Forgetter Weapons: Lee Enfield L8 and L8 (T)…

[Alan de Enfield]

Lee Enfield L8 and L8 (T) …Forgotten weapons has a couple of new videos up about the last gasp of the Lee Enfield No4…

Surely the L42 postdates the L8 by several years, and then the L59 was the actual 'last Enfield'

The British learned from the results of the L8 test program and used them in successfully converting their stocks of No. 4 (T) sniper rifles to 7.62×51mm NATO, which led to the creation of the L42A1 series sniper rifles.

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[amadeus76]

Surely the L42 postdates the L8 by several years, and then the L59 was the actual 'last Enfield'

Yes, but the L42 was different enough that I’m not sure it counts as a No4 and the L59 was inert (unless I’m wrong?) and from inception was never meant to be used in combat… So while technically a ‘rifle’, is it really!?

That’s why I said, “last of the No4’s” and not last of the Enfield Rifles.

[Alan de Enfield]

Yes, but the L42 was different enough that I’m not sure it counts as a No4 and the L59 was inert (unless I’m wrong?) and from inception was never meant to be used in combat… So while technically a ‘rifle’, is it really!?

That’s why I said, “last of the No4’s” and not last of the Enfield Rifles.

The L8 was a No4 with a different barrel and magazine - how is that any different to an L42 which is a No4 with a different barrel and magazine ?

Then of course we have the L39, which also post dates the L8 and was produced using both new, and used, No4 rifles with a different barrel fitted.


The L42A1 are DEFINITELY No4 rifles.

The L42 was converted to 7.62 from a 303 No4T.
The No4T was produced from the 'base' No4


The L8A1 was never actually either issued or put into production. They were only ever produced in a few small trials batches.
Whilst there was an L8A1/2/3 were produced in small number trying to get the "thing to work" (one of the main problems was accuracy with the wippy barrel) they eventually gave up and the L8 series were sold (primarily to Germany) or scrapped

Your opening line said the 'last gasp' of the No4. It made no mention of it having to be used in combat. The L59 was produced from the No4 rifle (yes - as a training rifle) but it was a rifle issued by the miltary and used by the military.

Maybe let Peter Laidler (as the man who oversaw the L59 programme) have the last word :


That was a timely picture by tlvaughn of his selection of No4 rifles which included a shot of an official No4 DP rifle, known to us in the UK Military as the RIFLE, DRILL PURPOSE, L59A1. I expect that some of the wild and untamed colonials and antipodeans among the forumers have been at their wits end trying to decipher what we unwashed Brits have been chuntering on about during our recent discussions about an Enfield rifle that is incapable of firing anything, but is still a rifle…….called ‘……..an L59!’ The L59 was a downgraded rifle converted to a non firing, totally inert rifle for training use with Cadets (and not only Cadets I should add). Incidentally, numerically this is the last Lee Enfield. While there were 6 L59A2's, that should be looked upon as a sample run. That fact makes a genuine L59 a cheap but important item in any collection of Lee Enfields.

[Strangely Brown]

Yes, but the L42 was different enough that I’m not sure it counts as a No4 and the L59 was inert (unless I’m wrong?) and from inception was never meant to be used in combat… So while technically a ‘rifle’, is it really!?

I have always viewed the L59 as a "training aid" in the same way as the skeleton No.4's were used.

From a Bisley competition point of view these rifles have so far not found their mark or correct designation in clubs or organisations hosting service rifle shoots; a friend turned up for a "veteran" service rifle shoot with an L8 a few years ago and rather than disqualify him I altered his score card by renaming it, "The Kashmir" as a nod to where the L8's might have ended up had they been a success...he was the only entrant in this class and by definition the winner!

I wrote this for an association I belong to so they could categorise this class of rifle:

Modified Service Rifle.
A veteran or classic service rifle that has had its calibre changed to prolong the life and usage of that rifle in government service.
Sling As originally issued with the rifle.
Sights Iron sights as originally issued with the rifle but markings may have been changed to suit the new ballistics of the calibre change.
Examples SMLE Ishapore 2A/2A1, Lee Enfield L8 series, Israeli 98k.