Quote Reply Topic: tracking serial numbers Posted: February 20 2013 at 6:35am is there a site or data base of Enfield serial numbers where a person could track their rifle back to place of manufacture, deployment etc.? Hi all, first off I am new to this site having stumbled upon it while looking for some i.d help with a newly acquired Lee Enfield rifle so please bear with me as I am not yet familiar with the idiosyncrasies of the search function. The rifle in question is a 1943 with numbers; N24MKJ(F)FTR /49AP6888 stamped on the reciever.
From All About Enfields; The No4Mk1 rifle
Lee Enfield No4MkI’s were made by several factories during the 2nd World War. The bulk being from the Royal Ordinance factory Maltby, ROF Fazakerley, BSA Shirley, with smaller quantities at Longbranch in Toronto Canada and by the Stevens-Savage company of Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, USA.
To work out which factory that your Lee Enfield No4 was made is to look at wrist markings where the serial numbers are. Now this only equates to British No4MkI here. The British made No4MkI’s use a prefix and number – (Alpha numerical) system to identify manufacturer. Numbered serials starting with 1 indicated ROF Maltby, 2 indicated ROF Fazakerley and 3 indicated BSA Shirley. However as one soon learns with anything to do with life there are exceptions, early in on the game BSA Shirley did a production run which used only 4 numbers and went from Axxxx to Zxxxx.
Canadian made Longbranch No4MkI’s are easy to tell as they have “Longbranch” written across the receiver and they would have been changed over around 41 /42 from MkI to MkI*. The US made No4MkI’s were produced under the lend-lease agreement and as such will have U.S. PROPERTY stamped across left part of the receiver. Well it should have it stamped there! I’ve had stories recounted to me that some units removed the marks. But again, a very stylised square S or the US flaming proof mark may well give it away. But these early US marked No4MkI’s will be rather limited in numbers.
This does have the squared cocking piece, the MKII. Whereas the earlier models had a button cocking piece, however due to production date of this rifle the square piece is correct to the rifle, as was highlighted in the list of changes Para B4737.
The main way in which to easily differentiate the models is the bolt head release mechanism. It is a spring-loaded catch just rearward of the charger guide on the right hand side the receiver. Depressing this allowed the bolt to be removed from the rifle.
Improvements in the bedding and a heavier barrel, coupled with a longer sight picture gave the Allied soldier a battle rifle with great potential. The reduced weight in the nose cap allowed the rifle to balance and come up to the aim quicker. An improved graduated rear flip-up sight called the singer sight was graduated from 200yds to 1300yds in 50 yd graduations.
Top, Lee Enfield No4 MK2, Bottom Lee Enfield No4 Mk1
Lee Enfield Serial Number Database
The woodwork of the early No4 was that of beech or birch. Earlier less hurried times would have seen wood such as French or European walnut being used. The walnut would have been suitably seasoned and prepared years in advance. However luxuries like that were soon to be a thing of the past. But those issues are better suited to be explored in No4Mk1*. But needless to say, by the time the No4Mk1* was hitting production what skilled operators and man power was left, were doing an exceptional job with what wood they were able to harvest or being supplied. The times of enjoying wood from Europe was ending and North American woods were now becoming increasingly the norm as well as coach woods from as far as Australia.
Lee Enfield Accuracy
Pf Lee Enfield Serial Numbers Manufacture
The accuracy the No4 was expected to achieve was hitting a 6×4 inch plate at 100 yards. But when we talk about accuracy I feel that I must remind readers of what Maj E.B.B Reynolds wrote in his book “The Lee Enfield Rifle”. Maj Reynolds summarized this whole subject up perfectly when he wrote “throughout its many years of useful service the Lee Enfield has had many critics, particularly regarding is accuracy as a target shooting weapon. Many writers and critics appear to have overlooked the fact that it was designed as the British soldier’s personal arm, not as a target rife” Pg 9, Second impression 1962. And this was no target rifle, nor was it ever intended to be, it was deadly efficient in its intended role and proved an extremely solid and dependable battle rifle
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Full Parts Inventories for the Lee Enfield.
Hoosier Gun Works; http://www.hoosiergunworks.com/ …… Near full inventory for Enfield No1 Mk3 and No4, No1 Mk3 Click Here, No4 Mk1 Click Here. Not able to export, good people, USA.
Numrich Gun Parts Corp; http://www.e-gunparts.com/ ……. Wood plus full inventories for Enfield No1 Mk3 and No4, No5 and No 8, Enfield mini index Click Here. Will export up to $100 per order, will split parcels to assist, USA.
Poppert’s Gun Parts; http://www.poppertsgunparts.com/ …….. Wood, plus full inventory for Enfield No1 Mk3 and No4, Enfield Search, Not able to export. USA.
Springfield Sporters; http://www.ssporters.com/ ……. Wood, barrels, plus full inventory for Enfield No1 Mk3 and No4. Not able to export, USA.
Sarco Inc, http://www.sarcoinc.com/ Also; Sarco Online Order Site, http://e-sarcoinc.com/ …….. Wood, plus full inventory for Enfield No1 Mk3 and No4. Lee Enfield; Click Here. Will Export, USA.
Valmont Firearms; http://www.valmontfirearms.co.uk/Lee Enfield.htm. ……. Enfield and near full inventory of new parts for Enfield No1 Mk3 and No4, UK.
Lee Enfield, parts, accessories
Accumounts; http://www.accumounts.com/ …… Steel, no gunsmith scope mount for Lee Enfield, wide range, including No4 T pads and P14 WW1 sniper mounts. USA
Addley Precision; http://addleyprecision.com/ …….. Very nice range of Enfield scope mounts, some with extra rails for No4 Enfields. Canada.
Aim Surplus; http://aimsurplus.com/ …….. C&R including Lee Enfield and parts.USA
Apex Gun Parts; https://www.apexgunparts.com/rifles/bolt-action/lee-enfield.html …….. Lee Enfield parts list, including original No4 T cheek rests (june/2011). Does not export. US
Battledress and Bayonet; http://www.battledressandbayonet.com/ ……. Repro Enfield No1 Mk3 grenade launcher and Sten bayonets. Wide range for collectors and re-enactors. UK.
BDL Ltd; http://www.bdlltd.com/ ……. Parts, great range of Enfield, world reknown for customer service, Enfield snipers, Enfields on request, and overhauling no32 scopes. Most Enfield parts by query, Contact; Brian Dick, Will Export, USA.
Buy Milsurp; http://www.buymilsurp.com/zencart/ …….. Wood, Barrels. Lee Enfield, parts. USA
Century Arms; https://www.centuryarms.com/ (Dealers and C&R holders only); ……. Sometimes Lee Enfield, parts/wood sets. USA
Collectible Firearms; http://www.collectiblefirearms.com/RiflesLeeEnfield.html …… Lee Enfield for sale. US
Collector’s Source; http://www.collectorssource.com/ ……. Military collectibles for sale incl. Lee Enfield and militaria. Ontario, Canada
Combat Hunting;http://www.combathunting.com/ …… Rifle store with Lee Enfield section. US
EFD; http://www.efdrifles.com/ ……. New made reproduction parts for early, hard to find Enfield. Lee Enfield for sale also. UK.
Empire Arms; http://www.empirearms.com/ ……. C&R including Lee Enfield and parts. USA
Gibbs Rifle Co; http://www.gibbsrifle.com/index.html …… Re made classic C&R, including Lee Enfield. USA
Huber Concepts; http://www.huberconcepts.com/ …… Low friction triggers for Lee Enfield and other C&R. USA
International Military Antiques, http://www.ima-usa.com/ ……. Large parts and militaria list for British, and other countries. Repro T scope mount. USA
InterOrdance – IO Inc; http://www.ioinc.us/ …….. A well known business with a low profile that quietly imports interesting C&R rifles, including Lee Enfield. US
Joe Salter.com; http://www.joesalter.com/ ……. Excellent classic and rare Lee Enfield for sale. US
KebCo LLC; http://www.kebcollc.com …….. C&R including Enfield parts. USA
Lawrence Ordnance; http://www.lawranceordnance.com/ ……. Sydney based, AIA enfield dealer, plus C&R militaria, Enfield parts and Lee Enfield. Aust.
Lynx Optics; Scope mounts/bases, Lee Enfield and many others. NSW, Aust.
Martini-Henry; http://martinihenry.com/ …….. Excellent large site with Lee Enfield and parts for sale. USA
Lee Enfield 303 Serial Numbers
MarStar Canada; http://www.marstar.ca/dynamic/index.jsp …….. Possible Enfield stuff, Lee Enfield, also ex dealer for AIA Enfield, Canada.
Mojo Sighting Systems; http://www.mojosights.com/sample-page/lee-enfield/ …….. After market peep sights for Lee Enfield No1 Mk3. USA
Navy Arms; http://www.navyarms.com/ ……. Re made classic rifles including Lee Enfield. USA
Northridge International; http://www.northridgeinc.com/ …….. C&R rifles and Parts, including Lee Enfield and parts. Los Angeles. USA
Old Western Scrounger; http://www.ows-ammo.com/store/…….. Lee Enfield rifle parts plus a neat jungle carbine flash hider modified to reduce muzzle flip. US
Prestigious Wood Stocks; – New made wood stocks, restoration kits, … Canada
Poppert’s Gun Parts; http://www.poppertsgunparts.com/ ……. Lee Enfield, parts list. US
Simpsons Ltd; http://www.simpsonltd.com ……… Collector firearms, a good range of used Lee Enfield. USA
Wolverine Supplies; http://www.wolverinesupplies.com/ ……. Ex dealer for AIA ‘Lee Enfield’, Canada
The Lee-Enfield No. 5 Mk. I 'Jungle Carbine'
By David Tong
The British Army had adopted the Rifle, No. 4 Mk. 1 in 1939. It was a simplifiedversion of the Short, Magazine, Lee-Enfield rifle that served the Empire so wellin the first unpleasantness. It was a further simplification and cut down onboth material costs and machine time in its construction, much as the No. 1 Mk.III* had been to the original SMLE of 1907. With its heavier, free-floated,25.3” barrel and fine sights, it provided sterling service in open countryconflicts such as North Africa and parts of Western Europe.
In many ways, parallels can be drawn between the U.S. military’s current wholesaleadoption of the M4 Carbine and the British developing a shorter and lighterindividual weapon for urban or dense tropical combat conditions in WWII. Ratherthan developing an intermediate powered arm (the U.S. M1 Carbine that provedunimpressive in stopping power during WWII and Korea), the British took a moredirect route and simply downsized the standard service rifle.
Two factories were tasked with the production of the No. 5, the Royal Ordnance FactoryFazakerley, Liverpool and Birmingham Small Arms (BSA-Shirley). Fazakerley builtapproximately 170,000 of them, while BSA built about 87,000 in the three yearsof production from March 1944 through December 1947. While the No. 5 wasoriginally meant to be a standard-issue replacement for the No. 4, there weresome issues related to its construction techniques, as well as the increasedrecoil levels.
Rumorhas it that it was designed primarily for airborne use, rather than the SEAsian jungles, and indeed the No. 5 saw much use in Holland during the abortiveBattle of Arnhem, as well as on the Pacific islands. It did, however, servequite well during the “Malayan Emergency” of 1948-1960, a post-war conflictwith Chinese Communist insurgents over oil and rubber industry revenueimportant to Britain’s postwar economic recovery efforts, as Malaysia was partof the Commonwealth at the time.
Originally,the prototype modifications were carried out on the No. 4 receiver. Theseincluded additional machine cuts to the receiver. These can be seen in thedeletion of some of the metal below the rear sight, the bolt guide lug’scamming surface and along the right side below the stock line.
The barrel was reduced by 6.5” to a length of 18.7” and its contour was reduced.Still free-floating, it also had material removed from the exterior, known asthe “Knox form,” above the chamber area under the hand guard. These took theshape of one flat and several other concave milled cuts circumferentially.
The fore stock was shortened and narrowed, while the upper hand guard and band wereremoved. A combination flash hider, bayonet lug and front sight mount withprotective ears was secured to the barrel by press fitting and two cross pins, similarto what we did with the M16.
The butt stock was shortened and more rounded in the wrist area. The wrist is muchmore rounded on top than my No. 4 and it is comfortable to wrap one’s thumbaround in a firing grip. However, this grip is not conducive to rapid boltmanipulation. One’s thumb might normally be placed straight behind the bolthandle to be able to cycle the bolt with a firm cheek weld. Probably, this madethe carbine a bunch more comfortable to be carried at the ready during patrols.Wood furniture was birch (most common), or the occasional walnut, although thelatter had been phased out during early No. 4 production.
Pf Lee Enfield Serial Numbers Lookup
A stamped steel and rubber butt was fixed to the stock by two screws at the heeland toe. This rubber pad does not provide recoil abatement, contrary to popularwisdom; it was supposed to be a non-skid surface to better locate the rifleduring shooting.
Specifications:
- Type: Bolt-action carbine
- Caliber: .303 British, Mark VII 174 grain FMJ
- Overall Length: 39.5”
- Barrel Length: 20.5” with flash hider
- Weight: 7 lbs. 1 oz. with empty magazine
- Magazine: Sheet steel detachable box, staggered column, 10 rounds
- Rear Sight: Screw click adjustable ladder type graduated 200-800 yards, with standing battle aperture to 300 yards for coarse or rapid firing.
- Front Sight: Windage adjustable; dovetail, thin-section flat-topped post.
Evidence suggests BSA-Shirley WWII date manufacture is preferable from a collector’sstandpoint, due to half as many produced than ROF Fazakerley. WWII productionnot as nicely manufactured as post-war. BSA Stock band, left butt socket willshow “M47C” markings (indicates BSA), while rear sight and elevation knob andfront sight are stamped “B”. Fazakerley will have “F” stampings in the sameplaces. Post war fore-stocks will have metal end caps installed to seal the endgrain from moisture. Genuine No. 5 carbines have ONLY four digit serialnumbers, with lettered prefixes. Serial numbers tend to be “electro-penciled”onto receiver and butt socket, while rear of bolt handle prefix and serial is stamped.
The 1945 BSA Jungle Carbine examined for this article was a bit rougher in bothappearance and function than my later 1954 No. 4 rifle. While action cycling was still pretty smooth compared to most of its erstwhilecompetition, it lacked that bit of polish compared to other L-E's I’ve handled.The bolt body appearsto be a casting, evidenced by mold marks on the drilled bolt knob, as well assome evident fine “pebbling” of the bolt’s cylindrical body itself.
The flash hider/front sight base is also a casting, also showing exterior moldmarks, as well as some pebbling within the cone. It adds approximately 2” tothe barrel length.
Despite their short stocks, the usual metal butt and lots of drop at comb, a standardEnfield rifle is quite a bit more pleasant to fire than a Springfield ’03,Mauser K98, or Moisin-Nagant 91, at least in my experience. This must be due toboth the lower operating pressure and subsequent nominal velocities of thecartridge itself.
All of the major power service cartridges of the time (.303 Br., .30-06, 8x57JS,7.7x58 Jap, 8mm Lebel, 7.62x54R) were overpowered for the close combatconditions encountered in most circumstances, though this extra power wasjustified for long range capability, as well as penetration.
Barrier penetration, whether it be buildings, light vehicles or foliage, is somethingat which the current varmint-class 5.56X45mm NATO, 5.45X39 Russian and 5.8mmChi-Com rounds do not excel. All lack sufficient momentum and sectional densityto get those jobs done, compared to those older, heavier, higher-recoilingrounds. This is apparently due to modern “firepower” tactics requiringautomatic capabilities. In addition, the short rifle or carbine is bestconfined to forest, jungle, urban, or vehicular settings, as it loseslong-range effectiveness in more open terrain.
A number of theories have been postulated about the “wandering zero” tendency ofsome No. 5 carbines. This might be because of wood stocks swelling (due tohumidity) and causing barrel harmonic issues, or fore stock bedding issues. Themost common theories suggest that the lightened receiver became more “springy”during recoil, or that the light barrel heated unevenly during rapid fire. Itmight even be a reduction of the usual good British quality control in late-war barrels.
The Enfield has never had a tight chamber design and the thinner barrel overheating in protracted use, shortersight radius, greater felt recoil levels and even shorter stock compounded thisissue, as well as intrinsic issues in the design. I am not familiar with thetest protocol that armorers in the U.K. used to determine the wandering zeroclaims, either.
My shooting impressions of the No. 5 are brief. A good friend of mine has ownedone for some 35 years and we both remember it feeling “brutal” as teenagers,though certainly accurate enough to 200 yards or so. The 800 yard sightgraduation makes about as much sense as the 800m one on our 14.5” M4 5.56mmcarbine, save that the .303 has a lot more remaining punch at that ridiculous range.
Shootingthe No. 5 at the local gun club on a typical hot summer day reminded me of someof those memories. After years of shooting elephant rifles, my tolerance forrecoil possibly exceeds many others. While I do not think that the No. 5 kicksas hard as a Soviet M44, it does come back some. Average five shot groups withRemington/UMC 174 grain hardball ran about 2.5 Inches at 100 yards. I suspectthat the usable range should be kept rather short, say 250 yards maximum, on aman or deer sized target.
Suffice to say that the No. 5 was the shortest officially serving rifle in Britishhistory, at about 3-½ years. By the time it debuted, the sun had definitely seton the manually cycled bolt action as a general issue weapon of war. While(debatably) the Enfield may indeed be the best of its breed, its time had past,although some units officially used them as late as 1960.
So, what to do with the No. 5? Is it merely a plinker or wall-hanger? Heavens no!Some of the enjoyment depends upon how tolerant you are of recoil, iron sightsand two-stage triggers. Some aren’t and there are a lot of you out there and alot of other rifles you can buy. However, there are legions of shooters whohave enjoyed firing or have shot game with other 19th Century, 20” barreled carbines firingmedium pressure, rimmed ammunition at moderate velocities. Witness all the Model 336's, Model94's and sundry copies sold to this day. Last time I checked, they still put venison on the table as well as ever.
In the proper hunting environment, just as in the military application, a carbinecan be a handy thing, provided it disposes of enough power. In addition, ausable piece of history is a good thing in my book. Amazingly, No. 5's areapparently still serving to this day in far-flung regions of the world wherethe Union Jack once flew.