Enforcer sling question

[Alan de Enfield]

PH also made a pinky/reddish colour wide rifle sling post war too. These were ex RAF cargo retaining strap material. Just another bit of useless info if you have such a coloured sling

Did PH actually build the Enforcers? I always thought that they were built at Enfield as a friend of mine was involved in the project to replace the No4T's that were originally used by the cops - that were only ever loaned to them. Or did PH tart them up a bit for the cops?

Enfield supplied the barrelled actions and bolts to PH.
PH purchased the Butt from Sile in Italy, and the Forend from Colin Moon in Brighton
PH then assembled the rifle to the basic 'specification' and then added the 'optional' parts to meet the order.
The completed rifles were then shipped back to Enfield, who then shipped to the relevant Police force.


Many Police forces 'wanted' the rifle, but were struggling with getting them within their budgets so they would order just the 'basic' rifle with PH5E4 sight.
The optional extras were, scope mounts, Pecar 4-10 telescopic Sight, Harris Bipod, Sling, Carrying case, & additional magazines.

There are a number of Enforcers with 'non-standard' scopes (the 'specified' one was the Pecar 4-10 magnification) which have appeared as a result of the Force buying a 'base model' and then requesting their armourer to make a 'local purchase order' for a scope, which would generally be 'his favourite / preferred model.


Another little known fact :

Following a 'Request For Information' under the Freedom of Information Act I now have a list of what each Police Force did with their Enforcers.

I also have complete sales documents (from Enfield) showing which rifles (serial numbers) were supplied to which Police Force.

It may be surprising to find that one of those Police Forces claims to have never ordered, received, or used Enforcers.

It may be surprising to find that one of those Police Forces (who had 32 rifles shipped to them) claim that their Enforcers were all disposed of by Guillotine and yet I know where 5 of their rifles are, and, are still 'live' and in regular use.



An extract from the FOI repy :

4) By what method where any Enfield Enforcer rifles disposed of ? (i.e. destroyed, sold to the civilian market etc.)

Apart from the one remaining Enforcer mentioned in response to question 2, all were destroyed by Force guillotine as surplus stock.

5) What were the serial numbers of any Enfield Enforcer rifles that were destroyed?

The only records that could be located are details of the last four Enforcers to be destroyed as in question 4 above. In November 2004, serial No's 124, 139, 670 and 269 were destroyed by guillotine.





Enfield were unable to supply enough actions to meet the order for 767 rifles so ended up buying 2nd hand action on the open-market. These included action from both Savage and Longbranch rifles.

Attachment 102321




Regarding the use of a sling, here is a copy of part of the correspondence I have had with an original Enforcer 'user'.


Hi Alan,
Interesting to read your 2010 threads concerning the Enfield Enforcer.
I used to shoot one for several years whilst in the UK Police. I was always led to understand by our armourers that the rifles were purchased separately to the scopes and that the scopes actually cost more in the late 70's than the rifles did!
The Harris Bi-pods were sometimes fitted but usually taken off for use on the ranges where the Hawkins position was used for greater accuracy and higher scores. (Hardly any officer I knew ever shot an Enforcer with a Bipod after learning the Hawkins position).
A short piece of sling was usually cut and fitted to the front sling swivel to hold down the front of the rifle on the left fist. This was often taped heavily to increase it's diameter.
In the Hawking position the butt was placed in a depression, (scraped or kicked out with the heel on the firing point) and the shooters right armpit covered the butt.
This is why on many Enforcers (Especially Genuine items) you will find wear to the bottom on the butt and the rubber recoil pad as when the rifle was fired the butt dug into the ground).I have even seen the butt being used to "make" the depression in soft ground!
Also many Enforcers were used on Sniper Training courses in long stalks over rough country and often got "bruised" or marked up as a result.
I still shoot an Enforcer (No.119) at ranges up to 600yds and it is quite satisfying, although nowhere near as accurate as modern "F" Class scoped target rifles.
Have many other notes, memories and anecdotes regarding this rare rifle and its use in UK if you are planning writing a book about it.
Best Regards