Experience with Enf No4 Mk2 ??

[BrocLuno]

I just started the paperwork on a nicely sporterized Enfield No4 Mk II. I'll post pictures after the waiting period (Calif ). Bore looked great and the finish is very nice with custom touches. Has Williams peep on the receiver and gold bead ramp on the barrel.

I've never had a 303 Brit rifle before, so I'd like hints on maintenance, cleaning the action and such? Also what to expect with commercial 150 gr ammo (what I have locally)?

It's obviously been sitting for a while and the bolt is a bit sluggish due to drying lube. Any quirks on disassembling for cleaning?

 

[BrocLuno]

I looked on my paperwork and it seems the serial number is listed as B1942 which seems strange? I'm assuming that's a MFG code or something?

I'll get the real serial number when I get the piece from the store and can check the components for matching numbers.

I really like the idea of 10 round mag

 

[One-Time]

that serial number is more like a No5 Enfields, it may be a number when the gun was refurbished but should say FTR for Factory Through Repair IIRC if it has, it could be the date code but all mine also have serial numbers still in front of it, The B is for BSA which was a manufacturer of the rifles

 

[DougW]

Can't wait to see the pics!

 

[madcratebuilder]

That serial number could be a early No4 MkI BSA (BSA was assigned four digit serial numbers) or a No5 carbine. Some good stickies on surplusrifle.com for doing maintenance.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

The OP stated that it is a no4 mk2 which were only made by Fazakerley in the UK. I doubt the serial number he posted is correct.

Please post pictures.

 

[BrocLuno]

Pictures will be coming along next week. That's the serial number the vendor listed on the DROS

So, we have a mystery rifle? This should be interesting

It was done very well. Very deep and glossy blue on the barrel. The receiver has another metal treatment that made it iridescent dark golden brown. Really well put together. The bore is as pretty as I've ever seen - it's what made the decision for me

 

[One-Time]

it could also be a Bolt number and an ignorant FFL, who knows...pics soon?

 

[One-Time]

My No4 is ugly outside but mint inside, the barrel is great and its very accurate

 

[skyhorse]

Enfield Rifle identification

Congratulations! This is a rifle I would suggest for a friend or family.

What great rifles these are! The History Channel recently did a poll and a program of the top 10 all time military rifles. The Enfield was the top vote getter for a bolt action and placed No. 3 overall. It's still on youtube.

In my humble opinion, these are one of the best values out there and a great shooter.

My lovely wife has a Mk.4 No1 carbine sporter. Made in the Fazakerley plant in early 1943. We really like this rifle.
Her rifle has an inport stamp on the reciever like the one you have discribed.

The serial number(s) will tell the whole story. (Her's has 2 sets from re-arsonal)They are located behind the reciever on the left side band around the stock.

There is a tremendous amount of information availible on these rifles.
Ian Skennerton has written many books and alot of information is availible at www.enfieldcollector.com

I have found two interesting things about my wife's rifle, they may not be a rule for all.

1) the rimed cartriges need to be placed one rim in front of the other as you place one on top of the next in the magazine.

2) The rifle prefers a round nose ammo to a pointed tip ammo. For the later a harsh slam shut is required of the bolt.

FYI- it took me half an half hour to figure out the samll lever on the right hand side behind the reciever is the release for the bolt.
Then again, I work with the hanicapped as a volunteer. You would not believe what they do with the little green army men....anyhow, I digress

I think you will enjoy shooting this rifle, researching the vast amount of information that is availible for them as well as teaching game animals the rule of the 303!

Enjoy and congratulations again!

 

[madcratebuilder]

The OP stated that it is a no4 mk2 which were only made by Fazakerley in the UK. I doubt the serial number he posted is correct.

Please post pictures.

All Fazakerley Mk2's have a PF or UF55 prefix with a 5 or 6 digit number.

Yes, a photo is needed.

 

[BrocLuno]

Thanks all for the imput. I'm absorbing the info. All sorta makes sense to me. We'll see what this actually turns out to be?

Like I said a bit earlier - pictures after I pick it up next Thursday (the next time I'm on the road in the area of the shop I bought it from). Really looking forward to getting into this one to see what we can find while doing a clean and service?

I never thought much about Enfields. They were around, but I always thought they were sort of ugly in straight military dress. I never got the steel band around the wrist thing and just never cared for the lines. I've had opportunities to get one before, but never cared to do so.

This one really sucked me in. It's one of the most unique builds I have ever seen. I can usually go down a used rack and nothing even moves me a bit (I already have too many, selling some). But this one grabbed me from 3 feet away. I was flipping tags and looking at stuff and this one just stood out. I picked it up and it came to shoulder very well. I looked it over and was impressed. Went home and thought about it. Next day I was on the road again and stopped by on the way home - still there, just could not say no

 

[skyhorse]

Sounds like you were just plain 'in the mood' that day.
That's why I call my rifles ladies.

OK- so you were on the road, you wanted to see what she turned out to be, your looking forward to doing a good clean and service, she's ugly in straight military dress, but she has a pretty steel band around the waist. She sucked you in and then you noticed she had a unique build....

She came from the used rack. In a week or two she moves in.

Yea...that's rifle dating allright. Pretty soon she will have a list of wants. A larger gun cabinet, a new sling, then of course optics.

All kidding asside, I think you will like this rifle. The fact that it is a sporter and unique is very intresting. Please keep us informed.

 

[skyhorse]

I checked out my Wife's rifle over the weekend. Hers has an engraving on the right hand side of the reciever like yours. Hers says: England,Mk.4 No.1 (F)

 

[Sixty Gunner]

Just back from the range with my #4 Mk1.

It's holding Minute of Paper Plate at 200M with Hornady 174gr. .312 bullets and 40.0gr. IMR 4895.

I'm pleased.

 

[BrocLuno]

Sounds like a fun day

 

[skyhorse]

Did you pass the background check?

 

[Gromky]

Only advice is that you'll love it. The way the bolt operates is amazingly smooth and fast.

I've tried a few times, but have failed to take a deer with an unmodified No. 4. They're awful for hunting, way too heavy to the front due to the large magazine and full wood design...but still very accurate. Legendary rifles for a reason. You may want to look into reloading. Fast. .303 Brit is not common, but you can reload it for cheap. The rifle itself will need the standard treatments for wood, metal, and rust prevention.

 

[MJ]

Privi mkes a good round and the case is reloadable I would not use any of the surplus in my guns at this time and never in a new #4 Mk2

 

[Salvo66]

I love my Enfield... 1955, was one of the 'Mummy" guns. I have run 40 rounds thru it so far. Shoots real nice!

 

[Ignition Override]

BrocLuno:

Even though these guys know their Enfields very well, for determining origins of various components and other historical facts, one of the best Enfield Gurus I've seen is nicknamed "Tikirocker".

He is an Aussie and moderator on Surplusrifle, Gunboards etc.
At least one of his ancestors fought with Enfields in the Pacific theater.

If you find actual surplus .303, much of it is POF. Even if you manage to find any, it will cost about the same as new Boxer-primed Prvi Partizan.

Also, if you have 2-groove rifling, you might want to avoid boat tail bullets. "Ammo seek" will still make it difficult to avoid.
Should we always assume that a box that only says SP is Not boat-tail?

 

[BrocLuno]

OK, picture time !!

OK, you guys been asking for pictures. Finally got a chance to snap a few. Have a look

As far as marks I can read the following:

B with faint something followed by an N on top of the barrel flat.

A stylized 7 and some crown looking symbols on the right side of the Barrel near the Receiver Ring.

B and 1942 on the left side wrist strap.

ENGLAND (faint) on the right side of the Receiver Ring.

Small K9 on top of the Receiver Ring.

Some unreadable numbers on the bottom of the bolt handle.

 

[BrocLuno]

Picture time 2

The color of the receiver is a Bronze shade. The blueing in very close to Colt Royal Blue - deep and lustrous. There is a bit of pitting here and there, but the bore is absolutely perfect

The wood is a very close match. The fore stock was probably built from the original. It has a bit of an inserted well fitted patch on the right side near the receiver ring. The Monte Carlo butt stock is almost exactly the same color and the grain flows from fore end to butt.

Somebody put many, many hours of work into this one

 

[Salvo66]

Congrats! Looks real nice!

 

[BrocLuno]

Thanks, yeah it's a pretty one alright

The thing that keeps me wondering is that the 1942 on the wrist strap seems to be before No4 MkII was built, so what might the base action be?