MILITARY RIFLE ID HELP

[fallrain]

Hi I'm new to this sight and I hope I find my way back to this question. I'm trying to identify a military rifle for a friend left by her father. In the receiver under the bolt it is stamped M/56. On a metal plate that wraps around the gun just behind the trigger it looks to read M47C underneath that it says 1945 ENGLAND. On the stock behind the trigger is a crown. Above the crown is what looks like M47A. Under the crown is M21. On the side of a plate that shields the front site is: M/47. The rifle has a clip that is slanted getting wider towards the trigger. The barrel thins just in front of the sight then flares out at the muzzle. Thanks for your help, Ron

 

[dfariswheel]

Sounds like a British Lee-Enfield #5, Mark One "Jungle Carbine".

Look on the left side of the receiver. Under the paint you should be able to make out an electric penciled label ID'ing what it is.

Another way to ID it, the jungle carbine has a thin rubber butt pad in a cup-shaped steel plate, and a trumpet-shaped flash hider on the muzzle.

 

[xtarheel]

Also, look at the knob on the bolt handle. If it is a legit #5 it should be hollowed out. Also the rear site should be graduated to 800 yards.

 

[fallrain]

Thanks Guys I wish I took the gun home with me so I could check these things. I'll try to get there on Monday and bring it home with me to look at it closer. Ron

 

[Diomed]

Yeah, most likely a No. 5 rifle, produced by BSA in 1945. The surest way to tell that it isn't a made-up rifle is to check the barrel under the handguard, if there are flutes milled out it's original. There should be a serial number on the butt socket (left side) which should match the number found on the bolt handle. The foreend should also have matching number stamped near the tip.

Also, the muzzle should have a bayonet mount underneath the flash hider - many of these were cut off for various reasons. Much more desirable to have the mount in place.

 

[DougW]

Go to www.gunboards.com and page down to the Enfield Forum. You can search "#5mk1" and get a lot of info. Your friend has a valuable rifle there. They are turning up at gunshows here in N Texas for $350+. The rifle you describe is an Export version, so I would expect it to be a legit #5.

 

[fallrain]

Thanks allot for all your help, I looked on www.gunbroker.com when dfariswheel mentioned it was a jungle carbine. There were a few up for auction. I'm watching them now to see what they sell for if any. I may just purchase it for myself. I only have one rifle now so another seems necessary since I moved from NJ non rifle to PA a rifle state. Thanks again for all your help. I will take a closer look at the gun this coming weekend and see if all things match up.