Unsporterize an Enfield No.4 Mk.1

[Seaspriter]

mag complete

Jim is right. You have a five round magazine -- which are actually a bit rare -- and can be sold or traded even for a regulation 10 round mag.

[browningautorifle]

People actually trip over each other to get those...

[AFlyinfr1dge]

you will most likely see Parker Hale stamped on the left side of the foresight.

You called that! I appreciate the help! Im going to keep it as is and find a Not-screwed-with Lee-enfeild. I find it a shame that people could deface such relics! Thanks again folks!

[AFlyinfr1dge]

Does anyone have a link to or have a No4 Mk1 service manual for both field strip and full stripdown and clean?

[Seaspriter]

You are making a wise decision for now. You can still restore the gun at a later date. You still have a fine gun.

I find it a shame that people could deface such relics!

While this comment is quite logical in 2015, you have to understand the conditions of the early 1950s when these surplus rifles first were released -- flooding the market. You could buy an Enfield for $12.95 out of a barrel at your local sporting goods store (no license required). My father bought me one along with a baseball glove in 1958.

In order to sell these guns, Parker Hale, that had special wartime contracts with the British Government, got the "pick of the litter," finding that they could sell a lighter weight Sporterized hunting version for twice the price of a military standard issue. And, in those days, ex GIs were looking for hunting versions -- they had their fill of heavy military guns.

This is similar to GIs who bought 1932 Ford Deuce Coupes and made them into hot rods after the war. In retrospect some of us might say "what a shame to screw up an old car." But had this not happened, and had the Sporterized versions not come into the market, you can be assured of thousands of old cars and military surplus guns would have been scrapped because they were considered obsolete and worthless. At the time, the Sporterized Enfields were considered the "hot rods" of the day.

[browningautorifle]

While this comment is quite logical in 2015, you have to understand the conditions of the early 1950s when these surplus rifles first were released

Agreed, agreed...there were millions available. Parker Hale and many others cherry picked the very best and made hunting rifle. A great deal at the time when service rifles were not only still in use, but available at a minimum.

[Mk VII]

Looks like a Parker-Hale 'DeLuxe'. Some people are into collecting these. Someone has filed the rear sight peep into a notch to suit his own inclinations - easily changed.



There is a Canadian bilingual manual floating around which no doubt someone can point you to.

http://www.euroarms.net/EFD/manuali/No4Mk1Arm.pdf

[Vincent]

Im going to keep it as is and find a Not-screwed-with Lee-enfeild.

You don't have to keep it as is. There is another option.

Attachment 63240

[Seaspriter]

You don't have to keep it as is. There is another option.

https://www.milsurps.com/attachment....553620&thumb=1

Vincent's alternative truncates the forend and top handguard. It is referred to as a "tanker carbine." Officially there was no such designation for any No.4 Enfield. However, if you want an quasi-authentic restoration, and do not want to pay a gunsmith to put a new nose on the gun, this is a very attractive alternative. One restoration like this recently commanded a real premium on a gun auction sight. If you want to put a new nose on the muzzle, Peter Laidler spoke of how to do such a thing in a post a couple of months ago.

[Vincent]

The barrel is exactly the same length as the No.5 “Jungle Carbine” barrel. All I need now is a No.5 rear sight for my tanker.

You can also make a No.5 “Jungle Carbine” look-alike from a sporterized No.4.