Desperately Need Help Authenticating Jungle Carbine!

[scoobsean]

couldn't I just buy a no4 retaining pin and use that? I'd hate to use something like a paper clip or brass tack it would bug the hell out of me :P Scoob or anyone do you have a no5 retaining pin by chance?

I don't have a spare, sorry. You can probably get them from Numrich or a similar web seller. Shipping will probably by 10 times the price of the pin though

[browningautorifle]

A small numbered drill bit cut off and use the solid end as a pin. It's really just a wire...you should be able to find a replacement. Your axis pin is fine though. You can probably find and tap out the old pin like we've said.

[Seaspriter]

I have used the paper clip on three different Lee Enfields and I challenge anyone to tell the difference between the authentic pin and the paper clip, especially if you flush file the clipped ends. Don't get anal about this -- you are obsessing with minutiae. Go have some fun.

[Peter Laidler]

Guess what the REAL Armourers in the world used........... We would just go to the carpenters shop and grab a box of a zillion suitably sized small nails. Snip the ends off, file and make good and use them. Stop being anal and just get on with the job. It's just a hard worked ex Army battle rifle............

[Colonel Enfield]

I said it before, and I'll say it for the last time Colonel.......... In Malaya you wouldn't need sights over 30 metres let alone 300 metres. Even the longest range, at Nee Soon only just about went that far as I recall.

Armourers out there would often question the 'special' No5 0 - 800 yard sight which was adopted to take into account its a) shorter sight radius and b) the lower MV due to the shorter barrel. The irony was that the same applied to the Mk3 Bren. Also a shorter, lighter similar length barrel, reduced MV gun................. But guess what sight it used? Yep, the standard sight from the Mk2 Bren gun

That was my point, though - no-one is going to be engaging targets at anything like the maximum range as marked on a .303's sights. Whether it's a realistic effective range of 30-50m in the jungles of Malaya or southeast Asia, or maybe 300m over flat, open ground in Europe somewhere, the reality - as you know from your invaluable knowledge and experience as an armourer, and many of us know from target shooting or hunting - is that you can't shoot with iron sights as far as the range markings might optimistically indicate.

[CINDERS]

Stop being anal and just get on with the job. It's just a hard worked ex Army battle rifle............

Use a 7.7mm Pro-shot bore brush but bear in mind if you are using a copper brush the solvent will eat the bristles as they are copper so go for a nylon and a very stiff one at that, also I would not drive the large axis pin out but persevere with getting the the smaller pin out as if you try to drive it out you are going to probably regret doing it that way, as guess what it has to go through the back sight as well!!! And there comes a time you have to improvise as no one is going to run up to you on the mound and say "Good god man your rear sight axis retaining pin well its not legit never heard of such naughtiness." And to let a small problem like that bug you well you are certainly in for the long haul sourcing legit parts as in exact year and type to suit your weapon as Mr P L has alluded they are a battle rifle and the armourers did not give a toss about what went there or here just fix, test and get it out there to do the business......

[mahbann]

I'm sorry, I apologize you guys are right as always it's just the history major in me wanting everything to be perfect I'll improvise for the retaining pin no point in spending 50 dollars for something so minimal...but good news I got the retaining pin out it turns out you guys (once again :P) were correct in saying that the pin had broken off inside. I managed to get it out without harming anything else. Scooba and I are swapping sights and I should be good to go! worst come to worst if I cant get it to shoot straight at least I have an authentic JC with the correct sights. I do have one last question and that is do you guys think I need to get a new plunger? I was anticipating for it to jump up when i got it off but it never did and it has an indent in it from what I believe is obviously the old rear sight. should I replace the spring and plunger? Can it really have an effect on anything being worn like that?

[Seaspriter]

should I replace the spring and plunger?

The plunger is worn, more than I've seen on other guns. It's a very small cost item. You would probably be happier with a new plunger and spring. But more than likely the current one is still functional and just needs a little grease to reduce friction. If the new No.5 sight is wobbly and doesn't stand up straight, then replace the plunger. The plunger won't affect your accuracy. Be sure to put a spot of oil on the retaining pin where it enters and exits the backsight. Remember the adage: "if it rotates, oil it; if it slides, grease it."

Glad to have you join Milsurps and reap the advantage of the collective wisdom of Enfields around the world.

[mahbann]

The plunger is worn, more than I've seen on other guns. It's a very small cost item. You would probably be happier with a new plunger and spring. But more than likely the current one is still functional and just needs a little grease to reduce friction. If the new No.5 sight is wobbly and doesn't stand up straight, then replace the plunger. The plunger won't affect your accuracy. Be sure to put a spot of oil on the retaining pin where it enters and exits the backsight. Remember the adage: "if it rotates, oil it; if it slides, grease it."

Glad to have you join Milsurps and reap the advantage of the collective wisdom of Enfields around the world.

now to buy more enfields now I need a no1 mark III and then a no4 mark 1

[Seaspriter]

now to buy more enfields now I need a no1 mark III and then a no4 mark 1

That's what I said. My first Enfield was a Jungle Carbine . Now I have two JC beauties, a Lithgow, a Maltby, a Faz, a BSA, a Savage, a Long Branch, an Ishapore, a grenade launcher, a DP, a .410 musket, ....... and more. This is infectious. Beware of catching Enfielditis.