Enfield No4 GROOVED Rear Handguard

[Roger Payne]

Maybe Stanforth might tell us. We don't need to know all of the digits. And if the rifle bears a date of manufacture....

[Stanforth]

It would be nice to know what the number is though.

Try this.. I have attempted to attach an image and the number is 16C6327 and date 1942.

[Stanforth]

I forgot to say.. It has 2 groove rifling, is very acqurate and all numbers match.
The rear sight in the picture is a No.5 sight, I have the original pressed metal sight.

[Roger Payne]

Looks a nice honest piece, & quite an early one. In view of its age I would think the cocking piece is quite likely to be original to it, so long as it is of Savage production.

[browningautorifle]

Try this

Excellent, thanks. Yes, it's at the beginning I think.

[Brian Dick]

If it's a Savage made cocking piece, my guess is that it was what was in the bin when it was assembled at the factory. All the early Mk.1 and many Mk.1* rifles had the Mk.1 cocking piece installed at the factory until supplies were exhausted.

---------- Post added at 01:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:04 PM ----------

It would have had a Mk.2 300-600 flip sight as original from the factory. The pressed steel Mk.III would definitely be a later replacement.

There's nothing wrong with two groove barrels. Some of the best shooting No.4's I've had over the years from both North American and British production were equipped with them.

[Stanforth]

when I bought it I was worried about tale of the 2 groove rifling and boat tail bullets. I needn't have bothered I am shooting 2 MOA at 300 yards and next week I will be using it (alongside my Envoy) at 500 yards. I will let you know how they compare.

[Brian Dick]

Both two, five and six groove barrels can be affected by the "boat tail" problem if they've see a steady diet of cordite Mk.7. It's the wear in the leade or throat of the barrel that causes the problem.

[Stanforth]

when I bought it I was worried about tale of the 2 groove rifling and boat tail bullets. I needn't have bothered I am shooting 2 MOA at 300 yards and next week I will be using it (alongside my Envoy) at 500 yards. I will let you know how they compare.

OK. Comparison complete. Despite poor weather I used both rifles today at Bisley. 500 yards in the morning and 300 in the afternoon.
The Envoy was the better of the 2 at 500 yards owing to the sights and adjustment require because of the wind. I say it better , it was but not by much.
In the afternoon I shot in a competition at 300 yards and chose to use the No.4 because of a handicap ruling that favoured combat sights.
I didn't win but my 2 sighters were both 'V bulls' and the competition group was 1.5 MOA. Not bad for a 75 year old military rifle and a shooter only 1 year younger.