The previous topic on this subject is getting a bit looooog and oooold now. But you Mk5 owners and restorers ought to bear in mind that the Mk5 rifle project took two distinct threads. The new build rifle (that was costed at 21 shillings and the conversion from the Mk3 and 3* rifle that was costed out at 18 shilllings.
The main aim of the conversion project was exactly that. To convert the rifle and as many parts as was possible in order to save money...., INCLUDING the fore-end which was to be patched glued and plugged to accommodate the Mk5 rifle.
We have three or four of these rifles at Warminster, a couple of each, absolutely untouched, including one such Mk5 adapted to test the 'new' spike bayonet. On this basis, before you consider spending eye-watering amounts of money on parts, just make sure that before you do, you're not spending it for nothing because if you have a conversion, it utilised mostly the old Mk3 and 3* parts. On the other hand, if you have a 'new build', then carry on spending........................
As I have said many many times, someone needs to get over and do a bit of detailed research because before long, just as happened to the De-Lisle and the Sten, many many myths will find themselves in the pages of fact and there will be feathers flying while the facts are sorted out from the fictionInformation
Warning: This is a relatively older thread
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