Today i got my No.V MK.I and have some questions

Today i got my new family member and have seen that some...lets call them non professionals have done some work. First, the engraved makers marks at the left side of the reciever are missing. I have found some "F" on it so i think it is a Fazakerly made one. At the bottom of the buttstock are some markings, a 53 and the letters R.R.F.. Are those unit markings? If so it would mean it belonged to the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers???

Here are some pics and please let me know what your thoughts are. This rifle was very cheap so i will keep it anyways.

Thank you in advance!

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...550fc101-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...44020af7-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...5_174812-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...5_175000-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...5_175138-1.jpg

Hi Ulrich. Your No.5 looks good. Civilian proofed in the UK, proof is valid in Germany, hence Frankonia import mark without any new German proof being applied. And it has the flash hider and bayonet lug. So far, excellent.

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Originally Posted by gunner

a 53 and the letters R.R.F..

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I don't think these are unit marks. It's not the usual position, and the 53 is more likely to be a manufacturing year. Post some close-up photos of the markings on the metal, and we can all have some fun guessing!

Gunner: Nice looking rifle. I have a Faz just like it that also did some India time (Is that mark on the butt not RFI== Rifle factory Ishapore?). Like yours mine has the dreaded "Ishapore Screw" but the Fazakerley markings are still clear on the left action body.

Ridolpho

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Originally Posted by Ridolpho

Is that mark on the butt not RFI== Rifle factory Ishapore?)

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I have the same suspicion, and was just going to add it to my post, but spent too long looking at the marks from various directions!

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Originally Posted by Ridolpho

the dreaded "Ishapore Screw"

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BTW, why dreaded?

Thank you Patrick!

It is fine looking, no rust on the whole metalwork. Yes it would be a anusual place for the unit markings but it is definately a R.R.F and not the RFI. This is my second rifle with this nie looking Ishapore screw in it..... But for 180 Euros i dont mind!

The bayo has a W.S.C. on it, for which maker is ot standing?



https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...5_175328-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...5_175338-1.jpg

Patrick: I guess some folks find them (Ishy screws) aesthetically unappealing and there is an excellent article by Capt. Laidler where he shows how to replace them with wood dowels which certainly look great. My own No. 5 probably would have had its forend trashed were it not for the screw which prevented a longitudinal crack from spreading even though the draws were shot and the hole for the front triggerguard screw bushing was grossly enlarged and there was no clamping of the forend! I can appreciate why the Indians put them in a lot of rifles and have gone so far as to find a supply of look-alike slotted screws. Gunner: Any other faint markings on the sides of the butt?

Ridolpho

Gunner,
Nice rifle. The WSC is Wilkinson Sword Co.

Ridolpho, let me look for a better camera. There are some weak markings but i dont get it to see with my camera.


Thank you, gsimmons!

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Originally Posted by gunner

But for 180 Euros i dont mind!

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If it shoots well, you got a real bargain. Congratulations!

Thanks Patrick! I hope so. I need to make some ammo and test it at Wednesday.

Ulrich

Well my friend great looking rifle and seeing as it included the bayonet you "stole" it. Personally don't have a bayonet and they are expensive if or when you find one.

Ulrich
As enfield303t says at the price you paid and the going price for a No5 bayonet alone, you basically have yourself a free rifle.

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Originally Posted by gunner

At the bottom of the buttstock are some markings, a 53 and the letters R.R.F.. Are those unit markings? If so it would mean it belonged to the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers???]

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Nope. The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (as opposed to the Royal Fusiliers) was only formed in 1968 and so would have been armed with the SLR at that time.

BTW, it's No.5 Mk.1. Using Roman numerals can cause great confusion.

Thank you all for your nice comments! Today i had the buttstock at a friend who is a technician with the German Police and he said its indeed R.F.I. and not R.R.F.. There have been to little scratches that made me think it is like i said. So, Ridolpho was correct at this point. I ordered a rifle sling that looked like a original one. Hope it is when it comes.

Gunner: Be sure to let us know how it shoots. I need something to compare my results with from my own No. 5 with newly repaired draws, etc.

Ridolpho

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Originally Posted by Ridolpho

Gunner: Be sure to let us know how it shoots. I need something to compare my results with from my own No. 5 with newly repaired draws, etc.

Ridolpho

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I definately will do it. Tomorrow i will make me the ammo that i use for my other Enfield´s and will see if it shoots with one of both.

Yesterday evening i fired my new rifle for the first time. I used the ammo that i´ve made for my two other LE´s, a 180grs bullet atop of 37,8grs of VV N140. For the reason that i stripped the rifle completely, i had to fire some rounds til all was settled down again. it shoots now a little high and a bit to far to the right. But this is a little work for the next time. with my last three rounds i made this nice shotgroup. If the rifle is going on in this way, i will be more than lucky! Shooting was at 100m with front suppoert.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...7b1353eb-1.jpg

Ulrich

Just thought I would let you know there is a WS bayonet for sale on a forum, the seller wants $300.00 and will probably get it. I calculate you got the rifle AND bayonet for less than the value of the bayonet. At todays exchange rate you paid $220.05 Canadian. Again great buy, proves nice guys can finish first.

Thank you very much for the kind words! Yes i had indeed good luck with this rifle it shows that patience is sometimes a good attribute. I wanted such a rifle since 4 years and havent found a good one. The problems are the prices and that the most of the No.5´s were slaughtered for the former German gun law. That means that they had removed bayo lugs and sometimes blocked and to the rifle welded magazines to make them single load only. Here is a example of such a magazine. As you can see the 3 welted in bolts to block it and through the two holes above it was riveted to the mag holder. The magazine lips are bent down, stupid!!!

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...0_092858-1.jpg