Latest aquisition.... No8

[Son]

Here's a few pics of the No8 I picked up yesterday. Was very happy with the condition, almost unmarked woodwork and pristine metalwork. Yet to decide if it's actually been used. I will be seeking a little info from you guys about the numbers on this one, the No4 series isn't my strong point, let alone these trainers.

Attachment 39022Attachment 39023

The numbers on the butt socket .. the bottom one is the serial number A2358 is on the receiver side wall as well and the bolt, could be other places, yet to have a good look. It has F50 and CR324 above it on the L butt socket, and CR numbers on other parts as well. Can anyone enlighten me on these?
Attachment 39024

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.

[Gnr527]

This could make a good start if you havn't already done so:-

Lee-Enfield Rifle No.8 for the British Forces

A brilliant site and gets better almost by the month.

John

[Peter Laidler]

You can be rest assured Brad that it has been VERY well used in the past in my experience but they just seem to go on and on in that the only things that do wear out are easily replaceable. The major bits such as the body, barrel and bolt are as strong as an ox.

The CR numbers are the old Ministry of Supply part numbers adopted by the Army as their VAOS numbers. So the full part number for the body and barrel assembly would be B1-CR324-MA for major assembly because it was the master component and the MA indicated that it was never available as a spare part (just to prevent you making up a rifle from spare parts. As a little aside, the only weapon that I know/knew of that you COULD make up from spare parts was the old M8C spotting rifle where the body was a replaceable part too)

Because the CR number is on the butt socket, you'd be amazed at the amount of No8's that come through workshops with the CR 324 as the serial number. This poses problems because we have to then remark the serial number correctly and alter the serial numbers on the paperwork and tell the unit quartermaster to do the same, giving him the EMER authority and explanation etc etc. As you can imagine, telling some of these old, long in the tooth vastly experienced Technical Quartermasters that something is wrong is not an easy task. Best to tell his 2i/c and let him do the job on the quiet......

Some of these at the big old National Service training depots in the 50's and 60's were fitted with No4 butts and slightly modified/cut down fore-ends just so that they would more replicate the handling and feel of No4's. I know where two of these are with a civvy rifle club

You'll have hours of fun with it........

[Son]

Thankyou Gnr527 for the link. I hadn't visited those pages for quite a while, and yes, it has all grown a lot.

Peter, thank you for the info on the numbers. I had thought the CR numbers were some type of part numbering system, was the only logical explanation- good to have it explained. If this rifle has seen any use at all, it was very well looked after. It had been in a private collection for many years and hadn't come here via NZ as so many have.

The "F50" mark... from what I picked up at the link posted above, would that mean Fazakerley manufacture in 1950?

[bigduke6]

This could make a good start if you havn't already done so:-

Lee-Enfield Rifle No.8 for the British Forces

A brilliant site and gets better almost by the month.




John

The best site regarding .22 trainers, and historic .22 target rifles etc, also has a postal leauge which I,ve just joined, and has disiplines for all walks of life.

[Peter Laidler]

These rifles are STILL in service with both Army units that have a requirement for them, such as those who partake in commercial small-bore shooting leagues etc etc and Cadet Forces who use them all the time. However, now that the Cadet Forces have got the new semi automatic Cadet GP SA80 rifle and sub-calibre kits (not totally reliable with the 'new' rifle as yet.....) they are disposing of their No8's There are still several thousand still in the Ordnance system though. Some special-to No8 spare parts are hard to get hold of now and it's said that when they do dry up, the rifles will be declared WSE, BER for when stocks exhausted it'll be beyond economic repair unless there's a bit of cannibalisation going on. But Ordnance frown on cannibalisation for some reason or another

[skiprat]

a few years ago we were able to return just the barrel and action (less bolt and any other parts) so we could cannibalise for the parts we needed,
as units have returned un used/wanted rifles there is now a "better" supply of spares and weapons are required to be sent back whole.
it looks like the supply chain is now doing the cannibalisation for us..

still no publications, courses, or guages.... always good to keep "current and compedent"

[Patrick Chadwick]

The "F50" mark... from what I picked up at the link posted above, would that mean Fazakerley manufacture in 1950?

Yes. A 2358 is a fairly early example. I have been following No.8 sales in Germany for a couple of years, noting the numbers where they were given or readable. It seems that a lot ended up over here. And they are STILL competitive.

[Patrick Chadwick]

Some of these at the big old National Service training depots in the 50's and 60's were fitted with No4 butts...

Looks like this:

Attachment 39046

Shoots like this (previously zeroed for 100 meters, hence the 12 o'clock POI)

Attachment 39047

As eyes fade and joints creak, the day will arrive when I have to give up the big bangers.
But this will stay.

I wrote years ago "...the best trainer ever".
and up to now no-one has contradicted me.

Congratulations Son, on getting a rifle of lasting value and performance.

[Son]

Patrick, can you tell me if the No8 prefers standard velocity ammo like most other trainers?
I am going to have to get this one out and see if I am as good as it