Skeletonised No5

[CINDERS]

I had a look through Skennertons latest one on the Lee Enfield I have all his books on the Lee Enfield (from 1st to last including a No.30 signed Presentation copy which makes 4 books) there is nothing on any No5's being approved for Skeletonisation in those books.

Marks/Dates for approvals were ~ No.4 Mk I & Mk I*, 11.12.50 & No4 Mk 1/2, 1/3 & 2, 03/02/1955 there was nothing in Strattons book either.

Though there may have been different workshops for reasons unknown may have done them but as PL would say it probably was not in the EMER's say during the war but as we have learnt here never say never with enfields.....

[Roger Payne]

Could skeletonising a No5 have been a trade test perhaps?

[Simon]

Sorry, I guess the tangent was my fault?

If you need me I'll be over there in the naughty corner facing the wall.

[Roger Payne]

I should jolly well think so!

[Gil Boyd]

Bindi2,
The No5 you have seen, I take it has all the REME tell tell signs of red edging and a fluted barrel?

[Strangely Brown]

Something in the back of my mind suggests AJ Parker produced skeletonised No.4's and Bren Guns for CCF units on a commercial basis in the early 1960's.
Could this be the source?

[Roger Payne]

That's a point Mick. When Dave T & I were invited to the place when it was winding up (Edna by this time deceased & her niece & great nephew in charge) there were dozens & dozens of them in the basement, although all I saw were built on No4's or SMLE's. If I'd known this question was going to crop up in ten years' time I'd have paid more attention to them.

[Peter Laidler]

The skeletonisation programme was from the early to mid 50's and was done under contract by LIST engineering at Dagenham, No others involved. Bert List told me that the rifles and Brens were all done piecework and were FTR failures. Apprentices and those doing other projects also did them and other things, such as Vickers, BESA's revolvers and No2 Brownings but on a small scale. But a No5, nope!

[Buccaneer]

I have a fully skeletonized No4 Mk1 that was done by the REME Armourers. The accompanying plaque reads "Presented to RSM (WO 1) J Pettifar, Royal Fusiliers by the REME Armourers, with thanks. Perhaps your No5 was done for a similar reason.

[mrclark303]

Interesting point re the official List SKN cutaways Peter, my Savage 1942 SKN No4 has (FTR/ F *) no date, I guess it failed final inspection, though it was fitted with a new 1949 dated Faz barrel.