No. 5 Mk. 1 Why?

[villiers]

Why was the sling on the No. 5 fixed so that the bolt handle faces inwards and smacks against your kidneys?
Why weren´t there any No. 5 Mk 2s?

(These things trouble me late at night)

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.

[Alan de Enfield]

There were quite a few Mk2 versions - if you ask SON nicely he may even post pictures.

[P-07ShortLee]

Saw one that had the rear sing bar mounted on the bottom side of the buttplate, not on the side like normal. The thing was minty, '47 dated I think.

[Peter Laidler]

If you want to make yourself a Mk1/2 No5 Villiers, just ask and I'll send you one of the trigger brackets that I've taken of scrapped Mk1/2 No4's in the past. It'll make an interesting project

[Bearclaw]

Peter, is there much skill needed to do this modification as I have been considering a similar project.

Myles

[Alan de Enfield]

I thnk Villiers is refering to the No5 Mk2 (rifle) rather than a Mk2 trigger arrangement.

"The No5 Mk1 rifle had, however, one big fault : it was not easy to keep correctly sighted, and suffered from what was known as “wandering Zero”. This was a serious defect and many attempts were made to eradicate t. Trials were carried out with different forms of stocking up and a Mk2 pattern was eventually developed, with which further trials carried out in 1945 and 1946. In the new pattern the stock fore-end and hand-guard were extended to within about ½” of the rear of the flash eliminator, and the rear end of the fore-end was strengthened buy a screw and nut. The band was positioned about three inches further forward to secure the lengthened fore-end and butt. The Mk2 never went into production, and it was eventually decided that the cause of the “wandering zero” was inherent in the design of the weapon and not the result of movement of unseasoned woodwork as had been suspected. The decision not to retain the No5 rifle in British service was made in July 1947 and it was declared obsolescent".

From : “The Lee Enfield Rifle” by Major EGB Reynolds

[villiers]

Thanx for all the answers ... and Peter, I´d be very grateful for one of the trigger brackets. (could you pm me so that I can re-imburse the costs). I´ve got one of the infamous .308 No. 5 conversions (on a No. 4 action) that shoots quite well at 300 metres, even when it´s hot. Have spent so much energy on it, making a new fore-end, pumicing and oiling the wood, bedding the action etc. that it´s now part of the family. Nothing´s too good for that rifle and the trigger´d be the final effort.

PS
Suppose that the bolt handle poking me in the back is a valuable reminder that I haven´t lost it on the bike on the way to the range.

[Alan de Enfield]

Thanx for all the answers ... and Peter, I´d be very grateful for one of the trigger brackets. (could you pm me so that I can re-imburse the costs). I´ve got one of the infamous .308 No. 5 conversions (on a No. 4 action) that shoots quite well at 300 metres, even when it´s hot. Have spent so much energy on it, making a new fore-end, pumicing and oiling the wood, bedding the action etc. that it´s now part of the family. Nothing´s too good for that rifle and the trigger´d be the final effort.

PS
Suppose that the bolt handle poking me in the back is a valuable reminder that I haven´t lost it on the bike on the way to the range.

Just goes to show how dangerous assumptions can be : I thought / assumed you were talking about the Mk2 rifle.

[Bearclaw]

Alan I have tried to find a picture of the No5 Mk2 stocking setup. Can you direct me to a picture if there is any available.


Pete, was the No5 Mk1 ever setup with the Mk2 trigger system if so was it designated as a No5 Mk1/2 and did it use the lightened No5 receiver.

Myles

[Peter Laidler]

I suppose there were variations of it but none ever reached fruition and there was never a codified version as a Mk1/2. It never really matched up to the No4 in any respects really - except lightness and better looking