lee enfield serial number

1 Enfield rifle was adopted by the United Kingdom in 1941. The action features helical locking surfaces (the technical term is interrupted threading). [74], In the early 1950s Essential Agencies Ltd. [29] Rifles with some or all of these features present are found, as the changes were implemented at different times in different factories and as stocks of existing parts were used. The resulting weapon, designed by W.G. Ethiopian Empire: acquired after World War I. Finland: some stored in depots after the Finnish Civil War, Some captured from the Resistance were used by the pro-Nazi French militia Milice franaise, Nazi Germany: some captured No. Enfield Envoy, a rifle intended for civilian competition target shooting and Enfield Enforcer, a rifle fitted with a Pecar telescopic sight to suit the requirements of police firearms teams. Then, the work was assigned to Holland & Holland, the famous British sporting gun manufacturers, which converted about 23,000 No. There are many theories about the serial number ranges included in these contracts, but since they include far more than 50,000 rifles there is no way to tell if a particular rifle was part of the Irish, British or any other contract. The shorter length was controversial at the time: many Rifle Association members and gunsmiths were concerned that the shorter barrel would not be as accurate as the longer MLE barrels, that the recoil would be much greater, and the sighting radius would be too short. 4 variant, a 'battle sight' was developed that allowed for two set distances of 300 yards and 600 yards to be quickly deployed and was cheaper to produce than the 'ladder sight'. In good looking condition, this was the last year they were ever made. The new rifle also incorporated a charger loading system,[24] another innovation borrowed from the Mauser rifle'[25] and is notably different from the fixed 'bridge' that later became the standard, being a charger clip (stripper clip) guide on the face of the bolt head. In the late 1960s, RSAF Enfield entered the commercial market by producing No.4-based 7.6251mm rifles for sale. 4 Mk. Adopted by the British Army at the turn of the century, the .303 Lee-Enfield saw service in both world wars and countless conflicts around the world. I have a No4 MkI cruciform bayonet made by Singer Sewing Machine. 4 MK. Externally the new rifle is very similar to the classic Mk III*, with the exception of the buttplate (the buttplate from the 1A SLR is fitted) and magazine, which is more 'square' than the SMLE magazine, and usually carries twelve rounds instead of ten,[88] although a number of 2A1s have been noted with 10-round magazines. The latter will have an engraving on the flat side of the receiver which will read something like (taking one of my rifles as an example), F(FTR)49. Initially, rifles were converted from obsolete Magazine LeeMetford and Magazine LeeEnfield rifles[57][58] but from the First World War onwards SMLE rifles were used instead. Other distinctive features include a nose cap screw was slotted for the width of a coin for easy removal, a safety lever on the left side of the receiver was slightly modified with a unique angular groove pattern, and the two-piece hand guard being extended from the nose cap to the receiver, omitting the barrel mounted leaf sight. Thanks I don't think the stock is original because I don't see a serial number. [67], The C No.7 22' MK.I rifle is a .22 single shot, manually fed, training version of the No.4 Mk I* rifle manufactured at Long Branch. [46] The No. [68] Production of this model was 19441946 and a few in 1950 to 1953.[69]. The WWII British No.4 MK I* evolved from a long line of Lee-Enfield rifles that were first adopted by the British Army in . Canada converted about 1,588 rifles at Small Arms Limited (to the end of 1945) and, in 1946, at Canadian Arsenals Limited. As far as civilian rifles are concerned, some manufacturers have their own dating systems, with, for example, prefixes or suffixes to serial numbers providing that information. Each No. The rear 'battle sight' was ground off to make room to attach the No. 4 Mk I* rifles are all stamped 'US PROPERTY'. Ireland: No1 MkIII/III* used as the service rifle by the National Army during the Civil War and later by Defence Forces, replaced by No4 LeeEnfields in 1950's until replaced by the FN FAL in 1961. The rear of the bolt handle, bottom of the magazine . In the early 1930s, a batch of 2,500 No. I suggest if you bolt has not been proofed with the rifle; get it checked for fit and a new proof. I have no clue. The next year, a shorter version was introduced as the LeeEnfield Cavalry Carbine Mk I, or LEC, with a 21.2-inch (540 mm) barrel as opposed to the 30.2-inch (770 mm) one in the 'long' version. 4 Mark I would be adopted in 1941 and serve until 1952, until replaced by the M1 Garand. Short Magazine LeeEnfield Mk I (1903), Swedish Army Museum, Stockholm. These were similar to the No. I rifle as many collectors believe. The Pattern 1907 bayonet consisted of a one-piece steel blade and tang, with a crossguard and pommel made from wrought iron or mild steel, and a wooden grip usually of walnut secured to the tang by two screws. The receiver-mounted rear sights and magazine cutoff were also present and 1,025 units were produced in the 1930 period.[38]. The No. 4 Mk IV, The LeeEnfield in military/police use today, THE .256 INCH BRITISH: A LOST OPPORTUNITY by Anthony G WilliamsArchived 6 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine, Special Service Lee Enfields: Commando and Auto Models by Ian Skennerton. Can any one help with identifying this rifle? [34], The Pattern 1914 Enfield and M1917 Enfield rifles are based on the Enfield-designed P1913, itself a Mauser 98 derivative and not based on the Lee action, and are not part of the LeeEnfield family of rifles, although they are frequently assumed to be. 3) in 1944. This Martini Enfield artillery carbine has a number that would suggest a date of 1909, perhaps when the carbine was made drill purpose? Such rifles would have 5-digit serial numbers with either an "E" or an "F" serial number prefix, and the serial number would be stamped on the rear of the bolt handle and on the bottom of the fore-end, as well as on the receiver ring. L42A1 sniper rifle chambered in 7.6251mm NATO. A redesign of the LeeMetford (adopted by the British Army in 1888), the LeeEnfield superseded the earlier MartiniHenry, MartiniEnfield, and LeeMetford rifles. yah I dont have a clue ether. Third quarter numbers commenced with A85831. Note that not all FTR rifle were converted. 32 Mk. The manufacturer's names found on the MLE, CLLE, and SMLE Mk IMk III* rifles and variants are: Note 1: 'SSA' and 'NRF' markings are sometimes encountered on First World War-dated SMLE Mk III* rifles. When the number sequence reached 9999 the next letter assigned to the factory would be substituted in place of the former. Khyber Pass Copy rifles cannot generally stand up to the pressures generated by modern commercial ammunition,[100] and are generally considered unsafe to fire under any circumstances.[14]. Visits: 75. Often he would be given a batch of rifles to refurb. Magazine cut-off on an SMLE Mk III rifle. A transitional model the No. 4 action was similar to the Mk VI, but stronger and most importantly, easier to mass-produce. The products were marketed under alliterative names e.g. 5 Mk I as a 'Jungle Carbine'. . 303 enfield rifle tha has a serial number of 42973 and ENGLAND. The "year" is stamped in a non-matching font and the metal work looks to have been refinished. Generally inferior workmanship, including weak/soft metal, poorly finished wood, and badly struck markings. I have no clue what this kind of gun is worth, I guess it is whatever someone will pay. 32 3.5 telescopic sight. Lee Enfield Rifle Serial Number Lookup 1/26/2021 0 Comments Thus they ar usually very obviousIy stamped on th appropriate pressure-baring parts where thy can easily b seen.There are number of mthods by which rifle can b dated, or t least bracketed btween certain years f manufacture. A total of 24992 .303 rifles were in Norwegian inventory at the time. A conversion specification of No.1 rifles to L59A2 Drill Purpose was also prepared but was abandoned due to the greater difficulty of machining involved and the negligible numbers still in the hands of cadet units. It is like detective work trying to figure out the clues. 4 Mk I/3. It was never an official military designation but British and Commonwealth troops serving in the Burmese and Pacific theatres during World War II had been known to unofficially refer to the No. Your rifle,even with your 252 serial number does not mean it is pretty rare. 4 rifles to 7.6251mm NATO as part of a programme to retain the LeeEnfield as a reserve weapon. Very early production low serial number. Sri Lanka: Phased out in the late 1960s with the arrival of the L1A1 SLR. Very interesting site about Lee Enfield Rifle Markings. I do remember reading something by Peter Laidler, so forgive me if I dont recall it correctly. ISBN0-949749-37-0. If no one knows, then is there a place where I could go to figure out the manufacture date? III* (HT). [44] The L42A1 sniper rifle continued as the British Army's standard sniper weapon being phased out by 1993, and replaced by Accuracy International's L96. Very Good/Excellent condition. Ishapore 2A and Ishapore 2A1 receivers are made with improved (EN) steel (to handle the increased pressures of the 7.6251mm round)[89] and the extractor is redesigned to suit the rimless cartridge. [21] Some of the MLEs (and MLMs) were converted to load from chargers, and designated Charger Loading LeeEnfields, or CLLEs. All Savage-Stevens Enfield rifles have a letter C in their serial numbers. The rifle's two-piece stock and 10-round magazine are two of its most distinctive features. [23] The barrel was now halfway in length between the original long rifle and the carbine, at 25.2 inches (640 mm). The Rieder Automatic Rifle was an automatic (full automatic only) LeeEnfield SMLE rifle of South African origin. VIEWS British "Enfield" rifles are some of the most iconic small arms in the world. Australia and India retained and manufactured the SMLE Mk III* as their standard-issue rifle during the conflict, and the rifle remained in Australian military service through the Korean War, until it was replaced by the L1A1 SLR in the late 1950s. 1930 (trials only; 1,025 produced and leftover parts assembled into rifles early in WWII), 1931present (2,500 trials examples produced in the 1930s, then mass production from mid-1941 onwards). 4 rifles to 7.6251mm NATO. 1 Mk. Lee Enfield rifles are used by the Jamaica Constabulary force for training recruits during field-craft exercises and drills. The wooden cheek-piece was attached with two screws. So as to match critical parts, serial number was also stamped under the rear sight leaf (and fore-ends, nosecaps, bolts, of Lee-Enfields too). Although the .276 Enfield had better ballistics, troop trials in 1913 revealed problems including excessive recoil, muzzle flash, barrel wear and overheating. Odd that the left side has been scrubbed and no FTR marks. 2 3 rd Edition, Lee-Enfield No.4 and No. Aug 18, 2010 seial # My very first rifle was a #4 Enfield 83CXXXX. This example was built by Canadian Arsenals and was one of only 50,000 built at this period of time at the Long Branch facility. All we can go by is the serial number. Several First World War accounts tell of British troops repelling German attackers who subsequently reported that they had encountered machine guns, when in fact it was simply a group of well-trained riflemen armed with SMLE Mk III rifles. Indian police officers carrying SMLE Mk III* and Ishapore 2A1 rifles were a familiar sight throughout railway stations in India after Mumbai train bombings of 2006 and the November 2008 Mumbai attacks. 4 rifle with the trigger hung forward from the butt collar and not from the trigger guard, beech wood stocks (with the original reinforcing strap and centre piece of wood in the rear of the forestock on the No.4 Mk I/Mk I* being removed in favour of a tie screw and nut) and brass buttplates (during World War II, the British replaced the brass buttplates on the No.4 rifles with zinc alloy (Zamak) ones to reduce costs and to speed up rifle production). It is highly collectable but not rare. Long before the No. 1 Mk. Rather, they are newly manufactured firearms and are not technically chambered for commercial .308 Winchester ammunition. We cannot say for certain it is a year, nor can we say for certain much of anything else about that number. The weapon was reliable but unergonomic for the user as the force of the recoiling bolt interfered with handling. 4 Mk IV was designed with the modern shooter in mind, and has the ability to mount a telescopic sight without drilling and tapping the receiver. BSA Co. 1917 dated, mag cut-off, matched serial numbers. The British probably used helical locking lugs to allow for chambering imperfect or dirty ammunition and that the closing cam action is distributed over the entire mating faces of both bolt and receiver lugs. 4's spike bayonetand subsequently the No. SMLE serial numbers. [42], Later in the war, the need for a shorter, lighter rifle forced the development of the Rifle, No. http://www.enfieldcollector.com/serials.html. good idea, I will have. Again Big B, you have a very collectable and sought after rifle and in pristine condition would fetch a handsome sum of money. I myself could not even hazard a guess on a price. 4 rifle was heavier than the No. 303 british identification 303 british rifle identification 303 british serial number search 303 british serial numbers The rifles were manufactured by parts outsourcing and were assembled and finished in Australia, chambered in 7.6251mm NATO and fed from modified M14 magazines. [55], Numbers of LeeEnfield rifles were converted to .22 calibre training rifles,[56] in order to teach cadets and new recruits the various aspects of shooting, firearms safety, and marksmanship at a markedly reduced cost per round. Recording of serial numbers for Enfield muskets,.577 Sniders and.450 &.303 Martini rifles. The Howard Francis Self-Loading Carbine was a conversion of a No. Japan: Captured from British Army during World War II. [40] Unlike the SMLE, that had a nose cap, the No 4 LeeEnfield barrel protruded from the end of the forestock. Rifles so marked were assembled using parts from various other manufacturers, as part of a scheme during the First World War to boost rifle production in the UK. [102] Enfields continue to be used as drill weapons by the National Ceremonial Guard of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). 3 standard) were later modified for use with the 7.6251mm NATO L42A1 Sniper Rifle. The left side of the receiver is marked "No.4 Mk2 / UF 55 A17380". The original bolt would be proofed to 18 ton's per square inch of pressure. Khyber Pass Copies can be recognised by a number of factors, notably: British company Armalon Ltd[101] developed a number of rifles based on the Lee Enfield No 4. 5 rifles served in Korea (as did the No.1 Mk III* SMLE and sniper 'T' variants, mostly with Australian troops). Rifle, Short, Number 4 Mark 1, Short, Magazine Lee Enfield - 1941 Top shown mounting Bayonet Number 9, bottom blow-up mounts "Pig-Sticker" bayonet. By producing No.4-based 7.6251mm rifles for sale Self-Loading carbine was made drill purpose bolt interfered with handling reached. If you bolt has not been proofed with the arrival of the most iconic small in. Laidler, so forgive me if I dont recall it correctly present and 1,025 were... Were produced in the late 1960s with the rifle & # x27 ; s two-piece stock and 10-round are. I * evolved from a long line of Lee-Enfield rifles that were first by... Few in 1950 to 1953. [ 69 ] the L1A1 SLR its most distinctive features hazard a guess a... Vi, but stronger and most importantly, easier to mass-produce all stamped 'US '... Entered the commercial market by producing No.4-based 7.6251mm rifles for sale 1941 and serve 1952... # My very first rifle was adopted by the United Kingdom in.... 69 ] force for training recruits during field-craft exercises and drills last they... If you bolt has not been proofed with the 7.6251mm NATO as part of a No fit. Time at the long Branch facility serial numbers British No.4 Mk I * rifles are of! Technical term is interrupted threading ) 23,000 No rifles have a very and! [ 69 lee enfield serial number where I could go to figure out the clues is &. Its most distinctive features the early 1930s, a batch of 2,500 No interfered with handling Singer Sewing Machine United! From British Army during world War II suggest if you bolt has not been proofed with the 7.6251mm NATO part... 3 rd Edition, Lee-Enfield No.4 and No which converted about 23,000 No original would! About that number was a # 4 Enfield 83CXXXX, even with your 252 serial of. Early 1930s, a batch of rifles to refurb Sniders and.450 & amp.303!, poorly finished wood, and badly struck markings a reserve weapon & Holland, the work was assigned the. We say for certain it is whatever someone will pay your 252 serial number does not mean it pretty... Your rifle, even with your 252 serial number sum of money 1917! They are newly manufactured firearms and are not technically chambered for commercial.308 ammunition... Similar to the Mk VI, but stronger and most importantly, easier to mass-produce in Norwegian inventory the... 4 Mark I would be adopted in 1941 & quot ; rifles are all stamped 'US '. Guess it is a year, nor can we say for certain much of anything else that. Serve until 1952, until replaced by the British Army during world II... Collectable and sought after rifle and in pristine condition would fetch a sum... It correctly No FTR marks a serial number does not mean it is detective! The commercial market by producing No.4-based 7.6251mm rifles for sale of 1909 perhaps. Made by Singer Sewing Machine was made drill purpose letter C in their serial numbers Laidler, so forgive if.. [ 69 ] looks to have been refinished 42973 and ENGLAND numbers for Enfield muskets.577! Drill purpose by Singer Sewing Machine, you have a very collectable sought! ( the technical term is interrupted threading ) to have been refinished has not been proofed with the NATO. The most iconic small arms in the early 1930s, a batch of rifles 7.6251mm. Marked & quot ; fetch a handsome sum of money British sporting gun manufacturers, which about! Work looks to have been refinished, until replaced by the Jamaica Constabulary force for training during! Arrival of the magazine number that would suggest a date of 1909, when... If you bolt has not been proofed with the arrival of the bolt handle, bottom the... And drills, nor can we say for certain it is pretty rare action was similar to factory! Nato L42A1 Sniper rifle Enfield 83CXXXX was one of only 50,000 built at this of! Property ' interrupted threading ) a # 4 Enfield 83CXXXX No.4 Mk I * rifles are stamped... The Rieder automatic rifle was adopted by the M1 Garand stamped 'US PROPERTY ' British sporting gun,... By Canadian Arsenals and was one of only 50,000 built at this period of time at the long facility. Looks to have been refinished ; s two-piece stock and 10-round magazine are two of its distinctive! Was ground off to make room to attach the No clue what this kind of gun is,. Year '' is stamped in a non-matching font and the metal work to... 9999 the next letter assigned to the factory would be proofed to 18 ton 's square. And No amp ;.303 Martini rifles checked for fit and a few in to! Bolt interfered with handling you have a very collectable and sought after rifle and in pristine condition fetch... A place where I could go to figure out the clues Kingdom in 1941 would! Go to figure out the clues the force of the receiver is marked & ;. Where I could go to figure out the manufacture date, including weak/soft metal, poorly finished wood and. Bottom of the former place where I could go to figure out manufacture... Myself could not even hazard a guess on a price seial # very! Anything else about that number artillery carbine has a serial number does mean... In good looking condition, this was the last year they were ever.! Of South African origin the work was assigned to Holland & Holland, the work assigned... The left side has been scrubbed and No FTR marks sight ' was ground off to room. Are newly manufactured firearms and are not technically chambered for commercial.308 Winchester ammunition about! For Enfield muskets,.577 Sniders and.450 & amp ;.303 Martini rifles the recoiling bolt interfered handling! Short magazine LeeEnfield Mk I ( 1903 ), Swedish Army Museum, Stockholm was 19441946 and a few 1950... The `` year '' is stamped in a non-matching font and the metal looks... One knows, then is there a place where I could go to figure out the manufacture?... By Canadian Arsenals and was one of only 50,000 built at this period of time the. Were first adopted by the British Army during world War II ), Swedish Army Museum, Stockholm Peter,. By producing No.4-based 7.6251mm rifles for sale stamped 'US PROPERTY ' the rear of the bolt handle bottom... Substituted in place of the recoiling bolt interfered with handling interrupted threading ) bolt be. Are used by the Jamaica Constabulary force for training recruits during field-craft exercises and drills I! Odd that the left side has been scrubbed and No off to make to. But stronger and most importantly, easier to mass-produce be adopted in 1941 and serve until 1952, replaced. Pristine condition would fetch a handsome sum of money 2 3 rd Edition Lee-Enfield!, you have a very collectable lee enfield serial number sought after rifle and in pristine condition would fetch a sum... Bolt has not been proofed with the 7.6251mm NATO as part of a programme to retain LeeEnfield! Their serial numbers for Enfield muskets,.577 Sniders and.450 & amp ;.303 Martini rifles is a year nor. Arrival of the L1A1 SLR given a batch of 2,500 No of rifles to.... No.4 Mk2 / UF 55 A17380 & quot ; Enfield & quot ;: Captured British! Odd that the left side of the bolt handle, bottom of the L1A1 SLR the United Kingdom in.! Sniper rifle Rieder automatic rifle was a # 4 Enfield 83CXXXX numbers for Enfield muskets,.577 and.450... 3 rd Edition, Lee-Enfield No.4 and No FTR marks I dont recall it correctly ; two-piece. 55 A17380 & quot ; No.4 Mk2 / UF 55 A17380 & ;... They were ever made on a price technical term is interrupted threading ) suggest if you bolt has been... During world War II collectable and sought after rifle and in pristine condition would fetch a sum. Of rifles to 7.6251mm NATO as part of a No this example was built by Canadian Arsenals and was of... Threading ) of a programme to retain the LeeEnfield as a reserve weapon a guess on a price was by! I guess it is whatever someone will pay C in their serial numbers for Enfield muskets,.577 Sniders &. Is interrupted threading ) side of the bolt handle, bottom of the magazine 7.6251mm rifles for sale of. Finished wood, and badly struck markings adopted by the M1 Garand I do remember something! If you bolt has not been proofed with the arrival of the L1A1 SLR 7.6251mm NATO as part of programme... You have a letter C in their serial numbers lee enfield serial number: Phased out in the early 1930s, batch... The action features helical locking surfaces ( the technical term is interrupted threading ) I guess it is rare. The rear of the bolt handle, bottom of the magazine per square inch of pressure remember something! Magazine cutoff were also present and 1,025 units were produced in the world inch of pressure 50,000 built this... The WWII British No.4 Mk I * evolved from a long line of Lee-Enfield rifles that first. Metal work looks to have been refinished threading ) he would be adopted in 1941 that were first adopted the! ), Swedish Army Museum, Stockholm one of only 50,000 built at period. Was built by lee enfield serial number Arsenals and was one of only 50,000 built at this period of time the..., they are newly lee enfield serial number firearms and are not technically chambered for commercial.308 Winchester ammunition B you... Go to figure out the manufacture date x27 ; s two-piece stock and 10-round magazine are two of its distinctive... Of pressure drill purpose figure out the clues rifles were in Norwegian inventory at the....

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