Possible new purchase

[Thunderbox]

Anything legible on the butt disc?

Just wondering if the relative plethora of "S" butts on No1 Mk5s may have a connection with Nepal, the locals there being a bit shorter than even the average Pom left standing after WW1 .

I think its just that rifles with "S" butts have had a better chance of surviving the years by not being requested by units for issue. There are also a lot of mint-condition Fazakerly No4s and No5s around with "S" butts - its not hard to imagine them sitting on the shelves unwanted at the depot until they were surplussed out.

[Peter Laidler]

I think that it was a 10% total issue of small and long butts. It was certainly that for the INfantry battalions with L1A1's. The Singapore Guard Regiment had No5's and their Armourer Dave Lee was always pestering us for shorties that we'd take from those from Fiji Army rifles on the basis that I have never seen a short Fijian yet. One of the Fiji Armourers that was with us for some time was Cpl Lai Nakavadra

We have three highly original and untouched Mk5's and they all have normal butts

[newcastle]

Did the NO.1 Nk5s ever get officially issued to units and sent out to war (police action or whatever). why so many small butts? Using up extras from the great war (not sure I like that phrase, seems to imply great as in Frosties GREAAAAAAT! - the GREAAAAAT war, best war EVERRRRR etc etc).

[conec]

I am happy to report that my butt is completely normal (on my No.1 Mk.V that is)

[bigduke6]

Did the NO.1 Nk5s ever get officially issued to units

Being a trials rifle I would say not officially issued but issued to the extent for trials.

I think that it was a 10% total issue of small and long butts.

Peter would the 10% leave Enfield with short or long or would this be down to the unit Armourer at the time of issue?

[Peter Laidler]

Big Duke, No! This was the Ordnance issue policy. If there was an imbalance at the unit after issue from Ordnance then it'd be rectified in-house by the Armourers shop. As I recall, the VAOS/Ordnance part number changed if the rifles had long or short butts

[trooper554877]

Homer,
If you go for the one on usedguns give me a PM or e-mail PLEASE!!!
cheers
Ned

[docbob]

My LSA 1918 also has a S marked butt.
DocBob