Paratroop British No.5 Mk2 takedown rifle

[breakeyp]

My No. 1 MkV concealable as pictured in Skennerton's books. The former owner purchased it from a Military School museum in Gettysburg Pa. that closed. It was set up by Greeners for the South African police. I was told that there was one in Greener's factory collection.

The barrel extends from the end of the forestock as it was necessary to extend the barrel to avoid it being classified as a short barreled rifle. The lump protruding from the butt trap is a folding wrench used to remove the buttstock bolt allowing the rifle to be dismounted into two pieces.

[GeeRam]

Had one of those cases previously: there was a piece of white nylon strapping similar to a heavy mine tape and a slit in the felt about where the receiver would be when the rifle was in the case. My assumption was the strap was let in through the slit and put around the rifle action (perhaps through the trigger guard). Seem to recall the rifle was to be lowered before hitting the ground, probably to avoid it entangling or striking the soldier as he landed. End closure as a simple web strap with a snap IIRC. Will see if I have photos of it still.

...And here's a photo I found. Looking at the photo I was mistaken above: the strap must have gone around the wrist of the butt. A No.4(T) would not have fit with the scope mounted.

Yes, a scoped 4T won't fit in the felt rifle drop valise.
I used to have a moth eaten one decades ago, and sold it along with all my militaria collection a long time ago. Its very rare to find one in the UK that isn't mothed, because of the felt construction. If you do find one, they are now very expensive, at least £500+ for a good one!!

I have a vague recollection that Steve Kiddle of Pegasus Militaria made a small batch of excellent repro's some years back.....but my memory may be playing tricks on me. He does still make a superb repro of the WW2 drop bags though.

[breakeyp]

Pictures of my valise for what it is worth. p.

[browningautorifle]

For all the world, it looks like it's cut out of a grey (wool)blanket...

[Surpmil]

A very dense felt about 3/4" thick as I recall. The same sort of stuff "Russian" felt books are made from. A couple of those cases split open would have made a very good sleeping mat if kept dry!

[Daan Kemp]

My No. 1 MkV concealable as pictured in Skennerton's books.

I would love to know more about this. The South African Police requirement for something like this would have been bizarre as it was very much still a 'paramilitary' police service at that time, with its own artillery still.
In South Africa we still don't have a restriction on barrel length for rifles, so the to

extend the barrel to avoid it being classified as a short barreled rifle

doesn't fit in. IIRC there wasn't even a requirement for licensing firearms at that time.
In my opinion this wasn't official South African Police, but something else.

[Gil Boyd]

Daan,
Until the SAP was formed as a national police Force in 1913, there were loads of smaller, probably more efficient colonial police forces, as they knew their trouble makes up close and personal.
Police Forces like the Cape Mounted Riflemen, Cape Mounted Police, the Transvaal Police, the Natal Police, the Orange River Colony Police and a few more?

Its the same as here in the UK, once Forces merge, which they are doing at the moment. but keeping their County name, they lose touch with their respective County tax payers, and the poor response is also reflective in showing it doesn't work. It won't be long before there is a National Police Force or most certainly, Eastern Police, Western Police and North and South too.
Real shame they didn't keep those old names in SA so much history gone.

[Daan Kemp]

True.

I offer the following reasons. Economy of scale. A long process to demilitarise the police. Uniform approach to law enforcement. Uniform accountability. Etc.

[breakeyp]

I would love to know more about this. The South African Police requirement for something like this would have been bizarre as it was very much still a 'paramilitary' police service at that time, with its own artillery still.
In South Africa we still don't have a restriction on barrel length for rifles, so the to doesn't fit in. IIRC there wasn't even a requirement for licensing firearms at that time.
In my opinion this wasn't official South African Police, but something else.

The barrel length question relates to US laws and has nothing to do with SA. Taken down the gun will fit nicely in luggage allowing a rifle to be taken into a hotel unseen.

[breakeyp]

Continuing my examination of my new acquisition, I note that the dovetail design is different between the two rifles. The thicker metal joint on the Mk2 shows it to have a more protected and solid takedown catch. The Mk2 is on the right.