During the 60’s and 70’s there was a constant need for No4 DP rifles, not only for cadet Forces but Parachute training too where the actual carrying of a rifle was more important than what the weapon was for. The reason for the attrition in this case was quite understandable. So a small but continuous rolling programme of ‘DP-ing’ was undertaken. Naturally many ZF/BER No4’s plus otherwise serviceable rifles were put into the programme plus a healthy dollop of L1A1 rifles too. Not only were these worn out rifles put into the pot, but we later learned, several thousand extensively fire damaged No4, L1A1 rifles and Bren guns that had been involved in a massive fire. These were aesthetically cleaned down, rebuilt to DP standard and profusely marked JUST so that there could be no doubt about their status. Oh, they looked very nice but what had gone on under the surface was a matter of conjecture. Would YOU fire one? I’ve been an Armourer for a couple of years and while I or your local gunsmith could examine one and give it a bright clean bill of health, would YOU trust it. NO, I wouldn’t either!
Let me give you another example too. NO dates here of course but ‘recently’ several hundred assorted weapons were recovered from a fire ravaged/damaged ship, sunk in low water (and later towed out to sea and scuttled). These were all quickly earmarked for scrap and eventually side tracked for DP/Training use. Like the other example, these were also cleaned, and refurbished, painted and ‘restored’ to aesthetically ‘serviceable’ condition. Oh, they looked good but within a couple of years, these had started to rust from under the welds, seams and joints.
And before I forget, let me remind you of something else too, JUST in case you’re tempted to buy one to use as spare parts. This is what the Armourers bible says. ‘……..it will be assembled as far as possible with components which are below the standard required for a service weapon’. And another thing you ought to remember. There were NO gauging limits for DP rifles. Mmmmmmm, food for thought there!
That’s about it. In my very limited experience as an Armourer and having overseen some of these DP programmes, I can tell you with certainty that they were all profusely marked DP so that their status was unambiguous. Agreed, some might be taken straight from stocks, but the rest ……………
Mine are not the best, but they are not too bad. I can think of lots of Enfields I'd rather have but instead of constantly striving for more, sometimes it's good to be satisfied with what one has...
Ignoring stripped screw heads, and an occasional stripped thread, I have yet to find an Indian DP non firing small part that's any less usable for recreation grade use than some of the 120 year old originals. I wouldn't use the firing pins or bolts, but usually a sporter has those. I suppose springs could break as well, especially the trigger flatspring, but you probably have that in your sporter, too.
The wood can be cracked and damaged however, but more often than not it's repairable with degreasing and targeted application of epoxy. The draws and bedding need to be fit to your action, but this would be a must even for new and British original stocks.
A majority of the parts will be stamped D.P. too, and that would stand out compared on a rifle made with takeoff parts. At least around here, the D.P. parts sell for 25-50% less than take off parts. Your average gawker at the range will not notice the difference.
Ignoring stripped screw heads, and an occasional stripped thread, I have yet to find an Indian DP non firing small part that's any less usable for recreation grade use than some of the 120 year old originals. I wouldn't use the firing pins or bolts, but usually a sporter has those. I suppose springs could break as well, especially the trigger flatspring, but you probably have that in your sporter, too.
The wood can be cracked and damaged however, but more often than not it's repairable with degreasing and targeted application of epoxy. The draws and bedding need to be fit to your action, but this would be a must even for new and British original stocks.
A majority of the parts will be stamped D.P. too, and that would stand out compared on a rifle made with takeoff parts. At least around here, the D.P. parts sell for 25-50% less than take off parts. Your average gawker at the range will not notice the difference.
Even DP furniture was out of specification (warped, soaked in oil etc etc) and as one of the most expensive parts had to be checked and certified as unservicable by the Inspectorate of small arms before it could be declared DP
Any furniture that could be made usable was made usable - scrap furniture went to DP rifles.
Things like screws etc that were servicable COULD be used on DP rifles, but not any servicable Furniture, Barrels, Bodies or Bolts (the costly bits)
Instructions to armourers :
Last edited by Alan de Enfield; 06-24-2023 at 11:45 AM.
Mine are not the best, but they are not too bad. I can think of lots of Enfields I'd rather have but instead of constantly striving for more, sometimes it's good to be satisfied with what one has...
Originally Posted by BGunther
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