Question about an odd Enfield rifle

[BerettaBob]

Hey guys, today I came across an odd Enfield rifle. I don't know much about it and by the time I found it the gun store was closing (sorry no pics ).

Anyway, at first I thought it was a jungle carbine without the flash supressor but it didn't look quite right. Then because of the sights (The rear sight is a peep sight (aperture maybe?) and the front is a blade sight) and shorter barrel, I thought it was the sporter version, but it had a handguard on top unlike the sporters ive seen in the past. And finally the only marking I can remember is "England" stamped on the reciever just above the bolt.

As always, thanks in advance for your replies.

 

[Robert]

Sounds like a cut down No4. Companies like Santa Fe made sporters out of all kinds of Enfields in the 1950s and later. Not really worth all that much.

 

[BerettaBob]

Thanks for the quick reply Gus. Taking into account that its probably not worth much, how do you think it would perform as a cheap woods gun? The bore was clean as a whistle and the action was smooth and I hear enfields are decent shooters besides the whole "wandering zero" thing of course.

 

[Robert]

If the bore is good and it is not too much money it'd make a decent little truck or woods gun. I almost bought a Santa Fe just cause, but I didn't really need to be spending the money. Even that little.

 

[BerettaBob]

Sticker price was $200 but I never take sticker price. I think I can get him down to about $150 with a box of ammo thrown in.

 

[jeeptim]

I have one just like you described Santa fe arms lyman peep sight love it but......... headsace is bad just like the one your looking at and will not and can not hold a zero.
still love it

 

[Dr.Rob]

I had a buddy that did his first elk hunt with a sporterized Enfield. He managed to take a shot in anger but his precision with the sights was lacking.

In retrospect I never asked if the magazine was pinned to hold only 5 rounds.

 

[madcratebuilder]

The "wandering zero" is more myth than fact. You well see a minor change in POI cold barrel to warm barrel. Cold barrel shots are consistent and suitable for hunting.

I've bought No5's that have had the flash hider cut off. They are relatively easy to change, held in place with pins like a AR15 FSB.

The No5 on the right in this pic was $125. The flash hider had been cut off, the ladder sight replaced with a Redfield peep sight, and I had a Santa Fe five round mag. These old made in Japan mags are the only five round mag that is reliable in the Enfield, very hard to find.

Sold the Redfield sight to pay for a flash hider and 800 yd ladder sight. Used the five round mag in my sporter No4. Ended up with a very nice No5 when finished.

 

[BerettaBob]

Well madcrate builder that looks very close to the one I found.

 

[303tom]

Hey guys, today I came across an odd Enfield rifle. I don't know much about it and by the time I found it the gun store was closing (sorry no pics ).

Anyway, at first I thought it was a jungle carbine without the flash supressor but it didn't look quite right. Then because of the sights (The rear sight is a peep sight (aperture maybe?) and the front is a blade sight) and shorter barrel, I thought it was the sporter version, but it had a handguard on top unlike the sporters ive seen in the past. And finally the only marking I can remember is "England" stamped on the reciever just above the bolt.

As always, thanks in advance for your replies.

Could be a No5, because that is all a No5 is, is a cut down No4.............Easiest way to tell, position of sling mount on butt stock.

 

[ball3006]

Pull the handguard off. A No 5 has a fluted barrel around the chamber to lighten the rifle....chris3

 

[BerettaBob]

Now that I think about it, the buttstock was brass and had the storage compartment. No. 5's have a rubber butt pad. I found some No. 5's in a gun shop recently but they wanted $450 for one. Thats way too much. Anyway, I think Gus is right on this one.


P.S. Is it common for people to take the civillian version and drop it in a short military stock? Or will it even fit in there?

 

[murdoc rose]

There are a lot more cut no4s than no5s out there and it is always advised to be fairly careful about buying them.

 

[BerettaBob]

Thanks for the warning murdoc rose. So anyone know anything about people taking the civi sporter and dropping it in the military stock? It doesn't look like it would work.