Enforcer - "Happy Days"

[Alan de Enfield]

Finally got to pick it up this morning - many thanks V (you know who you are)
It seems like for ever since I decided to get one but now its "happy days".

Enforcer No134 (Ex South Wales Police supplied 26th April 1974)
3 (numbered 134) magazines
Spare (numbered 134) Forend - why a spare forend - who knows !
4-10 Pecar scope (numbered to the rifle 134)
PH 5E rear sight

One does wonder why when so few were manufactured (767 ?) and many have been scrapped why the prices are not more in line with the 4T. I dont see mine coming up for sale in the future,
To quote Prole on the old Jouster forum :
How much did it cost ? Do I give a rodent's sphincter? I do not. How much is the rifle worth now? I have NO idea, nor do I care - because it is Not For Sale. It does not represent money to me - it represents one of the last of the Lee Enfield bolt-action dynasty.

Anyway heres some pics :









That means that my Enforcer 'clone' (pretty good clone if I might say so) is coming up for sale - any interest ?

The 'clone'

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.

[louthepou]

Wow, Alan, indeed that's quite a collectible artefact.

Hmm, two-tone wood... Intentional?

[Thunderbox]

Those mags are not original to the rifle, and neither is that forend; is the whole thing a rebuild?

[Alan de Enfield]

Thanks for the comments guys - I'm always grateful for info from the more experienced members of the forum.

The bottom picture is my 'built-up' clone so sorry if thats confusing the issue.

Maybe others can correct the information I've picked up over the last few months :

a) Whats wrong with the forend ? It looks like many others i've looked at. The only difference I can see between the 'spare' forend & the one on the rifle is around the rear of the forend where the pind goes thru' - the one mounted on the rifle looks as if it has a piece of wood (very well done) slpiced into the forend - you can see a small circle around the pin on the original photo, below the 5E sight. On the spare forend it is just a hole drilled thru with no splicimg or inserts.

b) I understand that the Monte Carlo Butts were 'standard' Parker Hale butts and whilst they tried to match them into the new-built forends it didnt always happen. I'd guess that over 50% of the Enforcers I've seen have "two-tone" woodwork. The pictures on AM Stevens website also show slight colour differences between the forend and the butt.





c) Two of the 3 mags are marked with the Enfield part number CR141A and the 3rd magazine is identical in allrespects,(shape, pressing marks, etc) but does not have the CR number. What magazines should an Enforcer have if these are incorrect ?

[jona]

The fore end is a modified No 4 Mk 1 fore end. Have seen a number like it on No 4 Mk 1/2s and 1/3s.

[Alan de Enfield]

The fore end is a modified No 4 Mk 1 fore end. Have seen a number like it on No 4 Mk 1/2s and 1/3s.

Maybe the forend was changed over ? The 'spare forend is marked up "134" but the forend on the rifle is not numbered. The 'spare' has no damge or splits / cracks so maybe the Police Marksman just liked a slightly different (fatter / slimmer ?) forend and it was changed.

Pics below are the numbered spare forend.
As usual appreciate any comments.

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/DSCF0053.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/DSCF0054.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/DSCF0055.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t..._enf_28829.jpg

[Thunderbox]

The forend on the rifle is a converted No4 Mk1 item, so not original to the rifle.

The spare forend appears to be the correct L39-type Mk2 item, but is missing the steel insert that should be under the front of the trigger guard. The number on the underside looks quite fresh, so maybe it is is an L39 forend thats been numbered to match.

Two of the magazines are correct Enfield types; if the third hasn't any markings then its probably one of the Charnwood copies that were made up. All three mags have new engraved numbers in a slightly incorrect format and location, so they are evidently new additions.

You should find the rifle number pencilled on the unerside of the handguard, and also stamped on the front edge of the butt (inside the butt socket).

Looks like a nice rifle. How about some shots of the sidewall, scope and bolt markings?

[Alan de Enfield]

The forend on the rifle is a converted No4 Mk1 item, so not original to the rifle.

The spare forend appears to be the correct L39-type Mk2 item, but is missing the steel insert that should be under the front of the trigger guard. The number on the underside looks quite fresh, so maybe it is is an L39 forend thats been numbered to match.

Two of the magazines are correct Enfield types; if the third hasn't any markings then its probably one of the Charnwood copies that were made up. All three mags have new engraved numbers in a slightly incorrect format and location, so they are evidently new additions.

You should find the rifle number pencilled on the unerside of the handguard, and also stamped on the front edge of the butt (inside the butt socket).

Looks like a nice rifle. How about some shots of the sidewall, scope and bolt markings?

I'll get some more pics when my camera battery is charged up.

[Alan de Enfield]

it seems that so far its 2:1 to Parker Hale fitting the woodwork.

Enforsore and his Home Office document = Parker Hale
Peter Laidler & major XXX = Parker Hale (or some contractor but not Enfield)

Thunderbox = Enfield.
Thunderbox - do you have any documentory evidence or first hand knowledge to support your proposition ?

AM Stevens website shows the "recently declassified" Home Office Specification (GSR ?) which states :

The nominated weapon is based on the Service L39A1 Target Rifle, produced by the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield and modified by Parker-Hale Limited of Birmingham - who fit a suitable telescope sight target sights and alternative butt. (Figs 10-14)
Since the basic rifle. and its ammunition, are Service Stores, both are produced to MOD written detailed Specification, with full MOD Quality Assurance before acceptance.
As supply has to be arranged with MOD it is proving necessary to collate all orders through the Home Office to enable a single production order to be placed on RSAF through MOD Sales Supply Organisation.

Some of the factors leading to the choice made are given below:
a. No other calibre of rifle ammunition was available made in the UK.
Alternative calibre's would be of commercial quality obtained through the importers of the make selected with no guarantee of continuity of quality and supply.
b. Many police officers are already familiar with the No. 4 Rifle on the action of which the L39A1 is based.
c. No commercially supplied rifle in 7.62 mm or other calibre is available in quality so tightly controlled, while of the weapons examined, in 7.62 mm calibre none surpassed the selected rifle in performance.
d. As a Service weapon, Service assistance in relation to maintenance and spare parts is readily available for the L39A1 Rifle.
e. High Accuracy 7.62 mm ammunition, provided for the Service Sniper and as issued for the Bisley meetings will remain available, in consistent quality from MOD, for the foreseeable future.

History
The L39A1 Rifle is converted from the .303-in Rifle, No. 4 Mk 1/2 or Mk 2. It was introduced into the Services to meet the requirement for an accurate target rifle for competition purposes.

Description
The rifle is a magazine fed, hand operated, bolt action, single shot weapon. High accuracy is obtained by the careful selection of good actions, suitably modified to accept 7.62 mm ammunition, to each of which is breeched a heavy 7.62 mm target barrel. A magazine holding 10 rounds is fitted. The military fore-end is shortened, and a hand guard is provided. On test each rifle must make a satisfactory group of 10 rounds within an area 2.6" x 2.6" at 100 yards, or proportionately at other distances.

Adaptation for Police Use
To produce an effective weapon for police use - modification and additions include:
1. The substitution for the military butt of one of greater length, with a pistol grip and higher comb to suit the telescopic sight. (Fig 10)
2. The fitting of mounts for a telescope sight. (Fig 14)
3. The provision of a Pecar telescope sight, with "roll-off" mounts. (Fig 13) 4. The fitting of supplementary iron target sights comprising a model 5e Parker-Hale back sight. (Fig 11) The transverse arm to the latter may be inserted when the telescope is removed, so that iron sights may be used in an emergency, or the rifle can be used, for practice, as a target rifle under NRA rules.

Technical Data
Calibre 7.62 mm
Length overall 3 ft 11 and a half inches
Weight (without telescope) 10 and a half lbs.
Length of barrel 27.5 inches
Number of grooves 4
Pitch of rifling 1 turn in 12 inches
Twist of rifling right hand
Type of Sights back sight - adjustable aperture
foresight-tunnel, interchangeable elements
Sight range (iron sights) 200 - 1200 yds
Magazine Box type, 10 rounds in two columns
Muzzle velocity 2850 ft sec

The Pecar Scope (Description) :-
The Pecar Model V2 - S Telescope is designed as a rugged, high quality sight for hunting rifles. The technical specification is given below, but the tube is of steel, sealed against the ingress of moisture and with coated lenses. Magnification is adjusted by a ring, forward of the eyepiece, from 4X to a maximum of 1OX, the field of view and illumination reducing as the magnification increases. The high power is primarily of value in ensuring positive identification of the target. Covered drums for adjustment of elevation and deflection are Provided, movement being controlled in clicks of 1 minute of angle. The saddle which carries the drums and reticle is removable, and interchangeable units are provided, with sixteen alternative reticle designs.

Technical Data
Make Pecar
Model V2 - S
Length 355 mm
Weight 455 gm
Magnification Variable - 4X to 10X
Field of View at 100 metres 4x - 31 ft
6x - 24 ft
8x - 18 ft
10x - 16 ft
Object Glass diameter 50 mm
Eye relief 80 mm
Reticule Interchangeable - 16 patterns available.

7.62 mm Ammunition
Any 7.62 mm Service cartridge., Ball,, Tracer, or Blank, may be fired in the Police Rifle.
It is, however, the intention to use high accuracy Service Ball ammunition as issued for use by the Service Sniper. This is identical to the high accuracy ammunition supplied by the Ministry of Defence to the National Rifle Association for use at the 1970 and 1971 Imperial Meetings at Bisley, where many new records were set up, and which resulted in reductions in the size of target scoring areas for 1972.

Ancillaries and Cleaning Kit
Recommendations are given in Appendix A on ancillaries and cleaning kit to be provided for use with each type of weapon, The Police Rifle, with its telescope sight is a precision arm and must be treated as such. When not in use it should be kept in an appropriate gun case, preferably thickly lined with plastic foam, and containing enough space to accommodate not only the rifle with its sights, but also cleaning equipment and one or more cartons of ammunition. A rifle cover should be provided to protect the weapon when it is taken any distance from a vehicle in which it has been carried in its case. Good cleaning equipment is essential, and that recommended is of the type which has proved itself at Bisley and elsewhere all over the world.


I dont have any answers myself - just questions, I'd like answers and it seems almost as if the Enforcer is an unwritten, unknown story.
Hopefully "stirring the pot" and some healthy debate and discussion may go part way to writing that story.

Keep the information coming.

[Peter Laidler]

Just a couple of views Al, although I know absolutely zilch about Enforcers as Police rifles.........., apart from asking the question 'do they REALLY need them?. Anyway. If the spare magazine hasn't got the Enfield DE mark and the Ministry of Supply CR mark, then it is a copy made by Charnwood. Others have said that they are, er........... Lets put it another way. They are to magazines what Jimmy Young is to singing!

As for he fore-ends. The Enforcers were all Mk2's and you can't use a Mk1 fore-end on a Mk2 (or 1/2 or 1/3) rifle because the TIE, fore-end and rivet won't allow it. So, existing stockpiles of Mk2 fore-ends were converted to short L39/Enforcer spec. Your ORIGINAL fore-end SHOULD have a long 4BA bolt and nut through the rear end. I have been informed by Major George XXXXX who was involved in the project that this is a fact for all L39's and Enforcers. This is because there was no shortage of Mk2 fore-ends. However, I stand to be corrected on the point that no Enforcers/L39's were issued with converted Mk1 to Mk2 spec. fore-ends

It was different for the Mk1 and Mk1/1 based L42 because while there were plenty of Mk2 fore-ends in the system (removeable screw and nut don't forget), there weren't sufficient Mk1 types (permanently fixed tie plate and brass rivet) to replace those needed for the L42 conversion programme. So, in order to use Mk2 fore-ends, these were retro modified.

I say retro modified in the loosest meaning of the word. In truth, they were a butchered mess, fit only for scrap. Enfield did not fit bipod rails or bipods either

All this is suggesting to you that your original fore-end will be a Mk2 type, with a nut and bolt at the rear and not the retro modified version that we see clearly on the first and second picture. That's my two'pence worth