hmm, no1mk6 bands?

[jmoore]

Poking through "The Lee-Enfield Story", I found one picture of a top view of a No1 MkVI that shows the middle band. No hinge seam evident. Barring further evidence to the contrary (like a GOOD picture), I'll vote solid-arched profile. It would also have Enfield marks, just to make your life even MORE difficult.

[Amatikulu]

You'd be right jmoore

[jmoore]

Well, thanks, Amatikulu! That's a lovely snout you have.

Only problem- Your front sight protector looks a bit different from the "run of the mill" Enfield No.4 Mk.I trials rifle OR the Singer Mfg. early production unit. Much more upright in the ears. Yet another variation?!?

[limpetmine]

That rifle doesn't sound that bad to me. I think the only "original" No. 1 Mk VI you might find will be in the Pattern Room. (do they still call it that?).
After Dunkirk, over 350,000 rifles were lost (just read that), and anything that would toss a round downrange was put in service. Mine is a restoration, and low and behold, my center band is a great looking Long Branch band. I didn't know that until tonight. The wood is a hand carved reproduction, and the rear sight is an early 1941 sight. I have the original "sportered" checkered forestock. The front band is a hinged band, but not knowing the provenance of the parts, can't tell you if it is correct.
My No 1 Mk VI is parts and pieces, but it's MINE, ALL MINE...muwahahahah!!
Sorry, I'm back.
This one doesn't contribute to the knowledge base, but I think a trip to the UK may be in order to solve this mystery.

[RJW NZ]

An SM41
The gap between the ears, measured directly above the sight blade is .646 inch.

[jmoore]

Have an SM41 foresight protector between my hands as I type- ever so slowly. It's ears are both pushed in a bit; it seems fairly "common" on these.

Found it on a quite worn exterior finish 1942 Fazackerly (S/N T29988A) that has a TIGHT and well bedded early-ish fore stock, 1942 two groove (Drawlapped?) barrel, and an unnumbered magazine. All of which it fine, but the bolt's a random Savage assembly (S/N 20C4308).

Limpetmine, is that an "SM" cocking piece in your rifle? Doesn't look Enfield'y or Savage'ish in the machining marks to me.


RJW-NZ, Looks like one of those monster thick "C.E.W." front bands on your rifle. I'm having Evil thoughts about that. Oh, never mind.

[Brit plumber]

Heres one that was for sale many years back in the Uk (Deactivated)

http://www.deactivated-guns.co.uk/detail/SMLE_Mk6.htm

[RJW NZ]

Thanks for the pics of the mk6, a very nice rifle, I wonder where it came from? Odd machining in that rear depression, huh.

Re the GEW band/s, they were available in unissued condition from springfield sporters, so they were a replacement for the weird items already on it. Just to recap my rifle showed up with a wood set so mis matched that the bolt release wouldn't depress. I still have a sinking feeling the gent who sold it may have taken off the original weird checkered fore end to put smoother looking other no4 wood on it., just the sort of thing he was doing to keep his hobby chugging along.
My external components that aren't close to original are; the bands-marked GEW, the cut off-a stock nomk3, rear sight-marked B (but proper/correct rear sight marks I don't know yet, did they make rear sights with EFD?)

I still find the concept of deactivating really odd; plenty of these guns are worth more when not messed with, particularly the 'rare' ones. I guess the whole thing has now built a customer base of folks who have collections of deacts. and who keep driving it further along.
Re the handguns; are they really saying that these handguns don't require a permit of any kind? I reckon they'd still make a bloomin good hold up weapon, heck if people get robbed with air pistols, then the real thing should work great.

[jmoore]

Well, it you don't try to pass it off as original, say by stamping "RJW" over "10" on the side as your own inpsector's mark, I reckon you could take TWO C.E.W. bands, and w/ a bit of cutting, welding, cutting, and drilling, fabricate a "grande sized" hinged band. (The big, fat bands would be easier to weld and cut- sort of Dr. Frankenstein mentality...)

Thus my "evil" thinking goes. Or just make a good early WWII homologated(sp?) No.4 Mk I and not worry. It's a restoration after all. Do as good a job making it appear proper for the era you intend on setting it at, and drive on. Just don't try to fool the future owners.

[RJW NZ]

By george, I think you've got it, the idea...I'm a chronic fiddler, itd be just like me to make a hinged front band during them there cold winter months...

Just don't try to fool the future owners...agreed. I've actually deliberately made the checkering too tidy, so that if an original front end were beside mine, mine would look odd for not having run outs all over the place. Same idea as those T scope repros. Funny how a rough finish gets by on some things and not on others in wartime.