[SMLE]

I happen to love the old war horses and have nearly 20 of them dating from 1896 to 1954. The Lee Enfield was THE finest bolt action military rifle ever issued.

Here is my web page: Smelly SMLE Shooters (http://www.smellysmleshooters.net/)

[Okiecruffler]

Now that's danged near a complete set. I have a 1945 Ishy that was the first C&R I ever refinished that I'm kinda proud of. It doesn't get shot near as much as it should. Got a .410 converted musket last month that I'm embarrassed to say I haven't even looked over real good yet. Now I have a wire wrapped coming to my door soon. Nice rifles, no mosin, but nice rifles.:neener:

[SMLE]

In truth, I've barely got a representitive exapmle of the breed. I have none of the Lee Metfords, RIC or NZ carbines yet. I have a 48 date Ishy that is as nice as any of my Brit or Aussie rifles. Then there is the 1910 MkIII Ross and the BSA commercial sporter (on lay-away).

As for comparing the LE to the MN, well, I used to collest MNs. Has 20 or more at one time, Finns Russki, Chinese, even a US made '91, and while they are solid, accurate and powerful, they just don't measure up, IMHO, to the LE for ergonomics, fire power, or over all combat effectivness/grunt friendliness.

They Are neat pieces of history and the variants are almost as numerous as the LE.

[swingset]

I collect primarily Enfields and variants.

My collection is far from complete but I'm working on it. I mainly am interested in 1900-present Enfield actions. I have everything from a 1914 No1mkIII to a No4T. Hoping to add some commercial & target variants soon.

Till I have a DeLisle Carbine & an L42A1, I won't be happy or content. :D

[Dave Markowitz]

I love my Lee-Enfields:

-ROF Fazakerly No.4 Mk.I
-ROF Fazakerly No.4 Mk.II (unissued :D )
-Lithgow No. Mk.III*
-Unknown No.5 Mk.I (sombody refinished it, obliterating the markings, and I picked it up for a song.)

[Willard]

I don't collect them, but I shoot my Fazakerly No4 Mk1 more than anything else I own, and I have an Enfield Scout that I built on a Santa Fe sporterized No4 Mk1, too.
Dated 1944 and 1943 respectively.

Best bolt action of WWII IMO. The M-N is nice but can't compare to the SMLE in speed of action, firepower, and looks. The M-N is clunky by comparison.

[Marko Kloos]

I have a cut-down No.4 "Tanker" that is near worthless as a collector gun thanks to the carbinizing. It is, however, of indefinite value to me, because it was the first rifle I ever owned. In addition, it's also a mild recoiling rifle, and lots of fun to shoot.

http://www.frontiernet.net/~lendringser/images/enfield_l.JPG

[Crownvicman]

I have a No4 Mk1 that one day shot the bolt catch out into the grass. I heard a ping and noticed something shoot by my head. I like that gun, but have not shot it in a while because I want to get the ctach fixed and have the gun checked out by a good gunsmith. There don't seem to be many of those in my area.

[Z_Infidel]

I'm no collector, but I do enjoy shooting my No4 Mk1. I also enjoyed taking it completely apart, cleaning every piece, and putting it back together again when I first got it. It has never malfunctioned and is very accurate. All in all a trustworthy and fun rifle.

[DonP]

No 4 Mk II, Fazerkly (sp?) 1942
No. 5 JC, Fazerkly, 1943

both still .303. I love the sights on both guns.

[4v50 Gary]

I've got a No 4 (T) and a 22 LR version. Does that count?

[MuzzleBlast]

I just bought a No4 Mk1 off AuctionArms. Can't wait to get my hands on it.

[Sleuth]

An Ozzy #3
#4
#5 (like new, 1st variation)
#4 w/parker hale target sights in 7.62 NATO
Plus
Pattern 14 (With long range sights)
U.S. Marked Ross M1910

All on the wall under my Martini

Edited to add: The 7.62 #4 is marked "Sterling" on the mag.

[Andrew Wyatt]

Number4 mk1, of indeterminate origin (factory crest was ground off of the butt socket) it has number1 mk 6 furniture, though.

fazerkeley number4mk2 of '47 vintage.


I love my enfields.

[BowStreetRunner]

when i saw this thread i new it wouldnt take long for swingset to show up :)

[cratz2]

I had three at one point... Now I'm down to two.

http://photos.imageevent.com/cratz2/guns//DCP_1798a.jpg

[enfield]

Nah, nary a one! :D

[cheygriz]

I love them! I have a Canadian Long Branch No4 MK1* and I'm constantly haunting the gun shows looking for a Lithgow No.1 Mklll, and a Faz. No.4 Mk2

[Beetle Bailey]

Not a collector, but I like shooting my No. 4 MkII Fazakerly. Love the rear peepsight, it really is an easy rifle to shoot accurately. BTW, had a chance to shoot a buddy's No. 4 MkII with a Parker-Hale sight (AFAIK it's basically a smaller peepsight) and my first group with it (discounting a flyer I called) was 1.5" @ 100 yards, which is a little better than what I do with the normal peepsights :rolleyes: . Should I be happy or sad :scrutiny: ?

[P95Carry]

Quick pics ....... first is Ishapore in .308 ... lovely old shape but not that good a shooter.

Then a sporterized ... OK don't groan ..... it's as i bought it and .. it's a great second deer rifle.

Then the MkV Jungle carbine ... always add slip on recoil pads to most rifles cos need the extra length but .... with ''Jungle'' .... it sure makes it more comfortable to shoot! (Sorry about the red!! Bit extreme! - really gotta reshoot that pic!)


http://www.bedford.net/design/cb_gun2/ishapore_s.jpg



http://www.bedford.net/design/cb_gun2/no1_mkiv_s.jpg



http://www.bedford.net/design/cb_gun2/jungle_s.jpg

[Okiecruffler]

There's a sporterized Enfield in a pawn near by that looks quite abit like yours that the fellow is asking $99 for. I have no use for it whatsoever, but at that price it keeps calling me.

[P95Carry]

At $99 Okie ... that would call me too ..... like .... shouting ... ''buy me''!!!:p

[Bill Hook]

Parker-Hale sight (AFAIK it's basically a smaller peepsight) and my first group with it (discounting a flyer I called) was 1.5" @ 100 yards, which is a little better than what I do with the normal peepsights .


The Alfred J Parker rear peep sights for these ARE quite nice.

[Desert Dog]

I tried to order some new stocks for my No.1 through Lawrence Ordinance, but they never shipped...

I love Enfields...

Mike

[Bill Hook]

I got a stock from Lawrence, but it was a cheesy yellow varnished number, which I then stripped and BLO'd. Looks better, but it will need to get some age to look right.

[Johnny Guest]

A No. 5 sporterized when I got it. Wrecked collector value when someone removed flash hider and front sight and instlled a pretty decent sporter stock with a good recoil pad. Left the military rear sight. Shoots well and makes a good backup gun for hunts, in case someone's nice deer rifle goes toes up.

Only other one is a Faz No. 4 Mk 1, which shoots very nicely. Shot a friend's at 400 - -600 yds and knew I had to own one. Very standard military condition, and it has been issued - - Some dings but very good shape with excellent bore.

I like to plink with regular ol' military ammo, but set out to do a good hunting load which would shoot to the issue sights. The Sierra Pro Hunter 180 flatbase Spitzer soft point with 4320 powder duplicates the velocity of MK VII ball, and is with the sight markings, up to 250 yards.

I keep thinking about an as-issued No. 5, but I have too many rifles as is. They take up resources I should devote to handgunnery. :D

Best,
Johnny

[Gewehr98]

1. 1917 Enfield Lock NoIMkIII*
2. 1942 Aussie Lithgow NoIMkIII*
3. 1943 Fazakerly No4Mk1*
4. 1945 BSA-Shirley No5Mk1

All the guns were either as-issued, or I restored them back to that configuration. I still have the 1917 NoIMkIII* and No5Mk1. The other two ended up in the hands of people whom I just couldn't say no to when they pestered me about selling them. Ever have one of those days? ;)

(Cratz knows about the one Lithgow, with the pretty coachwood...)

[Bainx]

My Enfields are pieces I keep back and shoot on special occasions during the year. A real treat that way!

[Stoker]

I have an L39, which is a heavy barreled target rifle based on the No4 but in 7.62 NATO. It has Parker Hale Target sights. I shoot it at longer ranges - say 400 to 600 meters - when I want to practice my deliberate technique. It's quite difficult to shoot accurately, I find, partly because the trigger is quite heavy.

I also have a very nice No4 Mk 2 that I imported to the UK from Brian Dick. It cost a lot with tax and shipping, but it is a really, really nice rifle. I shoot it whenever I can. It is my favourite because I learned to shoot using similar rifles 40 years ago. The only problem I have is that I need a longer butt for it (which I have for the L39) but I don't want to fit one because the current beech woodwork is just immaculate and a replacement butt wouldn't look half as nice.

[cratz2]

(Cratz knows about the one Lithgow, with the pretty coachwood...)

Oh yeah... I dream about something like that from time to time... :D