Unissued No1 MkV SMLE

They say it is better to be lucky than good looking and in my case that is very true... Several years ago I was visiting my local gun shop which as a rule only ever sold new or very good second hand rifles and shotguns. I spotted a No4 and an SMLE sitting on the for sale rack but neither had a price, after making an enquiry I was told to return the following day as no one could find the right information.
I should point out that at this time my "Enfield" knowledge was VERY limited, I duly returned and was told that the rifles had been bought from a deceased estate some years ago and had been in storage ever since, they owed the shop £500 and thats what they wanted for them. I had space on my license and money burning a hole in my pocket so I bought them both.
The No4 turned out to be a FAZ 2/54 Mk2 in pristine condition and was fitted with an A J Parker 8/53 windage adjustable rear sight.
The SMLE turned out to be a pristine example of a MkV, I don't think it has been fired other than for testing / proof purposes as there are no marks on either the bolt face or magazine platform, the only mark on the whole rifle is a small bruise on the handguard probably caused by a gun rack.
Before any asks NO I do not do the lottery as you can only be this lucky once in your life!!!
I have attatched so pictures of one of the best rifles in my collection I hope they do it justice...:thup:Attachment 26404Attachment 26416Attachment 26417Attachment 26418Attachment 26419Attachment 26420Attachment 26421Attachment 26422Attachment 26423Attachment 26424Attachment 26415Attachment 26414Attachment 26405Attachment 26406Attachment 26407Attachment 26408Attachment 26409Attachment 26410Attachment 26411Attachment 26412Attachment 26413Attachment 26425

Bugger.. Where's mine?

Having seen numerous No1 Mk5's, sorry to say but it looks like a complete refurb,
Butt looks like a savage no4, and there is no marking disk! Bolt head has Australian markings, and the top hand guards should have rivets either side ot the centre band. Nose cap and bolt have also been renumbered at some point.
All that said, still a rare rifle so a nice find!

Beautiful rifle, but the pitting around the wrist seems to point to some rehab in it's past.

Here's my '22 Mk.V as a comparison...

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../09/MkVM-1.jpg

Nice gun. Looks like a civilian refurb.

Sorry buccaneer, but a Few more things not right, the rear sight is a repro and the screws should be flush, the safety is a repro or converted No1 mk 111, the " V " not correct, and the front band is a repro and the hole has been elongated. Its a still a Lot better than the one I returned last year.

You can see the difference between the sight compared to this one I imported early on this year.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...DSCF4278-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...DSCF4277-1.jpg

On the other hand...I don't even have one!

Hmm, I didn't know that the Aussies produced Mk4's while keeping the Mk3 styles snout .... One learns something every day. VERY nice rifles though.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RobSmith

Hmm, I didn't know that the Aussies produced Mk4's while keeping the Mk3 styles snout .... One learns something every day. VERY nice rifles though.

---

They didnt.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bigduke6

They didnt.

---

Thanks for letting me know ...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by XL39E1

Having seen numerous No1 Mk5's, sorry to say but it looks like a complete refurb,
Butt looks like a savage no4, and there is no marking disk! Bolt head has Australian markings, and the top hand guards should have rivets either side ot the centre band. Nose cap and bolt have also been renumbered at some point.
All that said, still a rare rifle so a nice find!

---

I agree with the above. The bolt head is clearly stamped "MA".

I wonder if the fore-end is original or repro?

There doesnt seem to be any wood patching where the rear sight protector would have been on a MkIII fore-end?

Also look at the reinforcing cross screw / pin in the fore-end at the rear near the butt socket, the wood looks like it has been punched to replicate the presence of a screw

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Simon P

I wonder if the fore-end is original or repro?

There doesnt seem to be any wood patching where the rear sight protector would have been on a MkIII fore-end?

Also look at the reinforcing cross screw / pin in the fore-end at the rear near the butt socket, the wood looks like it has been punched to replicate the presence of a screw

---

Its a repro, everthing else is, and the wood is just too light in colour, but its a good repro.

Looks like a EFD repro fore end, i have a Shtle NoI stock from them that looks identical to this one. The butt is Aussie Coachwood. Nevertheless i have seen lesser guns for more money.

Ok Guys, lesson learned.... don't assume you have something until you talk to people who know!!! Still look on the bright side I still have a nice looking rifle that did not cost me a lot and it has taught me and probably a lot of other people what to look for in a MkV SMLE, thanks to everyone for their input.

No worries Mate. I'm sure there are some of us who would gladly trade straight across our best Enfield for your MkV anyday and not look back.

whenever i see the words "unissued" & "unfired" when it comes to these rifles i get the urge to remind that there were two world wars and a number of conflicts durring their lifetime , its hard to imagine very many being so privledged , these were not accepted but got 'used' after dunkirk most all parts were fair game and needed ,

had to relook at my rear sight -
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ifles070-1.jpg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by A square 10

had to relook at my rear sight -

---

Does it fit the bill? Nice example by the way.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by conec

Beautiful rifle, but the pitting around the wrist seems to point to some rehab in it's past.

---

That is exactly what I was thinking. Pitting shows on other parts as well. And the stock appears to be refinished as well, it looks somewhat glossey...