Need help and background on this Lee Enfield
- Thread starter Masterdiver330
- Start date
- Status
I picked it up from a friend. When he got it several years ago he was told it was from Greek Cyprus war. I was just wondering what the history was. it shows Conv 5 stamped in side. Is this a parts gun /# 4 actually converted to #5 / or a complete fake. If fake what was it in beginning?
Attachments
You need to look at the receiver for the "lightning cuts" , but at first glance the stock doesn't look original but I'm no expert by any means. I'm just going off what the other enfield guys on here have told me about mine
earlthegoat2
Member
Just went through trying to ID an enfield someone gave me to
Fix up. Appears to be a British made 1944 no 4 mk I lee-enfield.
The conv 5 on the barrel may indicate a cartridge modification?
I never came across that in my research, then again I was looking up
Savage made Enfield's. That appears to be the original stock, that has been sporterized and it has an mkIII rear peep hole sight.
Fix up. Appears to be a British made 1944 no 4 mk I lee-enfield.
The conv 5 on the barrel may indicate a cartridge modification?
I never came across that in my research, then again I was looking up
Savage made Enfield's. That appears to be the original stock, that has been sporterized and it has an mkIII rear peep hole sight.
To me it looks like a No.5 repro stock. It also has a flash hider so I'm leaning toward a a conversion jungle carbine
earlthegoat2
Member
DougW
Member
Either a Maltby or Fazakerley #4mk1 converted to a #5mk1 (I am thinking Maltby, but I don't have my reference material handy). Maltby did not make a #5mk1, only Fazakerley and BSA, snd the serial number does not jive with the numbering sequence of the actual rifles.
Not a bad looking rifle. The various numbers could be local arsenal numbering. The rear sight is the MkIII marked MkII rear sight typical of a 1944 era rifle. The rear sight for a #5mk1 is graduated to 800 yards, not 1000. No collector value unless you could prove that it is a trials or prototype rifle, but it could be a be a sweet shooter.
Not a bad looking rifle. The various numbers could be local arsenal numbering. The rear sight is the MkIII marked MkII rear sight typical of a 1944 era rifle. The rear sight for a #5mk1 is graduated to 800 yards, not 1000. No collector value unless you could prove that it is a trials or prototype rifle, but it could be a be a sweet shooter.
It was originally a 1944 No. 4 MkI*. The star is significant, indicating a revision from the earlier No. 4 MkI. It was converted to a No. 5, but I'm not enough of an expert to determine from the pics who might have done the conversion or when. I also can't determine from the pics who the original manufacturer was. I think it's unusual for a No. 4 MkI* to have that backsight.
This is originally a Maltby No4 MkI and it's one of 50k that has the * added for some unknown reason. Normally the MkI* is found on LB and Savage rifles to note the war time expedient bolt release. Additionally this No4 has been converted to a No5 style rifle.
DougW
Member
The * "usually only" applies to a Savage or a Long Branch rifles. A Maltby, Fazakerley, or BSA were #4mk1's with the bolt release at the back of the reciever. That rifle looks like it does not have the bolt head release at the back of the reciever, so than would indicate it is either a Savage or a Long Branch. But, I can't tell by the pics for sure. VERY STRANGE! That is what I LOVE about these rifles!!!
Last edited:
I read somewhere that the * was to note on all Enfield rifles of a change in model that was not significant enough to step up the Mk.
just my .000000000002 cents.
just my .000000000002 cents.
Here's some photos of my No.5 for comparison. Showing what I understand to be lightening features of the No.5 for weight reduction. Bought it in a pawn shop for $150, it had a scope mounted and the rear sight was missing.
This is after I got it cleaned up and refinished the wood. Also put on a correct sling and rear sight.
Not a bad score for $150, I thought. I'm contemplating putting the scope and mount back on, since it's already drilled and tapped for it, why not? I just need to file a whisker off the rear of the scope mount so it'll clear the rear sight.
This is after I got it cleaned up and refinished the wood. Also put on a correct sling and rear sight.
Not a bad score for $150, I thought. I'm contemplating putting the scope and mount back on, since it's already drilled and tapped for it, why not? I just need to file a whisker off the rear of the scope mount so it'll clear the rear sight.
There was a run of approximately 50K rifles from Maltby that had the MkI* mark. Why these rifles had the *(star) added is not known. These rifles did have the standard rear latch bolt release.
DougW
Member
madcratebuilder, that is why I love this site! I am constantly learning something new! I have never heard about the * on Maltby rifles.
- Status