long branch no4 mk1* DP but not deactivated!

[enfield303t]

Reread post #4, then do it again!

[Alan de Enfield]

http://[URL=http://s161.photobucket.com/user/Alan_de_Enfield/media/flogging_dead_horse_what.jpg.html][/URL][/IMG]

[Peter Laidler]

Gewhere sniper. There is a short phrase that I read often on this very forum. It goes something like this.......

Read wisely and often. For the power of ignorance is great.

If I was writing that, I'd ament it to read Read wisely and often and take it on board. For the power of ignorance is great

[Robert303]

Very well said. However if he won't listen then on his own head be it.

[gewehrsniper]

I didnt mean any disrespect. I'm listening and I'm taking in everything you guys are saying. But ive been doing some reading and it seems this gun was DP'd and re-used. I think the firing pin was shortened at one time and then replaced to make it usable again. Under the wood the barrel literally lloks brand new and stilk had some grease on it. I took it to a gunsmith who specializes in antiques and also does a lot with enfields and he said it was a very nice peice and was fine to shoot and fired it once out the back door. He said the headspace is good, chamber is clean and no flaws, rifling and bore are nice, and it didnt peirce the primer or anything.

[Peter Laidler]

I bet that the person who fitted the new striker didn't worry about lift or bolthead overturn or striker protrusion or.......... Anyway! Just my 2c's worth as a bit part amateur

[Alan de Enfield]

Notes from Peter Laidler :

During the 60’s and 70’s there was a constant need for No4 DP rifles, not only for cadet Forces but Parachute training too where the actual carrying of a rifle was more important than what the weapon was for. The reason for the attrition in this case was quite understandable. So a small but continuous rolling programme of ‘DP-ing’ was undertaken. Naturally many ZF/BER No4’s plus otherwise serviceable rifles were put into the programme plus a healthy dollop of L1A1 rifles too. Not only were these worn out rifles put into the pot, but we later learned, several thousand extensively fire damaged No4, L1A1 rifles and Bren guns that had been involved in a massive fire. These were aesthetically cleaned down, rebuilt to DP standard and profusely marked JUST so that there could be no doubt about their status. Oh, they looked very nice but what had gone on under the surface was a matter of conjecture. Would YOU fire one? I’ve been an Armourer for a couple of years and while I or your local gunsmith could examine one and give it a bright clean bill of health, would YOU trust it. NO, I wouldn’t either!

That’s about it. In my very limited experience as an Armourer and having overseen some of these DP programmes, I can tell you with certainty that they were all profusely marked DP so that their status was unambiguous. Agreed, some might be taken straight from stocks, but the rest ……………

Would YOU trust one? There certainly IS a place for a DP rifle in a collection as it forms a place in the lineage of the breed. But in the cupboard or rack or on the wall. NOT on the firing point.


And how does he know this? An Engineering Graduate, Capt. Peter Laidler is the senior Armourer in the British Army since serving his apprenticeship between January 1963 and 66. He is currently the senior technical Officer at the Small Arms School at Warminster. And oversaw the introduction of the current L59 series of DP rifle. Or he just guessed. Pick what you think suits!
Resurrect a DP rifle from ANY nation......., no fear!

[Peter Laidler]

To be fair Alan, I should think that whacking a round off, outside the back door of the shop should be enough to convince anyone of its integrity..... But that's just me!

[Bear43]

Well he will either listen and not shoot it or will do what he wants. In the second case I sure hope his family has good medical insurance.

[Badger]

Thread closed... enough said...

Peter (and others) have provided more than sufficient caveats and cautions.

If the owner still wishes to ignore those and justify his own reasons to shoot it, using other arguments and sources, that's his choice ..

Thanks to everyone who stepped up and provided the appropriate warnings and concerns...

Regards,
Doug