+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 27

Thread: Recent purchase - Lee Enfield Enforcer

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Moderator
    (Milsurp Forums)


    Amatikulu's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Last On
    12-30-2023 @ 05:23 PM
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    1,282
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    05:11 AM

    Recent purchase - Lee Enfield Enforcer

    I'm not normally a person that will purchase a rifle without first picking it up and giving it a good look over but, I recently purchased a lot of five rifles from a well known auction house here in the USAicon simply on a "gut feel." Of the five rifles in the lot three were Lee Enfield models, two of which I have been looking for to add to my collection.

    The prize was the Enforcer S/N 516.

    Attachment 55490Attachment 55491

    All numbers match, parker hale bases but I have never heard of a Sterling Scope? Can anyone shed any light on it as it looks to have been on the rifle for a long time and is a 3-9 x 40.Attachment 55492
    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    Contributing Member Brian B's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 11:42 AM
    Location
    ALTADENA, CA
    Posts
    360
    Real Name
    Brian Brown
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    03:11 AM
    Nice catch!! Love the Enforcers!!

    If I remember correctly they could be purchased without scopes and the department could put whatever scope they preferred or could afford. I believe most of them were set up with the Pecar scopes. Mine have the Pecars and they are nice scopes with clear optics.

    Enjoy!!

    Brian B

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #3
    Advisory Panel Lee Enfield's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Last On
    03-16-2024 @ 12:24 PM
    Location
    out there
    Posts
    1,820
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    04:11 AM
    Sterling is an importer of medium end Japaneseicon scopes.
    BSN from the Republic of Alberta

    http://www.cartridgecollectors.org/

  6. The Following 2 Members Say Thank You to Lee Enfield For This Useful Post:


  7. #4
    Moderator
    (Milsurp Forums)


    Amatikulu's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Last On
    12-30-2023 @ 05:23 PM
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    1,282
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    05:11 AM
    Thread Starter
    The rifle is also fitted with an unmarked bipod that I assume is a period Harris bipod.

    Is Sterling a Britishicon importer of Japaneseicon scopes?

    I will take some more pictures tonight showing some of the features.

  8. #5
    Advisory Panel
    Peter Laidler's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    03-24-2024 @ 09:52 AM
    Location
    Abingdon, Oxfordshire. The home of MG Cars
    Posts
    16,507
    Real Name
    Peter Laidler
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    12:11 PM
    Sterling telescopes.......... That's interesting Amatikuluicon because when I wrote the Sterling SMG book, this subject cropped up but was deemed a bit academic to include.

    I think Sterling was a make put onto a Japaneseicon low-end market scope just(?) for the UK market. I don't know who imported them (was it BSA anyone.....) or from which Japanese Optical company they originated but someone here will no doubt know. The Sterling SMG company got into small time legalese discussion with the importers as they had already stated in some early advertising blurb that the word was already associated with the best of Britishicon gun makers implying a connection......., that being the Sterling Armaments Co!

    It didn't get very far as at the time Sterling were already being taken to Court for another reason (the Police Carbine - they won with costs) so had bigger fish to fry. The irony was that later, Sterling used these telescopes on some of their shortie SMG's/pistols. Ironic really and that's why James Edmiston, David Howroyd and me best kept it out of the book

  9. #6
    Moderator
    (Milsurp Forums)


    Amatikulu's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Last On
    12-30-2023 @ 05:23 PM
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    1,282
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    05:11 AM
    Thread Starter
    With some help from Simon and Alan, I know rifle No 516 was dispatched to Northern Ireland Police on 24th March 1977. I'd like to think that the scope and bipod are the ones bought by the Police at the time they received it, and think that is a real possibility. The scope tube has a large "7" engraved onto it. Perhaps this is some sort of "rack no" to identify the scope. Just some idle speculation as it has no serial number. I removed the hand guard, it is relieved for the scope. Pencilled on the underside is the number "520" - I'm speculating that enforcer S/no 520 was also part of the Northern Ireland Police's inventory and it got mixed up. Anyone got enforcer 520?

  10. #7
    Legacy Member Alan de Enfield's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Last On
    Today @ 05:50 AM
    Location
    Y Felinheli, Gogledd Cymru
    Posts
    2,526
    Real Name
    Alan De Enfield
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    10:11 AM
    Towards the end of the 'budet year' (End March) the Police Forces would see how much cash they had left over to spend. (If they didnt spend it then whatever was left over was not only 'lost' but was deducted from the next years budget as they 'obviously didnt need that much)

    Hence why this Enforcer was ordered/shipped 24th March (1 week before the end of the financial year)

    The Enforcer could be purchased at any 'state of completion' (with or without, rear sights, telescopic sights. bipod etc).

    Many Police Forces purchased the 'full kit' others purchased without a scope and would add a 'locally purchased' scope of the armourers preferred type once 'next years budget' was received.

    Yes - No 520 was part of the 31 rifles owned by NI Police
    Last edited by Alan de Enfield; 08-13-2014 at 09:26 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...

  11. Thank You to Alan de Enfield For This Useful Post:


  12. #8
    Moderator
    (Milsurp Forums)


    Amatikulu's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Last On
    12-30-2023 @ 05:23 PM
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    1,282
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    05:11 AM
    Thread Starter
    Here are some pictures of the bipod





    I have never seen one with the naked Al legs. Is this circa the 1970's?

  13. #9
    Moderator
    (Milsurp Forums)


    Amatikulu's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Last On
    12-30-2023 @ 05:23 PM
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    1,282
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    05:11 AM
    Thread Starter
    I thought the unusual barrel step was also worth a picture



    And does anyone have a spare arm or source where I could get the spare arm for this PH rear sight?


  14. #10
    Legacy Member FlightRN's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Last On
    03-24-2024 @ 09:48 PM
    Location
    South Carolina
    Posts
    158
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    06:11 AM
    Good Day,
    My Enforcer was part of the same shipment shipped in 1977 to the Northern Ireland Royal Ulster Constabulary. The rifle retains its Pecar scope but it does not have a provision for a Harris bipod. I found an older picture of it and you can just make out the barrel step noted. I happen to have a picture of the same area from one of my Envoys and the step is not present. It appears that the Envoys were hammer forged.
    Regards,
    Michael

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Recent Underwood purchase
    By Bulls-I_24 in forum M1/M2 Carbine
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 04-16-2012, 04:52 PM
  2. Another Recent purchase
    By Tony-in-NH in forum Edged Weapons Forum
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 11-27-2011, 12:49 PM
  3. Recent purchase x 2 k98's
    By jb303 in forum Mauser Rifles
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 08-12-2011, 10:42 PM
  4. Recent SC Purchase
    By deserttrans in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 11-13-2009, 01:46 PM
  5. Help Needed with Recent Gun Show Purchase
    By jbrid in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 07-19-2009, 11:56 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks