Paratroop British No.5 Mk2 takedown rifle

In the past I have posted pictures of various No.5 Mk1s set up with removable buttstock using different methods of attachment. I did write about them in a Man at Arms issue as well. They were being evaluated as a paratroopers rifle but the program was eventually cancelled over concerns that part of the rifle might be lost during a jump.

I was strolling along fat dumb and happy considering that I had a good handle on this sort of animal. Then Ian Skennerton emailed me that he had photos of a No.5 Mk2 with program markings for the stocking up program that also has the dovetail takedown feature. I has taken over a year to get my happy paws on it. I do not recommend trying to import a rifle during a COVID outbreak, emotional ups and downs and very expensive.

I believe the serial number indicates it came from the same batch as the other No.5 Mk2 (returned to standard forestock with fat diameter screw).
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Long time since I was looking at any info about those. Interesting variation.

Didn't know such a thing existed. Congrats

What can one say ?

Speechless !

Pictured and discussed in Skennerton's Lee Enfield book.

We had a butt for one of these with the rounded alloy abutment feature at Warminster. But the fixture was wood - similar to the original butt. The back end was exactly as per Paul's photo. Alas, as all Armourers quickly found out, that butts that fold in some way or another NEVER improve with age. They ALWAYS work looser and looser. While the EMER's suggest all sorts of bubba remedies, such as '.....swage the axis pin...' or '.....dolly back to shape....' the fault just came back with a vengeance. The exception was the little Rolls Royce of small arms. The Sterling L2A3 or the Mk4. It would work loose and was easy to repair properly. But it never actually wore out as such!

Fascinating variations there, they have to be exceptionally rare.
Three unicorns together!

Paul,
Thanks for these pearls or gems of Lee Enfield info, which has caused our archivists at Duxford in the museum to leave no papers unturned since I sent it to them yesterday.
There is a comment and a wild card that infers:
"Not taken forward as parts may separate in the parachuting roll and render the weapon superfluous".
Thats what mysteries are for to be solved if we can.

Added: That can't be a Tom or a Non Commissioned Officer's comments as lads could'nt spell that word supercalifragalistic lol

It appears I had that gun in my hands on March 30th, 2013 at the Calgary Easter Gunshow.

At that time, it belonged to a fellow in Saskatchewan...
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I believe I posted photos at the time, but they have probably been wiped out...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lee Enfield

I had that gun in my hands on March 30th, 2013 at the Calgary Easter Gunshow.

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Any recollection of price?