Mk2 stamped rear sight No5 MKI Enfield

[Enfield trader]

Just picked up this stamped rear sight for the No5 MKI - it is stamped Mk2 first one I have seen marked like this -I have another one not marked except for a broad arrow on the back

Does anyone have information on these stamped rear sights, ie: what markings were on them, when were these used in the No5s ?

Thanks

[browningautorifle]

stamped rear sight for the No5 MKI

First I think I've ever seen.

[Alan de Enfield]

1944 No5 Parts List Manual showing Mk1 (and components) and MkII (and components) rear sight parts.

[Peter Laidler]

Yep, quite common in service.

As a matter of interest, the illiustration is a good example of a parts list. It is a list of PARTS and not a list of AVAILABLE parts. For example the catch mechanism and slide stop etc were identified but never available as spares through Ordnance.

[Enfield trader]

First I think I've ever seen.

Also the first one I have seen marked like this

[Brian Dick]

I've seen a few. Guessing survivability was low much the same as the early Mk.III rear sights. I have a bin full of broken ones.

[browningautorifle]

Guessing survivability was low

I wonder...if there was a written directive to change them to the machined model after the war, or during quieter times? I don't know where Canada's surplus #5s came from, maybe Interarms in the old days or Alan Lever 50 years ago? Just a type of sight isn't much seen around here.

[Brian Dick]

Guessing that Armourers changed them out regularly providing they had the milled 800 yard sights on hand. As Peter said, spares for the No.5 were always in short supply, especially by the time they had the big rebuild programs in the far East in the 60s.

[Enfield trader]

The unmarked one - had two but only one now

[browningautorifle]

Yes, clearly for the number five rifle...