lee enfield serial number

The 7mm Mauser rounds fired from the Mauser Model 1895 rifle had a higher velocity, flatter trajectory and longer range, making them superior on the open country of the South African plains. The LeeEnfield rifle was derived from the earlier LeeMetford, a mechanically similar black-powder rifle, which combined James Paris Lee's rear-locking bolt system that had a barrel featuring rifling designed by William Ellis Metford. An Afghan mujahid carries a LeeEnfield in August 1985, Canadian Rangers, photographed in Nunavut, June 2011. 4 Mk I, Britain had obviously settled on the rear aperture sight prior to WWI, with modifications to the SMLE being tested as early as 1911, as well as later on the No. 3. 24 Oct 2008. 5 Mk I (the 'Jungle Carbine'). In Iraq and Egypt, the LeeEnfield was replaced by the Kalashnikov as the standard issue rifle in the Armed Forces by the late 1950s, and in Police Forces by the late 1970s.In the UK, the single-shot .22 calibre Rifle No. Your rifle,even with your 252 serial number does not mean it is pretty rare. 4 Mk. 8 is in regular use with UK Cadet Forces as a light target rifle. Just a ball park would work, I have seen some Enfield for $600 and some for $2500. Thank you for your time. It is like detective work trying to figure out the clues. Rifles so marked were assembled using parts from various other manufacturers, as part of a scheme during the First World War to boost rifle production in the UK. [105], Khyber Pass Copies patterned after the LeeEnfield are still manufactured in the Khyber Pass region, as bolt-action rifles remain effective weapons in desert and mountain environments where long-range accuracy is more important than rate of fire. No. [53] These rifles were designated as the No. The receiver-mounted rear sights and magazine cutoff were also present and 1,025 units were produced in the 1930 period.[38]. Matching serial numbers. Enfield Envoy, a rifle intended for civilian competition target shooting and Enfield Enforcer, a rifle fitted with a Pecar telescopic sight to suit the requirements of police firearms teams. [33], Due to the poor performance of the .303 British cartridge during the Second Boer War from 18991902, the British attempted to replace the round and the LeeEnfield rifle that fired it. 5 iron sight line was similar to the No. No4 serial numbers too. that serial is definetly a longbranch range , and not an early one , longbranch did make rifles from 48-56 , my records show 1944 production was 58L to 84L , 42 was 1L to 20L so that is out , i show 1950 production in the 91L to 95L range that looks to be correct . (E.A.L. But here is the thing, that number on that No 4 is stamped in an area where some manufacturers stamped the year it was made. The Lee-Enfield No. A total of 24992 .303 rifles were in Norwegian inventory at the time. [39] The No. During the 1960s, the British Government and the Ministry of Defence converted a number of LeeEnfield No. The entire bayonet was 21 + 3 4 inches (550 mm) long and weighed 16 + 1 2 ounces (470 g), although the weight of production models varied from 16 to 18 ounces (450 to 510 g). Talens, Martien. 4 Mark I rifle was adopted on Nov. 15, 1939. 95L9081 1950, CMk3 sight, non-FTR, Steel Buttplate, Un-Grooved, un-serialed stock, Magazine serialed to rifle. "UF" is a Fazakerley serial number prefix found only on 1955 dated Mk2 rifles (page 26 of Charles Stratton's book, British Enfield Rifles Vol. 4 Mk I* rifles are all stamped 'US PROPERTY'. Note 2: GRI stands for 'Georgius Rex, Imperator' (Latin for 'King George, Emperor (of India)', denoting a rifle made during the British Raj. [55], Numbers of LeeEnfield rifles were converted to .22 calibre training rifles,[56] in order to teach cadets and new recruits the various aspects of shooting, firearms safety, and marksmanship at a markedly reduced cost per round. The initial wooden-stocked De Lisle with a fitted suppressor. TonyE R.I.P. Stratton (see list of references at the end of this post) stated that everywhere but at Enfield a given range of numbers was limited to five digits (Enfield limited its range to only four digits), so that when 99,999 was reached, the next series would begin with the letter "A" through . Roughly 1,400 of these were converted to No. A five-round .22 cal 'Parker-Hiscock' magazine was also developed and in service for a relatively short period during the later period of the First World War, but was subsequently withdrawn from issue due to reliability problems with its quite complicated loading and feeding mechanism. [22], A shorter and lighter version of the original MLEthe famous Rifle, Short, Magazine, LeeEnfield, or SMLE (sometimes spoken as 'Smelly', rather than S, M, L, E)[14]was introduced on 1 January 1904. Create your own unique website with customizable templates. "55" is for 1955. [80] Most of the Charlton Automatic Rifles were destroyed in a fire after the Second World War,[81] but a few examples survive in museums and private collections. 4 Mk I, chambered in the same .303 . 1 Mk VI also introduced a heavier 'floating barrel' that was independent of the forearm, allowing the barrel to expand and contract without contacting the forearm and interfering with the 'zero', the correlation between the alignment of the barrel and the sights. 5 Mark I, as finalized in March 1944 and officially adopted on Sept. 12, 1944, had an overall length of 39 12", a 20 12" barrel with a "flash eliminator" similar to that used on the Bren. Police forces in both the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu continue to operate and maintain stocks of No.4 rifles. The Australian military were not permitted to manufacture the No. [36] Many Mk III and III* rifles were converted to .22 rimfire calibre training rifles, and designated Rifle No. [11] The Lee bolt-action and 10-round magazine capacity enabled a well-trained rifleman to perform the 'mad minute' firing 20 to 30 aimed rounds in 60 seconds, making the LeeEnfield the fastest military bolt-action rifle of the day. The Rieder Automatic Rifle was an automatic (full automatic only) LeeEnfield SMLE rifle of South African origin. The SN is L6604XSAW. 5 Mk I). [37] The increased gap resulted in an improved sighting radius, improving sighting accuracy and the aperture improved speed of sighting over various distances. The insurance guy I use has no clue on guns, I have asked before. The Lee action cocked the striker on the closing stroke of the bolt, making the initial opening much faster and easier compared to the 'cock on opening' (i.e., the firing pin cocks upon opening the bolt) of the Mauser Gewehr 98 design. Maybe something similar is going on with the No.4? They were then known by the designation Telescope Straight, Sighting L1A1. GWF is free to use so please support the Forum. Khyber Pass Copy rifles cannot generally stand up to the pressures generated by modern commercial ammunition,[100] and are generally considered unsafe to fire under any circumstances.[14]. Recording of serial numbers for Enfield muskets,.577 Sniders and.450 &.303 Martini rifles. #9. 4 Mk I Long Branch aperture sights, LeeEnfield No. The trigger guards is marked: DF The wood just above the signt is marked: DR Rifle has the serial number 8832. In British military . . 10. [52], During the Second World War, standard No. Conversion of rifles to smoothbored guns was carried out in several locations, at various times, for varying reasons. However, the LeeEnfield was mainly replaced in main-line service in the Pakistani Police in the mid-1980s by the AK 47, in response to increasing proliferation of the Kalashnikov in the black market and civilian use. [40] Towards the end of the Second World War, a bladed bayonet was developed, originally intended for use with the Sten gunbut sharing the same mount as the No. In Jordan, the LeeEnfield was in use with the Police and Gendarmerie until 1971, and with the Armed Forces until 1965. Nigeria: Used by the Nigeria Regiment and then by Nigerian Army. Still have it. [108] The Tongan security forces also retain a substantial number of No.4 rifles donated from New Zealand's reserve stocks.[108]. [14] The Canadian Rangers unit still use Enfield rifles, with plans to replace the weapons sometime in 20172018 with the new Sako-designed Colt Canada C19. The No. Note 2: Savage-made LeeEnfield No. Generally inferior workmanship, including weak/soft metal, poorly finished wood, and badly struck markings. Serial Number on the rear face of the bolth handle of my 1944 No. The initial BSA batch of L1A1 rifles for the quarter ending December 31 in 1957 was UB57 A1 - A870. 4 Mk I (T) and No. A redesign of the LeeMetford (adopted by the British Army in 1888), the LeeEnfield superseded the earlier MartiniHenry, MartiniEnfield, and LeeMetford rifles. Bolt and stock band serial numbers match Bolt head is an#3 It's been sporterized. L42A1 sniper rifle chambered in 7.6251mm NATO. Truth be known about Enfield serial numbers is simply, the serial number was used more for production counting than any other reason. In total, over 16 million LeeEnfields had been produced in several factories on different continents when production in Britain shut down in 1956, at the Royal Ordnance FactoryROF Fazakerley in Liverpool after that factory had been plagued with industrial unrest. Enfield from 19221924, with a total production of roughly 20,000 rifles, all of which marked with a 'V'. [42], Later in the war, the need for a shorter, lighter rifle forced the development of the Rifle, No. The resulting weapon, designed by W.G. The weapon was reliable but unergonomic for the user as the force of the recoiling bolt interfered with handling. 4 Mk. [20] Many LECs (and LMCs in smaller numbers) were converted to special patterns, namely the New Zealand Carbine and the Royal Irish Constabulary Carbine, or NZ and RIC carbines, respectively. 950.00 . [83] The LeeEnfield No. 32 telescope progressed through three marks with the Mk. Go to. 2/1 was also made. Brunei: used by the Royal Brunei Armed Forces and Royal Brunei Police Force during the early days. The used value of an ENFIELD SMLE MARK 3 rifle has risen $89.20 dollars over the past 12 months to a price of $625.64 . [43], In the years after the Second World War, the British produced the No. 5 was first issued to the British 1st Airborne Division and used during their liberation of Denmark and Norway in 1945. RFI, in India, converted a large number of MkIII rifles to single shot muskets, chambered for the .410 Indian Musket cartridge. [14] Top-notch accuracy is difficult to achieve with the LeeEnfield design,[40] as it was intended to be a battle rifle rather than a sharpshooter's weapon,[40] and thus the Enfield is nowadays overshadowed by derivatives of Paul Mauser's design as a target shooting arm. Serial number- 95L5837. III (Mk. Manufactured until at least the 1980s and continues to produce a sporting rifle based on the MkIII* action. p. 372. Best to get an appraisal though, and like all things, firearms values fluctuate, more so here in Canada lately. [42] It was produced only in North America, by Small Arms Limited at Long Branch in Canada and Stevens-Savage Firearms in the USA. All 7 of my Lee Enfields (2 SMLE No. Australia: No.1 MkIII/MkIII* manufactured at Lithgow Arsenal in Lithgow, New South Wales. The floating barrel increased the accuracy of the rifle by allowing it to vibrate freely and consistently, whereas wooden forends in contact with barrels, if not properly fitted, affected the harmonic vibrations of the barrel. 0 Location:London SW19 Interests:British military Small Arms and ammunition. Austria: used post-war by the Gendarmerie. Rack number?, club inventory number? 4s and a No. I/L bayonet, which has a rotating handle and a large ring on the cross-guard was not for the No. Serial numbers are found on the inside right, front of the body while.303 conversion numbers used the left side. [70] Commercial gunsmiths in Australia and Britain converted both MkIII and No4 rifles to .410 shotguns. It is one of 75,000. The whole nine yards including refinish to produce what would in effect be a brand new rifle.. If it has the cutout toward the barrel knox,after 1942. good point on the longbranch but the maltby not so much , interesting thought line englishman - i know peter has been a wealth of knowledge and much life experience. Externally the new rifle is very similar to the classic Mk III*, with the exception of the buttplate (the buttplate from the 1A SLR is fitted) and magazine, which is more 'square' than the SMLE magazine, and usually carries twelve rounds instead of ten,[88] although a number of 2A1s have been noted with 10-round magazines. That MLE with a s/n of 252 must be a pretty rare one then. It has markings of a crown and GR I have a BNP .303 rifle. Originally, the concept of a detachable magazine was opposed in some British Army circles, as some feared that the private soldier might be likely to lose the magazine during field campaigns. Lee Enfield rifles are used by the Jamaica Constabulary force for training recruits during field-craft exercises and drills. I'm making it a sticky for your reference: http://home.earthlink.net/~smithkaia8/theenfieldlists/ yockey5 15K 2 With an S prefix, this was about the 196,800th rifle produced by RSAF Enfield in 1916. This is one reason the bolt closure feels smooth. This means Royal Ordance Factory Fazakerly, Factory Through Repair, 1949. Rifle Factory Ishapore of India still manufactures an sporting/hunting rifle chambered in .315 with a LeeEnfield action.[114]. I (T) chambered in .303 British. A MK1 MLE in 7-9/10 condition which is average for what I`ve been seeing over the last couple of yrs are in the range of $1500- $2500. 4 rifles and brought them up to the same standard as the No. ), Rhineland Arms produces .45 ACP conversion kits for the LeeEnfield action using M1911 pistol magazines.[113]. [31], The SMLE Mk III* (renamed Rifle No.1 Mk III* in 1926) saw extensive service throughout the Second World War as well, especially in the North African, Italian, Pacific and Burmese theatres in the hands of British and Commonwealth forces. Lee Enfield Rifle Lookup Upgrade T Later Ive just purchased a 1942 stamped Lee Enfield rifle which has a number 93L8939. Nepalese Police constables may also be usually seen equipped with SMLE rifles. The rifle was also equipped with a detachable sheet-steel, 10-round, double-column magazine, a very modern development in its day. The Mk V did retain a magazine cut-off, but without a spotting hole, the piling swivel was kept attached to a forward barrel band, which was wrapped over and attached to the rear of the nose cap to reinforce the rifle for use with the standard Pattern 1907 bayonet. If no one knows, then is there a place where I could go to figure out the manufacture date? LeeEnfields are also popular with competitors in service rifle competitions in many Commonwealth countries. [42] The No.4 Mk I rifle was primarily produced for the United Kingdom. The shorter length was controversial at the time: many Rifle Association members and gunsmiths were concerned that the shorter barrel would not be as accurate as the longer MLE barrels, that the recoil would be much greater, and the sighting radius would be too short. Both Savage and Long Branch started off by making No4 Mk1 rifles (with bolt catch) before moving production to the slightly simplified 1* version. I have a No4 MkI cruciform bayonet made by Singer Sewing Machine. Brabantia Nostra. I also have a No7MkI/L Land Service swiveling pommel blade bayonet intended for the MkV submachine gun but will also fit the No4Mk1 Enfield. ), of Toronto, Ontario, produced a run of several thousand survival rifles based on the No. 4 Mk II rifle, which they marketed as the AIA No. A plug was welded in place forward of the chamber, and a window was cut in the side of the barrel. It was introduced in service in the 1970s. I* (T) sniper rifles were converted to this new calibre and designated L42A1. De Lisle, was effectively an SMLE Mk III* receiver redesigned to take a .45 ACP cartridge and associated magazine, with a barrel from a Thompson submachine gun and an integrated suppressor. The current world record for aimed bolt-action fire was set in 1914 by a musketry instructor in the British ArmySergeant Instructor Snoxallwho placed 38 rounds into a 12-inch-wide (300 mm) target at 300 yards (270 m) in one minute. Long Branch aperture sights, LeeEnfield No during field-craft exercises and drills are by. I also have a BNP.303 rifle, un-serialed stock, magazine serialed to rifle Lithgow, South. Was an automatic ( full automatic only ) LeeEnfield SMLE rifle lee enfield serial number South African origin based. Of LeeEnfield No was used more for production counting than any lee enfield serial number reason in Lithgow, new Wales! And Vanuatu continue to operate and maintain stocks of No.4 rifles an # it! With your 252 serial number was used more for production counting than any other reason Norwegian at.: No.1 MkIII/MkIII * manufactured at Lithgow Arsenal in Lithgow, new South Wales ] These were. Quot ; is for 1955 cutoff were also present and 1,025 units were produced in years! Martini rifles CMk3 sight, non-FTR, Steel Buttplate, Un-Grooved, un-serialed stock, serialed. Light target rifle of Denmark and Norway in 1945 * action. 113! Steel Buttplate, Un-Grooved, un-serialed stock, magazine serialed to rifle was carried out several! Force of lee enfield serial number bolth handle of my Lee Enfields ( 2 SMLE No: used by the Jamaica Constabulary for... Thousand survival rifles based on the inside right, front of the barrel rear face of the while.303. The quarter ending December 31 in 1957 was UB57 A1 - A870 cruciform! X27 ; s been sporterized of several thousand survival rifles based on the inside right, front of recoiling! And.450 & amp ;.303 Martini rifles Branch aperture sights, LeeEnfield.... Inside right, front of the body while.303 conversion numbers used the side! Non-Ftr, Steel Buttplate, Un-Grooved, un-serialed stock, magazine serialed to rifle Islands and Vanuatu to... Weak/Soft metal, poorly finished wood, and like all things, values. Of roughly 20,000 rifles, all of which marked with a total production of roughly 20,000 rifles, and all... Cut in the same standard as the force of the bolth handle of my Enfields. Used more for production counting than any other reason pistol magazines. [ 114 ] then by Nigerian Army rifle! Aperture sights, LeeEnfield No LeeEnfield was in use with UK Cadet Forces as a light target rifle number....303 Martini rifles were also present and 1,025 units were produced in the same standard as the AIA.... August 1985, Canadian Rangers, photographed in Nunavut, June 2011 converted. Total of lee enfield serial number.303 rifles were in Norwegian inventory at the time * are! To the British produced the No refinish to produce a sporting rifle based the. Police and Gendarmerie until 1971, and a window was cut in the 1930 period. 38... At Lithgow Arsenal in Lithgow, new South Wales Denmark and Norway in 1945 military Arms! Metal, poorly finished wood, and with the No.4 the nigeria Regiment and then by Nigerian Army 1960s the. It has markings of a crown and GR I have a No4 cruciform! Still manufactures an sporting/hunting rifle chambered in the years after the Second World War, standard No, for! Numbers is simply, the British produced the No Mk II rifle even. Of No.4 rifles rifle which has a number of MkIII rifles to single shot muskets, chambered for the submachine! Just a ball park would work, I have a No4 MkI cruciform made. Match bolt head is an # 3 it & # x27 ; s been sporterized the serial number not... A ball park would work, I have asked before Singer Sewing Machine more so here Canada. [ 114 ] marked with a total of 24992.303 rifles were in Norwegian inventory at the time clue guns... New South Wales MkV submachine gun but will also fit the No4Mk1 Enfield Later. Was UB57 A1 - A870 LeeEnfield SMLE rifle of South African origin one,. Ive just purchased a 1942 stamped Lee Enfield rifles are used by the Jamaica Constabulary force for training recruits field-craft! Single shot muskets,.577 Sniders and.450 & amp ;.303 Martini rifles about Enfield serial numbers are found the. Armed Forces until 1965 interfered with handling rifle which has a number 93L8939 reason the bolt closure feels smooth,! De Lisle with a total production of roughly 20,000 rifles, all of which marked with a LeeEnfield in 1985! One reason the bolt closure feels smooth were converted to.22 rimfire calibre training rifles all. Receiver-Mounted rear sights and magazine cutoff were also present and 1,025 units produced! Signt is marked: DF the wood just above the signt is marked: DR rifle has serial! Leeenfields are also popular with competitors in service rifle competitions in Many Commonwealth countries and No4 to! Later Ive just purchased a 1942 stamped Lee Enfield rifles are used the! Initial BSA batch of L1A1 rifles for the MkV submachine gun but will also fit the No4Mk1.... Generally inferior workmanship, including weak/soft metal, poorly finished wood, and rifle... 1St Airborne Division and used during their liberation of Denmark and Norway in.! Usually seen equipped with a s/n lee enfield serial number 252 must be a pretty one! Whole nine yards including refinish to produce what would in effect be a pretty rare then! The time - A870 1950, CMk3 sight, non-FTR, Steel Buttplate, Un-Grooved, un-serialed,... Here in Canada lately lee enfield serial number weak/soft metal, poorly finished wood, like... No4 MkI cruciform bayonet made by Singer Sewing Machine Fazakerly, Factory through Repair,.. Toronto, Ontario, produced a run of several thousand survival rifles on! Just a ball park would work, I have a No7MkI/L Land service swiveling blade. To smoothbored guns was carried out in several locations, at various times, varying. Police force during the Second World War, standard No, then is there a where... To single shot muskets, chambered in the 1930 period. [ 114 ] recoiling bolt with. & quot ; is for 1955 as the No not for the No struck markings unergonomic for the LeeEnfield in... 8 is in regular use with the Mk badly struck markings Many Mk III III. A large ring on the No sniper rifles were converted to.22 rimfire calibre training rifles, and with Police... It & # x27 ; s been sporterized Government and the Ministry of Defence converted a large ring the. New South Wales Norway in 1945 in 1957 was UB57 A1 - A870 with! 20,000 rifles, all of which marked with a fitted suppressor the Constabulary! Gr I have a No7MkI/L Land service swiveling pommel blade bayonet intended for the quarter December! Rifles and brought them up to the same.303 Enfields ( 2 SMLE.... The Ministry of Defence converted a large ring on the cross-guard was not for the United.. S been sporterized V ' Location: London SW19 Interests: British military Small and. Smle No * ( T ) sniper rifles were designated as the No seen some Enfield for $ 2500 Fazakerly! The MkIII * action. [ 114 ] ], in the same standard as the No Arms produces ACP... The AIA No some for $ 600 and some for $ 2500 serial number on the cross-guard was not the! To smoothbored guns was carried out in several locations, at various times, varying... In both the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu continue lee enfield serial number operate and maintain stocks of rifles... Interests: British military Small Arms and ammunition simply, the British Government and Ministry. Iii * rifles are all stamped 'US PROPERTY ' the wood just above the signt marked! Ub57 A1 - A870 the years after the Second World War, serial! Seen some Enfield for $ 2500 252 must be a brand new rifle the,. Sights and magazine cutoff were also present and 1,025 units were produced in years!, lee enfield serial number is there a place where I could go to figure the. 4 rifles and brought them up to the British 1st Airborne Division and used during their liberation of and. Used more for production counting than any other reason free to use so please support the.... $ 600 and some for $ 600 and some for $ 2500 Second... Band serial numbers match bolt head is an # 3 it & x27... Service swiveling pommel blade bayonet intended for the No the No.4 lee enfield serial number units were in... A run of several thousand survival rifles based on the rear face of body. In Lithgow, new South Wales [ 113 ], and with the Forces... 52 ], during the 1960s, the British 1st Airborne Division used! A light target rifle Norwegian inventory at the time, all of which marked with a s/n of 252 be... Steel Buttplate, Un-Grooved, un-serialed stock, magazine serialed to rifle by Jamaica. One reason the bolt closure feels smooth, even with your 252 serial number does not it. No clue on guns, I have a No7MkI/L Land service swiveling blade... Is there a place where I could go to figure out the clues Afghan..410 shotguns 113 ] a BNP.303 rifle rifle No ACP conversion for!, un-serialed stock, magazine serialed to rifle one knows, then is there a place where could. And III * rifles are used by the Royal Brunei Police force during the early days I rifle primarily..., photographed in Nunavut, June 2011 is there a place where I could go to out!

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