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British Enfield Rifles - NRA American Rifleman - 2004 PDF
British Enfield Rifles - NRA American Rifleman - 2004 PDF
The Cover:
Lee-Enfield rifles from the collection of the
National Firearms Museum, Fairfax, Virginia
Enfield - -
Britain's Springfield - -
And Its Rifles
Its products have served well in wars over the globe, including ours, in 1861-65
By E. G. B. REYNOLDS
British laborers planting numerous walnut trees in 1800 and musketry in the American Civil War were an ocean and more than a
half century apart. Yet a relationship exists. It is part of a firearms kinship which has extended, in one way or another, through a series
of wars into the present time.
The trees set out in quantity around Enfield Lock, a canal lock in the Lea waterway in Middlesex, were a source of gunstocks for
more than 500,000 muzzle loading Enfield rifled muskets bought by both the Union and the Confederacy. This arm was, in fact, more
used by infantry of both sides than any other except the M1861-63 Springfield.
The muzzleloaders were mass-produced in part with imported Yankee machinery. In World War I, private industry in the United
States manufactured Pattern 14 bolt-action Enfield’s in caliber .303 and then changed, after America's entry, to producing them in .30-
'06 as the U. S. Rifle, Model 1917 —still popularly called the Enfield. Large quantities of surplus British Enfield’s of World Wars I
and II are doing duty in the United States, Canada and elsewhere today as sporting arms, usually somewhat modified. So it is very
much in order to take a look at the origin and development of this rifle.
Assembly of cal. .753 Brown Bess smoothbore flintlock muskets was first important task carried out at Enfield establishment. Brown Bess musket was standard British
infantry arm for more than 100 years.
Baker rifle was capable of making groups 1½ ft. wide by 2½ ft. deep at 100 yds. It was most accurate British military arm at time of its introduction.
An early type of back-action Brunswick rifle made at Enfield. Named after Duke of Brunswick, this rifle was first made with 11-groove rifling, later changed to 2-
groove for use with belted spherical ball. A standard rifle for 40 years, Brunswick rifle was difficult to load when bore became fouled.
Cal. .753 Percussion Musket of 1842 was designed by George Lovell, Government Inspector of Small Arms.
The Minie Rifled Musket introduced in 1851 was first British Service rifle to be sighted up to 1000 yds. More accurate than its predecessors, this cal. .702 rifle was
used in Kaffir and Crimean Wars.
In 1855, a number of Enfield rifles were made with shorter barrels and long sword bayonets, and were issued to the 60th Rifles
(King's Royal Rifle Corps) and the Rifle Brigade. Carbines on the same principle were made at Enfield and issued to the Artillery and
Cavalry. Three years later another shortened version was made for the Royal Navy to replace the Pattern 1842 Sea-Service muskets. A
similar arm was made for Sergeants of Infantry. It was more accurate than the long rifle and, as sergeants were thought to have less
time than the lower ranks for actual firing, it was considered imperative that they have the most accurate weapons.
Although improvements had been effected, there was still dissatisfaction in Government circles regarding the supply of small arms to
the British Forces, and the weapons generally were considered inferior to those made in America. Even at Enfield the system was bad.
Some of the work was done under contract, and tools were often the property of workmen. The situation improved and, by 1860, the
first Enfield rifle was in full production. In 1861 it was proudly acclaimed in the House of Commons that 90,707 rifles had been made
in the factory that year. Largely due to the visit of a British Commission to the U. S. Government Armories at Harpers Ferry and
Springfield, the Enfield factory was modernized by American machinery.
For some years the British Army had pressed for a breech-loading rifle and, in 1867, it was decided to convert existing stocks of
the 1853 muzzle-loading Enfield by a method submitted by an American, Jacob Snider. The work of conversion, and eventually the
manufacture of new Sniders fitted with steel barrels (earlier Enfield weapons had wrought-iron barrels), was carried out at Enfield.
The rifle was called the Enfield Snider and, with the Boxer cartridge, the rifle's accuracy improved.
British Breech-Loading Service Rifles Made Or Designed At The Enfield Royal Small Arms Factory 1871-1944
Model Designation & Year of Adoption Caliber Action System Weight Over-all Barrel Rifling Form & Sighting
(Magazine Capacity) (lbs.-ozs.) Length Length Twist Rate
(inches) (inches)
Martini-Henry (1871) .45 Pivoting-block 9 49.5 33.2 Henry 7-groove Rear: 100-1450 yds.
(single-shot) Right, 1 turn in 22"
Lee-Metford (1888) .303 Lee bolt-action 9-8 49.5 30.2 Metford 7-groove Rear: 300-1900 yds.
(8 rounds) Left, 1 turn in 10" Dial: 1800-3500 yds.
Lee-Enfield (1895) .303 Lee bolt-action 9-4 49.5 30.2 Enfield 5-groove Rear: 200-1800 yds.
(10 rounds) Left, 1 turn in 10" Dial: 1600-2800 yds.
Short Magazine Lee-Enfield (1902) .303 Lee bolt-action 8-2½ 44.5 25.18 Enfield 5-groove Rear: 200-2000 yds.
(10 rounds) Left, 1 turn in 10" Dial: 1600-2800 yds.
Pattern 1914 Enfield (1916) .303 Mauser-type bolt-action 8-11 46.3 26 Enfield 5-groove Rear: 400-1900 yds.
(5 rounds) Left, 1 turn in 10" Dial: 1600-2800 yds.
No. 4 Rifle (1939) .303 Lee bolt-action 9-1 44.5 25.18 Enfield 5-groove Rear: 200-1300 yds.
(10 rounds) Left, 1 turn in 10"
No. 5 Rifle (1944) .303 Lee bolt-action 7-2½ 39.5 18.75 Enfield 5-groove Rear: 200-800 yds.
(10 rounds) Left, 1 turn in 10"
3
British Army Muzzle-Loading Arms Made At Or Associated With The Enfield Royal Small Arms
Factory
Name & Caliber Weight Over-All Barrel Number Rifling Sighted Bullet Bullet Powder
Approximate Year of (inches) lbs.-ozs. Length Length Grooves Twist to Diameter Weigh Charge
Introduction (inches) (inches) Rate (yds.) (inches)1 (grs.) 1 (grs.) 1
Brown Bess .753 10-2 55 39 Smoothbore — 200 .683 480 164
(About 1790)
Baker Rifle .628 9-7 45½ 302 7 ¼ turn 200 .625 350 110
(1800) in 30"
Brunswick Rifle .704 11—5½ 46 30 2 1 turn 300 .696 557 68
(1836) in 30"
Percussion Musket .753 9-14 54¾ 39 Smoothbore — 150 .683 480 123
(1842)
British Version Minie Rifle .702 9-13 55 39 4 1 turn 1000 690 680 68
(1851) n 78"
Enfield Rifle .577 8-14½ 54 1/8 39 3 1 turn 900 .568 530 68
(1853) in 78"
Short Enfield Rifle .577 8-11¾ 48¾ 333 5 1 turn 1200 .568 530 68
(1858) in 48"
(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.
The Enfield Snider was intended as a stop-gap pending development of a new breech-loading arm. In 1869 a special War Office
committee appointed 3 years earlier recommended a development of the Peabody breech-mechanism entered by Friederich von
Martini of Switzerland. The barrel was designed by Alexander Henry of Edinburgh. The new arm was called the Martini-Henry, and
200 were made at Enfield and issued for troop trials. In introducing this cal. .45 rifle, the committee had achieved a reduction in bore
at that time believed impossible for this class of military arm. Much of the development work was carried out at Enfield and numerous
modifications were effected before the rifle and a new bottleneck cartridge were adopted. In 1871 they were officially introduced for
the British Army and the Royal Navy. Later, about 70,000 Martini rifles embodying Met-ford rifling were made at Enfield. They were
called Enfield-Martini's, but were never officially adopted; they were eventually fitted with Henry barrels at Enfield and became the
Mark IV pattern Martini-Henry.
(Top) Rifle, Musket, Pattern 1853. Snider hinged-breech action used in converting Pattern 1853 for breech-loading. Lower arm is Snider carbine issued to cavalry and
artillery units. Introduced in 1867, Snider conversion was a stop-gap development. Conversion and manufacture of cal. .577 Snider arms were carried out at Enfield.
Shortened version of Model 1853 Enfield rifle designated Sergeant's Fusil, Model 1856. It proved more accurate than long rifle.
Experimental Service Pattern cal. .45 Whitworth rifle made at Enfield. Hexagonal-bore Whitworth, popular for target shooting, was not issued generally for Service
use.
4
Principal difference between Martini-Henry rifle (upper) and Enfield-Martini (center) was in form of rifling. Enfield-Martini rifle had longer action lever to improve
extraction power. In 1895 many of these cal. .45 rifles were fitted with cal. .303 barrels and redesignated Martini-Enfield. Martini-Henry carbine (bottom) was issued to
cavalry and artillery units.
Lee-Metford Mark I cal. .303 rifle (upper) adopted in 1888, with Lee-Enfield rifle (lower) adopted in 1895. The introduction of cordite smokeless powder led to
adoption of deeper Enfield rifling form in 1895.
For a number of years the British Royal Navy had pressed for a magazine rifle, and much experimental and design work was
carried out at Enfield before the Lee-action magazine rifle was approved for manufacture in 1888. This weapon, embodying the
shallow Metford form of rifling, which had shown a great advance in accuracy in competition shooting at Wimbledon, was a further
considerable reduction in caliber. It was destined to remain in the British Regular Army for nearly 70 years. Introduced as the
Magazine Rifle, Mark I, in 1889, and changed to the Lee-Metford 2 years later, it became the Lee-Enfield in 1895, after a change of
rifling.
The Enfield rifling form was designed and developed at Enfield to ensure a longer barrel accuracy life by rendering greater
resistance to the destructive erosion of cordite than did the shallow Metford grooving. It was therefore the rifling that brought back the
name of Enfield into the rifle's designation.
A few years earlier, an important change in procedure had taken place at Enfield. The inspection of small arms was divorced from
production and became the prerogative of a separate body known as the Small Arms Inspection Department. It was established at
Enfield under the control of the Master-General of Ordnance, and was supervised largely by military officers under a Chief Inspector
of Small Arms. It eventually became responsible for technical trials, sealing of patterns to guide manufacture, inspection of troop
arms, and other duties. Enfield was also the training ground for Service armorers.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Enfield was working to capacity making weapons for the British forces in South Africa. The
Lee-Enfield rifle, and Lee-Enfield carbines for the Cavalry and Artillery were in full production. An error in the sighting arrangement
of the Lee-Enfield necessitated a modification to the rear sight leaf of thousands of rifles, many being hurriedly returned from South
Africa for the purpose. Another serious fault which had to be dealt with was the unequal bearing of receiver and bolt. The sighting
trouble caused the establishment of an accuracy shooting test for every rifle, on much the same lines as prevails today.
Lee-Enfield cal. .303 carbine was shortened version of Lee-Enfield rifle. After 1902, this and other carbines gradually disappeared from the British Services.
Short Magazine Lee-Enfield (SMLE) cal. .303 rifle adopted in 1902 was later redesignated No. 1 Rifle. Probably the most famous rifle ever produced at Enfield, it was
lighter and shorter version of the long Lee-Enfield rifle. It embodied charger loading, better sights, and other improvements.
Short Magazine Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mark V cal. .303 rifle was experimental arm developed at Enfield after World War I. The first Lee-Enfield rifle designed with
aperture rear sight, it was superseded in development stage by SMLE No. 1 Mark VI rifle.
5
LEE-ENFIELD HISTORY
Introduction or Adoption Date Designation Some Features of New Pattern
Dec. 22, 1888 Magazine Rifle, Mark I
Aug. 8, 1891 Lee-Metford Magazine Rifle, Mark I Same rifle, renamed.
Jan. 19, 1892 Lee-Metford Magazine Rifle, Mark I* Safety catch omitted. Altered sighting, magazine, handguard, mainspring.
Jan. 30, 1892 Lee-Metford Magazine Rifle, Mark II New 10-round magazine. Lighter barrel. Weight reduced to 9 lbs., 4 ozs.
Apr. 22, 1895 Lee-Metford Magazine Rifle, Mark II* New pattern safety catch fitted to cocking piece.
July 1, 1907 Charger-loading Lee-Metford Magazine Converted to charger-loading.
Rifle
Nov. 11, 1895 Lee-Enfield Magazine Rifle, Mark I Same as Lee-Metford, Mark II* but fitted with Enfield barrel.
May 11, 1899 Lee-Enfield Magazine Rifle, Mark I* Cleaning rod, and provision for rod in fore-end omitted.
July 1, 1907 Charger-loading Lee-Enfield Magazine Converted from Lee-Enfield’s and Lee-Metfords.
Rifle, Mark I*
Dec. 23, 1902 Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Rifle, A new rifle.
Mark I
Jan. 16, 1903 Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Rifle, Converted to Mark I pattern from Lee-Enfield’s and Lee-Metfords.
Converted Mark II
July 2,1906 Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Rifle, Deeper magazine case, etc. Weight of rifle 8 lbs., 7 ozs.
Mark I*
July 2, 1906 Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Rifle, Deeper magazine than converted Mark II. Pull-through accommodated in
Converted Mark II* butt.
Jan. 26, 1907 Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Rifle, Bridge charger guide fitted to body. Weight of rifle 8 lbs., 10½ ozs.
Mark III
Sept. 1,1907 Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Rifle, Converted to Mark III pattern from Lee-Enfield’s and Lee-Metfords.
Converted Mark IV
Jan. 4, 1908 Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Rifle, Sighting altered for Mark VII cartridge. Converted from Mark I for Royal
Mark I** Navy.
Jan. 4, 1908 Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Rifle, New sighting, etc. Converted from converted Mark II rifles.
Mark II**
Jan. 4, 1908 Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Rifle, New sighting, etc. Converted from converted Mark II* rifles.
Mark II***
Apr. 22, 1914 Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Rifle, Sighting altered for Mark VII cartridge. Converted from Mark I* rifles for
Mark I*** Royal Navy.
Jan. 2, 1916 Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Rifle, Long-range sights, cut-off omitted.
Mark III*
1922/23 (Not adopted) Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Rifle, Aperture backsight. One-piece handguard, etc.
Mark V
1930/31 (Not adopted) Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Rifle, Heavier barrel. Two-piece handguard. Similar to later No. 4 Rifle.
Mark VI
Nov. 15, 1939 No. 4 Rifle, Mark I Development of No. 1 Rifle, Mark VI, but with strengthened body.
Nov. 15, 1939 (Adopted 1939. Officially No. 4 Rifle, Mark I* Alternative method of manufacture to Mark I. Differs in body ribway, bolt-
introduced Nov. 11, 1946.) head catch, and bridge piece.
Feb. 12, 1942 No. 4 Rifle, Mark I(T) Mark I or Mark I* fitted with Telescope No. 32 for snipers.
Mar. 31, 1949 No. 4 Rifle, Mark II Trigger pivoted on body, and not hung on trigger guard.
Mar. 31, 1949 No. 4 Rifle Mark I/2 Mark I converted to Mark II pattern.
Mar. 31, 1949 No. 4 Rifle Mark I/3 Mark I* converted to Mark II pattern.
Mar. 31, 1949 No. 4 Rifle, Mark l/2(T) Mark I (T) with trigger pivoted on body.
Sept. 12, 1944 No. 5 Rifle, Mark I A lightened No. 4 Rifle. A Mark II pattern was made but not produced.
There never was a Mark I*.
1946/47 No. 7 Rifle Similar to No. 4 Rifle, but fitted with cal. .22 barrel. Issued to R.A.F.
Sept. 7, 1950 No. 8 Rifle Cal. .22 rifle. For Military Forces
Sept. 7, 1950 No. 9 Rifle No. 4 Rifle fitted with cal. .22 tubed barrels. Issued to Royal Navy.
Experience in the South African campaign led to the development and ultimate adoption in 1902 of the Short Magazine Lee-
Enfield (SMLE), now known as the No. 1 Rifle. Shorter than its predecessors, it was designed for use in all branches of the British
Army and eventually superseded the many types of carbines in use.
In 1910 a new rifle, modeled largely on the M1903 Springfield, was developed at Enfield, where 1000 were made for troop trials.
Its development was delayed by ammunition troubles. By 1914 these were largely overcome and. but for the outbreak of war, it would
probably have gone into full production. It was designed for a cal. .276 rimless cartridge but, during the war, it was produced in large
numbers in the United States in cal. .303 British. It was known as the Pattern 1914 Enfield Rifle, but is now known as the No. 3 Rifle.
When war broke out, the Enfield factory was faced with difficult production problems. Fortunately it was engaged on a high
output before the war, and machinery and workshops were in excellent order and ready for the immediate expansion which took place.
Between August 1914 and November 1918 over 2 million SMLE rifles were made and many other weapons were repaired or
modified.
Experiments continue
Immediately after the war a much smaller production satisfied requirements, but a good deal of experimental work was carried out
in the factory. This included development of 2 more versions of the SMLE, the Mark V and the Mark VI. Both were produced in
considerable numbers for troop trials, but never went into full production.
On the outbreak of World War II, the last of the Lee-Enfield rifles, the No. 4 (a development of the Mark VI), was divorced from
the Enfield factory and made elsewhere. Capacity was taken up by the manufacture and repair of the Bren light machine gun, the cal.
.38 revolver, the Sten machine carbine, and numerous other weapons. Over 200,000 Bren guns and nearly 300,000 revolvers were
produced at Enfield during the war period.
Enfield no longer produces a weapon which carries its name, and its activities are now largely concerned with the production of
the cal. 7.62 mm. self-loading rifle. The Royal Small Arms Factory is still a busy place, but not so closely connected with the British
Army as it was in the days when its traveling examiners paid regular visits to units to examine and repair their arms. It still has many
links with the British Forces.
6
Short Magazine Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mark VI cal. .303 experimental rifle was never adopted, but both prototype and troop trial versions were made at Enfield. Troop trial
rifles featured a checkered fore-end. Prototypes (shown) did not and, except for the magazine cutoff and marking disc on the buttstock, are nearly indistinguishable
from later No. 4 rifles.
Pistol, Revolver No. 2 was in full production at Enfield during World War II.
This cal. .38 revolver superseded the cal. .455 Pistol, Revolver in British service.
Czech-designed BREN (Brno-Enfield) cal .303 light machine gun went into production at Enfield in 1937. After World War II many were converted at Enfield to fire
the 7.62 mm NATO cartridge. Czech-designed BESA machine guns were also made at Enfield for the British Army.
7
Cal. .276 1913 experimental cartridge (r.) with cal. .303 British cartridge for which Pattern 1914 Enfield Service rifle was adapted.
ENFIELD RIFLE
Adopted by the British Army, this weapon became known for its accuracy but its service use
was limited
By E. G. B. REYNOLDS
T he Pattern 1914 Enfield Rifle, familiarly known as the P. 14, and in British Service nomenclature as the No. 3 Rifle, enjoys the
distinction of being the only rifle with Mauser-type action ever adopted by the British Army. Its actual service, though partly of a
distinctive nature, was very limited for so excellent a weapon.
When the Short Magazine Lee-Enfield (SMLE) rifle was approved for the British Services in 1902, it met with instant opposition,
mostly on the grounds of inaccuracy. Although it proved itself a first-class Service weapon, opposition persisted and a few years after
its adoption the Government Design Department at the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield was considering design of a rifle
ballistically more efficient.
In August 1910, the British War Office decided that a new rifle was needed. The requirement was put to the Small Arms
Committee, a body of experts including representatives of manufacture, inspection, and users of small arms and ammunition. On Sept.
2, the following points were agreed on:
Ammunition trials
Various ammunition trials were carried out at Woolwich and Hythe and, although some improvement was made ballistically and
in the reduction of metallic fouling, the cartridge provided for the troop trials was still not entirely satisfactory in performance.
The case was rimless. Over-all cartridge length was 3.230". The 165-gr. pointed bullet had a lead-antimony core and was jacketed
with mild steel plated with cupro-nickel. The 49.3-gr. charge of Cordite M.D.T. gave a muzzle velocity of 2785 f.p.s. (feet per
second).
The trial rifle, which featured a one-piece stock and integral 5-round box magazine, weighed 8 lbs. 11 ozs., and had an over-all
length of 46.3". The action was of Mauser type with dual front locking lugs engaging locking recesses within the receiver ring. The
26" cal. .276 barrel weighed 2 lbs. 15 ozs., and was rifled with left twist at the rate of one turn in 10". Groove depth was .005". Barrel
lands and grooves were .0853" wide.
The aperture-type folding leaf rear sight was adjustable for elevation only. The leaf was graduated from 400 to 1900 yds. The
movable slide containing the .10" aperture locked into detents on the right side of the leaf. A fixed .10" aperture battle sight for ranges
up to 600 yds., was exposed when the leaf was turned down. A dial sight was fitted to the left side of the rifle for long-range 'barrage'
firing.
The 1000 troop-trial rifles were made at the Royal Small Arms Factory and, early in 1913, were issued to British troops in the
Aldershot, Southern, Northern, and Irish Commands, in South Africa and Egypt, and to the Small Arms School (then called the
School of Musketry) at Hythe. In June the trial was suspended in the Aldershot Command when it was found that the ammunition had
a great heating effect on the rifle, and dangerous pressures developed if a round was left in a heated chamber for only a short time.
The program was amended so that rifles were allowed to cool after not more than 15 rounds had been fired.
Besides the heating effects, the reports from the Commands contained several small adverse criticisms, but generally speaking the
rifle performed well and was popular with the troops. One complaint is of particular interest in view of subsequent events. It was that
there was a tendency to pick up sand in the muzzle when loading on sandy soil.
In World War II, when the rifle (then the P. 14) was for a time in general use in several units of the British Army, there were many
instances of split barrels due to obstructions being picked up in the protruding muzzle during training. Investigation of many damaged
rifles showed a high sulphur and phosphorus content in the steel as causing a tendency to split when a round was fired with any slight
obstruction in the bore. The highest percentage of split barrels was of Eddystone manufacture.
The troop trials were followed by an investigation of the reports by the Small Arms Committee and, at the beginning of 1914, six
rifles were manufactured at Enfield to an improved design. Most of the troubles were easily dealt with, but the complaint of excessive
flash had no easy solution. This was reported to be visible at night for a mile, and an accompanying loud report was also considered
serious. Barrel wear was another serious problem; accuracy was often bad after only 1000 rounds and was seldom retained after 3000.
The important part of correct stocking of the P. 14 is the bedding of the action. Alternative methods of stocking are permitted for
target shooting. The barrel may be completely free at the muzzle, the clearance being kept to a minimum. A bearing may also be
obtained about 6" forward of the receiver by building up the fore-end at this point by a light metal shim or wood insert glued in
position. With this method the barrel, forward of the bearing, should be clear of the woodwork.
World War II had been in progress several months before there was any real interest in the possibility of snipers being again
required. In May 1940, a Sniping Wing of the Small Arms School was formed at Bisley, largely on the initiative of Maj. Gen. Sir
Alan Hunter, then Secretary of the National Rifle Association (of Great Britain). Sniping was almost a lost art and its restoration
centered around the P. 14, the only sniping rifle then in the British Army. The P. 14 continued in this role until 1942, when it was
superseded by the No. 4 Rifle, Mark I (T). The P. 14 rifle, without a telescope, remained in the hands of Home Defence forces
throughout the war.
It is sad to record that so fine a rifle as the P. 14 should have received such unfortunate treatment as was accorded this accurate
weapon after the war. Many thousands were dumped in Ordnance Depots throughout the United Kingdom, and so carelessly were
many of them stored that they rapidly deteriorated into scrap. Eventually a few were sold to rifle clubs but most were broken up and,
in official jargon, 'brought to produce'. Thus the P. 14 went the way of many wartime stores in the urge to destroy and clean up,
regardless, which always seems to follow in the wake of a war.
There are still some marksmen who regard the P. 14 as the most accurate British full-bore rifle, though the number seen on Bisley
ranges is now comparatively small largely due to the difficulty of obtaining replacements for shot out barrels. Whether those that have
survived will ever be converted to take the 7.62 mm. NATO cartridge when the target-shooting changeover from cal. .303 British
takes place is a matter for conjecture. If it is eventually converted, the P. 14, though limited in numbers, could again become a serious
contender for major British and Commonwealth target-shooting honors.
10
By THOMAS E. WESSEL
1 Commence disassembly by first removing 2 Disassemble breechbolt by removing striker screw 3 To remove striker (57), it is necessary to have an
magazine (35) and then rotating breechbolt (55) (53), and then unscrewing breechbolt head from the Enfield bolt stripping wrench or improvise one as
counterclockwise and withdrawing rearward as far as other end of the breechbolt shown using a ⅜8" O.D. brass tube approximately 6"
it will go. Disengage breechbolt head (58) from long. File 2 opposing keys or notches in one end of
retaining spring (26) by rotating it as shown. It will tube and affix wooden ball on other end to serve as
disengage with an audible click. Withdraw bolt from handle. Drill through handle and tube with ⅛" drill
action body (10) and insert pin to prevent slippage. Insert tool into
front end of breechbolt until notches engage
corresponding notches in striker collar. Unscrew
striker from cocking piece (54) maintaining steady
inward pressure to prevent mainspring (56) from
expelling striker when it becomes fully unscrewed
from cocking piece
4 Remove back and front trigger guard screws (16 5 Remove retaining spring screw (28, left arrow) and 6 Should removal of buttstock (64) become
and 33, right and left arrows respectively). Lift away lift away retaining spring (26), sear (30), and sear necessary, open buttplate trap (37) and with a piece
trigger guard (34). Remove back and front nose cap spring (29). Drift out magazine catch pin (25, right of bent wire fish out leather stock bolt wad (24).
screws (46 and 50 respectively) and pull nose cap arrow), remove magazine catch (27) Insert long, square shanked screwdriver and engage
(48) forward off rifle. Remove inner band screw (4), slot in stock bolt (23). While applying downward
and swivel screw (18) from outer band (43). Open pressure, place an appropriately sized open-end
and lift away outer band. Front handguard (67), fore- wrench against screwdriver shank and turn out stock
end (65), and rear handguard (66) may now be bolt. A small quantity of penetrating oil may aid this
removed in that order operation as the bolts are often rusted in. Reassemble
rifle in reverse ■
I 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?
Answer: Make sure that the rifle is unloaded, and remove the bolt. Them clamp the bolt in a padded vise and insert a drift punch of less than
0.04" diameter into the small hole in the sideward projection of the bolt head. Press the punch inward against the extractor spring and push the spring
forward, out of the bolt head using a screwdriver. Hold a finger over the extractor slot while doing this to prevent loss of the spring. In reassembly,
simply push the spring into the extractor slot until the small projection on the spring engages in its seat in the bolt head.
These instructions also apply to the No. 1, rifle. — L.O.
Punch is inserted through the hole (a) in the bolt head. Extractor spring (b) is of V type.
Lee-Speed Rifle
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, I lack proof that the marking has reference to fast operation, and would appreciate information on the subject.
Answer: The word "speed" is appropriate in connection with the Lee rifle, but has reference to a co-developer of the arm rather than rapidity of
operation. Mr. Joseph Speed was the Assistant Manager (later, the manager) of the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield Lock in the 1880s, and
developed the magazine cutoff, two-piece stock, and several other mechanical features of British Lee rifles. The Lee-Speed marking appeared on
some early long Lee rifles, and especially on specimens intended 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 1 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 Mk III.
Answer: The Mk IV is not an improved SMLE, but simply an early long Lee rifle converted to conform to the pattern of the Mk III. Since it is a
converted arm and the model following the Mk III, it is called Converted, Mk IV.
The long buttplate tang and lack of a marking disc are characteristic of the long Lee rifles from which Mk IVs were converted. The buttplate tang
was used for organizational markings and served the same purpose as a marking disc. — L.O.
Compensation
I 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: British long-range target shooters noticed many years ago that the .303 Mark III SMLE rifle and .303 Mark VII ammunition gave less
vertical dispersion on 900-yd. and 1000-yd. targets than would be expected from the velocity variation of the ammunition. This was explained as due
to the rifle delivering shots of above-normal muzzle velocity at a lower angle of departure than shots of low muzzle velocity (there is always some
shot-to-shot variation in velocity). This unintentional 'compensation' in design of the rifle and its mating to the ammunition thus resulted
advantageously in long-range shooting.
This matter received a great deal of discussion among British Commonwealth shooters, and on adoption of the .303 No. 4 rifle, the Lee-Enfield
which was standard during World War II, the subject was brought up again. Several experiments were made to establish the existence and actual
amount of compensation, but they were not carried to a conclusive result. Information on compensation in the Mark III rifle was given in the British
Textbook of Small Arms 1929, now out of print; and for the No. 4 rifle in the book The Lee-Enfield Rifle by Maj. E. G. B. Reynolds.
Now it appears that such an effect may exist to some degree in many rifles. Shoulder rifles of usual configuration suffer bending by the stresses
of discharge, and seldom deliver their bullets in the nearly invariable direction given by heavy test barrels in sliding mounts. Test of a large sample
of U. S. M14 rifles showed that they gave this effect consistently and in a direction to improve their long-range vertical dispersion. On the other
hand, if many models and types of rifles were investigated it might be found that some give it an unfavorable direction—that is, high-velocity rounds
might be delivered at a higher angle of elevation than low-velocity rounds, with resulting very unfavorable effect on the shooting accuracy. Since no
such broad investigation of the matter ever has been made, the proportion of favorable and unfavorable situations which exist is not known.
The mechanism of this compensating (or mutually reinforcing) action of jump and drop is explained in detail in the article "Dispersion And
Range" in the September 1962 issue of The American Rifleman. There are no further authoritative available references known.
It might appear attractive to design a target rifle intentionally to provide variation. There has been no thorough attempt to do so for any non-
military weapon. It would be a considerable undertaking, and even if successful the desired action could be counted on only with exactly that design
and construction of rifle and ammunition.—E.H.H.
13
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 behind 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.
Answer: Wrapping of SMLE forearms with whipcord or copper wire was done to reinforce rifles for grenade launching. The practice was
instituted in World War I as a means of using rifles that were badly worn and generally not repairable short of rebuilding. The original intent was that
standard-issue rifles would be used for grenade launching in the field, and "strengthened" rifles would be used for training only, and not fired with
Ball cartridges except in emergency. Rifles in this training category are marked "E.Y." on the barrel reinforce and on the stock.
In Australian and Indian practice, rifles intended for front line service were routinely adapted for grenade launching by wrapping the fore-ends
with wire or cord, and these rifles saw much use during World War II. Indian rifles, particularly, may be found with an additional reinforcement, a
wood screw transverse through the fore-end just ahead of the front trigger guard screw.
Some U.S. M1917 rifles in British use and Pattern 14 Enfield rifles were similarly wrapped, but with copper or galvanized steel wire instead of
whipcord. Pistol grips as well as fore-ends of these latter Enfield rifles were wrapped, and steel reinforcement plates connected into the top and
bottom of the pistol grip. — L.O.
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 Textbook of Small Arms, but a detailed
description, and illustrations, are lacking.
Answer: The Mk V (officially the Rifle, Short,
Magazine, Lee-Enfield Mark V) differs from preceding
models of the SMLE in that it has an aperture rear sight and a reinforcing band at the rear of the nosecap. The sight is located at the rear of the
receiver in similar fashion to that of the British Pattern 14 (No. 3) and U.S. Model 1917 Enfield rifles. The idea for the reinforcing band was
apparently taken from the Norwegian Model 1912 Krag carbine, and this component facilitates recognition of the arm. The 1929 British Textbook of
Small Arms describes this rifle as having a one-piece handguard, but the handguard of a specimen available for examination is of the two-piece
type.
Development of the Mk V was prompted by battle experience of World War I, and a relatively small number were produced in the 1920s for test
purposes. It was superseded by the Mk VI SMLE, a limited-production model which was the direct forerunner of the Rifle No. 4, a principal shoulder
arm of British forces during World War II. Due to the small number produced, the Mk V is one of the rarest of the SMLE rifles, and a choice
collector's item. — L.O.
LEE-ENFIELD CARBINE
Name: Lee-Enfield Carbine
Model: Mark I
Manufacturer: British Government Armory at Enfield
Caliber & Cartridge: .303 British
Barrel Length: 20¾"
Overall Length: 39-5/16"
Weight (Empty): 7 lbs. 7 ozs.
Finish: Blued
Magazine: 7-shot, removable box
Stock: 3-piece plain wood
Rifling: Enfield type, 5-groove, left-hand, 1 turn in 10".
Bore Diameter: .303"
Groove Diameter: .316"
Sights: Fixed blade front with wing guards. V notch rear, adjustable elevation to 2,000 yds. with leather cover protector.
Marking: Left-hand side of butt socket: Crown over V R ENFIELD 1896 L. E. C. I
Remarks: This Lee-Enfield carbine was officially adopted by the British War Office in 1896, replacing the Lee-Metford carbine of
1894. The gun is similar to the Lee-Metford Mark II* Rifle and Lee-Enfield Mark I and Mark I* Rifles except for a shorter barrel,
wood handguard, winged front sight, and the omission of the long-range rear sight.
This carbine was issued especially for the use of cavalry units and was gradually replaced in the British Service after Dec. 23,
1902, the date marking the official approval of the Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Mark I Rifle. The latter weapon was a design for use
of both cavalry and infantry.—H. P. White Laboratory.
14
I mmediately following World War I, the British War Office Small Arms Committee spent much time and thought on the question of
a new rifle. There were differences of opinion as to whether the proposed new arm should have automatic loading, bolt-action with
forward locking, or whether the Lee action should be retained.
It was decided that there should be no reduction in caliber, as seemed likely before the war, and that an aperture rear sight would
be used. It was also agreed that the standard of accuracy should be at least as good as that of the Pattern 14 rifle.
Largely on the grounds of economy, efforts were devoted to designing a pattern to which the existing Service rifle, the Short
Magazine Lee-Enfield, could be modified.
Manufacturing difficulties in times of emergency had to be considered and it was eventually decided to design a new rifle on the
S.M.L.E. pattern which would lend itself to mass production and would embody the new requirements.
The ultimate result was the rifle known as the No. 1 Mark VI (Fig. 1). The best features, based on wartime experiences, of the No.
1 (S.M.L.E.) rifle were retained. Improvements included a stiffer, heavier barrel to give a high standard of accuracy suitable for
sniping, a smaller and lighter nose-cap, and an exposed muzzle on which a bayonet could be fitted. An aperture rear sight embodying
a fixed or battle sight for ranges up to 400 yds. was fitted. Receiver and bolt-head were made more compact and of cleaner design, to
save weight and reduce the liability to catch clothing and equipment. Other small modifications were embodied, and a number of
weapons were thoroughly tested by the Small Arms School at Hythe. Further modifications arose from these trials and, by 1926, six
finalized No. 1 Mark VI rifles were ready for further testing. These were first shot for accuracy at the Small Arms Inspection
Department, Enfield Lock, and a disturbing feature emerged.
1 The No. 1 Mark VI rifle, developed following World War I. was never adopted for service, though the later No. 4 Mark I is nearly identical in appearance, except for
the magazine cutoff. Prototype Mark VI rifles had plain fore-ends; troop trial rifles featured a cross-hatched grasping surface on the fore-end, forward of the receiver.
2 Conventional method of stocking the No. 4 rifle. Good bearings between the metal parts and fore-end are essential at (A) muzzle; (B) receiver reinforce; (C) receiver
seating; and (D) the "draws" between sear and socket face. It is extremely important that the collar (shown below fore-end) is of correct length. If too long, the bearing
at (C) will be too light. If the collar is too short, the wood work will be crushed when the trigger guard screw is tightened, and this will affect the reinforce and muzzle
bearings. The trigger guard screw must be kept tight.
15
It seated on the receiver surfaces around the front trigger guard screw-hole and extended rearward along the narrow ledges on each
side of the magazine opening for not less than 1½". The resistance of the receiver to the fore-end was equal on each side of the trigger
guard screw. There was a clearance between barrel socket of receiver and stock fore-end on each side.
There was a firm bearing on the barrel reinforce, extending the full length of the reinforce and about one-third of its radius in
width. The bearing was in the center of the radial clearance of the fore-end, and the sides of the barrel were entirely clear of the wood.
The barrel rested on the raised seating at muzzle end of the fore-end. The bearing extended the full length of this seating, with the
barrel positioned centrally. The clearance on each side was not less than .02", and the lift required to raise the barrel from its seating
was between 3 and 5 lbs. If the lift was below 3 lbs., the bearing at the reinforce was lowered slightly and the collar on the front
trigger guard screw was shortened if necessary. If the lift was above 5 lbs., the bearing of the receiver seating was lowered, and the
collar shortened the desired amount.
5 Center-bearing method of stocking the No. 4 rifle. An even bearing should be obtained at (A), between the center and rear lightening cuts. The bearing should extend
for about 1½", and its center should be about 5" forward of the front end of the receiver seating (E). The bearing is obtained by building up the fore-end at this point by
a wood insert glued in position. From the center bearing forward (F), the barrel must be entirely free of the fore-end. A clearance of at least .10" should be maintained.
The bearings at (B), (C), and (D) are the same as in Fig. 2.
In 1952, a new method of stocking-up the No. 4 rifle emanated from India, and was suggested as a possible alternative for the
sniper equipment. It was easy to achieve and had been found particularly effective in maintenance of zero over a long period. It
embodied a new bearing between barrel and fore-end at a point about 5" forward of the reinforce. The normal receiver and reinforce
bearings were maintained but the muzzle bearing was dispensed with. The step on the muzzle end of the fore-end was floated out and
there was no contact between barrel and woodwork forward of the new bearing. The new bearing, later to become known as the center
bearing, was obtained by a metal shim. The shim had retaining points which were pressed into the fore-end between the 2 lightening
cuts. This, and several other forms of stocking-up, were tested in comparative trials at Enfield, but none showed any improvement on
the normal sniper method. It was found difficult to retain the necessary bearing on the metal shim. Barrel vibrations drove the shim
retaining points deeper into the wood, thus reducing the height of the shim and the rigidity and pressure of the bearing. Further
experiments were carried out with a wood bearing in place of the metal shim and, although results were satisfactory, there was no
definite improvement over the normal stocking-up.
Although the center-bearing method was never adopted for the sniper rifle, it has since been approved by the British National Rifle
Association as an alternative method of stocking-up the No. 4 rifle used by its members in competitive target shooting. (See Fig. 5.) It
has steadily grown in favor and is probably the most popular form of stocking-up used now by Bisley marksmen. With either form of
stocking-up, the No. 4 rifle, given good ammunition, is capable of consistent grouping inside 2 minutes of angle at any range from
200 to 1000 yds. Ample proof of this is regularly provided at the Bisley National Prize Meetings. Even better accuracy may be
forthcoming when the conversion to the 7.62 mm. NATO round is finally established.
Lee Headspace
I heard that the bolt head of a British Lee-Enfield No. 4 rifle can be replaced by a longer or shorter one to correct improper headspace. Is this
true?
Answer: You heard correctly. Bolt heads of Lee-Enfield No. 4 and No. 5 rifles are available in four sizes that differ in length in 0.003"
increments. No. 0 is the shortest bolt head, and No. 3, the longest. They are numbered for identification.
It is more economical to replace the bolt head than the entire bolt, and this is an advantage of the two-piece bolt design. — L.O.
S.M.L.E.
In reference to British service rifles, what does the abbreviation "S.M.L.E." mean?
Answer: The abbreviation refers to the Rifle Short Magazine Lee-Enfield.
The word "Short" indicates the rifle approved by Great Britain in December 1902, which had an overall length of 44.5". It was designed to
replace longer rifles as well as carbines then used by British troops. The word "Magazine" is self-explanatory but was pertinent at the time of
adoption as single-shot rifles of Martini type were in limited use along with magazine-fed rifles and carbines.
The word "Lee" refers to James Paris Lee, the inventor of the action. The word "Enfield" indicates the type of rifling, which was somewhat
deeper than the Metford rifling of previous British service rifles. — M.D.W.
19
No. 4 Rifles
While attending the 1964 Canadian National Matches, I noted that some No. 4 bolt-
action rifles have 2 wood plugs in each side of the fore-end. These plugs are light-color
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 some No. 4 rifles, there is a slight lateral clearance between the receiver and
fore-end. Where such clearance is present, it is possible for the receiver to shift sufficiently
to upset the bedding. The plugs are dowels cemented into the fore-end, and they contact
the receiver sides to prevent lateral shifting. They were installed by Canadian armorers in
many No. 4 rifles used in the 1964 Canadian National Matches. The idea for the plugs is
that of W.O.1 H. L. Keech, a vete ran armorer of the Canadian Army. The plugs (arrows) prevent the receiver from
No. 4 rifles without bayonet lugs are cal. 7.62 mm. NATO. They were rebarreled to this shifting laterally.
caliber by Canadian Arsenals, Ltd. No. 4 rifles with bayonet lugs are cal. .303. The lugs
thus serve as a means of identifying caliber in Canadian rifles.
The barrels in cal. 7.62 mm. NATO have 4 grooves with right twist.—L.O.
Magazine Defect
I 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?
Answer: The ammunition you are using is of the correct type for the No. 4 rifle. The problem is likely that the forward lips of the magazine are
damaged or bent. Such a thing can happen if a magazine is dropped or otherwise mishandled. Begin by comparing the lips on your magazine with
those on a magazine that feeds properly. If the lips on the defective magazine appear bent too far downward, bend them up, slightly, using a pair of
pliers. Do this carefully, as only a small amount of bending is necessary. Check often to see if the magazine feeds properly. When it does, clean up
any burrs or nicks using stones or a small file. No. 4 rifles were designed to feed pointed bullets such as were loaded in Mk VII ammunition. Round-
nose bullets should feed equally well, however, provided the magazine is in good condition. — 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: The grooved roller, properly called the backsight, fine adjustment worm wheel, enabled
the shooter to make elevation adjustments in increments smaller than those inscribed on the elevation
leaf (25-yd. increments on the left side, 100-yd. on the right).
Fitted in the right side of the elevation slide, the fine adjustment worm wheel engages screw
thread notches on the right of the elevation leaf. The periphery of the wheel is divided into 10
longitudinal segments, or notches. Turning it one notch gives a 5-yd. adjustment for elevation. In this
fashion turning the worm through five notches adjusts elevation by 25 yds., or one graduation on the
left side of the leaf. Likewise, a complete turn gives a 50-yd, adjustment. The wheel can be turned
with the thumbnail. The backsight fine adjustment worm wheel
By pressing in the slide catch on the left side of the elevation slide, the fine adjustment is released (arrow) is on the right side of the elevation
and the slide may be moved along the leaf with the thumb. This is done for large changes in slide.
elevation. — L.O.
1. Striker screw
2. Cocking piece
Parts Legend
27. Sear hinge pin
28. Magazine catch
F ew weapons in history can match the
long and illustrious story of the
British bolt-action Lee-Enfield rifles.
3. Breechbolt (stripped) 29. Sear spring The original Lee-Metford rifle,
4. Mainspring 30. Sear adopted in 1888, was based on the design
5. Striker 31. Body, No. 4 Mk. I (receiver) of an American gun designer named
6. Breechbolt head 32. Trigger James Paris Lee. The Lee-Metford went
7. Extractor 33. Trigger pin through a bewildering maze of marks and
8. Extractor screw 34. Trigger guard models until it emerged in World War I as
9. Extractor spring 35. Magazine the SMLE Mk. III*.
10. Bolt (assembled) 36. Front guard screw
11. Locking bolt screw 37. Guard screw lock washer Nomenclature changed
12. Locking bolt spring 38. Fore-end
13. Locking bolt 39. Handguard, front As a result of service in World War I
14. Safety catch 40. Swivel band the shortcomings of the Mk. III* were
15. Rear guard screw 41. Swivel band screw recognized and, in the 1920's, the SMLE
16. Magazine catch screw 42. Sling swivel Mk. VI was designed to replace it. The
17. Ejector screw 43. Upper band screw British changed their system of rifle
18. Mk. Ill rear sight 44. Upper band nomenclature and the SMLE Mk. VI
19. Spacer 45. Handguard, rear became known as Rifle No. 4 Mk. I.
20. Rear sight hinge pin 46. Foresight protector screw The Rifle No. 4 Mk. I features an
21. Sight detent plunger 47. Foresight protector (Mk. II) aperture rear sight, a heavier barrel, a
22. Detent spring 48. Stock bolt simplified stock, and an improved bolt-
23. Hinge pin lock pin 49. Stock bolt lock washer retaining system. As World War II
24. Bolt release stop 50. Buttplate progressed, the Rifle No. 4 Mk. I was
25. Bolt release 51. Buttplate screw (2) further simplified by eliminating the
26. Bolt release spring 52. Lower band separate bolt release. The simplified gun
is known as the Rifle No. 4 Mk. I*.
Since England's small arms production
was greatly strained by wartime demands,
the Stevens Arms Co., division of Savage
Arms Corp., Chicopee Falls, Mass.,
manufactured the No. 4 rifle under the
Lend Lease Act. These rifles are the ones
that are found with the marking "U. S.
property".
Variety of finishes
Like other military rifles, the No. 4
rifle will be found in a variety of finishes,
ranging from the usually finely made
Canadian Long Branch Arsenal guns to
the cruder Lee-Enfield’s turned out in
England right after Dunkirk. A modified
No. 4 rifle, shortened and lightened for
jungle fighting, was designated Rifle No.
5 Mk. I. It has exactly the same
mechanism as the No. 4 but is far handier.
The Rifle No. 4 Mk. I (T), designed for
sniping, was fitted with a cheekpiece and
the No. 32 telescope sight.
22
In an effort to improve the trigger arrangement, the Rifles No. 4 Mk. I/2 and Mk. I/3 had the trigger pivoted to the body (receiver)
instead of to the trigger guard.
From a military point of view the Lee design was superior to many of its bolt-action contemporaries. It has a 10-shot magazine and
a 20% shorter bolt stroke than the Mauser or Mannlicher, plus about 20% less bolt rotation. These features, combined with a smoothly
working bolt, make the Lee-Enfield excellent for rapid-fire. From another point of view, the Lee-Enfield has a few drawbacks. First,
the rear locking arrangement is not quite so favorable for accuracy as the front locking type. Second, the 2-piece stock adversely
affects accuracy. Last but not least the .303 British cartridge is rimmed, making feeding critical although it simplifies the headspace
problem. These shortcomings, whether real or imaginary, cannot detract from the Lee-Enfield's enviable reputation for reliability and
rapidity of fire.
1 There are 2 types of bolt release in No. 4 rifles. To 2 The bolt release in the No. 4 Mk. I* rifle is far 3 To remove striker (5), unscrew breechbolt head and
operate the type in the No. 4 Mk. I rifle, the rear sight simpler and eliminates 3 parts. Simply open the bolt striker screw (1) in cocking piece (2). Unscrew
(18) is lifted first and then the bolt release (25) is and ease it back until breechbolt head rides out of its striker with a simple tool made for the purpose as
depressed. Pull the bolt all the way back and release guide groove into the milled-away portion ½" back shown (do not attempt to remove striker with pliers).
the bolt release. Rotate breechbolt head (6) up in line from the end of the receiver ring. Rotate the This tool engages in the notches on striker shoulder.
with rib on bolt and pull it free of gun breechbolt head upward and pull the bolt free of the Striker can only be removed from front of bolt
gun. Flip up the rear sight if necessary
4 The locking bolt (13) has a multiple thread to move 5 To remove buttstock, clamp rifle in padded vise, 6 To remove magazine follower and spring, push rear
the safety catch (14) in and out of engagement. To open trap in buttplate (50), remove felt wad, and of follower down far enough for the front end to clear
operate properly, the pieces must line up when unscrew stock bolt (48) with long screwdriver tab-like projections on the magazine, then ease out
tightened together as shown in insert. To align the follower and spring ■
pieces, be sure flat on safety catch is roughly parallel
to flat on locking bolt pin before engaging threads
BSA-Enfield Rifle
I 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?
Answer: The hunter is correct. The BSA firm in
England produced Enfield sporting rifles in Cal. 7.9 mm BSA-Enfield rifle in cal. 7.9 mm Mauser. Illustration from a 1935 Parker-Hale catalog.
Mauser between the World Wars. These were made by
using modified Pattern 14 Enfield (not Lee-Enfield) military rifle actions and stocks, and fitting them with new barrels. The 24.5" barrels were
equipped with sporting-type, open sights.
The reason for chambering this rifle to fire the 7.9 mm (8x57) Mauser cartridge was that this round was universally popular and obtainable in
most parts of the world. Some British hunters were particularly fond of this cartridge, and used it extensively in Africa on medium-sized game. A
second reason for the 7.9 mm Mauser chambering was that use of the .303 British cartridges in India for sporting purposes was prohibited.
Another chambering for this rifle was 9.5 mm (9.5x57) Mannlicher-Schoenauer. This round, also known by the British as the .375 Rimless Nitro-
Express, was popular in Africa for big game hunting.
BSA sporting rifles with Pattern 14 actions were also offered in two high-performance proprietary calibers: .26 Belted Rimless Nitro-Express
(BSA), and .33 Belted Rimless Nitro-Express (BSA). Rifles chambered for these proprietary cartridges features a new sporting stock and an aperture
sight on the receiver bridge. A folding-leaf type open rear sight on the barrel was also provided. — L.O.
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: Buttstocks for Lee-Enfield rifles were made in four lengths, and evidently you have one of the shorter ones. Length of pull (distance
from the center of the buttplate to the center of the trigger) is about 13.25" with the standard-length Lee-Enfield buttstock. Buttstocks ½" shorter and
½" longer than standard are available. These are marked "S" and "L" respectively, on top of the buttstock just forward of the buttplate. There is also a
Bantam-length Lee-Enfield buttstock for soldiers of extremely small stature. Bantam length buttstocks are marked "B", and are one full inch shorter
than standard. Lee-Enfield buttstocks of varying lengths may be available from surplus arms dealers who sell spare parts. You could also fit a thick
recoil pad, as you mention, or purchase a sporting buttstock from Reinhart Fajen or E.C. Bishop & Sons, both located in Warsaw, Mo.
The service buttstock can be easily removed by using a long screwdriver to turn out the stock bolt. The stockbolt is accessible after opening the
trap in the buttplate and removing the fiber wad on top of the stock bolt. The stock bolt of the Lee-Enfield No. 1 rifle is square at the front and
engages a keeper plate in the fore-end. It is therefore necessary to remove the fore-end before the stock bolt can be turned. This is not necessary with
the No. 4 rifle.
If a recoil pad is fitted, use screws instead of adhesive to fasten the pad to the stock so that the pad can be removed if tightening the stock bolt
should become necessary. — L.O.
25
S ince target shooting became an approved sport in the British Army in 1969, there has been a considerable Service interest in
competitive shooting.
The British Service arm, the 7.62 mm. Self-loading Rifle, being unsuitable for serious competitive shooting under British National
Rifle Association rules, there arose a requirement in the armed forces for an accurate target rifle firing 7.62 mm. NATO ammunition.
This requirement has now been satisfied by the introduction of the L39A1, which is a conversion from the .303" No. 4 Rifle, Marks ½
and 2, to 7.62 mm. These forms of the No. 4 were chosen for conversion because they have the trigger mounted on the body (receiver)
and not on the trigger-guard, as in earlier Marks of this rifle. Due largely to woodwork influence, the trigger-guard mounting does not
ensure a consistent pull-off.
The conversion consists of fitting a heavy 7.62 mm. barrel manufactured by the Enfield Royal Small Arms Factory, modifying the
body and extractor to accommodate the 7.62 mm. cartridge, and restyling the woodwork. Fitted with commercial pattern match sights
to suit target shooting requirements, this new member of the Enfield family of rifles is capable of a high standard of accuracy and can
hold its own against the much more expensive purpose-built target rifles now in use in British target shooting. Already a pool of 200
rifles is available for issue free on loan to units from Ordnance store.
The barrel, which protrudes from the stock fore-end for 15 inches, is not machined in the conventional way, the rifling being
formed by cold swaging over a suitable former. The bore is not lapped after manufacture, but the appearance is identical to a
machined barrel.
The fore-end is the No. 4 Rifle fore-end shortened to within about half an inch of the lower band. The butt is the same as that of
the No. 4 Rifle, except that a recess is machined under the knuckle to hold spare foresight elements in a suitable container. The
handguard is a modified form of that on the No. 8 .22 Rifle.
Magazines which function with the 7.62 mm. cartridge are available, but as only single loading is permitted under British National
Rifle Association rules, the original .303 magazines are retained in these target rifles and permit only single round loading.
The principal requirements in stocking up are that the fore-end should seat firmly in the following places:
1. On the body (receiver) at its rear end, between the sear lugs and the face of the butt socket.
2. On the body at its front end around the front trigger-guard screw. The seating should extend uniformly rearward on each side
of the magazine opening.
3. The full length of the barrel reinforce. The bearing should be central, and the sides of the fore-end clear of the barrel. A
minimum clearance of 0.045 inch should be maintained around the barrel at the front end of the fore-end and handguard.
From the reinforce forward, the barrel should be clear of the woodwork.
There are four sizes of bolt-heads available, marked 0, 1, 2, and 3 (the longest), for ensuring correct headspace.
The new L39A1 thus fills in a simplified way the same role as the new Enfield Envoy (see "BNRA Picks New Enfield For Palma",
The American Rifleman, Apr., 1970, p. 8). The Envoy, also produced by the Enfield Royal Small Arms Factory, differs in being fitted
with a 7.62 mm. magazine for full 7.62 mm. operation, a special buttstock dimensioned according to current preferences for match
shooting, and match sights already installed. The Envoy was used by the three teams (British, Canadian, and U. S.) in last year's
Palma Match, fired at Bisley with excellent scores. ■
7.62 mm. L39A1 rifle adopted for target shooting by the British Army.
L39A1 rifle is converted from .303 No. 4 Mks. ½ and 2, by rebarreling for 7.62 mm. NATO, shortening fore-end and handguard, and installing commercial match-type
sights.
26
.303 BRITISH
The .303 British cartridge was adopted by Great Britain in 1888. In the countries of the former British Empire, the .303 British
cartridge achieved popularity comparable to that of the .30-06 in the United States. Originally loaded with a compressed blackpowder
charge and a 215-grain jacketed round-nose bullet, the cartridge was converted in 1892 to a smokeless load using the famous British
cordite propellant. The round-nose 215-grain bullet was replaced by a 174-grain pointed bullet in the general-purpose military round
about 1914, and this load continued in use until the cartridge became obsolete with the adoption of the 7.62mm NATO cartridge by
British forces in the 1960's. A great variety of special-purpose military loads was also used, including one containing a pointed
boattail bullet and single-base smokeless powder similar to the Du Pont I MR types. This cartridge, called the Mark VIIIZ, was
intended especially for machine guns, in which the boattail bullet provided improved long-range effectiveness, and the single-base
powder produced less erosion than did the British cordite in the machinegun barrels.
The working chamber pressure of the .303 British cartridge is about 45,000 c.u.p., in equivalent U.S. units, and it therefore
produces more energy than the contemporary .30-40 Krag which is limited to about 40,000 c.u.p. Jacketed bullets for the .303 British
should be of .311 to .312 of an inch in diameter.
The maximum product average chamber pressure for the .303 British cartridge, as loaded for sporting use by U.S. manufacturers,
should not exceed 48,200 c.u.p.
Max. Case Length: 2.222" Trim-To Length: 2.212" Max. Overall Length: 3.075" Primer Size: Large Rifle Bullet Dia.: 311"
LOAD BULLET POWDER VELOCITY PRESSURE CASE PRIMER CARTRIDGE BARREL SOURCE
NUMBER WEIGHT BRAND SHAPE TYPE WEIGHT BRAND TYPE FPS CUP BRAND BRAND TYPE OAL LENGTH
1 100 SPR RNN SP 44.0 IMR 3031 2933 CIL CCI 200 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 25½ HDY
5 150 45.5 ACC 2230 2620 REM CCI 200 24 ACC
6 150 SRA PTD SP 48.5 IMR 4320 2808 43,830 REM WIN WLR 2.945 26 NRA
7 150 HDY SPP SP 45.6 HOD H380 2600 REM FED 210 3.035 25½ HDY
8 150 SPR PTD SP 45.0 HER RE12 2700 42,900 WIN WIN WLR 2.935 24 HER
9 150 HDY SPP SP 50.0 WIN 760 2600 REM FED 210 3.035 25½ 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 25½ HDY
12 174 HDY RNN SP 47.2 WIN 760 2400 REM FED 210 2.975 25½ HDY
13 174 HDY RNN SP 46.5 IMR 4350 2400 REM FED 210 2.975 25½ HDY
14 180 SPR RNN SP 30.0 HER RE7 2050 39,600 WIN WIN WLR 2.940 24 HER
15 180 SRA PTD SH 42.0 IMR 3031 2533 44,220 REM WIN WLR 3.075 26 NRA
16 180 40.0 ACC 2230 2300 REM CCI 200 24 ACC
17 180 SPR RNN SP 40.0 HER RE12 2340 42,600 WIN WIN WLR 2.940 24 HER
18 180 SPR RNN SP 47.0 IMR 4831 2421 CIL CCI 200 25 SPR
19 180 46.0 ACC 3100 2350 REM CCI 200 24 ACC
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