodying the shallow Metf o r d f o r m of rifling, w h i c h h a d s h o w n a g r e a t a d v a n c e in a c c u r a c y in c o m p e t i t i o n s h o o t i n g at W i m b l e d o n , w a s a f u r t h e r c o n s i d e r a b l e r e d u c t i o n in c a l i b e r . I t w a s d e s t i n e d t o r e m a i n in t h e British R e g u l a r A r m y for nearly 7 0 y e a r s . I n t r o d u c e d as the M a g a z i n e Rifle, M a r k I, in 1 8 8 9 , a n d c h a n g e d t o t h e L e e - M e t f o r d 2 y e a r s l a t e r , it b e c a m e t h e L e e - E n f i e l d in 1 8 9 5 , a f t e r a c h a n g e of rifling. T h e E n f i e l d rifling f o r m w a s d e s i g n e d a n d d e v e l o p e d at Enfield t o e n s u r e a l o n g e r b a r r e l a c c u r a c y life b y r e n d e r i n g greater resistance to the destructive 4

A few years earlier, an important c h a n g e in p r o c e d u r e h a d t a k e n place at E n f i e l d . T h e i n s p e c t i o n of s m a l l a r m s was divorced from production and bec a m e t h e p r e r o g a t i v e of a s e p a r a t e b o d y k n o w n as the Small A r m s Inspection D e p a r t m e n t . It w a s e s t a b l i s h e d at E n field u n d e r t h e c o n t r o l o f t h e M a s t e r G e n e r a l of O r d n a n c e , a n d w a s s u p e r v i s e d l a r g e l y b y m i l i t a r y officers u n d e r a C h i e f I n s p e c t o r of S m a l l A r m s . I t e v e n t u a l l y b e c a m e r e s p o n s i b l e for techn i c a l t r i a l s , s e a l i n g of p a t t e r n s t o g u i d e m a n u f a c t u r e , i n s p e c t i o n of t r o o p a r m s , a n d o t h e r duties. Enfield was also the t r a i n i n g g r o u n d for Service a r m o r e r s . A t t h e b e g i n n i n g of t h e 2 0 t h c e n t u r y , Enfield w a s w o r k i n g to capacity m a k i n g w e a p o n s f o r t h e B r i t i s h f o r c e s in S o u t h A f r i c a . T h e L e e - E n f i e l d rifle, a n d L e e Enfield c a r b i n e s for t h e C a v a l r y a n d A r t i l l e r y w e r e in full p r o d u c t i o n . A n e r r o r in t h e s i g h t i n g a r r a n g e m e n t of the Lee-Enfield necessitated a modification t o t h e r e a r s i g h t leaf of t h o u s a n d s of rifles, m a n y b e i n g h u r r i e d l y r e t u r n e d from S o u t h Africa for the p u r p o s e . A n o t h e r serious fault which h a d to be dealt with was the u n e q u a l b e a r i n g of r e c e i v e r a n d b o l t . T h e s i g h t i n g t r o u b l e c a u s e d t h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t of a n a c c u r a c y s h o o t i n g test for every rifle, o n m u c h t h e s a m e l i n e s a s p r e vails today.

Lee-Enfield cal. . 3 0 3 c a r b i n e was shorte n e d v e r s i o n of L e e - E n f i e l d rifle. After 1902, this and other carbines gradually d i s a p p e a r e d from t h e B r i t i s h S e r v i c e s .

S h o r t M a g a z i n e L e e - E n f i e l d (SMLE) c a l . . 3 0 3 rifle a d o p t e d in 1 9 0 2 w a s l a t e r r e d e s i g n a t e d No. 1 Rifle. P r o b a b l y t h e m o s t f a m o u s rifle e v e r p r o d u c e d a t Enfield, it w a s l i g h t e r a n d s h o r t e r v e r s i o n of t h e l o n g L e e - E n f i e l d rifle. It e m b o d i e d c h a r g e r l o a d i n g , better sights, and other improvements.

S h o r t M a g a z i n e L e e - E n f i e l d No. 1 Mark V c a l . . 3 0 3 rifle w a s e x p e r i m e n t a l a r m d e v e l o p e d a t Enfield a f t e r World War I. T h e first L e e - E n f i e l d rifle d e s i g n e d w i t h a p e r t u r e r e a r s i g h t , it w a s s u p e r s e d e d in d e v e l o p m e n t s t a g e by S M L E No. 1 Mark VI rifle. Photos

courtesy

M.o.D.

Pattern

Room.

Nottingham.

England

LEE-ENFIELD HISTORY Introduction or Adoption Date Dec. 22, 1 8 8 8 Aug. 8, 1891 J a n . 19, 1 8 9 2 J a n . 30, 1 8 9 2 Apr. 22, 1 8 9 5 July 1, 1 9 0 7

Nov. 1 1 , 1 8 9 5 May 1 1 , 1 8 9 9 July 1, 1 9 0 7

Dec. 2 3 , 1 9 0 2 J a n . 16, 1 9 0 3 July 2, 1 9 0 6 July 2, 1906 J a n . 26, 1 9 0 7 Sept. 1 , 1 9 0 7 J a n . 4, 1 9 0 8 J a n . 4, 1 9 0 8 J a n . 4, 1 9 0 8 Apr. 22, 1 9 1 4 J a n . 2, 1 9 1 6 1922/23 (Not a d o p t e d ) 1930/31 (Not a d o p t e d ) Nov. 15, 1 9 3 9

Designation M a g a z i n e Rifle, Mark I Lee-Metford M a g a z i n e Rifle, Mark I Lee-Metford M a g a z i n e Rifle, Mark I* Lee-Metford M a g a z i n e Rifle, Mark II Lee-Metford M a g a z i n e Rifle, Mark II* Charger-loading Lee-Metford M a g a z i n e Rifle

Some Features of New Pattern

S a m e rifle, r e n a m e d . Safety c a t c h omitted. Altered sighting, m a g a z i n e , h a n d g u a r d , mainspring. N e w 10-round m a g a z i n e . Lighter barrel. Weight r e d u c e d to 9 lbs., 4 o z s . New pattern safety c a t c h fitted to cocking p i e c e . C o n v e r t e d to c h a r g e r - l o a d i n g .

Lee-Enfield M a g a z i n e Rifle, Mark I Lee-Enfield M a g a z i n e Rifle, Mark I* Charger-loading Lee-Enfield M a g a z i n e Rifle. Mark I*

S a m e a s Lee-Metford, Mark II*, but fitted with Enfield barrel. Cleaning rod, a n d provision for rod in fore-end omitted. C o n v e r t e d from Lee-Enfields a n d Lee-Metfords.

Short M a g a z i n e Lee-Enfield Rifle, Mark I Short M a g a z i n e Lee-Enfield Rifle, C o n v e r t e d Mark II Short M a g a z i n e Lee-Enfield Rifle, Mark I* Short M a g a z i n e Lee-Enfield Rifle, C o n v e r t e d Mark II* Short M a g a z i n e Lee-Enfield Rifle, Mark III Short M a g a z i n e Lee-Enfield Rifle, C o n v e r t e d Mark IV Short M a g a z i n e Lee-Enfield Rifle, Mark I**

A n e w rifle.

Short M a g a z i n e Lee-Enfield Rifle, Mark II** Short M a g a z i n e Lee-Enfield Rifle, Mark II*** Short M a g a z i n e Lee-Enfield Rifle, Mark I*** Short M a g a z i n e Lee-Enfield Rifle. Mark IllShort M a g a z i n e Lee-Enfield Rifle, Mark V Short M a g a z i n e Lee-Enfield Rifle, Mark VI No. 4 Rifle, Mark I

Nov. 15, 1 9 3 9 (Adopted 1 9 3 9 . Officially introduced Nov. 1 1 , 1946.)

No. 4 Rifle, Mark I*

Feb. 12, 1 9 4 2

No. 4 Rifle, Mark l(T)

Mar. 3 1 , 1 9 4 9

No. 4 Rifle, Mark II

Mar. 3 1 , 1 9 4 9 Mar. 3 1 , 1 9 4 9 Mar. 3 1 , 1 9 4 9 Sept. 1 2 , 1 9 4 4

No. No. No. No.

1946/47

No. 7 Rifle

S e p t . 7, 1 9 5 0 S e p t . 7, 1 9 5 0

No. 8 Rifle No. 9 Rifle

4 4 4 5

Rifle Mark I/2 Rifle Mark I/3 Rifle, Mark l/2(T) Rifle, Mark I

C o n v e r t e d to Mark I pattern from Lee-Enfields a n d Lee-Metfords. D e e p e r m a g a z i n e c a s e , e t c . Weight of rifle 8 lbs., 7 o z s . D e e p e r m a g a z i n e t h a n c o n v e r t e d Mark II. Pullthrough a c c o m m o d a t e d in butt. Bridge c h a r g e r g u i d e fitted to body. Weight of rifle 8 lbs., 10-1/2 o z s . C o n v e r t e d to Mark III pattern from Lee-Enfields a n d Lee-Metfords. Sighting altered for Mark VII cartridge. C o n v e r t e d from Mark I for Royal Navy. New sighting, e t c . C o n v e r t e d from c o n v e r t e d Mark II rifles. N e w sighting, e t c . C o n v e r t e d from c o n v e r t e d Mark II* rifles. Sighting altered for Mark VII cartridge. C o n v e r t e d from Mark I* rifles for Royal Navy. L o n g - r a n g e sights, cut-off omitted. Aperture backsight. O n e - p i e c e h a n d g u a r d . e t c . Heavier barrel. T w o - p i e c e h a n d g u a r d . Similar to later No. 4 Rifle. D e v e l o p m e n t of No. 1 Rifle, Mark VI, but with s t r e n g t h e n e d body. Alternative m e t h o d of m a n u f a c t u r e to Mark I. Differs in b o d y ribway, bolt-head c a t c h , a n d bridge p i e c e . Mark I or Mark I* fitted with T e l e s c o p e No. 3 2 for snipers. Trigger pivoted on body, a n d not h u n g on trigger guard. Mark I c o n v e r t e d to Mark II p a t t e r n . Mark I* c o n v e r t e d to Mark II pattern. Mark I (T) with trigger pivoted o n body. A lightened No. 4 Rifle. A Mark II pattern w a s m a d e but not p r o d u c e d . T h e r e n e v e r w a s a Mark I*. Similar to No. 4 Rifle, but fitted with cal. .22 barrel. I s s u e d to R.A.F. Cal. .22 rifle. For Military F o r c e s No. 4 Rifle fitted with cal. .22 t u b e d b a r r e l s . I s s u e d to Royal Navy.

Experience in t h e S o u t h African c a m p a i g n led t o t h e d e v e l o p m e n t a n d u l t i m a t e a d o p t i o n in 1 9 0 2 o f t h e S h o r t M a g a z i n e Lee-Enfield ( S M L E ) , now k n o w n a s t h e N o . I Rifle. S h o r t e r t h a n its p r e d e c e s s o r s , it w a s d e s i g n e d f o r u s e in all b r a n c h e s o f t h e B r i t i s h A r m y a n d eventually superseded the m a n y types of c a r b i n e s in u s e . I n 1 9 1 0 a n e w rifle, m o d e l e d l a r g e l y on the M l 9 0 3 Springfield, w a s develo p e d at Enfield, w h e r e 1 0 0 0 w e r e m a d e for t r o o p trials. Its d e v e l o p m e n t w a s delayed by a m m u n i t i o n troubles. By 1914 these were largely o v e r c o m e a n d . b u t f o r t h e o u t b r e a k of w a r , it w o u l d p r o b a b l y h a v e g o n e i n t o full p r o d u c t i o n . It w a s d e s i g n e d f o r a c a l . . 2 7 6 rimless cartridge but, during the w a r , it w a s p r o d u c e d i n l a r g e n u m b e r s in t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s in c a l . . 3 0 3 B r i t i s h . It w a s k n o w n a s t h e P a t t e r n 1 9 1 4 E n field R i f l e , b u t is n o w k n o w n a s t h e N o . 3 Rifle. W h e n w a r b r o k e o u t . t h e Enfield fact o r y w a s f a c e d w i t h difficult p r o d u c t i o n p r o b l e m s . F o r t u n a t e l y it w a s e n g a g e d on a high o u t p u t before the w a r , a n d m a c h i n e r y a n d w o r k s h o p s w e r e in e x cellent o r d e r a n d ready for the i m m e d iate e x p a n s i o n w h i c h t o o k place. Between August 1914 and November 1918 o v e r 2 m i l l i o n S M L E rifles w e r e m a d e and many other weapons were repaired or modified.

Experiments

continue

Immediately after the w a r a m u c h smaller production satisfied requirem e n t s , b u t a g o o d d e a l of e x p e r i m e n t a l w o r k w a s c a r r i e d o u t in t h e f a c t o r y . T h i s i n c l u d e d d e v e l o p m e n t of 2 m o r e versions of the S M L E , the M a r k V a n d t h e M a r k V I . B o t h w e r e p r o d u c e d in c o n s i d e r a b l e n u m b e r s for t r o o p trials, b u t n e v e r w e n t i n t o full p r o d u c t i o n . O n t h e o u t b r e a k of W o r l d W a r II, t h e last of t h e L e e - E n f i e l d rifles, t h e N o . 4 (a d e v e l o p m e n t of the M a r k V I ) . w a s d i v o r c e d from t h e Enfield factory and made elsewhere. Capacity was taken u p by the m a n u f a c t u r e a n d repair of t h e B r e n l i g h t m a c h i n e g u n , t h e c a l . .38 revolver, t h e Sten m a c h i n e c a r b i n e , and numerous other weapons. Over 200,000 Bren guns a n d nearly 300.000 r e v o l v e r s w e r e p r o d u c e d at Enfield d u r ing t h e w a r period. Enfield n o longer p r o d u c e s a w e a p o n w h i c h c a r r i e s its n a m e , a n d its a c t i v i t i e s are n o w largely c o n c e r n e d with the prod u c t i o n of t h e c a l . 7 . 6 2 m m . s e l f - l o a d i n g rifle. T h e R o y a l S m a l l A r m s F a c t o r y is still a b u s y p l a c e , b u t n o t s o c l o s e l y c o n n e c t e d w i t h t h e B r i t i s h A r m y a s it w a s i n t h e d a y s w h e n its t r a v e l i n g e x a m i n e r s paid r e g u l a r visits t o u n i t s t o e x a m i n e a n d r e p a i r t h e i r a r m s . It still has m a n y links with t h e British F o r c e s . 5

S h o r t M a g a z i n e Lee-Enfield N o . 1 M a r k VI c a l . . 3 0 3 e x p e r i m e n t a l rifle w a s n e v e r a d o p t e d , b u t b o t h p r o t o t y p e a n d t r o o p trial v e r s i o n s w e r e m a d e a t Enfield. T r o o p trial rifles f e a t u r e d a c h e c k e r e d f o r e e n d . P r o t o t y p e s ( s h o w n ) did n o t a n d , e x c e p t for t h e m a g a z i n e cutoff a n d m a r k i n g d i s c o n t h e b u t t s t o c k , a r e n e a r l y i n d i s t i n g u i s h a b l e f r o m l a t e r N o . 4 rifles. Rifle N o . 4 M a r k I w a s b o t h d e signed and developed at the Royal S m a l l A r m s F a c t o r y , Enfield, b u t w a s m a s s p r o d u c e d a t o t h e r f a c t o r i e s in G r e a t Britain, C a n a d a a n d t h e United S t a t e s . It w a s a d o p t e d in November 1 9 3 9 , and w a s chamb e r e d for t h e c a l . . 3 0 3 British Service cartridge.

Rifle N o . 5 ( J u n g l e C a r b i n e ) w a s also designed and developed at t h e Royal S m a l l A r m s F a c t o r y , Enfield. A l i g h t e n e d v e r s i o n of t h e N o . 4 rifle with a s h o r t e r b a r r e l , it w a s fitted with a f l a s h h i d e r , t h e only Lee-Enfield rifle with t h i s a c c e s s o r y .

N o . 8 Infantry M o d e l ( u p p e r ) , c a l . . 2 2 rimfire t r a i n i n g rifle w a s d e v e l o p e d a t Enfield a n d introd u c e d in 1 9 5 0 . I t s s u c c e s s led t o t h e p r o d u c t i o n a n d u s e of t h e Enfield " E n v o y " ( l o w e r ) , a full b o r e rifle in 7 . 6 2 m m NATO.

C z e c h - d e s i g n e d BREN (Brno-Enfield) c a l . 3 0 3 light m a c h i n e g u n w e n t i n t o p r o d u c t i o n a t Enfield in 1 9 3 7 . After World W a r II m a n y w e r e c o n v e r t e d a t Enfield t o fire t h e 7 . 6 2 m m NATO c a r t r i d g e . C z e c h - d e s i g n e d BESA m a c h i n e g u n s w e r e a l s o m a d e a t Enfield for t h e B r i t i s h Army.

P i s t o l , R e v o l v e r N o . 2 w a s in full p r o d u c t i o n a t Enfield d u r i n g World W a r II. T h i s cal. . 3 8 revolver s u p e r s e d e d t h e cal. . 4 5 5 P i s t o l , R e v o l v e r in B r i t i s h s e r v i c e . Photos

courtesy

M.o.D.

Pattern

Room,

Nottingham,

England

THE PATTERN 1914

ENFIELD RIFLE Adopted by the British Army, this weapon became known for its accuracy but its service use was limited

C a l . .276 1 9 1 3 e x p e r i m e n t a l c a r t r i d g e ( r . ) w i t h c a l . .303 British c a r t r i d g e f o r w h i c h P a t t e r n 1914 Enfield Service rifle was adapted.

T

By E. G. B. REYNOLDS

H E P a t t e r n 1 9 1 4 Enfield Rifle, familiarly k n o w n as the P . 14, a n d in British Service n o m e n c l a t u r e as t h e N o . 3 R i f l e , e n j o y s t h e d i s t i n c t i o n of b e i n g t h e o n l y rifle w i t h M a u s e r - t y p e a c t i o n ever adopted by the British A r m y . Its a c t u a l s e r v i c e , t h o u g h p a r t l y of a d i s tinctive n a t u r e , was very limited for so excellent a w e a p o n . W h e n the Short Magazine Lee-Enfield ( S M L E ) rifle w a s a p p r o v e d f o r t h e B r i t i s h S e r v i c e s in 1 9 0 2 , it m e t w i t h i n stant opposition, mostly on the g r o u n d s of i n a c c u r a c y . A l t h o u g h it p r o v e d itself a first-class S e r v i c e w e a p o n , o p p o s i t i o n p e r s i s t e d a n d a f e w y e a r s a f t e r its a d o p tion the G o v e r n m e n t Design D e p a r t m e n t at the R o y a l Small A r m s F a c t o r y at Enfield w a s c o n s i d e r i n g design of a rifle b a l l i s t i c a l l y m o r e e f f i c i e n t . In A u g u s t 1 9 1 0 , t h e British W a r Office d e c i d e d t h a t a n e w rifle w a s n e e d e d . T h e requirement was put to the Small

A r m s C o m m i t t e e , a b o d y of e x p e r t s i n c l u d i n g r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of m a n u f a c t u r e , i n s p e c t i o n , a n d u s e r s of s m a l l a r m s a n d a m m u n i t i o n . O n Sept. 2, the following points were agreed on: 1. T h e rifle t o b e f o r C a v a l r y a n d Infantry. 2. L e n g t h and weight as n e a r as possible to the S M L E . 3. A one-piece stock. 4. A t r a p p e d b u t t p l a t e a s on SMLE. 5. T h e n o s e c a p to be lighter, p r o v i d i n g sufficient s u p p o r t for t h e bayonet was assured. 6 . H a n d g u a r d t o b e full l e n g t h o f barrel. 7 . If p o s s i b l e , b a r r e l t o w e i g h 2 l b s . 14 ozs. 8. R e c o i l a b o u t the s a m e as S M L E . 9. D e t a c h a b l e m a g a z i n e t o h o l d 10 rounds. 10. C h a r g e r - l o a d i n g a n d n o c u t - o f f .

1 1 . A c t i o n t o b e of M a u s e r t y p e . 1 2 . T o fire r i m l e s s c a r t r i d g e s . 13. Trigger to be directly connected t o b o d y of rifle. 1 4 . S a f e t y - c a t c h t o o p e r a t e in b o t h fired a n d c o c k e d p o s i t i o n s . 15. Striker to be controlled by cocking piece. 16. A p e r t u r e b a c k sight, a n d dial sight for distances b e y o n d 1600 yds. It w a s d e c i d e d to m a k e u p a n e x p e r i m e n t a l rifle e m b o d y i n g a s m a n y of t h e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s as possible, a n d t h e d e v e l o p m e n t w o r k w a s c a r r i e d o u t at Enfield. M e a n w h i l e , a n e w c a r t r i d g e in cal. . 2 7 6 w a s b e i n g d e v e l o p e d at W o o l wich Arsenal. It w a s i n t e n d e d t o stock t h e n e w rifle o n t h e l i n e s o f t h e U . S. M l 9 0 3 S p r i n g f i e l d , a n d it w a s e v e n t u a l l y d e cided to alter a Springfield to c o m p l y , as far as possible, with the C o m m i t t e e ' s r e q u i r e m e n t s . A n u m b e r of e x p e r i m e n -

7

t a l rifles w a s p r e p a r e d s u b s e q u e n t l y f o r trials at Enfield a n d the Small A r m s S c h o o l at H y t h e , K e n t . A t t h e s a m e time other patterns were put forward for trial, including 2 f r o m the B i r m i n g h a m S m a l l A r m s C o m p a n y , o n e of w h i c h h a d an inclined bolt, b u t they w e r e n o t r e c o m m e n d e d . A s a r e s u l t of t h e t r i a l s a t E n f i e l d a n d H y t h e , it w a s d e c i d e d t o m a n u f a c t u r e 1 0 0 0 of t h e Enfield p a t t e r n for t r o o p trials. A big p r o b l e m h a d still t o b e s o l v e d — e x c e s s i v e m e t a l l i c f o u l i n g of t h e b a r r e l . I t s seriousness can be judged from a Small A r m s C o m m i t t e e m i n u t e d a t e d M a y 10, 1912, which read: " T h e C o m m i t t e e desire to point out that n o cartridge has yet been p r o d u c e d f o r t h e . 2 7 6 - i n . rifle w h i c h d o e s n o t g i v e s u c h m e t a l l i c f o u l i n g as t o q u i t e p r e c l u d e its b e i n g t r i e d b y t h e t r o o p s in t h e 1 , 0 0 0 rifles a b o u t t o b e m a n u f a c t u r e d , a n d t h e C o m m i t t e e s e e l i t t l e p r o s p e c t of a r r i v i n g a t a s a t i s f a c t o r y s o l u t i o n of the p r o b l e m by the time w h e n a decision as t o t h e c a r t r i d g e will be r e q u i r e d if t h e t r i a l o f 1 , 0 0 0 rifles b y t h e t r o o p s is t o b e c a r r i e d o u t n e x t y e a r . " The Committee's opinion was that t h e m a i n c a u s e of t h e f o u l i n g w a s t h e high pressure, c o m b i n e d with the high t e m p e r a t u r e of t h e C o r d i t e M . D . T . p r o pellent charge. Certain modifications to the cartridge were put forward.

Ammunition trials Various a m m u n i t i o n trials were c a r r i e d o u t at W o o l w i c h a n d H y t h e a n d , although some improvement was m a d e ballistically a n d in t h e r e d u c t i o n of metallic fouling, the cartridge provided f o r t h e t r o o p t r i a l s w a s still n o t e n t i r e l y s a t i s f a c t o r y in p e r f o r m a n c e . T h e case was rimless. Over-all cartridge length was 3.230". T h e 165-gr. pointed bullet h a d a l e a d - a n t i m o n y c o r e a n d w a s j a c k e t e d w i t h m i l d steel p l a t e d with cupro-nickel. T h e 49.3-gr. charge of C o r d i t e M . D . T . g a v e a m u z z l e v e l o c i t y of 2 7 8 5 f . p . s . ( f e e t p e r s e c o n d ) . T h e t r i a l rifle, w h i c h f e a t u r e d a o n e piece stock a n d integral 5-round box m a g a z i n e , w e i g h e d 8 l b s . 11 o z s . a n d h a d a n o v e r - a l l l e n g t h of 4 6 . 3 " . T h e a c t i o n w a s of M a u s e r t y p e w i t h d u a l f r o n t locking lugs e n g a g i n g l o c k i n g recesses within the receiver ring. T h e 2 6 " cal. . 2 7 6 b a r r e l w e i g h e d 2 l b s . 15 o z s . a n d w a s rifled w i t h left t w i s t a t t h e r a t e of o n e t u r n in 1 0 " . G r o o v e d e p t h w a s .005". Barrel lands and grooves were .0853" wide. T h e a p e r t u r e - t y p e f o l d i n g leaf r e a r sight was adjustable for elevation only. T h e leaf w a s g r a d u a t e d f r o m 4 0 0 to 1900 yds. T h e m o v a b l e slide c o n t a i n i n g the .10" aperture locked into detents on t h e r i g h t s i d e of t h e l e a f . A f i x e d . 1 0 " aperture battle sight for ranges u p to 8

C a l . . 2 7 6 e x p e r i m e n t a l rifle issued f o r t r o o p trial in 1913 a n d identified b y g r o o v e s o n sides of stock f o r e - e n d . A t o t a l of 1000 rifles w a s m a d e .

6 0 0 y d s . w a s e x p o s e d w h e n t h e leaf w a s t u r n e d d o w n . A d i a l sight w a s fitted t o t h e left s i d e of t h e rifle f o r l o n g - r a n g e ' b a r r a g e ' firing. T h e 1 0 0 0 t r o o p - t r i a l rifles w e r e m a d e at the Royal Small A r m s Factory and, e a r l y in 1 9 1 3 , w e r e i s s u e d t o B r i t i s h troops in the Aldershot, Southern, Northern, and Irish Commands, in South Africa and Egypt, a n d to the Small A r m s School (then called the S c h o o l of M u s k e t r y ) at H y t h e . In J u n e t h e t r i a l w a s s u s p e n d e d in t h e A l d e r s h o t C o m m a n d w h e n it w a s f o u n d t h a t t h e a m m u n i t i o n h a d a g r e a t h e a t i n g effect o n t h e rifle, a n d d a n g e r o u s p r e s s u r e s d e v e l o p e d if a r o u n d w a s left i n a heated c h a m b e r for only a short time. T h e p r o g r a m w a s a m e n d e d s o t h a t rifles w e r e allowed to cool after not m o r e t h a n 15 r o u n d s h a d b e e n f i r e d . Besides t h e h e a t i n g effects, t h e r e ports from the C o m m a n d s contained several small adverse criticisms, but gene r a l l y s p e a k i n g t h e rifle p e r f o r m e d w e l l and was popular with the troops. O n e c o m p l a i n t is of p a r t i c u l a r i n t e r e s t i n v i e w of s u b s e q u e n t e v e n t s . It w a s t h a t t h e r e w a s a t e n d e n c y t o p i c k u p s a n d in t h e m u z z l e w h e n l o a d i n g o n s a n d y soil. I n W o r l d W a r I I , w h e n t h e rifle ( t h e n t h e P . 1 4 ) w a s f o r a t i m e in g e n e r a l u s e in s e v e r a l u n i t s of t h e B r i t i s h A r m y , t h e r e w e r e m a n y i n s t a n c e s of s p l i t b a r rels d u e t o o b s t r u c t i o n s b e i n g p i c k e d u p in t h e p r o t r u d i n g m u z z l e d u r i n g t r a i n ing. I n v e s t i g a t i o n of m a n y damaged rifles s h o w e d a h i g h s u l p h u r a n d p h o s p h o r u s c o n t e n t in t h e steel as c a u s i n g a t e n d e n c y t o s p l i t w h e n a r o u n d w a s fired w i t h a n y s l i g h t o b s t r u c t i o n in t h e b o r e . T h e h i g h e s t p e r c e n t a g e of split b a r r e l s w a s of E d d y s t o n e m a n u f a c t u r e . T h e t r o o p trials w e r e followed by a n

diagonal

i n v e s t i g a t i o n of t h e r e p o r t s b y t h e S m a l l A r m s C o m m i t t e e a n d , at t h e b e g i n n i n g of 1 9 1 4 , s i x rifles w e r e m a n u f a c t u r e d a t E n f i e l d t o a n i m p r o v e d d e s i g n . M o s t of the troubles w e r e easily dealt with, but t h e c o m p l a i n t of e x c e s s i v e f l a s h h a d n o easy solution. This was reported to be visible at night for a m i l e , a n d a n acc o m p a n y i n g loud report was also considered serious. Barrel wear was another serious problem: accuracy was often b a d after only 1000 r o u n d s a n d w a s seldom retained after 3000.

War ends experimentation E x p e r i m e n t s with n e w b a r r e l steels and new propellent charges were being c a r r i e d o u t w h e n t h e start of W o r l d W a r I p u t a n e n d t o m o s t of t h e m . P l a n s f o r t h e n e w rifle r e p l a c i n g t h e S M L E w e r e dropped. A r m i n g the rapidly increasing fighting forces p r e s e n t e d a p r o b l e m with w h i c h British a r m a m e n t m a n u f a c t u r i n g resources could not cope, and Britain t u r n e d t o t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s . U . S. m a n u facturers agreed to p r o d u c e the n e w B r i t i s h rifle, w i t h c e r t a i n m o d i f i c a t i o n s , in c a l . . 3 0 3 B r i t i s h , a n d l a r g e o r d e r s were placed with the Winchester, R e m ington, and Eddystone firms. O n J u n e 2 1 , 1 9 1 6 , t h e n e w rifle w a s officially i n t r o d u c e d in t h e B r i t i s h S e r v ice a s t h e P a t t e r n 1 9 1 4 E n f i e l d Rifle. It w a s fitted with the Pattern 1913 S w o r d B a y o n e t M a r k I a n d w a s issued t o H o m e S e r v i c e u n i t s in G r e a t B r i t a i n . T h e s u p e r i o r a c c u r a c y of t h e P . 1 4 t o t h e S M L E as issued t o t h e S e r v i c e s w a s s o o n e s t a b l i s h e d , a n d it w a s d e c i d e d t o e q u i p a n u m b e r of t h e s e rifles w i t h A l d i s offset a n d P a t t e r n 1 9 1 8 t e l e s c o p e s i g h t s a n d i s s u e t h e m t o s n i p e r s in t h e v a r i o u s t h e a t e r s of w a r . A h i g h s t a n d -

a r d of a c c u r a c y w a s o b t a i n e d w i t h t h i s equipment, a n d they w o u l d have been of i n e s t i m a b l e v a l u e h a d t h e y been a v a i l a b l e in t h e e a r l i e r y e a r s of t h e w a r . After the war, they w e r e issued o n the s c a l e of 8 t o a b a t t a l i o n o f i n f a n t r y . In 1935, the P.14 entered a new p h a s e of its h i s t o r y . I n t h e U n i t e d K i n g d o m and British D o m i n i o n s , the S M L E had achieved a bad reputation in t a r g e t - s h o o t i n g circles f o r instability of a c c u r a c y . P a c k i n g , r e g u l a t i n g , a n d t h e u s e of s m a l l m e t a l p a r t s i n r e s t o c k ing h a d p r o v e d palliatives, b u t n o t c u r e s , a n d t h e W a r Office d e c i s i o n t o r e l e a s e a n u m b e r of P . 1 4 ' s f o r t a r g e t s h o o t i n g was greatly w e l c o m e d by the National Rifle A s s o c i a t i o n ( o f G r e a t Britain) a n d its m e m b e r s . T h e P . 1 4 w h i c h w a s sold to m a r k s m e n for only £ 3 , i m m e diately b e c a m e p o p u l a r a n d for a time gained almost universal praise. Unfortunately, m a n y were stocked with poorly s e a s o n e d w o o d a n d , a f t e r a p e r i o d of shooting and weathering, the fore-ends warped, some beyond rectification.

initiative of M a j . G e n . Sir A l a n H u n t e r , t h e n S e c r e t a r y of t h e N a t i o n a l R i f l e A s sociation (of G r e a t Britain). Sniping w a s a l m o s t a l o s t a r t a n d its r e s t o r a t i o n centered a r o u n d the P. 14, the only s n i p i n g rifle t h e n i n t h e B r i t i s h A r m y . T h e P . 14 c o n t i n u e d i n t h i s r o l e u n t i l 1 9 4 2 , w h e n it w a s s u p e r s e d e d b y t h e N o . 4 R i f l e , M a r k I ( T ) . T h e P . 1 4 rifle, w i t h o u t a t e l e s c o p e , r e m a i n e d in t h e h a n d s of H o m e D e f e n c e f o r c e s t h r o u g h out the war. I t is s a d t o r e c o r d t h a t s o fine a rifle a s t h e P . 14 s h o u l d h a v e r e c e i v e d s u c h u n f o r t u n a t e t r e a t m e n t as w a s a c c o r d e d this a c c u r a t e w e a p o n after the w a r . M a n y t h o u s a n d s w e r e d u m p e d in O r d nance Depots throughout the United K i n g d o m , a n d so carelessly w e r e m a n y of t h e m s t o r e d t h a t t h e y r a p i d l y d e teriorated into scrap. Eventually a few w e r e s o l d t o rifle c l u b s b u t m o s t w e r e

broken up and, i n official jargon, ' b r o u g h t t o p r o d u c e ' . T h u s t h e P . 14 w e n t t h e w a y of m a n y w a r t i m e stores in t h e u r g e t o d e s t r o y a n d c l e a n u p , r e gardless, which always seems to follow in t h e w a k e o f a w a r . T h e r e a r e still s o m e m a r k s m e n w h o r e g a r d t h e P . 14 as t h e m o s t a c c u r a t e B r i t i s h f u l l - b o r e rifle, t h o u g h t h e n u m b e r s e e n o n B i s l e y r a n g e s is n o w c o m p a r a t i v e l y s m a l l l a r g e l y d u e t o t h e diffic u l t y of o b t a i n i n g r e p l a c e m e n t s f o r s h o t out barrels. W h e t h e r those that have survived will e v e r be c o n v e r t e d to take the 7.62 m m . N A T O cartridge when the target-shooting changeover f r o m c a l . . 3 0 3 B r i t i s h t a k e s p l a c e is a m a t t e r f o r c o n j e c t u r e . If it is e v e n t u a l l y c o n v e r t e d , t h e P . 1 4 , t h o u g h l i m i t e d in n u m b e r s , could again b e c o m e a serious c o n t e n d e r for major British a n d C o m monwealth target-shooting honors. •

Proper stocking method Doubts regarding the consistent acc u r a c y of t h e rifle w e r e e x p r e s s e d a t the 1 9 3 6 Bisley M e e t i n g , a n d a n investigation was carried out by the Chief I n s p e c t o r of S m a l l A r m s a t E n f i e l d . T h e t r o u b l e s w e r e n o t all d u e t o f a u l t y w o o d w o r k a n d it w a s f o u n d t h a t m a n y of t h e c o m p l a i n t s a r o s e f r o m rifles which h a d been adjusted in a m a n n e r contrary to the accepted Service m e t h o d of stocking. T h i s p r o v i d e s t h a t t h e a c tion should be so b e d d e d that the following parts bear on the stock: (a) (b) (c) (d)

T h e r e a r face of t h e recoil lug. T h e u n d e r s i d e of t h e r e c e i v e r at the front and rear ends. T h e barrel reinforce. T h e b a r r e l at t h e m u z z l e end should b e a r lightly against stock when receiver and reinforce bearings h a v e been c o r r e c t l y adjusted.

C l o s e - u p of P a t t e r n

1918 t e l e s c o p e sight o n P a t t e r n 1914 rifle.

T h e i m p o r t a n t p a r t of c o r r e c t s t o c k i n g of t h e P . 14 is t h e b e d d i n g o f t h e a c t i o n . A l t e r n a t i v e m e t h o d s of s t o c k i n g are permitted for target shooting. T h e barrel m a y be completely free at the muzzle, the clearance being kept to a m i n i m u m . A bearing m a y also be o b t a i n e d a b o u t 6 " f o r w a r d of t h e receiver by building u p the f o r e - e n d at this p o i n t by a light m e t a l s h i m o r w o o d insert g l u e d in p o s i t i o n . W i t h t h i s m e t h o d t h e b a r r e l , f o r w a r d of t h e b e a r i n g , s h o u l d b e c l e a r of t h e w o o d w o r k . W o r l d W a r II h a d b e e n in p r o g r e s s several m o n t h s before there was a n y r e a l i n t e r e s t in t h e p o s s i b i l i t y o f s n i p e r s being again required. In M a y 1940, a S n i p i n g W i n g of t h e S m a l l A r m s S c h o o l w a s f o r m e d at Bisley, largely o n the

P a t t e r n 1914 Enfield S e r v i c e rifle fitted w i t h A l d i s offset t e l e s c o p e sight. T h i s sight h a s a l o w e r s i l h o u e t t e t h a n P a t t e r n 1918 sight. L a t e r a l a d j u s t m e n t is e m b o d i e d in t h e m o u n t i n g .

Photos

England

courtesy

M.o.D.

Pattern

Room,

Nottingham,

9

Lee-Enfield Rifle N o . 1, M a r k III Parts Legend 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

Barrel Foresight blade Inner band Inner band screw Backsight assembly Backsight protector Backsight protector screw Fore-end collar Protector nut Action body Safety catch Locking bolt Safety c a t c h washer

14. Safety s p r i n g 15. Safety spring screw 16. Back trigger g u a rd screw 17. S t o c k bolt p l a t e 18. Swivel s c r e w (3) 19. B u t t swivel b r a c k e t 2 0 . Swivel b r a c k e t s c r e w (2) 2 1 . S l i n g swivel (2) 22. Stock bolt w a s h er 2 3 . Stock bolt 24. Stock bolt wad (leather) 2 5 . Magazine c a t c h pin 26. Retaining spring

T

HE cal. .303 British Short M a g a z i n e L e e - E n f i e l d Rifle, M a r k I I I w a s a p proved for the British Service o n J a n . 26, 1907. It was an evolutionary develo p m e n t of t h e S h o r t M a g a z i n e L e e Enfield Rifle, Mark I, w h i c h was adopted on Dec. 23, 1902. T h e M a r k I I I v e r s i o n is d i m e n s i o n a l l y s i m i l a r t o t h e e a r l i e r M a r k I b u t is heavier. It w e i g h s 8 lbs. 10Vi ozs. as a g a i n s t 8 l b s . 2Vi o z s . f o r t h e M a r k I . ( T h e weights given do n o t include the bayonet.)

T h e M a r k I I I is f i t t e d w i t h a m a g a zine cutoff so t h a t c o n t e n t s of t h e 10shot detachable box magazine could be h e l d i n r e s e r v e w h i l e t h e rifle w a s u s e d as a single-loader. T h e r e c e i v e r o r b o d y is fitted with a bridge-type charger guide w i t h slots sloped to t h e front so t h a t t h e e m p t y c h a r g e r is a u t o m a t i c a l l y ejected f r o m t h e c h a r g e r g u i d e as t h e b o l t is c l o s e d . T h e U - n o t c h r e a r s i g h t is f u l l y a d justable for windage and elevation. T h e f r o n t s i g h t is o f s q u a r e - b l a d e P a t r i d g e type. A n additional dial sight a r r a n g e m e n t is p r o v i d e d f o r l o n g - r a n g e firing. T h i s is a c a r r y - o v e r f r o m t h e M a r k I . T h e r e w e r e m a n y c h a n g e s m a d e in establishing specifications for t h e M a r k I I I rifle, a n d t h o s e i n t e r e s t e d i n a d e tailed h i s t o r y of this a n d o t h e r British L e e - E n f i e l d S e r v i c e rifles a r e r e f e r r e d t o t h e b o o k e n t i t l e d The Lee-Enfield Rifle b y M a j . E . G . B . R e y n o l d s . I n M a y 1 9 2 6 , B r i t i s h S e r v i c e rifles were redesignated by number, and the Short. M a g a z i n e L e e - E n f i e l d Rifle, M a r k I I I , b e c a m e t h e R i f l e N o . 1, M a r k I I I . 10

27. Magazine catch 28. Retaining spring screw 29. Sear spring 30. Sear 3 1 . Trigger pin 32. Trigger 3 3 . Front trigger guard screw 34. Trigger guard 35. Magazine 3 6 . Front trigger guard screw bushing 37. Buttplate trap 3 8 . B u t t p l a t e t r a p pin 3 9 . B u t t p l a t e s c r e w (2)

40. Buttplate 41. Buttplate trap spring 42. Buttplate trap spring screw 43. Outer band 44. Fore-end stud spring 45. Fore-end stud 46. Back nose cap screw 4 7 . P i l i n g swivel 48. Nose cap 49. Nose c a p nut 50. Front nose cap screw 51. Inner band screw spring

52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67.

Ejector screw Striker screw Cocking piece Breechbolt Mainspring Striker Breechbolt head Extractor screw Extractor Extractor spring Cutoff Cutoff s c r e w Buttstock Fore-end Rear handguard Front handguard

No. 4 Rifle Disassembly / want to remove the extractor spring from my British .303, No. 4 rifle so that I can clean inside the extractor slot on the bolt head. How is this spring removed from the rifle?

1

C o m m e n c e d i s a s s e m b l y b y first r e moving magazine ( 3 5 ) and then rotating b r e e c h b o l t ( 5 5 ) c o u n t e r c l o c k w i s e a n d w i t h d r a w i n g r e a r w a r d a s far a s it will g o . Disengage breechbolt head ( 5 8 ) from ret a i n i n g spring ( 2 6 ) b y r o t a t i n g it a s s h o w n . It will d i s e n g a g e w i t h a n a u d i b l e click. W i t h d r a w bolt f r o m a c t i o n b o d y (10)

r o w s r e s p e c t i v e l y ) . Lift a w a y t r i g g e r g u a r d ( 3 4 ) . R e m o v e back and front nose c a p screws ( 4 6 a n d 5 0 r e s p e c t i v e l y ) a n d pull n o s e c a p ( 4 8 ) f o r w a r d off rifle. R e m o v e i n n e r b a n d s c r e w ( 4 ) , a n d swivel s c r e w ( 1 8 ) f r o m o u t e r b a n d ( 4 3 ) . O p e n a n d lift away outer band. Front handguard ( 6 7 ) , fore-end ( 6 5 ) , a n d rear h a n d g u a r d ( 6 6 ) m a y n o w be r e m o v e d in t h a t o r d e r

A n s w e r : M a k e sure that t h e rifle is u n l o a d e d , a n d r e m o v e the bolt. T h e m c l a m p the bolt in a p a d d e d v i s e a n d insert a drift p u n c h of less t h a n 0 . 0 4 " d i a m e t e r into the small h o l e in t h e s i d e w a r d p r o j e c t i o n of the bolt h e a d . P r e s s t h e p u n c h i n w a r d against the e x t r a c t o r s p r i n g a n d p u s h t h e spring forw a r d , o u t of t h e bolt h e a d u s i n g a s c r e w d r i v e r . H o l d a finger o v e r t h e e x t r a c t o r slot w h i l e d o i n g this to p r e v e n t loss of the spring. In r e a s s e m b l y , s i m p l y p u s h the s p r i n g into t h e e x t r a c t o r slot until t h e small p r o j e c t i o n o n t h e spring e n g a g e s in its seat in t h e bolt h e a d . T h e s e i n s t r u c t i o n s a l s o a p p l y to t h e N o . I, rifle. — L . O .

Punch is inserted through the hole (a) in the bolt head. Extractor spring (b) is of V type.

LEE-ENFIELD BOLT TAKEDOWN

2

Disassemble breechbolt by removing striker screw ( 5 3 ) , a n d then unscrewing b r e e c h b o l t h e a d f r o m t h e o t h e r e n d of t h e b r e e c h b o l t

C Remove retaining spring screw (28, ^ left a r r o w ) a n d lift a w a y r e t a i n i n g spring ( 2 6 ) , sear ( 3 0 ) , a n d sear spring ( 2 9 ) . Drift out magazine catch pin ( 2 5 , right a r r o w ) , remove magazine catch ( 2 7 )

S h o o t e r s e x a m i n i n g t h e British . 3 0 3 L e e Enfield rifle soon find t h e b o l t h e a d can b e u n s c r e w e d by h a n d from t h e b o l t b o d y , b u t r e m a i n i n g disassembly is n o t so easy. T h e Lee-Enfield firing pin is screwed into t h e c o c k i n g piece a n d is r e m o v e d from t h e front. W i t h t h e b o l t h e a d off, look i n t o t h e front of t h e b o l t a n d n o t e t h e 2 n o t c h e s o n o p p o s i t e sides of t h e firing p i n s h o u l d e r , a b o u t 1" back from t h e p o i n t . T h e s e proL E E - E N F I E L D BOLT HEADS

3

T o r e m o v e striker ( 5 7 ) , it is n e c e s s a r y t o h a v e a n Enfield b o l t s t r i p p i n g w r e n c h o r i m p r o v i s e o n e as s h o w n u s i n g a % " O . D . brass tube approximately 6" long. F i l e 2 o p p o s i n g keys o r n o t c h e s in o n e e n d of t u b e a n d affix w o o d e n ball o n o t h e r e n d t o serve as h a n d l e . D r i l l t h r o u g h h a n d l e a n d t u b e w i t h Vs" drill a n d insert pin t o p r e v e n t s l i p p a g e . I n s e r t t o o l i n t o front e n d of b r e e c h b o l t until n o t c h e s e n gage c o r r e s p o n d i n g n o t c h e s in striker collar. U n s c r e w s t r i k e r f r o m c o c k i n g p i e c e (54) maintaining steady inward pressure to prevent mainspring ( 5 6 ) from expelling s t r i k e r w h e n it b e c o m e s fully u n s c r e w e d from c o c k i n g p i e c e

6

S h o u l d r e m o v a l of b u t t s t o c k ( 6 4 ) b e c o m e necessary, open buttplate trap ( 3 7 ) a n d w i t h a p i e c e of b e n t w i r e fish out leather stock bolt w a d ( 2 4 ) . Insert long, square shanked screwdriver a n d eng a g e slot in s t o c k bolt ( 2 3 ) . W h i l e a p p l y ing d o w n w a r d p r e s s u r e , p l a c e a n a p p r o p r i a t e l y sized o p e n - e n d w r e n c h a g a i n s t screwdriver shank a n d turn out stock bolt. A s m a l l q u a n t i t y of p e n e t r a t i n g oil m a y aid this o p e r a t i o n a s t h e b o l t s a r e often r u s t e d in. R e a s s e m b l e rifle in r e v e r s e •

vide m e a n s for grasping t h e firing p i n w i t h t h e necessary tool, w h i c h is n o t h a r d to m a k e . T h e p i c t u r e shows t h e b o l t of t h e N o . 1 rifle, a n d t h a t of t h e N o . 4 rifle is practically i d e n t i c a l . T o disassemble, t u r n t h e c o c k i n g piece t o t h e lower of t h e 2 n o t c h e s in t h e b o l t ( t h i s takes a l m o s t all c o m p r e s s i o n off t h e firing pin s p r i n g ) . R e m o v e t h e firing p i n locking screw in t h e rear face of t h e c o c k i n g piece. T u r n o u t t h e firing p i n from t h e front, w i t h t h e tool s h o w n . — E . H . H . II

SLfl IhreaJ J

R e m o v i n g t h e firing p i n f r o m a . 3 0 3 Lee-Enfield rifle b o l t o r d i n a r i l y r e q u i r e s a special t o o l . T o r e m o v e p i n with c o m m o n t o o l s , u n s c r e w b o l t h e a d a n d r e m o v e l o c k s c r e w ( 1 ) in c o c k ing p i e c e . T h e n pull c o c k i n g p i e c e ( 2 ) b a c k a n d t u r n it t o right t o l o c k it b a c k . H o l d c o c k i n g p i e c e in w r e n c h o r vise, a n d u n s c r e w firing p i n w i t h self-clamping pliers grasped at ( 3 ) . In r e a s s e m b l i n g , p u s h firing p i n r e a r w a r d a g a i n s t m a i n s p r i n g with % " d o w e l w h i c h h a s h o l e d r i l l e d in e n d t o c l e a r firing p i n t i p . — W . E D W A R D H A Y

/ '2

F o r the necessary r e i n f o r c e m e n t of r e a r e n d s of L e e Enfield sporter fore-ends I form a s t a p l e of Va " s p r i n g w i r e as s h o w n a n d d r i v e it i n t o p l a c e . I n l e t Vs" to accommodate head of s t a p l e . — T H O M A S E.

SISSON

Lee-Speed Rifle

Compensation

A British army rifle in my collection is marked Lee-Speed. The Speed marking seems appropriate for the Lee since it can be operated faster than most bolt-action rifles. However, 1 lack proof that the marking has reference to fast operation, and would appreciate information on the subject.

/ have read that the .303 Lee-Enfield rifle is 'compensated', which improves the accuracy of the rifle at long range. What is this compensation?

Answer: T h e w o r d " s p e e d " is a p p r o p r i a t e in c o n n e c t i o n w i t h t h e L e e rifle, b u t h a s r e f e r e n c e to a c o - d e v e l o p e r of t h e a r m r a t h e r t h a n rapidity of o p e r a t i o n . Mr. J o s e p h S p e e d w a s the A s s i s t a n t M a n a g e r (later, the m a n a g e r ) of t h e R o y a l S m a l l A r m s F a c t o r y at Enfield L o c k in the 1 8 8 0 s , a n d d e v e l o p e d the m a g a z i n e cutoff, t w o - p i e c e s t o c k , a n d s e v e r a l o t h e r m e c h a n i c a l features o f British L e e rifles. T h e L e e - S p e e d m a r k ing a p p e a r e d o n s o m e early l o n g L e e rifles, a n d e s p e c i a l l y o n s p e c i m e n s i n t e n d e d for the commercial market. — L.O.

Mk IV SMLE Rifle In what way was the Mk IV British SMLE improved over the Mk III? The only differences I can see in these rifles are that the Mk IV has no marking disc on the stock, and its buttplate tang is longer than that of the Mklll. A n s w e r : T h e M k IV is not an i m p r o v e d S M L E , b u t s i m p l y an early l o n g L e e rifle c o n v e r t e d to c o n f o r m to the p a t t e r n of the M k III. S i n c e it is a c o n v e r t e d a r m a n d the m o d e l f o l l o w i n g the M k III, it is c a l l e d C o n verted, M k IV. T h e l o n g b u t t p l a t e t a n g a n d lack of a m a r k i n g d i s c a r e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of the l o n g L e e rifles from w h i c h M k I V s w e r e c o n v e r t e d . T h e b u t t p l a t e tang w a s u s e d for organizational markings and served the same purpose as a m a r k i n g disc. — L.O.

Double F Marked SMLE / have a British Short Magazine LeeEnfield rifle (SMLE) which is dated 1918 and was, according to its previous owner, issued in England after the Dunkirk evacuation. The buttstock is a replacement, and the original and still legible serial number has been struck through with a new number stamped above it. With the new number, on barrel and receiver ring, is a capital F superimposed on another capital F and enclosed in a circle. After considerable research, I can find no reference to the double-F-in-a-circle marking. Can you tell me its significance? Answer: W h e n t h e R e p u b l i c of I r e l a n d o r g a n i z e d its a r m y in 1 9 2 3 , m u c h of its e q u i p m e n t , i n c l u d i n g S M L E rifles, w a s o b t a i n e d f r o m E n g l a n d . W h e n t h e rifles were received, the Irish placed their o w n identification m a r k on t h e m a n d crossed o u t t h e original serial n u m b e r s , r e p l a c i n g them with new n u m b e r s . T h e m a r k o f " F F " w i t h i n a c i r c l e is t h e R e p u b l i c of I r e l a n d A r m y p r o p e r t y m a r k . " F . F . " signifies " F i a n n a F a i l . " " F i a n n a " is 12

t h e n a m e of a n a n c i e n t military o r g a n i z a tion forming what then corresponded to t h e s t a n d i n g a r m y of t h e c o u n t r y ; " F a i l " m e a n s " d e s t i n y . " O n e of t h e a n c i e n t n a m e s o f I r e l a n d w a s " I n n i s f a i l " ( T h e Isles o f D e s t i n y ) a n d " F i a n n a F a i l " t h u s signifies t h e " F i a n n a ( o r a r m y ) of D e s t i n y , " o r it m a y be rendered as " T h e F i a n n a (or army) of I r e l a n d . " The above information was obtained f r o m t h e R e p u b l i c of I r e l a n d A r m y . A s the British A r m y lost m u c h e q u i p m e n t a t D u n k i r k , rifles w e r e o b t a i n e d anywhere they could be found, and they p r o b a b l y g o t a l o t o f t h e o l d e r d a t e d rifles from the Irish A r m y . — C . H . Y . , Jr.

Answer: British long-range target shooters noticed m a n y years ago that the . 3 0 3 M a r k I I I S M L E rifle a n d . 3 0 3 M a r k VII a m m u n i t i o n gave less vertical disp e r s i o n o n 900-yd. a n d 1000-yd. targets than would be expected from the velocity v a r i a t i o n of t h e a m m u n i t i o n . T h i s w a s e x p l a i n e d a s d u e t o t h e rifle d e l i v e r i n g shots of a b o v e - n o r m a l m u z z l e velocity at a l o w e r angle of d e p a r t u r e t h a n s h o t s o f l o w m u z z l e v e l o c i t y ( t h e r e is a l w a y s s o m e s h o t - t o - s h o t v a r i a t i o n in v e l o c i t y ) . T h i s u n i n t e n t i o n a l ' c o m p e n s a t i o n ' in d e s i g n o f t h e rifle a n d i t s m a t i n g t o t h e ammunition thus resulted advantag e o u s l y in l o n g - r a n g e s h o o t i n g . T h i s m a t t e r r e c e i v e d a great d e a l of discussion among British Commonw e a l t h s h o o t e r s , a n d o n a d o p t i o n of t h e .303 N o . 4 rifle, t h e L e e - E n f i e l d w h i c h w a s standard during W o r l d W a r II, the subject w a s brought up again. Several experiments were m a d e to establish the e x i s t e n c e a n d a c t u a l a m o u n t of c o m p e n sation, but they were not carried to a conclusive result. Information on comp e n s a t i o n in t h e M a r k I I I rifle w a s g i v e n in t h e B r i t i s h Textbook of Small Arms 1929, n o w o u t o f p r i n t ; a n d f o r t h e N o . 4 rifle in t h e b o o k The Lee-Enfield Rifle by Maj. E. G. B. Reynolds. N o w it a p p e a r s t h a t s u c h a n e f f e c t m a y e x i s t t o s o m e d e g r e e in m a n y r i f l e s . S h o u l d e r rifles o f u s u a l c o n f i g u r a t i o n suffer b e n d i n g by the s t r e s s e s of d i s c h a r g e , a n d s e l d o m d e l i v e r t h e i r b u l l e t s in t h e nearly invariable direction given by heavy t e s t b a r r e l s in s l i d i n g m o u n t s . T e s t o f a l a r g e s a m p l e o f U . S . M 1 4 rifles s h o w e d t h a t t h e y g a v e t h i s effect c o n s i s t e n t l y a n d in a d i r e c t i o n t o i m p r o v e t h e i r l o n g - r a n g e vertical dispersion. On the other hand, if m a n y m o d e l s a n d t y p e s o f rifles w e r e i n v e s t i g a t e d it m i g h t b e f o u n d t h a t s o m e g i v e it a n u n f a v o r a b l e d i r e c t i o n — t h a t i s , high-velocity r o u n d s might be delivered at a h i g h e r angle of e l e v a t i o n t h a n lowvelocity rounds, with resulting very unf a v o r a b l e effect o n t h e s h o o t i n g a c c u racy. Since no such broad investigation of t h e m a t t e r e v e r h a s b e e n m a d e , t h e p r o p o r t i o n of f a v o r a b l e a n d u n f a v o r a b l e s i t u a t i o n s w h i c h e x i s t is n o t k n o w n . T h e m e c h a n i s m of this c o m p e n s a t i n g (or m u t u a l l y reinforcing) a c t i o n of j u m p a n d d r o p is e x p l a i n e d in d e t a i l in t h e a r t i c l e " D i s p e r s i o n A n d R a n g e " in t h e S e p t e m b e r 1962 i s s u e o f T H E A M E R I C A N RIFLEMAN. There are no further authoritative available references k n o w n . It m i g h t a p p e a r a t t r a c t i v e t o d e s i g n a t a r g e t rifle i n t e n t i o n a l l y t o p r o v i d e v a r i a t i o n . T h e r e h a s b e e n n o t h o r o u g h att e m p t to d o so for a n y non-military w e a p o n . It w o u l d b e a c o n s i d e r a b l e u n d e r t a k i n g , a n d e v e n if s u c c e s s f u l t h e desired action could be counted on only with exactly that design and c o n s t r u c t i o n o f rifle a n d a m m u n i t i o n . — E . H . H .

0*

LEE-ENFIELD CARBINE .303 Rifle No. 5, Mk I — or "jungle carbine."

303 Jungle Carbine Can you identify the following military rifle? Its markings are: England 1147 No. 5 Mk I (F) .303 " 2.22" 18.5 tons Serial Number beginning with "Z" Some cartridges with it are .303 British. A n s w e r : T h i s is the Rifle N o . 5, M k I, a modified form of the Rifle N o . 4 w h i c h w a s the British infantry rifle of W o r l d W a r II. T h e m a r k i n g s indicate the caliber, the length of the c a r t r i d g e c a s e , a n d the service p r e s sure in long tons per s q u a r e i n c h as m e a s u r e d b y the British b a s e c r u s h e r m e t h o d . A m m u n i t i o n w a s the s t a n d a r d .303 Ball C a r t r i d g e , M k V I I . T h e N o . 5 had the s a m e action as the N o . 4 , the final form of the L e e - E n f i e l d , but the N o . 5 w a s a s h o r t e n e d and lightened m o d e l

Cord-Wrapped SMLE While stationed in England during World War II, I saw some British SMLE rifles with cord-wrapped forearms. There was wrapping around forearm and handguard just hehind the nosecap and also between the lower band and the receiver. Only a few of the many SMLE rifles I observed were so wrapped, and I wonder why it was done. A n s w e r : W r a p p i n g of S M L E f o r e a r m s with w h i p c o r d or c o p p e r w i r e w a s d o n e to reinforce rifles for g r e n a d e l a u n c h i n g . T h e practice w a s instituted in W o r l d W a r I as a m e a n s of using rifles that w e r e b a d l y w o r n and g e n e r a l l y not r e p a i r a b l e short of r e b u i l d ing. T h e orignial intent w a s that s t a n d a r d issue rifles w o u l d b e used for g r e n a d e l a u n c h i n g in the field, and " s t r e n g t h e n e d " rifles w o u l d be used for training o n l y , and

Mark V SMLE In what way does the British Mk V Short Magazine Lee-Enfield differ from earlier models of the SMLE? This rifle is mentioned in the 1929 edition of the British Army's T e x t b o o k of S m a l l A r m s , but a detailed description, and illustrations, are lacking. A n s w e r : T h e M k V (officially the Rifle, Short, M a g a z i n e , L e e - E n f i e l d M a r k V ) differs from p r e c e d i n g m o d e l s of the S M L E in that it h a s an a p e r t u r e rear sight and a reinforcing b a n d at the rear of the n o s e c a p . T h e sight is located at the rear of t h e r e c e i v e r in similar fashion to that of the British Pattern 14 ( N o . 3) and U . S . M o d e l 1917 Enfield rifles. T h e idea for the reinforcing b a n d w a s

N a m e : Lee-Enfield M o d e l : Mark

i n t e n d e d for j u n g l e u s e . T h e barrel w a s s h o r t e n e d to 1 8 . 7 5 " and e q u i p p e d w i t h a b a y o n e t stud and short c o n i c a l flash h i d e r , the fore-end w a s s h o r t e n e d a n d t h e front h a n d g u a r d r e m o v e d , a n d the butt w a s e q u i p p e d with a small recoil p a d . T h e p i e c e w a s c o m m o n l y called the j u n g l e c a r b i n e . It is r e p o r t e d to h a v e b e e n p o p u l a r w i t h the t r o o p s in that role d e s p i t e a r a t h e r h e a v y recoil. B y the e n d of 1944, 5 0 , 0 0 0 had b e e n a c c e p t e d for service. It w a s d e c l a r e d o b solete in J u l y 1 9 4 7 . T h u s only a limited n u m b e r w e r e p r o d u c e d a n d the rifle is c o m paratively scarce. O n e r e a s o n for its o b s o l e t i o n w a s a t r o u b l e s o m e defect, a " w a n d e r i n g z e r o " w h i c h m a d e it difficult to k e e p the rifle c o r rectly sighted. M u c h w o r k w a s d o n e in an effort to e l i m i n a t e this p r o b l e m but e v e n t u a l ly it w a s c o n c l u d e d that the defect w a s an inherent one. — C.R.S.

not fired with Ball c a r t r i d g e s e x c e p t in e m e r g e n c y . Rifles in this t r a i n i n g c a t e g o r y are m a r k e d " E . Y . " o n the barrel r e i n f o r c e and o n the stock. In A u s t r a l i a n a n d I n d i a n p r a c t i c e , rifles i n t e n d e d for front line s e r v i c e w e r e r o u t i n e l y a d a p t e d for g r e n a d e l a u n c h i n g b y w r a p p i n g the f o r e - e n d s w i t h w i r e or c o r d , and t h e s e rifles s a w m u c h use d u r i n g W o r l d W a r II. Indian rifles, p a r t i c u l a r l y , m a y b e f o u n d w i t h an a d d i t i o n a l r e i n f o r c e m e n t , a w o o d s c r e w t r a n s v e r s e t h r o u g h the fore-end j u s t a h e a d of the front trigger g u a r d s c r e w . S o m e U . S . M 1 9 1 7 rifles in British u s e and Pattern 14 Enfield rifles w e r e s i m i l a r l y w r a p p e d , but with c o p p e r or g a l v a n i z e d steel w i r e instead of w h i p c o r d . Pistol grips as well as f o r e - e n d s of t h e s e latter Enfield rifles w e r e w r a p p e d , a n d steel r e i n f o r c e m e n t p l a t e s c o n n e c t e d into the t o p and b o t t o m of the p i s tol g r i p . — L . O .

a p p a r e n t l y t a k e n from the N o r w e g i a n M o d e l 1912 K r a g c a r b i n e , a n d this c o m p o n e n t facilitates r e c o g n i t i o n of the a r m . T h e 1929 British T e x t b o o k o f S m a l l A r m s d e s c r i b e s this rifle as h a v i n g a o n e - p i e c e h a n d g u a r d , but the h a n d g u a r d of a s p e c i m e n a v a i l a b l e for e x a m i n a t i o n is of the t w o - p i e c e t y p e . D e v e l o p m e n t of the M k V w a s p r o m p t e d b y battle e x p e r i e n c e of W o r l d W a r I, a n d a relatively small n u m b e r w e r e p r o d u c e d in the 1920s for test p u r p o s e s . It w a s s u p e r s e d e d b y the M k V I S M L E , a l i m i t e d p r o d u c t i o n m o d e l w h i c h w a s t h e direct f o r e r u n n e r of the Rifle N o . 4, a p r i n c i p a l s h o u l d e r a r m of British forces d u r i n g W o r l d W a r II. D u e to the small n u m b e r p r o d u c e d , the M k V is o n e of the rarest of t h e S M L E rifles, a n d a c h o i c e c o l l e c t o r ' s item. — L . O .

Carbine

I

M a n u f a c t u r e r : British Armory at Enfield

Government

C a l i b e r & C a r t r i d g e : .303

British

Barrel L e n g t h :

20%"

Overall Length:

39-5/16"

W e i g h t ( E m p t y ) : 7 lbs. Finish:

7

ozs.

Blued

M a g a z i n e : 7-shot, S t o c k : 3-piece

removable

plain

R i f l i n g : Enfield type, 5-groove, hand, I turn in 10". Bore Diameter:

box

wood left-

.303"

Groove Diameter:

.316"

S i g h t s : Fixed blade front with wing guards. V notch rear, adjustable elevation to 2,000 yds. with leather cover protector. M a r k i n g : Left-hand side of socket: Crown over V R FIELD 1896 L. E. C. I

butt EN-

Remarks: This LeeEnfield carbine was officially adopted by t h e B r i t i s h W a r Office in 1 8 9 6 , r e p l a c i n g t h e Lee-Metford c a r b i n e o f 1 8 9 4 . T h e g u n is similar to the LeeM e t f o r d M a r k 11* R i fle and Lee-Enfield M a r k I a n d M a r k I* Rifles e x c e p t for a shorter barrel, wood handguard, winged f r o n t s i g h t , and the o m i s s i o n of t h e longr a n g e rear sight. T h i s c a r b i n e w a s issued especially for the u s e of c a v a l r y units a n d was gradually rep l a c e d in t h e British Service after Dec. 2 3 , 1902, the date marki n g t h e official a p p r o v al of the Short M a g a zine Lee-Enfield M a r k I Rifle. The latter w e a p o n was a design f o r u s e of b o t h c a v a l r y and infantry.—H. P. WHITE

LABORATORY.

13

THE NO. 4 RIFLE MARK 1 (T) Development and modifications of a British Service arm for snipers By MAJ. E. G. B. REYNOLDS

X

M M E D I A T E L Y f o l l o w i n g W o r l d W a r I, t h e B r i t i s h W a r Office S m a l l A r m s Committee spent much time and t h o u g h t o n t h e q u e s t i o n o f a n e w rifle. T h e r e w e r e d i f f e r e n c e s of o p i n i o n a s t o whether the proposed new a r m should have automatic loading, bolt-action with forward locking, or whether the Lee action should be retained. It w a s d e c i d e d t h a t t h e r e s h o u l d b e n o r e d u c t i o n in c a l i b e r , a s s e e m e d l i k e l y before the war, and that an aperture r e a r sight w o u l d b e u s e d . It w a s also a g r e e d t h a t t h e s t a n d a r d of a c c u r a c y s h o u l d b e at l e a s t a s g o o d a s t h a t o f t h e P a t t e r n 1 4 rifle. L a r g e l y o n t h e g r o u n d s of e c o n o m y , efforts w e r e d e v o t e d t o d e s i g n i n g a p a t t e r n to w h i c h t h e e x i s t i n g S e r v i c e rifle, the Short Magazine Lee-Enfield, could be modified. M a n u f a c t u r i n g d i f f i c u l t i e s in t i m e s o f e m e r g e n c y h a d t o b e c o n s i d e r e d a n d it was eventually decided to design a n e w

rifle o n t h e S . M . L . E . p a t t e r n which w o u l d l e n d itself t o m a s s p r o d u c t i o n a n d would e m b o d y the new requirements. T h e ultimate result was the rifle k n o w n as t h e N o . 1 M a r k V I ( F i g . 1 ) . T h e best features, b a s e d o n w a r t i m e exp e r i e n c e s , of t h e N o . 1 ( S . M . L . E . ) rifle were retained. Improvements included a stiffer. h e a v i e r b a r r e l t o g i v e a h i g h s t a n d a r d of a c c u r a c y s u i t a b l e f o r s n i p ing, a smaller a n d lighter nose-cap, a n d an exposed muzzle on which a bayonet c o u l d b e fitted. A n a p e r t u r e r e a r sight e m b o d y i n g a fixed o r b a t t l e sight for r a n g e s u p t o 4 0 0 y d s . w a s fitted. R e ceiver and bolt-head were m a d e m o r e c o m p a c t a n d of c l e a n e r d e s i g n , t o s a v e w e i g h t a n d r e d u c e the liability to c a t c h clothing and equipment. Other small modifications were embodied, and a n u m b e r of w e a p o n s w e r e t h o r o u g h l y tested by the Small A r m s School at Hythe. Further modifications arose from these trials a n d , b y 1 9 2 6 , six finalized

N o . 1 M a r k V I rifles w e r e r e a d y f o r f u r t h e r t e s t i n g . T h e s e w e r e first s h o t f o r a c c u r a c y at the S m a l l A r m s I n s p e c t i o n D e p a r t m e n t , Enfield Lock, a n d a disturbing feature emerged.

Shot low with bayonet W i t h b a y o n e t fitted, t h e m e a n p o i n t of i m p a c t o n t h e t a r g e t c a m e d o w n by a b o u t 9 m i n u t e s , o r a b o u t 1 8 " at 2 0 0 yds. Service trials confirmed this result. T h e rifles a l s o s h o w e d a t e n d e n c y t o s t r i n g o u t t h e i r g r o u p s in t h e v e r t i c a l plane, while keeping an extremely good lateral angle. T h e trouble was traced t o t h e r e c e i v e r of t h e rifle. T h i s w a s strengthened, and accuracy immediately i m p r o v e d . M a n y m e t h o d s of s t o c k i n g u p were tried out and the one adopted ( F i g . 2 ) w a s as f o l l o w s : T h e f o r e - e n d fitted firmly a t t h e r e a r , b e t w e e n t h e s e a r l u g s a n d f a c e of t h e receiver butt socket.

•1 T h e N o . 1 M a r k V I rifle, d e v e l o p e d f o l l o w i n g W o r l d W a r I, w a s n e v e r a d o p t e d for s e r v i c e , t h o u g h the later N o . 4 J. M a r k 1 is n e a r l y identical in a p p e a r a n c e , e x c e p t for the m a g a z i n e cutoff. P r o t o t y p e M a r k VI rifles had p l a i n foree n d s ; t r o o p trial rifles featured a c r o s s - h a t c h e d g r a s p i n g surface on the f o r e - e n d . f o r w a r d of the r e c e i v e r .

2

C o n v e n t i o n a l m e t h o d of s t o c k i n g the N o . 4 rifle. G o o d b e a r i n g s b e t w e e n the m e t a l parts a n d fore-end are e s s e n tial at (A) m u z z l e ; (B) r e c e i v e r reinforce; ( C ) r e c e i v e r s e a t i n g ; and (D) the " d r a w s " b e t w e e n s e a r and s o c k e t face. It is e x t r e m e l y i m p o r t a n t that the collar ( s h o w n b e l o w f o r e - e n d ) is of c o r r e c t l e n g t h . If t o o l o n g , the b e a r i n g at ( C ) will be t o o light. If the c o l l a r is t o o short, the w o o d w o r k will b e c r u s h e d w h e n the t r i g g e r g u a r d s c r e w is t i g h t e n e d , and this will affect the r e i n f o r c e and m u z z l e b e a r i n g s . T h e t r i g g e r g u a r d s c r e w m u s t b e kept tight.

14

Photo

courtesy

M.o.D.

Pattern

Room.

Nottingham.

England

It seated on t h e receiver surfaces a r o u n d the front trigger g u a r d screwhole a n d extended rearward along t h e n a r r o w ledges o n e a c h side of t h e m a g a z i n e o p e n i n g f o r n o t less t h a n IV2". T h e resistance of t h e receiver to t h e foreend w a s e q u a l o n each side of t h e trigger guard screw. T h e r e was a clearance between barrel socket of receiver a n d stock fore-end o n each side. T h e r e w a s a firm b e a r i n g o n t h e b a r rel r e i n f o r c e , e x t e n d i n g t h e full l e n g t h of t h e r e i n f o r c e a n d a b o u t o n e - t h i r d o f its r a d i u s i n w i d t h . T h e b e a r i n g w a s i n t h e c e n t e r of t h e radial c l e a r a n c e of the fore-end, a n d t h e sides of t h e b a r r e l were entirely clear of t h e w o o d . T h e barrel rested on the raised seating at m u z z l e end of the fore-end. T h e b e a r i n g e x t e n d e d t h e full l e n g t h o f t h i s seating, with the barrel positioned centrally. T h e c l e a r a n c e o n e a c h side w a s n o t less t h a n . 0 2 " , a n d t h e lift r e q u i r e d t o r a i s e t h e b a r r e l f r o m its s e a t i n g w a s b e t w e e n 3 a n d 5 l b s . If t h e lift w a s b e low 3 lbs., t h e b e a r i n g at t h e r e i n f o r c e w a s l o w e r e d slightly a n d t h e collar o n the front trigger guard screw w a s shorte n e d if n e c e s s a r y . If t h e lift w a s a b o v e 5 lbs., t h e b e a r i n g of t h e r e c e i v e r seating w a s lowered, a n d t h e collar shortened the desired a m o u n t .

its l i m i t in m a k i n g B r e n g u n s , c a l . . 3 8 revolvers, a n d other machine guns a n d accoutrements. N e w o r d n a n c e factories w e r e built at Shirley (Birmingham), u n d e r the control of t h e B.S.A. C o m p a n y , a n d at M a l t b y ( Y o r k s h i r e ) a n d F a z a c k e r l e y ( L a n c a s h i r e ) . A n u m b e r of the m o r e senior employees from the E n f i e l d staff w e r e d i v e r t e d t o t h e n e w factories, b u t m o s t of t h e w o r k e r s , e s p e cially at M a l t b y a n d F a z a c k e r l e y , w e r e completely unskilled a n d included a l a r g e p e r c e n t a g e of w o m e n . T h r o u g h o u t the w a r m o s t of t h e a c c u r a c y testing w a s d o n e b y w o m e n . It w a s n o t s u r p r i s i n g t h a t s o m e of t h e e a r l y p r o d u c tion did n o t bear c o m p a r i s o n with p r e w a r rifles o f E n f i e l d m a n u f a c t u r e .

bolt-head catch, and the spring a n d plate, were omitted. A n e w pattern b r i d g e - p i e c e w a s i n c o r p o r a t e d in t h e r e c e i v e r t o p e r m i t r e m o v a l of t h e bolt. T h e magazine catch screw was replaced by a pin, a n d t h e sear pin w a s increased i n l e n g t h . S o m e rifles m a d e in t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s w e r e fitted w i t h 6 - g r o o v e b a r r e l s .

Meanwhile, arrangements were m a d e in C a n a d a a n d t h e U . S. f o r m a n u f a c t u r e o f t h e N o . 4 rifle. Eventually nearly a million were m a d e at L o n g Branch, near T o r o n t o , and over a million b y t h e S a v a g e A r m s C o r p . in t h e U . S. T h e rifle w a s m a d e t o a n a l t e r n a t i v e d e s i g n of r e c e i v e r a n d w a s d e s i g n a t e d t h e N o . 4 rifle, M a r k 1 * . It differed f r o m U n i t e d K i n g d o m p r o d u c t i o n in s e v e r a l r e s p e c t s .

P r i o r t o t h e w a r a telescopic sight h a d been d e v e l o p e d for u s e o n t h e Bren g u n . T h i s p l a n w a s d i s c a r d e d a n d , in M a r c h 1 9 4 0 , it w a s d e c i d e d t o u s e t h e s i g h t , d e s i g n a t e d t h e N o . 3 2 , M a r k 1, o n t h e n e w s n i p e r rifle. C o m p a r e d w i t h m o d e r n t e l e s c o p e s i g h t s , it w a s a r a t h e r c u m b e r s o m e i n s t r u m e n t . T h i s is u n d e r standable considering the purpose for w h i c h it w a s d e s i g n e d . T h e s i g h t w a s graduated from 0 to 1000 yds., and e m bodied vertical a n d lateral adjustment. ( S e e F i g . 3.) It w a s adjustable f o r e l e v a t i o n in i n c r e m e n t s of 5 0 y d s . , achieved by turning the range d r u m in

A slot w a s c u t in t h e r e c e i v e r r i b w a y , through which the bolt-head was released for disassembly. M a c h i n i n g for the bolt-head catch was omitted. T h e

O n t h e o u t b r e a k of w a r t h e P a t t e r n 14 M a r k 1 ( T ) w a s the only sniping a r m in t h e B r i t i s h A r m y , a n d t h e s o called '"Phoney W a r " created a n i m pression that sniping w a s n o longer a requirement. As the w a r progressed, ideas c h a n g e d a n d the need for n e w British sniping e q u i p m e n t b e c a m e a very real o n e . P l a n s were m a d e to e q u i p N o . 4 rifles f o r t h i s p u r p o s e .

Barrel free of fore-end It w a s n e c e s s a r y f o r t h e b a r r e l t o b e entirely free f r o m influence of t h e foree n d e x c e p t at t h e points specified, a n d the clearance was about . 0 5 " . T h e h a n d g u a r d s were also clear of t h e barrel b y the same a m o u n t , except at the muzzle e n d , w h e r e t h e c l e a r a n c e c o u l d b e less providing the barrel w a s free. In 1 9 2 6 , a n e w s y s t e m of n o m e n c l a t u r e w a s i n t r o d u c e d in t h e B r i t i s h S e r v ice a n d t h e rifle b e c a m e k n o w n a s t h e N o . 4 M a r k I. F i v e y e a r s l a t e r 1 0 0 0 rifles w e r e m a n u f a c t u r e d a t E n f i e l d f o r troop trials. T h e following y e a r m o r e rifles w e r e m a d e a n d i s s u e d t o u n i t s for trial. R e p o r t s w e r e f a v o r a b l e a n d o n N o v . 1 5 , 1 9 3 9 , official a p p r o v a l f o r manufacture was announced. T h e N o . 4 M a r k I rifle w a s c h a m bered for the cal. .303 British cartridge. It w e i g h e d 8 l b s . 13 o z s . w i t h o u t b a y o n e t a n d its o v e r - a l l l e n g t h w a s AAV2"'. T h e 2 5 . 2 " b a r r e l w a s rifled w i t h 5 g r o o v e s w i t h left t w i s t o f o n e t u r n i n 1 0 " . Rifles o f t h i s p a t t e r n w e r e m a d e later with 2 a n d 6 groove barrels also. Stocks w e r e m a d e initially of w a l n u t , but beech, birch, a n d m a p l e ( i n C a n a d a ) w e r e u s e d in later production. W h e r e a s rifle m a n u f a c t u r e h a d p r e v i ously been practically confined t o t h e Royal Small A r m s F a c t o r y at Enfield, and the B.S.A. C o m p a n y at Birmingh a m , t h e o u t b r e a k of W o r l d W a r I I found capacity at Enfield stretched t o

15

3

M e t h o d s of adjusting the N o . 3 2 T e l e s c o p e sight. Marks 1 and 2. T h e r a n g e ( e l e v a t i o n ) d r u m is i n s c r i b e d with n u m e r a l s 0 - 10. r e p r e s e n t i n g y a r d s in h u n d r e d s , i.e., z e r o to 1000 y a r d s . T h e deflection d r u m is i n s c r i b e d 16. 12, 8. 4 . 0. 4 , 8, 12. 16. T h e s e d r u m s are inscribed at (A). T h e " 0 " is the z e r o m a r k , a n d t h e n u m e r a l s o n e i t h e r side r e p r e s e n t m i n u t e s of a n g l e . F o r sight setting, a small a r r o w h e a d is inscribed on t h e d r u m m o u n t i n g s at (B).

W h e n an a d j u s t m e n t is m a d e t o t h e d r u m s , t h e c l a m p i n g ring ( C ) is l o o s e n e d b y t u r n i n g it in a c o u n t e r c l o c k w i s e d i r e c t i o n , at t h e s a m e t i m e the central p i n (D) a n d t h e d r u m m u s t b e held firmly a n d not a l l o w e d t o m o v e . W h e n t h e c l a m p i n g ring is l o o s e n e d , t h e d r u m c a n b e m o v e d until t h e r e q u i r e d figure is e x a c t l y o p p o s i t e t h e a r r o w h e a d on t h e d r u m m o u n t i n g . T h e pin (D) m u s t b e firmly held w h i l e the d r u m is m o v e d . P i n a n d d r u m m u s t b e firmly held w h e n the c l a m p i n g ring is t i g h t e n e d a g a i n . Mark 3. T h e r a n g e a n d deflection figures a r e i n s c r i b e d o n m e t a l b a n d s w h i c h fit a r o u n d the d r u m s at (A). A d j u s t m e n t s are m a d e by m e r e l y inserting t h e point of a bullet in a small r e c e s s in the b a n d a n d m o v i n g it t o t h e r e q u i r e d s e t t i n g : at t h e s a m e t i m e h o l d i n g the m i l l e d e d g e of the d r u m t o p r e v e n t the d r u m from m o v i n g .

the required direction. In the d r u m was a clicker device, e a c h click r e c o r d i n g a m o v e m e n t of 2 m i n u t e s o f a n g l e . L a t eral a d j u s t m e n t w a s effected b y m e a n s of t h e d e f l e c t i o n d r u m , w h i c h a l s o e m bodied a 2-minute clicker device. T h e d r u m s h a d milled edges for easy adjustm e n t . T h e r a n g e d r u m w a s t u r n e d in a clockwise direction to raise the elevation. Errors to the right were corrected by turning the deflection d r u m clockwise. T h e magnification was 3X, and t h e field of v i e w 9 d e g r e e s . A s it e m b o d i e d e a s y l a t e r a l a d j u s t m e n t , the sight w a s an i m p r o v e m e n t o n the Pattern 1918 used on the Pattern 1 4 rifle, b u t t h e c l i c k e r p l a t e w a s t o o w i d e l y s p a c e d ; finer a d j u s t m e n t s t h a n 2 m i n u t e s of a n g l e w e r e n e c e s s a r y f o r a sniper. T h e m e t h o d of z e r o i n g t h e sight was also unsatisfactory. It w a s too c o m plicated, a n d required a special tool. T h r e e operations had to be carried out at the s a m e t i m e a n d t h e a d j u s t m e n t r e q u i r e d 2 m e n t o p e r f o r m it.

Introduced in early

1942

T h e N o . 4 rifle M a r k 1 ( T ) ( i n F i g . 4 ) was introduced as the new sniping e q u i p m e n t for the British Service o n F e b . 1 2 , 1 9 4 2 . T h e first rifles t o b e e q u i p p e d w e r e a n u m b e r of p r e w a r E n field m a n u f a c t u r e , a n d t h e c o n v e r s i o n w a s c a r r i e d o u t at t h e R o y a l S m a l l A r m s F a c t o r y , w h e r e t h e rifles w e r e c a r e f u l l y stocked-up and shot for accuracy. T h e c o n v e r s i o n consisted of fitting 2 s t e e l p a d s t o t h e left of t h e r e c e i v e r , a n d fitting a b r a c k e t f o r t h e t e l e s c o p e t o t h e p a d s . T h e j o b r e q u i r e d skill. P e r f e c t f i t t i n g of b r a c k e t t o p a d s w a s necessary to insure correct positioning of t h e t e l e s c o p e e v e r y t i m e it w a s fitted t o t h e rifle. T h i s d i d g i v e a c e r t a i n a m o u n t of t r o u b l e i n t h e S e r v i c e , a n d eventually a p r o c e d u r e w a s laid d o w n w h e r e b y , in fitting t h e b r a c k e t (with t e l e s c o p e ) t o t h e rifle, t h e final t i g h t e n ing to the m a x i m u m a m o u n t possible w a s a l w a y s o n t h e rear c l a m p i n g s c r e w . T h e rifle, w i t h t e l e s c o p e fitted, w a s

T h e N o . 4 rifle M a r k

16

1 (T).

finally s u b m i t t e d to a n a c c u r a c y test in w h i c h 7 o u t of 7 s h o t s h a d t o b e w i t h i n a 5 " circle at 2 0 0 yds. W h e n w e a t h e r p e r m i t t e d , t h e rifles w e r e a l s o t e s t e d a t 4 0 0 yds., w h e n 6 o u t of 7 s h o t s h a d to go inside a 1 0 " circle. It w a s seldom necessary for e q u i p m e n t to be returned to the factory for adjustment. Each rifle w a s z e r o e d w i t h t h e t e l e s c o p e , a n d also with the M a r k 1 backsight, with w h i c h all s n i p e r rifles w e r e e q u i p p e d .

Prewar stock exhausted T h e s u p p l y o f p r e - w a r rifles w a s s o o n e x h a u s t e d a n d , a s t h e first c o n s i g n m e n t of A m e r i c a n m a n u f a c t u r e w h i c h arrived at t h e C e n t r a l O r d n a n c e D e p o t at W e e d o n a p p e a r e d t o b e o f a h i g h e r standard than early United Kingdom production, a n u m b e r were selected and sent to Enfield for conversion. T h e s e h a d 6 - g r o o v e b a r r e l s , a n d all n e e d e d careful re-stocking. Meanwhile, B.S.A. a t S h i r l e y h a d o v e r c o m e m o s t of t h e i r teething troubles and were turning out a n e x c e l l e n t rifle; a n d it w a s d e c i d e d t h a t o n l y rifles f r o m t h i s f a c t o r y s h o u l d be e a r m a r k e d for sniper conversion. W i t h r e s o u r c e s at Enfield t a x e d to t h e l i m i t , t h e w o r k of c o n v e r s i o n w a s t r a n s ferred to H o l l a n d & Holland, the old e s t a b l i s h e d L o n d o n firm of g u n s m i t h s . F r o m S e p t . 2 2 , 1 9 4 2 , u n t i l t h e e n d of t h e w a r , t h i s firm d e a l t w i t h n e a r l y 25,000 equipments and maintained a very h i g h s t a n d a r d of c o n v e r s i o n . T h e brackets w e r e m a d e by private m a n u f a c t u r e r s , w i t h final m a c h i n i n g o p e r a tions carried out by H o l l a n d & Holland. T h e first i s s u e o f t h e n e w B r i t i s h s n i p i n g e q u i p m e n t w a s m a d e in D e c e m ber 1941 to N o . 3 C o m m a n d o . W i t h i n the next 2 m o n t h s o v e r 150 e q u i p m e n t s w e r e d i s p a t c h e d t o u n i t s , m o s t l y in t h e F a r E a s t e r n t h e a t e r of w a r . A n u m b e r of t h e m , o w i n g t o e n e m y a c t i o n , n e v e r reached their destinations. A n i m p r o v e d sight, the N o . 32, M a r k 2 , w a s i n t r o d u c e d o n A p r . 2 3 , 1 9 4 3 , in which the clicker plate was graduated i n i n t e r v a l s o f 1 m i n u t e of a n g l e . T h e

m a g n i f i c a t i o n w a s t h e s a m e as t h e M a r k 1 b u t t h e field of v i e w w a s s l i g h t l y l e s s , i.e., 8 d e g r e e s 2 0 m i n u t e s . T h e n e w c l i c k e r p l a t e e n a b l e d finer a d j u s t m e n t s in s i g h t i n g to b e m a d e , b u t t h e old zeroing adjustment problem remained. T h e answer to the zeroing problem was soon forthcoming, and took the f o r m of t h i n m e t a l b a n d s , k n o w n as 'slipping skins', a r o u n d the range and deflection d r u m s . A n e w sight e m b o d y ing this f e a t u r e w a s i n t r o d u c e d as t h e M a r k 3 o n O c t . 7, 1 9 4 4 . It w a s similar in o t h e r r e s p e c t s t o t h e M a r k 2 , e x c e p t t h a t t h e field of v i e w w a s i n c r e a s e d t o 8 d e g r e e s 3 0 m i n u t e s . T h e n e w sight w a s later m a d e watertight a n d the lenses w e r e c o a t e d to give t h e m g r e a t e r lightgathering power.

Equipment became popular The equipment now became very p o p u l a r w i t h B r i t i s h s n i p e r s a n d it w a s u n d o u b t e d l y o n e of t h e m o s t efficient in u s e i n a n y a r m y . A t E n f i e l d , c o m parative trials w e r e carried o u t f r o m time to time with captured e n e m y sniper rifles, a n d in e v e r y i n s t a n c e t h e N o . 4 ( T ) p r o v e d the m o r e accurate. In September 1945, t w o M I C A m e r i c a n snipi n g rifles w e r e t r i e d o u t i n c o m p a r a t i v e trials a n d , a l t h o u g h r e c o r d i n g a good s t a n d a r d of a c c u r a c y , w e r e i n f e r i o r t o t h a t of t h e British e q u i p m e n t s . In m a i n t e n a n c e of M . P . I , ( m e a n p o i n t o f i m p a c t ) , e a s e of a i m , a n d m a n i p u l a t i o n o f s i g h t , t h e N o . 4 ( T ) rifle a l s o s h o w e d t o a d v a n t a g e in c o m p a r i s o n w i t h t h e M I C . A trial w a s c a r r i e d o u t by the Small A r m s I n s p e c t i o n D e p t . a t E n f i e l d in 1 9 4 5 w i t h t h e o b j e c t of d e t e r m i n i n g , if p o s s i b l e , t h e effect o f t h e t e l e s c o p e o n t h e a n g l e of j u m p of t h e rifle. T w e n t y six e q u i p m e n t s w h i c h h a d p a s s e d t h e i r n o r m a l a c c e p t a n c e tests w e r e t a k e n at random from run-of-work and were fired at 2 0 0 yds. with, a n d w i t h o u t , telescopes. W i t h o u t telescopes, the mean a n g l e of j u m p w a s p l u s 8 . 9 5 m i n u t e s , and varied from plus 4.5 minutes to 12.5 minutes. With telescopes assembled

5

C e n t e r - b e a r i n g m e t h o d of s t o c k i n g t h e N o . 4 rifle. A n e v e n b e a r i n g s h o u l d b e o b t a i n e d at (A), b e t w e e n t h e c e n t e r a n d r e a r l i g h t e n i n g c u t s . T h e b e a r i n g s h o u l d e x t e n d f o r a b o u t IV2", a n d its c e n t e r s h o u l d b e a b o u t 5 " f o r w a r d of t h e f r o n t e n d of t h e receiver s e a t i n g (E). T h e b e a r i n g is o b t a i n e d by b u i l d i n g u p t h e f o r e - e n d at this p o i n t b y a w o o d insert g l u e d in p o s i t i o n . F r o m the c e n t e r b e a r i n g f o r w a r d (F). t h e b a r r e l m u s t b e e n t i r e l y free of t h e f o r e - e n d . A c l e a r a n c e of at least . 1 0 " s h o u l d be m a i n t a i n e d . T h e b e a r i n g s at (B), (C), a n d (D) a r e t h e s a m e as in Fig. 2.

the j u m p varied from m i n u s 2 minutes to plus 4 . 7 5 m i n u t e s , t h e m e a n figure f o r t h e 2 6 rifles b e i n g p l u s 2 . 2 7 m i n utes. T h e telescope s e e m e d to h a v e a s t e a d y i n g effect, t h e rifles g i v i n g a m e a n d e c r e a s e in j u m p of j u s t o v e r 6V2 m i n utes. W h e t h e r the telescope i m p r o v e d t h e a c c u r a c y of t h e rifle w a s n o t e s t a b lished as n o f u r t h e r trials t o o k p l a c e but. t h r o u g h o u t the war, the sniper e q u i p m e n t i n v a r i a b l y p a s s e d its a c c u racy test well within the r e q u i r e d a c c e p t a n c e limits. In 1 9 5 2 , a n e w m e t h o d of s t o c k i n g u p t h e N o . 4 rifle e m a n a t e d from India, a n d w a s s u g g e s t e d as a possible alternative for t h e sniper e q u i p m e n t . It was easy to achieve a n d h a d been f o u n d p a r t i c u l a r l y e f f e c t i v e in m a i n t e n a n c e of z e r o o v e r a l o n g p e r i o d . It e m b o d i e d a new bearing between barrel and foree n d a t a p o i n t a b o u t 5 " f o r w a r d of t h e reinforce. T h e normal receiver and re-

inforce bearings were maintained but the muzzle bearing was dispensed with. T h e s t e p o n t h e m u z z l e e n d of t h e f o r e e n d w a s floated o u t a n d t h e r e w a s n o contact between barrel and w o o d w o r k f o r w a r d of t h e n e w b e a r i n g . T h e n e w b e a r i n g , later to b e c o m e k n o w n as t h e center bearing, was obtained by a metal shim. T h e shim had retaining points which were pressed into the fore-end between the 2 lightening cuts. This, a n d several other forms of stocking-up, w e r e tested in c o m p a r a t i v e trials a t Enfield, but n o n e s h o w e d a n y i m p r o v e ment on the normal sniper method. It w a s f o u n d difficult t o r e t a i n t h e n e c e s sary bearing on the metal shim. Barrel vibrations drove the shim retaining points deeper into the wood, thus red u c i n g the h e i g h t of t h e s h i m a n d t h e rigidity a n d p r e s s u r e of t h e b e a r i n g . Further experiments were carried out w i t h a w o o d b e a r i n g in p l a c e o f t h e

metal shim and, a l t h o u g h results w e r e satisfactory, t h e r e w a s n o definite improvement over the normal stocking-up. Although the center-bearing method w a s n e v e r a d o p t e d f o r t h e s n i p e r rifle, it h a s s i n c e b e e n a p p r o v e d b y t h e B r i t ish N a t i o n a l Rifle A s s o c i a t i o n as a n a l t e r n a t i v e m e t h o d of s t o c k i n g - u p t h e N o . 4 rifle u s e d b y its m e m b e r s in competitive target shooting. (See Fig. 5 . ) I t h a s s t e a d i l y g r o w n in f a v o r a n d is p r o b a b l y t h e m o s t p o p u l a r f o r m of s t o c k i n g - u p u s e d n o w by Bisley m a r k s m e n . W i t h e i t h e r f o r m of s t o c k i n g - u p , t h e N o . 4 rifle, g i v e n g o o d a m m u n i t i o n , is c a p a b l e o f c o n s i s t e n t g r o u p i n g inside 2 m i n u t e s of a n g l e at a n y r a n g e f r o m 2 0 0 t o 1 0 0 0 y d s . A m p l e p r o o f of t h i s is r e g u l a r l y p r o v i d e d a t t h e B i s l e y National Prize Meetings. Even better a c c u r a c y m a y be f o r t h c o m i n g w h e n the c o n v e r s i o n to t h e 7.62 m m . NATO r o u n d is f i n a l l y e s t a b l i s h e d .

Surplus " E n f i e l d " Warning

T

HE following notice c a m e to us from the U n i t e d K i n g d o m L i a i s o n Office, Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center, Picatinny Arsenal, N.J. " 1 . In J u l y 1987 a U K M O D b a n w a s p l a c e d o n t h e firing o f b a l l r o u n d s f r o m . 3 0 3 ( c a l . ) N o . 4 rifles in U K service as a result of t w o e x p l o s i o n s w h i c h o c c u r r e d in t h e c h a m b e r a r e a o f t h e w e a p o n s a n d r e s u l t e d in b u r s t barrels. " 2 . U K M O D investigations found that the barrel explosions w e r e as a r e s u l t of s e v e r e ' c r a z e c r a c k i n g ' o f the t w o b a r r e l s w h i c h w e r e of indet e r m i n a t e a g e a n d life. " 3 . U K M O D h a v e initiated a s t u d y into w h y s o m e b a r r e l s suffer c r a z e

cracking and others do not. but results of this a r e not e x p e c t e d to be c o m p l e t e for s o m e t i m e , a n d e v e n t h e n might not be conclusive. " 4 . B e c a u s e , in p e a c e - t i m e , . 3 0 3 N o . 4 rifles a r e o n l y u s e d in C a d e t u n i t s , it h a s b e e n d e c i d e d t h a t it is n o t c o s t effective to carry out detailed e x a m i n a t i o n s o f all b a r r e l s , p a r t i c u l a r l y a s the cadets are being issued with the n e w L 9 8 A 1 C a d e t G P R i f l e . T h e firing b a n will t h e r e f o r e r e m a i n in f o r c e . " 5 . U s e r s o f t h e N o . 4 rifle w o r l d w i d e , w h e t h e r civilian or military, are strongly advised to have the w e a p o n s closely e x a m i n e d for signs of c r a z e cracking and condemned accordingly. T h e r e a f t e r , it is r e c o m m e n d e d t h a t any barrels which have passed such

inspection should be examined regul a r l y f o r s u c h s i g n s a n d c o n d e m n e d if necessary." O w n e r s o f t h e . 3 0 3 N o . 4 rifles s h o u l d c e r t a i n l y h e e d t h e a d v i c e in t h e U K s a f e t y notice to have them "closely e x a m i n e d " b e f o r e firing t h e m a g a i n . T h e e x a m i n a t i o n should be c o n d u c t e d , preferably with the aid of a g o o d optical b o r e - s c o p e , by an e x p e r i e n c e d g u n s m i t h w h o is f a m i l i a r w i t h t h e s i g n s o f e r o s i o n in g u n b a r r e l s . If t h e r e a r e a n y s i g n s o f r o u g h n e s s f r o m e r o s i o n in t h e b a r r e l i m m e d i a t e l y a h e a d of t h e c h a m b e r , o r a n y o t h e r visible d e f e c t s in t h e b a r r e l o r c h a m b e r w a l l s , then the barrel should be regarded as s u s p e c t a n d t h e rifle should not he fired u n t i l it h a s b e e n p r o p e r l y fitted w i t h a new barrel. 17

S.M.L.E. In reference to British service does the abbreviation "S.M.L.E."

rifles, what mean?

A n s w e r : T h e a b b r e v i a t i o n refers to the Rifle S h o r t M a g a z i n e L e e - E n f i e l d . T h e w o r d " S h o r t " i n d i c a t e s t h e rifle a p p r o v e d b y G r e a t B r i t a i n in D e c e m b e r 1 9 0 2 , w h i c h h a d an o v e r a l l l e n g t h o f 4 4 . 5 " . It w a s d e s i g n e d t o r e p l a c e l o n g e r rifles as w e l l as c a r b i n e s t h e n u s e d b y British t r o o p s . T h e w o r d " M a g a z i n e " is s e l f - e x p l a n a t o r y b u t w a s p e r t i n e n t at t h e t i m e of a d o p t i o n a s s i n g l e - s h o t rifles of M a r t i n i t y p e w e r e in l i m i t e d u s e a l o n g w i t h m a g a z i n e - f e d rifles and carbines. T h e w o r d " L e e " refers t o J a m e s Paris L e e , t h e i n v e n t o r of t h e action. T h e w o r d " E n f i e l d " i n d i c a t e s t h e t y p e of rifling, w h i c h w a s s o m e w h a t d e e p e r t h a n t h e M e t f o r d rifling of p r e v i o u s British s e r v i c e rifles. — M.D.W.

No. 4 Rifles

Removing Lee-Enfield Stock / have obtained a spare buttstock to replace the damaged one on my .303 No. 1 Mk III Lee-Enfield rifle. But even with a large screwdriver I can't turn out the through stock bolt. It moves a trifle so I know it is not frozen, but I dare not force it any farther lest I damage something. What do I do now? Answer: B e c a u s e of e x p e r i e n c e o f b u t t s t o c k s l o o s e n i n g in e a r l y t r i a l s , N o . 1 Lee-Enfield rifles f o r m a n y y e a r s w e r e p r o v i d e d w i t h a positive l o c k f o r t h e s t o c k bolt.

Lee-Enfield .410 Shotgun / have purchased a gun advertised as an Enfield .410 shotgun made for use by British officers in India. I find that it will not chamber a .410 shell. Can you tell me what caliber it is? A n s w e r : Enfield . 4 1 0 - b o r e s h o t g u n s , o r more properly " . 4 1 0 Muskets", were conv e r t e d from W o r l d W a r I - v i n t a g e S M L E rifles that h a d b e e n o t h e r w i s e d o w n g r a d e d from n o r m a l s e r v i c e c a t e g o r i e s . T h e w o r k w a s d o n e at t h e I n d i a n Rifle F a c t o r y at I s h a p o r e from t h e 1 9 2 0 s until at least t h e start of W o r l d W a r II. T h e c o n v e r s i o n c o n sisted of s m o o t h - b o r i n g t h e r i f l e s ' b a r r e l s t o . 4 1 0 - . 4 1 2 " d i a m e t e r a n d filling t h e m a g a z i n e well w i t h a w o o d e n p l u g , p i n n e d in p l a c e a n d c a p p e d w i t h a thin steel p r e s s i n g to s e r v e as a l o a d i n g p l a t f o r m . S M L E . 4 1 0 M u s k e t s w e r e i n t e n d e d for u s e b y p o l i c e o r b y m i l i t a r y g u a r d s in u r b a n areas w h e r e firing a r e g u l a r . 3 0 3 - i n . Ball c a r t r i d g e m i g h t c a u s e injury t o i n n o c e n t b y standers. C a r t r i d g e s for t h e . 4 1 0 M u s k e t w e r e 18

This was accomplished by squaring the e n d of t h e s t o c k b o l t a n d m a k i n g it l o n g enough to protrude through the butt s o c k e t in t h e r e c e i v e r , w h e r e it w a s h e l d a g a i n s t t u r n i n g b y a k e e p e r p l a t e fitting i n t h e r e a r of t h e f o r e - e n d . I n a s s e m b l y t h e b u t t s t o c k w a s i n s t a l l e d first, t i g h t e n i n g t h e s t o c k b o l t t o a final p o s i t i o n w i t h its e n d square with the receiver. T h e n t h e fore-end w a s installed, a square n o t c h in t h e keeper p l a t e fitting o v e r t h e e n d of t h e s t o c k b o l t a n d s e c u r i n g it p o s i t i v e l y a g a i n s t t u r n i n g . So t o t u r n the stock bolt to r e m o v e t h e b u t t s t o c k of t h e s e N o . 1 rifles, y o u m u s t first r e m o v e t h e f o r e - e n d . — F . D E H .

m a d e from . 3 0 3 British c a r t r i d g e s , left u n n e c k e d , w h i c h a c c o u n t s for t h e s i m i l a r i t y in rim and case body dimensions between .410b o r e s h o t s h e l l s a n d the c o r r e c t c a r t r i d g e s . A n u n n e c k e d . 3 0 3 British c a r t r i d g e i s , h o w e v e r , a p p r o x i m a t e l y 0 . 3 " shorter than even the s h o r t e s t . 4 1 0 s h o t s h e l l , w h i c h a c c o u n t s for t h e failure of factory . 4 1 0 s h o t s h e l l s t o chamber. — E.H.H.

While attending the 1964 Canadian National Matches, I noted that some No. 4 holt-action rifles have 2 wood plugs in each side of the fore-end. These plugs are lightcolor wood, and are in that part of the fore-end which covers the sides of the action. What is their purpose? Why do some of these rifles have bayonet lugs on the barrels while others do not have them? Answer: In s o m e N o . 4 rifles, t h e r e is a slight l a t e r a l c l e a r a n c e b e t w e e n t h e r e ceiver a n d fore-end. W h e r e such clearance is p r e s e n t , it is p o s s i b l e f o r t h e r e c e i v e r t o shift sufficiently t o u p s e t t h e b e d d i n g . T h e plugs are dowels c e m e n t e d into the foree n d , a n d t h e y c o n t a c t t h e r e c e i v e r sides t o p r e v e n t l a t e r a l shifting. T h e y w e r e i n s t a l l e d b y C a n a d i a n a r m o r e r s in m a n y N o . 4 rifles u s e d in t h e 1 9 6 4 C a n a d i a n N a t i o n a l M a t c h e s . T h e i d e a f o r t h e p l u g s is that of W . O . I H . L . K e e c h , a v e t e r a n a r m o r e r of t h e C a n a d i a n A r m y .

Lee Headspace / heard that the bolt head of a British Lee-Enfield No. 4 rifle can he replaced by a longer or shorter one to correct improper headspace. Is this true? Answer: Y o u heard correctly. Bolt h e a d s of L e e - E n f i e l d N o . 4 a n d N o . 5 rifles a r e a v a i l a b l e in four s i z e s that differ in l e n g t h in 0 . 0 0 3 " i n c r e m e n t s . N o . 0 is t h e shortest bolt head, and N o . 3 , the longest. T h e y a r e n u m b e r e d for i d e n t i f i c a t i o n . It is m o r e e c o n o m i c a l t o r e p l a c e t h e bolt h e a d t h a n t h e e n t i r e bolt, a n d this is an a d v a n t a g e of t h e t w o - p i e c e b o l t d e s i g n . — L . O .

The plugs

(arrows)

from s h i f t i n g

prevent

the receiver

laterally.

N o . 4 rifles w i t h o u t b a y o n e t l u g s a r e cal. 7.62 m m . N A T O . T h e y were rebarr e l e d t o this c a l i b e r b y C a n a d i a n A r s e n a l s , L t d . N o . 4 rifles w i t h b a y o n e t l u g s a r e cal. . 3 0 3 . T h e lugs thus serve as a m e a n s of i d e n t i f y i n g c a l i b e r in C a n a d i a n rifles. T h e b a r r e l s in c a l . 7 . 6 2 m m . N A T O have 4 grooves with right twist.—L.O.

Magazine Defect / am using military surplus .303 Mk VII Cartridges in my British No. 4 Lee-Enfield. However, this ammunition does not seem to feed reliably through the magazine, often jamming with the bullet nose against the back of the barrel. Is this the correct ammunition? If so what is the problem and how do I fix it? Would round-nose bullets work? A n s w e r : T h e a m m u n i t i o n y o u are u s i n g is of the correct type for the N o . 4 rifle. T h e p r o b l e m is likely that the f o r w a r d lips of the m a g a z i n e are d a m a g e d o r bent. S u c h a thing can h a p p e n if a m a g a z i n e is d r o p p e d o r o t h e r w i s e m i s h a n d l e d . B e g i n by c o m p a r i n g the lips o n y o u r m a g a z i n e with t h o s e o n a m a g a z i n e that feeds p r o p e r l y . If the lips o n the defective m a g a z i n e a p p e a r bent t o o far d o w n w a r d , b e n d t h e m u p , slightly, u s i n g a pair of pliers. D o this carefully, a s only a small a m o u n t of b e n d i n g is n e c e s s a r y . C h e c k often to see if the m a g a z i n e feeds p r o p e r l y . W h e n it d o e s , c l e a n u p any b u r r s o r n i c k s using stones o r a small file. N o . 4 rifles w e r e d e s i g n e d to feed p o i n t e d bullets such as w e r e loaded in M k VII a m m u n i t i o n . R o u n d n o s e bullets s h o u l d feed e q u a l l y w e l l , h o w ever, p r o v i d e d the m a g a z i n e is in g o o d c o n dition. — L . O .

Modified No. 4 Rifle The marking "No. 4 Mk. I*" on the left receiver wall of my British .303 No. 4 rifle has been lined through and above it has been marked "No. 4 Mk. 113." Does the changed marking mean that this rifle was modified and. if so. what is the modification? Answer: C o n s i d e r a b l e t r o u b l e w a s e x p e r i e n c e d w i t h N o . 4 rifles in k e e p i n g the t r i g g e r pull w e i g h t c o n s t a n t . T h e t r i g g e r w a s p i v o t e d on the t r i g g e r g u a r d , a n d s w e l l i n g and c o n t r a c t i o n of the fore-end acted on the g u a r d . T h i s , in turn, c h a n g e d the relative p o sition of the t r i g g e r a n d sear, a n d c a u s e d a the w e i g h t of pull to v a r y . T h e difficulty w a s o v e r c o m e by a trigger m o d i f i c a t i o n i n t r o d u c e d in 1 9 4 9 . A b r a c k e t w a s b r a z e d to the r e c e i v e r f o r w a r d of the butt s o c k e t a n d the t r i g g e r w a s p i v o t e d to this b r a c k e t instead of t h e t r i g g e r g u a r d . A n e w t r i g g e r g u a r d w a s fitted, a n d a n e w foreend w i t h a t r a n s v e r s e r e i n f o r c i n g s c r e w at the rear r e p l a c e d the earlier f o r e - e n d . N o . 4 rifles with the a b o v e m o d i f i c a t i o n w e r e r e d e s i g n a t e d N o . 4 M k . 1/2. T h e m o d i fied N o . 4 M k . I* rifle b e c a m e the N o . 4 M k . 1/3, a n d the N o . 4 M k . I ( T ) with teles c o p i c sight b e c a m e the N o . 4 M k . I / 2 ( T ) . N o . 4 rifles m a d e f o l l o w i n g the i n t r o d u c t i o n of this c h a n g e h a v e the t r i g g e r b r a c k e t i n t e -

No. 4 Mk. 1/3 rifle (at top) has the trigger pivoted to bracket on receiver. No. 4 Mk. I* rifle (below) has the trigger pivoted to the trigger guard.

British Long Range Sight

s h o o t e r ' s e y e , a n d a foresight p i v o t e d o n a m e t a l l i c p l a t e a b o u t half w a y f o r w a r d o n the left s i d e of the stock. B o t h s i g h t s fold d o w n w h e n not in u s e . W h e n it is d e s i r e d to use the l o n g r a n g e sights the rear a r m c o n t a i n i n g the a p e r t u r e is folded u p into a s t a n d i n g p o s i tion a n d t h e foresight is r o t a t e d until the p o i n t e r i n d i c a t e s the d e s i r e d r a n g e s h o w n b y g r a d u a t i o n s o n the p l a t e to w h i c h it is p i v o t e d . T h e s e g r a d u a t i o n s run from 1600 to 2 8 0 0 y d s o n s o m e m o d e l s a n d from 1600 to 2600 yds. on other models

gral with the r e c e i v e r , a n d are d e s i g n a t e d N o . 4 M k . II — L . O .

Lee-Enfield Sight What is the purpose of the roller on the open rear sight of the British No. 1, Mk III rifle? Answer: T h e g r o o v e d roller, p r o p e r l y called the backsight, fine adjustment worm wheel, e n a b l e d the s h o o t e r to m a k e e l e v a t i o n a d j u s t m e n t s in i n c r e m e n t s s m a l l e r t h a n t h o s e inscribed o n the e l e v a t i o n leaf ( 2 5 - y d . increm e n t s on the left side, 100-yd. o n the right). Fitted in the right side of t h e e l e v a t i o n slide, the fine a d j u s t m e n t w o r m w h e e l e n g a g e s s c r e w t h r e a d n o t c h e s o n the right of the elevation leaf. T h e p e r i p h e r y of the w h e e l is d i v i d e d into 10 l o n g i t u d i n a l s e g -

/ just bought a .303 British Enfield Rifle and would like to know what the arm peep is for on the forearm and receiver. There happens to be two of them.

The backsight fine adjustment worm wheel (arrow) is on the right side of the elevation slide. ments, or notches. T u r n i n g it o n e n o t c h gives a 5-yd. a d j u s t m e n t for e l e v a t i o n . In this fashion t u r n i n g the w o r m t h r o u g h five n o t c h e s adjusts e l e v a t i o n by 2 5 y d s . , o r o n e g r a d u a t i o n on the left side o f the leaf. L i k e w i s e , a c o m p l e t e turn g i v e s a 5 0 - y d , a d j u s t m e n t . T h e w h e e l c a n b e turned with the thumbnail. B y p r e s s i n g in the slide c a t c h on the left side of the e l e v a t i o n slide, t h e fine adjustm e n t is released a n d the slide m a y b e m o v e d a l o n g the leaf with the t h u m b . T h i s is d o n e for large c h a n g e s in e l e v a t i o n . — L . O .

A n s w e r : T h o s e t w o p i v o t e d a r m s o n the left side of y o u r British m i l i t a r y rifle are long r a n g e m u s k e t r y sights. T h e y are found on L e e - E n f i e l d rifles u p to a n d i n c l u d i n g the N o . 1, M k III, a n d o n the . 3 0 3 c a l i b e r . P a t t e r n 14 rifles that w e r e m a d e in this c o u n t r y by Remington, Winchester and Eddystone. A t the t i m e t h e s e sights w e r e d e s i g n e d and p u t o n the rifle t h e y w e r e i n t e n d e d to p e r m i t a p l a t o o n of i n f a n t r y m e n to p l a c e m a s s e d rifle fire o n o b j e c t i v e s that w e r e t o o far a w a y for i n d i v i d u a l l y a i m e d s h o t s . T h i s function h a s since b e e n t a k e n o v e r b y c r e w s e r v e d w e a p o n s s u c h as m a c h i n e g u n s , a n d long r a n g e m u s k e t r y sights a r e o b s o l e t e . T h e E n g l i s h sights c o n s i s t of a n a p e r t u r e on the left rear e n d of the r e c e i v e r , c l o s e to t h e

If s u c h long r a n g e s w e r e a t t e m p t e d with an o r d i n a r y rear sight the sight w o u l d be h i g h a n d the e y e w o u l d be so far a b o v e the r e c e i v e r that the b u t t s t o c k w o u l d be d o w n off the s h o u l d e r . T h e a d v a n t a g e of the B r i t i s h long r a n g e sights is that line of sight is l o w e r e d s o as to a v o i d c r a n i n g the neck or b r i n g i n g t h e butt b e l o w the s h o u l d e r at longer ranges. A s i n d i c a t e d in the a c c o m p a n y i n g illustration, the rear a p e r t u r e r e m a i n s at a fixed h e i g h t a n d c h a n g e s in e l e v a t i o n are m a d e b y m o v i n g the front sight. — J . S . H . 19

LEE-ENFIELD No. 4 RIFLE By EDWARD J. HOFFSCHMIDT

Parts Legend 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26.

Striker screw Cocking piece Breechbolt (stripped) Mainspring Striker Breechbolt head Extractor Extractor screw Extractor spring Bolt ( a s s e m b l e d ) L o c k i n g bolt s c r e w Locking bolt spring L o c k i n g bolt Safety catch Rear guard screw Magazine catch screw Ejector screw Mk. Ill r e a r s i g h t Spacer Rear sight hinge pin Sight detent plunger Detent spring H i n g e p i n lock p i n Bolt r e l e a s e s t o p Bolt r e l e a s e Bolt r e l e a s e s p r i n g

27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52.

S e a r hinge pin Magazine catch Sear spring Sear Body, No. 4 Mk. 1 ( r e c e i v e r ) Trigger Trigger pin Trigger guard Magazine Front guard screw G u a r d s c r e w lock w a s h e r Fore-end H a n d g u a r d , front Swivel b a n d Swivel b a n d s c r e w S l i n g swivel Upper band screw Upper band Handguard, rear Foresight protector screw F o r e s i g h t p r o t e c t o r (Mk. II) Stock bolt S t o c k b o l t lock w a s h e r Buttplate B u t t p l a t e s c r e w (2) Lower b a n d

F

E W w e a p o n s in history c a n m a t c h the long a n d illustrious story of t h e B r i t i s h b o l t - a c t i o n L e e - E n f i e l d rifles.

The original Lee-Metford rifle, adopted in 1888, w a s based o n the design of a n A m e r i c a n g u n d e s i g n e r n a m e d James Paris Lee. T h e Lee-Metford w e n t t h r o u g h a b e w i l d e r i n g m a z e of m a r k s a n d m o d e l s until it e m e r g e d in W o r l d W a r I as the S M L E M k . III*.

Nomenclature changed A s a result of service in W o r l d W a r I the s h o r t c o m i n g s of t h e M k . I l l * w e r e r e c o g n i z e d a n d , in t h e 1920's, t h e S M L E M k . V I w a s d e s i g n e d t o r e p l a c e it. T h e B r i t i s h c h a n g e d t h e i r s y s t e m o f rifle nomenclature and the S M L E Mk. V I b e c a m e k n o w n as Rifle N o . 4 M k . I. T h e Rifle N o . 4 M k . I f e a t u r e s a n a p e r t u r e r e a r sight, a heavier barrel, a simplified stock, a n d a n i m p r o v e d bolt-retaining system. A s W o r l d W a r II p r o g r e s s e d , t h e Rifle N o . 4 M k . I w a s further simplified b y eliminating t h e s e p a r a t e bolt release. T h e simplified g u n is k n o w n a s t h e R i f l e N o . 4 M k . I * . Since England's small arms production w a s greatly strained by wartime demands, the Stevens A r m s Co., division of Savage A r m s C o r p . , C h i c o p e e Falls, Mass., manufactured the N o . 4 rifle u n d e r t h e L e n d L e a s e A c t . T h e s e rifles a r e t h e o n e s t h a t a r e f o u n d w i t h t h e m a r k i n g " U . S. p r o p e r t y " .

Variety of finishes L i k e o t h e r m i l i t a r y rifles, t h e N o . 4 rifle w i l l b e f o u n d i n a v a r i e t y o f finishes, r a n g i n g f r o m t h e u s u a l l y finely made Canadian Long Branch Arsenal guns to the cruder Lee-Enfields turned o u t in E n g l a n d right after D u n k i r k . A m o d i f i e d N o . 4 rifle, s h o r t e n e d a n d l i g h t e n e d f o r j u n g l e fighting, w a s d e s i g n a t e d R i f l e N o . 5 M k . I. I t h a s e x a c t l y the s a m e m e c h a n i s m as t h e N o . 4 b u t is f a r h a n d i e r . T h e R i f l e N o . 4 M k . I (T), designed for sniping, w a s fitted with a cheekpiece a n d the N o . 3 2 telescope sight. In

20

a n effort

to improve

the trigger

a r r a n g e m e n t , t h e Rifles N o . 4 M k . 1 / 2 a n d M k . 1/3 h a d t h e t r i g g e r p i v o t e d t o t h e b o d y ( r e c e i v e r ) i n s t e a d of t o t h e trigger g u a r d . F r o m a m i l i t a r y p o i n t of v i e w t h e L e e d e s i g n w a s s u p e r i o r t o m a n y of its b o l t - a c t i o n c o n t e m p o r a r i e s . It h a s a 10-shot m a g a z i n e a n d a 2 0 % s h o r t e r bolt stroke t h a n the M a u s e r or M a n n licher, p l u s a b o u t 2 0 % less bolt r o t a tion. T h e s e features, c o m b i n e d with a smoothly w o r k i n g bolt, m a k e the LeeEnfield excellent for rapid-fire. F r o m

a n o t h e r p o i n t of v i e w , t h e L e e - E n f i e l d has a few d r a w b a c k s . First, the r e a r l o c k i n g a r r a n g e m e n t is n o t q u i t e s o f a v o r a b l e for a c c u r a c y as the front locking type. Second, the 2-piece stock a d v e r s e l y affects a c c u r a c y . L a s t b u t n o t least the .303 British cartridge is r i m m e d , m a k i n g feeding critical alt h o u g h it s i m p l i f i e s t h e h e a d s p a c e p r o b lem. T h e s e shortcomings, w h e t h e r real or imaginary, c a n n o t detract from the Lee-Enfield's enviable reputation for r e l i a b i l i t y a n d r a p i d i t y of fire.

U.S.-Made No. 4 Rifles / have a cal. .303 No. 4 British Service rifle which is marked "U. S. Property" on the left side of the receiver. It also has the following marks "S No. 4 Mk I"". / have been told that this gun was made by Savage Arms Corp. Is there any truth in this? Answer: Yes, you h a v e been correctly informed. D u r i n g W o r l d W a r II, Savage A r m s C o r p . turned out about a million a n d a q u a r t e r cal. . 3 0 3 N o . 4 rifles. T h e

Marking

1

T h e r e a r e 2 types of bolt r e l e a s e in N o . 4 rifles. T o o p e r a t e t h e t y p e in t h e N o . 4 M k . I rifle, t h e r e a r sight (18) is lifted first a n d t h e n t h e bolt r e l e a s e (25) is d e p r e s s e d . P u l l t h e b o l t all t h e w a y b a c k a n d r e l e a s e t h e bolt r e l e a s e . R o t a t e b r e e c h b o l t h e a d ( 6 ) u p in line w i t h rib o n bolt a n d pull it free of g u n

2

T h e bolt r e l e a s e in t h e N o . 4 M k . I* rifle is far s i m p l e r a n d e l i m i n a t e s 3 p a r t s . S i m p l y o p e n t h e bolt a n d e a s e it back until b r e e c h b o l t h e a d rides o u t of its g u i d e g r o o v e into t h e m i l l e d - a w a y p o r t i o n Vi" back f r o m t h e e n d of the r e c e i v e r r i n g . Rotate the breechbolt head u p w a r d and pull t h e bolt free of t h e g u n . F l i p u p t h e r e a r sight if n e c e s s a r y

on U. S.-made

No. 4 rifle

first 2 0 0 . 0 0 0 w e r e m a d e o n a d i r e c t o r d e r for t h e British, a n d w e r e not U . S. p r o p erty. T h e remaining million or more were m a d e on orders from our government, and furnished o n lease-lend. T h e s e have the m a r k i n g s d e s c r i b e d by y o u . as well as the flaming b o m b o r d n a n c e inspection stamp. T h e e a r l i e r g u n s p r o d u c e d h a d the o r i g i n a l Enfield ladder-type adjustable rear sight, a n d t h e E n f i e l d - t y p e bolt r e l e a s e at t h e b a c k of t h e b o l t h e a d r a c e w a y . S o m e t i m e d u r i n g t h e p r o d u c t i o n of t h e g u n s for t h e U . S. a c c o u n t , t h e l a d d e r - t y p e r e a r sight w a s a b a n d o n e d in f a v o r of a 2-height tip-over peep sight. A b o u t the m i d d l e of t h a t c o n t r a c t , o n e of the S a v a g e e n g i n e e r s s u g g e s t e d s i m p l i f y i n g the bolt r e l e a s e b y d o i n g a w a y w i t h t h e bolt locking slide at t h e r e a r of t h e b o l t h e a d r a c e way and. instead, cutting a clearance about Vi" b e h i n d t h e front r e c e i v e r r i n g . If the b o l t h e a d w a s s t o p p e d at this p o i n t , it c o u l d b e r o t a t e d u p w a r d a n d t h e bolt rem o v e d from the rifle.—J.S.H.

Six-Groove Nr. 4 Rifle

3

T o r e m o v e striker ( 5 ) , u n s c r e w b r e e c h bolt h e a d a n d s t r i k e r s c r e w ( 1 ) in c o c k i n g piece ( 2 ) . U n s c r e w striker w i t h a simple tool m a d e for the p u r p o s e as s h o w n (do not a t t e m p t t o r e m o v e s t r i k e r w i t h p l i e r s ) . T h i s tool e n g a g e s in the n o t c h e s o n striker s h o u l d e r . S t r i k e r can o n l y b e r e m o v e d from front of bolt

5

T o r e m o v e b u t t s t o c k , c l a m p rifle in p a d d e d vise, o p e n t r a p in b u t t p l a t e (50), r e m o v e felt w a d , and u n s c r e w stock bolt (48) with long s c r e w d r i v e r

A T h e l o c k i n g bolt (13) h a s a m u l t i p l e T" t h r e a d t o m o v e t h e safety c a t c h ( 1 4 ) in a n d o u t of e n g a g e m e n t . T o o p e r a t e p r o p e r l y , t h e pieces m u s t l i n e u p w h e n t i g h t e n e d t o g e t h e r as s h o w n in insert. T o align t h e p i e c e s , b e s u r e flat o n safety c a t c h is r o u g h l y p a r a l l e l to flat o n l o c k i n g bolt pin b e f o r e e n g a g i n g t h r e a d s

6

T o remove magazine follower and s p r i n g , p u s h r e a r of f o l l o w e r d o w n far e n o u g h f o r t h e front e n d t o c l e a r t a b like p r o j e c t i o n s o n t h e m a g a z i n e , t h e n ease o u t f o l l o w e r a n d s p r i n g •

/ recently saw a .303, No. 4 Mk I* rifle with a six-groove barrel. It had right-hand twist rifling. This rifle is marked "Long Branch 1950". Where was it made? Is this rifle more accurate than No. 4 rifles which have two- or five-groove barrels? A n s w e r : T h e rifle is C a n a d i a n , and w a s m a d e in 1950 at the L o n g B r a n c h A r s e n a l . A c c o r d i n g to v e t e r a n a r m o r e r , W O l H . L . K e e c h of the C a n a d i a n A r m y , there w a s a n u m b e r of s i x - g r o o v e rifles m a d e at L o n g B r a n c h in the 1950s. Bren light m a c h i n e g u n b a r r e l s w i t h six g r o o v e s w e r e p r o d u c e d at the s a m e t i m e as t h e N o . 4 rifles, a n d u s i n g the s a m e t y p e of rifling h e l p e d s t a n d ardize m a n u f a c t u r e . T h e s i x - g r o o v e rifle barrel is d e s i g n a t e d " C M k . 4 " . M a n y C a n a d i a n target s h o o t e r s believe that the s i x - g r o o v e b a r r e l s are slightly m o r e a c c u r a t e t h a n f i v e - g r o o v e or t w o - g r o o v e . A n u m b e r of . 3 0 3 N o . 4 rifles with sixg r o o v e b a r r e l s w a s p r o d u c e d in the U . S . d u r i n g W o r l d W a r II by S t e v e n s A r m s Div., of S a v a g e A r m s C o r p . T h e s e rifles w e r e m a d e for L e n d - L e a s e , and are m a r k e d " U . S . Property". — L.O. 21

TARGET ACCURACY WITH THE NO. 4 RIFLE By E. G. B. REYNOLDS

T

H E British Short Magazine LeeEnfield (SMLE), or No. 1 Rifle, possesses a reputation for serviceability but not for target accuracy. During World War II, the No. 4 Rifle, its successor, soon established itself in both respects; its greater accuracy being due to a heavier barrel, stronger receiver, and better sights. It became popular after the war, when Bisley gunsmiths learned how to adjust it properly. Correctly bedded, a No. 4 Rifle is capable of consistent grouping inside 2 minutes of angle at ranges from 200 to 1000 yds., and is far less likely to lose its zero than its predecessor. At 200 to 500 yds., where wind is less of a problem, large numbers of possible scores are regularly recorded at the Bisley National Matches. The bullseye at most ranges subtends slightly less than 2V2 minutes of angle. To attain a high standard of consistent accuracy, the No. 4 Rifle must be bedded to one of 2 methods (called muzzle-bearing and center-bearing) found to give the best results. Fig. 1 shows the common points at which the No. 4 Rifle is bedded for the 2 methods: 1. At (a) between the sear lugs and receiver butt socket. 2. At (b) on receiver around front trigger-guard screw hole and along narrow ledge on sides of magazine opening, extending for not less than 1V2" in rear of trigger-guard screw hole. Bearing should be even throughout, and foreend should be clear on either side of barrel socket, i.e., immediately in rear of reinforce. 3. At (c), extending the full length of the reinforce, approximately one-third its width, and in the center. (Depth of trigger-guard screw collar should be such that guard is tightened against face of collar and also stock. It is better to dispense with collar than to have one that is too long.) In addition to these bearings, the muzzle-bearing method has a bearing at (d) which extends the full length of the raised seating. With the barrel centered in the seating, maintain a clearance of not less than .02" between the barrel and either side of fore-end. A lift of 3 to 5 lbs. is required to raise barrel from seating. The barrel must otherwise 22

be free from influence of the fore-end. If lift is less than 3 lbs., lower reinforce bearing (c) and shorten trigger-guard screw collar if necessary. If lift is more than 5 lbs., lower receiver bearing (b) and shorten trigger-guard screw collar. The center-bearing method, favored by Bisley marksmen, is easier to achieve. It requires a bearing at (e) between center and rear lightening cuts in foreend, approximately 5" forward of receiver. Build up fore-end at this point

with either IV2" metal shim or wood insert glued in position. Plastic wood may be used. From this bearing forward, maintain a clearance of about .1" between barrel and fore-end. Also necessary for accurate shooting is a clean, definite pull-off, devoid of creep or drag. It should not be heavier than 5V2 lbs. nor lighter than 5 lbs. If less than 5 lbs. it is liable to release completely on the first pressure. Fig. 2 shows the relative positions of trigger

Fig. 1: Stock of No. 4 Rifle, showing points at which it is bedded.

b

t

X

C

e.

„

.

/\/

/ /

V

a—Jf 11

[ / //

First pressure

Fig. 2: P o s i t i o n s of t r i g g e r (a), s e a r (b), a n d b e n t

Fig. 3: L o o s e n e d band screw can cause front handguard (arrow) to work forward and foul f r o n t sight p r o t e c t o r .

(c).

j

/ /

\

Second pressure

(a), s e a r (b), a n d b e n t (c) o n t h e first a n d second pressures. T o r e d u c e pulloff w e i g h t , i n c r e a s e , w i t h a n o i l s t o n e , the angle m a d e with the vertical by the f a c e of t h e b e n t . R e d u c e t h e a n g l e t o i n c r e a s e p u l l - o f f w e i g h t . If t h e s e a r is d r a w n off t h e b e n t b y t h e first p r e s s u r e , r e d u c e t h e h e i g h t of t h e l o w e r n i b (d) w i t h o i l s t o n e o r e m e r y c l o t h until sear a s s u m e s correct position as s h o w n a t (c). T a k e c a r e t o m a i n t a i n its s h a p e . If t h e first p r e s s u r e is t o o s h o r t , r e d u c e t h e h e i g h t o f t h e u p p e r n i b (e).

Match quality rear sight A match-quality micrometer aperture r e a r sight giving at least V i - m i n u t e click adjustments for elevation a n d w i n d a g e , a n d a n u n d e r c u t b l a d e f r o n t s i g h t of about .06" to .08" width—the wider blade for older e y e s — a r e n e c e s s a r y for target shooting. British-made target rear sights a r e g r a d u a t e d in S . R . ( b ) , or S e r v i c e Rifle C l a s s B , m i n u t e s of a n g l e which are not true minutes. A n S.R.(b) m i n u t e gives a m o v e m e n t on the target o f 1.2" p e r 1 0 0 y d s . of r a n g e w h e r e a s a t r u e m i n u t e gives a m o v e m e n t of 1 . 0 4 7 " . T h e d i f f e r e n c e is s m a l l , b u t is significant at l o n g r a n g e s . F o r instance, a 10-minute allowance at 1 0 0 0 yds. for a crosswind blowing at a b o u t 8 miles per hour, would m o v e the M.P.I, ( m e a n p o i n t of i m p a c t ) a b o u t 8 /4 ft.; a r e a r s i g h t g r a d u a t e d in S . R . ( b ) m i n u t e s w o u l d m o v e t h e M . P . I . 1 0 ft. 3

T h e following are a few suggestions which should help maintain accuracy: 1. T e s t s c r e w s r e g u l a r l y f o r t i g h t n e s s , especially the front trigger g u a r d screw w h i c h p r o v i d e s t h e m a i n a n c h o r a g e of receiver to barrel. 2. K e e p u p p e r a n d l o w e r b a n d s c r e w s t i g h t . If t h e s e b e c o m e l o o s e a s s h o w n in F i g . 3 , t h e f r o n t h a n d g u a r d ( a r r o w ) m a y gradually w o r k forward a n d foul the front sight p r o t e c t o r . T h i s easily o v e r l o o k e d c o n d i t i o n will c a u s e disp l a c e m e n t of z e r o . G r o u p s w i l l s p r e a d b u t will follow n o definite p a t t e r n . 3. A loose buttstock m a y cause shots to spread laterally. 4. A loose c o c k i n g piece will a n i r r e g u l a r pull-off.

the

cause

5 . T h e effect o f f i r i n g w i t h w e t c a r t r i d g e s o r w i t h a w e t c h a m b e r is c o n s i d e r a b l e , a n d is m u c h t h e s a m e a s firing with oiled cartridges. W h e n a w e t c a r t r i d g e is fired, t h e e x p a n d i n g c a s e d o e s n o t grip t h e i n n e r walls of t h e chamber and the backward thrust on t h e b o l t h e a d is i n c r e a s e d . T h i s e x c e s s i v e pressure on the receiver upsets barrel vibrations to the extent that the angle of j u m p i n c r e a s e s a b o u t 3 t o 5 m i n u t e s a n d p o s s i b l y m o r e . T h i s is d u e t o t h e rear-locking Lee-Enfield action. •

BSA-Enfield Rifle / have been corresponding with a hunter who wants to sell his BSA-Enfield sporting rifle. He claims that this rifle is chambered for the 7.9 mm Mauser cartridge, but I have never heard of an Enfield in this caliber. Do you think he is correct? A n s w e r : T h e h u n t e r is correct. T h e B S A firm in E n g l a n d p r o d u c e d Enfield s p o r t i n g rifles in C a l . 7.9 m m M a u s e r b e t w e e n t h e W o r l d W a r s . T h e s e w e r e m a d e by using m o d i f i e d Pattern 14 Enfield (not L e e - E n field) m i l i t a r y rifle a c t i o n s a n d s t o c k s , a n d fitting t h e m with n e w b a r r e l s . T h e 2 4 . 5 " barrels were equipped with sporting-type, open sights. T h e r e a s o n for c h a m b e r i n g this rifle to fire t h e 7.9 m m ( 8 x 5 7 ) M a u s e r c a r t r i d g e w a s that this r o u n d w a s u n i v e r s a l l y p o p u l a r a n d

Lee-Enfield .22 Rifle / have a British Lee-Enfield rifle adapted to the .22 Long Rifle cartridge. This rifle has the .303 magazine, but with the follower and spring missing. The left side of the magazine is marked ".22", and one of the markings on the receiver is "TV*". Is this rifle a single-shot or a repeater? Is it a service model? Please identify it. A n s w e r : Y o u h a v e the British N o . 2, M k I V * rifle (earlier d e s i g n a t i o n .22-in. R . F . Short Rifle M a r k I V ) w h i c h w a s used by the British S e r v i c e for recruit t r a i n i n g and l o w c o s t target p r a c t i c e . It w a s a c o n v e r s i o n from the c a l . .303-in. SMLE (Short M a g a z i n e L e e - E n f i e l d ) M k III a n d M k III* rifles, the c o n v e r s i o n c o n s i s t i n g of r e b a r r e l ing to . 2 2 , fitting a bolt h e a d with an offset striker, r e p l a c i n g the firing pin w i t h a s h o r t e r

Lee-Enfield Stocks My British .303 Lee-Enfield rifle has a buttstock which is too short for me. Is a longer stock for this rifle available, or would you suggest that I fit a thick recoil pad to obtain the proper length? Answer: B u t t s t o c k s for L e e - E n f i e l d rifles w e r e m a d e in four l e n g t h s , a n d e v i d e n t l y y o u h a v e o n e of the s h o r t e r o n e s . L e n g t h of pull ( d i s t a n c e from the c e n t e r of the b u t t p l a t e to the c e n t e r of the t r i g g e r ) is a b o u t 1 3 . 2 5 " w i t h the s t a n d a r d - l e n g t h L e e Enfield b u t t s t o c k . B u t t s t o c k s 1/2" s h o r t e r and 1/2" l o n g e r than s t a n d a r d are a v a i l a b l e . T h e s e are m a r k e d " S " a n d " L " , r e s p e c t i v e l y , o n top of the b u t t s t o c k j u s t f o r w a r d of the buttplate. T h e r e is a l s o a B a n t a m - l e n g t h L e e - E n f i e l d b u t t s t o c k for s o l d i e r s of e x t r e m e l y small stature. B a n t a m length b u t t s t o c k s are m a r k e d " B " , a n d are o n e full inch

o b t a i n a b l e in m o s t parts of the w o r l d . S o m e British h u n t e r s w e r e p a r t i c u l a r l y fond of this c a r t r i d g e , and used it e x t e n s i v e l y in Africa o n m e d i u m - s i z e d g a m e . A s e c o n d r e a s o n for t h e 7.9 m m M a u s e r c h a m b e r i n g w a s that use of the . 3 0 3 British c a r t r i d g e s in India for sporting purposes was prohibited. A n o t h e r c h a m b e r i n g for this rifle w a s 9.5 m m (9.5x57) Mannlicher-Schoenauer. This r o u n d , a l s o k n o w n by the British as the . 3 7 5 R i m l e s s N i t r o - E x p r e s s , w a s p o p u l a r in Africa for b i g g a m e h u n t i n g . B S A s p o r t i n g rifles with Pattern 14 a c tions w e r e a l s o offered in t w o h i g h - p e r f o r m a n c e p r o p r i e t a r y c a l i b e r s : .26 Belted R i m less N i t r o - E x p r e s s ( B S A ) , and .33 B e l t e d R i m l e s s N i t r o - E x p r e s s ( B S A ) . Rifles c h a m b e r e d for t h e s e p r o p r i e t a r y c a r t r i d g e s features a n e w s p o r t i n g stock a n d an a p e r t u r e sight o n the r e c e i v e r b r i d g e . A folding-leaf type o p e n rear sight o n the barrel w a s a l s o provided. — L.O.

o n e , and r e m o v i n g the s p r i n g a n d f o l l o w e r from the . 3 0 3 m a g a z i n e . T h e m a g a z i n e box is a r e c e p t a c l e for fired c a r t r i d g e c a s e s , w h i c h fall into it from the face of the bolt h e a d as the bolt is m o v e d r e a r w a r d . N o ejector is p r o v i d e d . T h e rifle is a s i n g l e - s h o t and c a n n o t b e readily c h a n g e d to a r e p e a t e r b e c a u s e of the bolt h e a d d e s i g n and lack of an ejector. A c c o r d i n g to the e x c e l l e n t b o o k , T h e L e e - E n f i e l d Rifle, by British M a j o r E . G . B . R e y n o l d s , this rifle w a s a d o p t e d by the British S e r v i c e in 1921 a n d w a s u s e d for m a n y y e a r s . In 1950, the British S e r v i c e a d o p t e d the C a l . . 2 2 , Rifle N o . 8, M k I, for t r a i n i n g p u r p o s e s , and d u r i n g the past several y e a r s , m a n y N o . 2, M k I V * rifles w e r e sold at low cost in the U . S . W h i l e the N o . 2, M k I V * is not a v a l u a b l e c o l l e c t o r ' s item, it is interesting and s u i t a b l e for informal target s h o o t i n g . — L . O .

shorter than standard. L e e - E n f i e l d butt s t o c k s of v a r y i n g l e n g t h s m a y b e a v a i l a b l e from s u r p l u s a r m s d e a l e r s w h o sell s p a r e parts. Y o u c o u l d a l s o fit a thick recoil p a d , as y o u m e n t i o n , or p u r c h a s e a s p o r t i n g buttstock from R e i n h a r t Fajen or E . C . B i s h o p & S o n s , b o t h located in W a r s a w , M o . T h e s e r v i c e b u t t s t o c k c a n b e easily r e m o v e d by u s i n g a long s c r e w d r i v e r to turn out the stock bolt. T h e s t o c k b o l t is a c c e s sible after o p e n i n g the trap in the b u t t p l a t e and r e m o v i n g the fiber w a d o n t o p of the stock bolt. T h e stock bolt of the Lee-Enfield N o . 1 rifle is s q u a r e at the front and e n g a g e s a k e e p e r plate in the fore-end. It is therefore n e c e s s a r y to r e m o v e the fore-end before the stock bolt c a n be t u r n e d . T h i s is not n e c e s sary w i t h the N o . 4 rifle. If a recoil p a d is fitted, use s c r e w s instead of a d h e s i v e to fasten the p a d to the stock s o that the p a d c a n be r e m o v e d if t i g h t e n i n g the stock bolt s h o u l d b e c o m e n e c e s s a r y . — L . O . 23

A Target Rifle For The British Army L39A1 satisfies both the ammunition and accuracy requirement By E. G. B. REYNOLDS

S

INCE target shooting b e c a m e an app r o v e d s p o r t in t h e British A r m y in 1 9 6 9 , t h e r e h a s b e e n a c o n s i d e r a b l e Service interest in c o m p e t i t i v e s h o o t i n g . T h e British Service a r m , the 7.62 m m . Self-loading Rifle, b e i n g u n s u i t a b l e for serious c o m p e t i t i v e s h o o t i n g u n d e r British N a t i o n a l Rifle A s s o c i a t i o n rules, t h e r e a r o s e a r e q u i r e m e n t in t h e a r m e d f o r c e s f o r a n a c c u r a t e t a r g e t rifle f i r i n g 7.62 m m . N A T O a m m u n i t i o n . T h i s req u i r e m e n t h a s n o w b e e n satisfied b y t h e i n t r o d u c t i o n o f t h e L 3 9 A 1 , w h i c h is a c o n v e r s i o n f r o m t h e . 3 0 3 " N o . 4 Rifle. M a r k s V2 a n d 2 , t o 7 . 6 2 m m . T h e s e f o r m s of t h e N o . 4 w e r e c h o s e n f o r conversion because they have the trigger mounted on the body (receiver) and n o t o n t h e t r i g g e r - g u a r d , as in e a r l i e r M a r k s of t h i s rifle. D u e l a r g e l y to w o o d w o r k influence, the trigger-guard mounting does not ensure a consistent pull-off. T h e c o n v e r s i o n consists of fitting a heavy 7.62 m m . barrel manufactured

by the Enfield R o y a l Small A r m s F a c tory, modifying the body and extractor to a c c o m m o d a t e the 7.62 m m . cartridge, and restyling the w o o d w o r k . Fitted with c o m m e r c i a l p a t t e r n m a t c h sights to suit target shooting requirements, this n e w m e m b e r o f t h e E n f i e l d f a m i l y of rifles is c a p a b l e o f a h i g h s t a n d a r d o f a c c u r a c y a n d c a n h o l d its o w n a g a i n s t t h e m u c h m o r e expensive purpose-built targ e t rifles n o w in u s e in B r i t i s h t a r g e t s h o o t i n g . A l r e a d y a p o o l o f 2 0 0 rifles is a v a i l a b l e f o r i s s u e f r e e o n l o a n t o units from O r d n a n c e store. T h e barrel, which protrudes from the s t o c k f o r e - e n d f o r 1 5 i n c h e s , is n o t m a c h i n e d in t h e c o n v e n t i o n a l w a y , t h e rifling b e i n g f o r m e d b y c o l d s w a g i n g o v e r a s u i t a b l e f o r m e r . T h e b o r e is n o t lapped after m a n u f a c t u r e , but the app e a r a n c e is i d e n t i c a l t o a m a c h i n e d barrel. T h e f o r e - e n d is t h e N o . 4 R i f l e f o r e e n d s h o r t e n e d to within a b o u t half a n i n c h of t h e l o w e r b a n d . T h e b u t t is t h e s a m e as t h a t of t h e N o . 4 Rifle, e x c e p t t h a t a r e c e s s is m a c h i n e d u n d e r t h e k n u c k l e to h o l d spare foresight e l e m e n t s in a s u i t a b l e c o n t a i n e r . T h e h a n d g u a r d is a m o d i f i e d f o r m of t h a t o n t h e N o . 8 .22 Rifle. Magazines which function with the 7.62 m m . cartridge are available, b u t as o n l y s i n g l e l o a d i n g is p e r m i t t e d u n d e r British N a t i o n a l Rifle A s s o c i a t i o n r u l e s , the original .303 magazines are retained i n t h e s e t a r g e t rifles a n d p e r m i t o n l y single r o u n d loading. T h e p r i n c i p a l r e q u i r e m e n t s in s t o c k ing u p are that the fore-end should seat firmly in t h e f o l l o w i n g p l a c e s : 1. O n t h e b o d y ( r e c e i v e r ) a t its r e a r end, between the sear lugs and the face of t h e b u t t socket.

2.

O n t h e b o d y a t its f r o n t e n d a r o u n d the front trigger-guard screw. T h e seating should extend uniformly r e a r w a r d o n e a c h side of t h e m a g a zine opening.

3.

T h e full l e n g t h of t h e b a r r e l r e i n force. T h e bearing should be cent r a l , a n d t h e s i d e s of t h e f o r e - e n d clear of the barrel. A m i n i m u m c l e a r a n c e of 0 . 0 4 5 i n c h s h o u l d b e m a i n t a i n e d a r o u n d the barrel at t h e front e n d of t h e f o r e - e n d a n d handguard. F r o m the reinforce forward, the barrel should be clear of t h e w o o d w o r k .

T h e r e a r e f o u r sizes of b o l t - h e a d s a v a i l a b l e , m a r k e d 0 , 1, 2 , a n d 3 ( t h e l o n g e s t ) , for ensuring correct headspace. Specifications, L39A1 Rifle Caliber „ _ 7.62 m m . NATO Length (with normal b u t t ) . . . 4 6 . 5 inches Weight _ 9.75 lbs. Length of barrel 27.5 inches Number of rifling grooves 4 Depth of grooves , 0.004 inch Width of grooves _ 0.170-0.175 inch Twist of rifling Right hand, one turn in 12 inches

T h e n e w L 3 9 A 1 t h u s fills in a s i m p l i fied w a y t h e s a m e r o l e a s t h e n e w Enfield E n v o y (see " B N R A Picks N e w Enfield F o r P a l m a " , T H E A M E R I C A N RIFLEMAN,

Apr.,

1970,

p.

8).

The

En-

voy, also p r o d u c e d by the Enfield R o y a l S m a l l A r m s F a c t o r y , differs in b e i n g fitted with a 7.62 m m . magazine for full 7 . 6 2 m m . o p e r a t i o n , a s p e c i a l b u t t stock dimensioned according to current p r e f e r e n c e s for m a t c h shooting, a n d m a t c h sights already installed. T h e E n voy was used by the three teams (Briti s h , C a n a d i a n , a n d U . S.) in l a s t y e a r ' s P a l m a M a t c h , fired at Bisley w i t h e x cellent scores. •

18L1 7 . 6 2 m m . L 3 9 A 1 rifle a d o p t e d for t a r g e t s h o o t i n g by t h e B r i t i s h Army.

L 3 9 A 1 rifle is c o n v e r t e d from . 3 0 3 No. 4 Mks. Vz a n d 2 , by r e b a r r e l i n g for 7 . 6 2 m m . NATO, s h o r t e n i n g f o r e - e n d a n d h a n d g u a r d , a n d installing commercial match-type sights.

24

.303 BRITISH The .303 British c a r t r i d g e was a d o p t e d by Great Britain in 1888. In t h e countries of t h e f o r m e r British E m p i r e , the .303 British c a r t r i d g e achieved popularity c o m p a r a b l e to that of the .30-06 in t h e United States. Originally loaded with a c o m p r e s s e d blackpowder c h a r g e a n d a 215-grain j a c k e t e d r o u n d nose bullet, the c a r t r i d g e was c o n v e r t e d in 1892 to a smokeless load using the famous British cordite propellant. T h e r o u n d - n o s e 215-grain bullet was replaced by a 174-grain pointed bullet in the g e n e r a l p u r p o s e military r o u n d a b o u t 1914, a n d tbis load c o n t i n u e d in use until the c a r t r i d g e b e c a m e obsolete with the a d o p t i o n of the 7 . 6 2 m m N A T O c a r t r i d g e by British forces in the 1960's. A great variety of special-purpose military loads was also used, including o n e c o n t a i n i n g a pointed boattail bullet a n d single-base smokeless p o w d e r similar to the Du Pont IMR types. T h i s c a r t r i d g e , called the Mark V I I I Z , was i n t e n d e d especially for m a c h i n e g u n s , in which

the boattail bullet p r o v i d e d i m p r o v e d l o n g - r a n g e effectiveness, a n d t h e single-base p o w d e r p r o d u c e d less erosion t h a n did the British cordite in t h e m a c h i n e g u n barrels. The w o r k i n g c h a m b e r p r e s s u r e of the .303 British c a r t r i d g e is a b o u t 4 5 , 0 0 0 c.u.p., in equivalent U.S. units, a n d it t h e r e f o r e p r o d u c e s m o r e e n e r g y than the c o n t e m p o r a r y .30-40 K r a g which is limited to a b o u t 40,000 c.u.p. J a c k e t e d bullets for t h e .303 British s h o u l d be of .311 to .312 of an inch in diameter. The m a x i m u m p r o d u c t a v e r a g e c h a m b e r p r e s s u r e for t h e .303 British c a r t r i d g e , as loaded for s p o r t i n g use by U.S. m a n u f a c t u r e r s , s h o u l d not exceed 48,200 c.u.p. Max. Case Length: 2.222" Trim-To Length: 2.212" Max. Overall Length: 3.075" Primer Size: L a r g e Rifle Bullet Dia.: 3 1 1 "

RIFLE LOADS FOR THE .303 BRITISH LOAD NUMBER 1

BULLET WEIGHT BRAND SHAPE TYPE RNN 100 SPR SP

POWDER WEIGHT BRAND TYPE IMR 3031 44.0

VELOCITY FPS

PRESSURE CUP

2933

CASE BRAND

PRIMER BRAND TYPE

CIL

CCI

200

CARTRIDGE OAL

BARREL LENGTH

SOURCE

25

SPR

2

150

SPR

PTD

SP

31.0

HER

RE7

2400

41,200

WIN

WIN

WLR

2.935

24

HER

3

150

HDY

SPP

SP

44.0

IMR

3031

2787

44,900

REM

WIN

WLR

2.840

26

NRA

4

150

HDY

SPP

SP

41.8

HOD

BLC2

2600

REM

FED

210

3.035

25'A

HDY

5

150

45.5

ACC

2230

2620

REM

CCI

200

24

ACC

6

150

SRA

PTD

SP

48.5

IMR

4320

2808

REM

WIN

WLR

2.945

26

NRA

7

150

HDY

SPP

SP

45.6

HOD

H380

2600

REM

FED

210

3.035

25VS

HDY

8

150

SPR

PTD

SP

45.0

HER

RE12

2700

WIN

WIN

WLR

2.935

24

HER

9

150

HDY

SPP

SP

50.0

WIN

760

2600

REM

FED

210

3.035

25V5

HDY

10

150

SPR

PTD

SP

50.0

IMR

4350

2584

CIL

CCI

200

25

SPR

11

174

HDY

RNN

SP

43.1

HOD

H380

2400

REM

FED

210

2.975

25V4

HDY

12

174

HDY

RNN

SP

47.2

WIN

760

2400

REM

FED

210

2.975

25VS

HDY

13

174

HDY

RNN

SP

46.5

IMR

4350

2400

REM

FED

210

2.975

25VS

HDY

14

180

SPR

RNN

SP

30.0

HER

RE7

2050

39,600

WIN

WIN

WLR

2.940

24

HER

42.0

IMR

3031

2533

44.220

REM

WIN

WLR

3.075

26

NRA

40.0

ACC

2230

2300

REM

CCI

200

24

ACC

WIN

WIN

WLR

24

HER

SRA

PTD

SP

43.830

42,900

15

180

16

180

17

180

SPR

RNN

SP

40.0

HER

RE12

2340

18

180

SPR

RNN

SP

47.0

IMR

4831

2421

CIL

CCI

200

25

SPR

46.0

ACC

3100

2350

REM

CCI

200

24

ACC

19

180

42.600

2.940

Abbreviations: ACC - Accurate Arms Co.; CIL - Canadian Industries, Ltd.; HDY - Hornady Manufacturing Co.; HER - Hercules Inc.; HOD - Hodgdon Powder Co.; IMR - IMR Powder Co.; PTD - Pointed; RNN - Round nose; SP - Soft point; SPP - Spire Point; SPR - Speer; SRA - Sierra Bullets