ShtLE MK v 1923

[Terry Hawker]

Peter,

Photos would be most helpful, thanks so much for offering them.

The previous owner of the Mk V Trials rifle in the MKL article was well acquainted with dear old Herb at the Pattern Room, and, when they first discussed this rifle, Herb was hoping my friend would will it to the Pattern Room Collection, thus insuring they finally got an example. If even one of the Warminster Mk V's does indeed prove to be a Trials Rifle, you can bet Herb will be smiling down, content in the knowledge that there is still an example left in Britain.

Thanks again, Peter.

Best Regards,

Terry

[Enfieldlock]

I have one other such example. The question was:

Was the mod done before the production of Mark Vs, as a trial?

or

Was it done after Mark V production to ascertain if it were possible to convert Mark IIIs?

AFAIK the receiver is still in existence and looks very similar to the one at Warminster.

[Terry Hawker]

I have one other such example. The question was:

Was the mod done before the production of Mark Vs, as a trial?

or

Was it done after Mark V production to ascertain if it were possible to convert Mark IIIs?

AFAIK the receiver is still in existence and looks very similar to the one at Warminster.

Enfieldlock,

This is great news!

Could we get a photo of the rear sight?

Regards,

Terry

[Enfieldlock]

Enfieldlock,

This is great news!

Could we get a photo of the rear sight?

Regards,

Terry

Typo in my prev post. I have SEEN one other............. However I know where it is. It did not have a rear sight.

I have two or three original back sights and I will check them out.

We make new back sights to the original drawings.

[Terry Hawker]

Enfieldlock,

In reference to your last two posts on this thread...Obviously I can have no opinion on the Mk V you saw, but, even missing the rear sight, the shape of the rear sight supporting block is a dead giveaway as to whether it is a Trials Rifle or not.

As far as your excellent question about whether or not the mods were done before, or after, (or during, for that matter), Mk V production, I can only speak to the example in the MKL article.

The extra work required to make a one of a kind, (so far), fully ribbed, convex safety, as well as a more complicated long-range aperture formed to clear it, certainly leads me to believe it was the earlier development. The shape of the rear of the receiver, the excessive machining cuts in it to clear the new rear sight, as well as the relative flimsiness of the rear sight, to me, are further evidence that this was, indeed, a Trials model. Can't imagine a scenario where, in an attempt to save money by converting an earlier model to a current one, authorities make the converted models more difficult to manufacture, machine them less efficiently, then equip them with inferior sights to the model already in production. No, this one at least, predates the production models.

It will be very interesting to see what Peter discovers with the three Mk V's in the Warminster Collection.

Regards,

Terry

[thmmrt22]

Hi
Bought from EFD a year or so ago. The wood is pretty good but the metal parts don't match up with the originals. I don't know if they corrected this error yet. I have 3 MKV trials. Managed to buy a complete original rear sight on Ebay for less than 200.00. I won't use the EFD sight even though it's close. I need the slide portion of one rear sight, two front bands and two V marked safety's to complete all 3 MkV's.
Good luck
Thmmrt22

[bigduke6]

Hi
Bought from EFD a year or so ago. The wood is pretty good but the metal parts don't match up with the originals. I don't know if they corrected this error yet. I have 3 MKV trials. Managed to buy a complete original rear sight on Ebay for less than 200.00. I won't use the EFD sight even though it's close. I need the slide portion of one rear sight, two front bands and two V marked safety's to complete all 3 MkV's.
Good luck
Thmmrt22

Am in the finishing stage of my No1 MkV, ( see it in the restorers corner forum, SMLE No1 MkV Restoration part 2 & 3) decided to build it up and add original bits if i get them.

waiting for the barrel band from E J Blackley & sons, see link below.
once it arrives will let you know what its like.

E J Blackley and Son Barrel Bands and Swivels