ShtLE MK v 1923

[bomar97]

My husband and I picked up an Enfield each.. both had already been altered. My No. 4 MK I* Longbranch had been drilled and tapped for a scope ( I don't know why).. so no use in re-glorifying it..

However.. my husband's ShtLE MK V 1923 has good metal with no damage. But we need several pieces to put it back together to original looking.. full stock with bands, cutoff plate and screw, sling, and missing all but the sight on the barrel.

We'll be watching ebay and gunbroker.com for parts, but know it won't be easy finding them for this gem.

Any ideas where to look on a pauper's wages?

Also, would like to find a military manual for it on line.. found one for my no. 4 but there just doesn't seem to be much out there for the MK V.

Information

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[Brit plumber]

Is it a Mk5 trials rifle or a Mk3 your asking about, you mention "all but the sight on the barrel", is this the forsight or the rear sight? as the rear sight on the Mk5 is in the same place as the No4.

There are a couple of ex Enfield engineers who make replica parts for the Mk5here in the UK.

[Amatikulu]

The No.1 Mark V is a great rifle to start a collection with

If you could post some pictures of the rifle i'm sure we'll be able to give you some pointers on what is needed and where you can find it.

In the meantime, here is a link to a company in England where they make reproduction parts for the No.1 Mark V

http://www.efdrifles.com/

[Badger]

There were only about 20,000 of these rifles made between 1922-1924.

Check the England - Milsurp Knowledge Library (click here)

Yours is a 1923, whereas the one in the library is a 1924 ShtLE (Short Lee-Enfield) No.1 MkV Rifle (Mfg by RSAF Enfield).

Examine the 117 picture photo montage, which might help you with some of your questions.

Regards,
Badger

[bomar97]

Thank you.

It's what I believe they call a no. 1 MK V .. I've heard there are trials guns and production done at the same time???

The rear sight is on there.. goes to 1400 yds. I read somewhere that the "trials" went to 1500 yds.. some of what we read is confusing.

And I meant that with all the hardware on the muzzle end of the barrel, the only thing there is the front sight.. I don't know what the "wings" are called or anything else that goes on the front.

I'll try to get a pic out soon.

Also tried emailing the efdrifles but it came back undeliverable, so was unsure of this site. used the info@ addy.

[Badger]

The rear sight is on there.. goes to 1400 yds. I read somewhere that the "trials" went to 1500 yds.. some of what we read is confusing.

And I meant that with all the hardware on the muzzle end of the barrel, the only thing there is the front sight.. I don't know what the "wings" are called or anything else that goes on the front.

Again, check the photo montage pic by pic against your rifle and I think you'll have a much better idea what is and isn't missing...

Pics would be good ...

Examples ..

(Click PIC to Enlarge)


(Click PIC to Enlarge)

Regards,
Badger

[iringtwice]

Talk to Brian at BDL
BDL LTD Rifles and Accessories
He's a forum sponser and really knows a thing or two about LE's!

[bigduke6]

My husband and I picked up an Enfield each.. both had already been altered. My No. 4 MK I* Longbranch had been drilled and tapped for a scope ( I don't know why).. so no use in re-glorifying it..

However.. my husband's ShtLE MK V 1923 has good metal with no damage. But we need several pieces to put it back together to original looking.. full stock with bands, cutoff plate and screw, sling, and missing all but the sight on the barrel.

We'll be watching ebay and gunbroker.com for parts, but know it won't be easy finding them for this gem.

Any ideas where to look on a pauper's wages?

Also, would like to find a military manual for it on line.. found one for my no. 4 but there just doesn't seem to be much out there for the MK V.

Can be done for a reasonable amount if you dont want original wood.(post some pics of what you have)
Below is a SMLE No1 Mk V that was sporterised (butchered) i also require the rear sight and a barrel + wood, I have been looking for a year (for original woodwork) as rare as hens teeth.
EFD in the UK do parts at a very reasonable price, the most expensive part you have which is the sight. I also need to rebarrel, due to the previous owners work carried out on the action , i will be relining a .303 barrel to .22LR, or may even use a .308 barrel and chamber to .30 M1 carbine.


Parts that were good to go, the barrel has good rifling but too short and not the original.


Close up of barrel, and action the that bubba had filed the breaching up ring to the same profile as the barrel also it was drilled for a mount.


action after work completed on the breaching up ring, and fitted with an original mag cut off. you can see the outline of the stud used to plug the threaded hole for a mount (not my work) the outside did not blue the same as the inner due to being case hardened.


This how it has remained, like you am looking out for the timber , all other bits i have.
They are an interesting and rare rifle, but not a great deal of info on them.

[Peter Laidler]

Hi Bomar, Big Duke and others. There is a whole raft of information on the No1 Mk5 held at the Small Arms School at Warminster. I don't know where you both live but maybe you could get together, come down, spend a couple of days and write the whole lot down for future forumers. I'll point you in the right direction. We have three originals handy so bring your cameras and I have had a browse through the docs and fed tid-bits into the forum but I'm not interested enough in them to do any more!

I forgot to tell you earlier, but the No1 Mk5 chassis so to speak was the basis on which the original No1 Mk6 cruciform bayonet was designed/shaped. There, another useless bit of Enfield info for you

[tbonesmith]

Is the small arms school at Warminster open to the public, or is an invitation required? Also is the same true of the MOD pattern room?