Khyber Pass Enfields (Lots of Pictures)

[Badger]

For anyone who may have missed it ...

With thanks to member Steve H. in N.Y., there's an excellent MKL entry on these in the United Kingdom - Milsurp Knowledge Library (click here)

“Khyber Pass” Lee-Enfield No.I Mk.III* Rifle (click here)

Article extract …..

The Khyber Pass is a border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan known for it’s local weapons industry, notably the often crude manufacture of copies of well known firearms including Lee-Enfield rifles. These “KP Special” Enfields were fairly rare here in the USA until 2007 when a quantity were imported, then they turned up in dealers’ racks and on several web sites. Unfortunately, the rifles were not always advertised as what they really were with their false markings, dubious quality and general unsuitability for firing live ammunition.

Samples from 30 picture photo montage …

(Click PIC to Enlarge)(Click PIC to Enlarge)

Regards,
Doug

[Hawgeye]

The unfortunate progression of these firearms throughout the shooting community is already in motion. There are several "pakastani" No5's on GB that are on their third auction. The original offering from TG International included in the description that they were sold as non shooters. I have seen one very recognizable rifle purchased last year from TG that was sold as a shooter by it's original buyer. The new owner recently offered it up with a starting bid of $200.00, and to his credit he did specify it as being as a non-shooter . That will not always be the case and it's only a matter of time until someone is injured. The more the word goes out the less chance there is of an unfortunate failure. These pictures are a help to those who are not sure exactly what the wrist markings should look like. You are to be congratulated for your efforts. Cheers.

[Jc5]

it's only a matter of time until someone is injured.

The sad thing about our litigious nanny state is that when someone is inevitably injured due to their own foolishness, the rest of us will be asked to give up some of our freedoms. At the least, the Lee Enfield's reputation might suffer among the general shooting public, the same way that Damascus barrels gained a general reputation as unsafe because of some that were bad. "You better be care with those Enfields---some of them blow up!" For this reason, I am hesitant to support those who deal with these Khybers, even though I wouldn't mind one as a wallhanger.

I wish the Khyber gunsmiths would realize that they could do a good business turning out repro volley sights... with some guidance, they could manage that alright, and no one would be injured!

[Hawgeye]

jc5, you're correct in your assessment in my opinion. One of the many unfortunate consequences of the seemingly unending negligence litigation is the engineering of everything to the lowest common denominator. Couple that with manufacturers who cannot afford the insurance costs and still make a reasonably priced widget of quality and the market becomes flooded with cheap items whose parentage is suspect and sellers whose pockets are small. The legitmate manufacturers, wholesalers and dealers bear the consequences in increases in costs and pass that on to the consumer. It's a continueing downward spiral.

[browningautorifle]

I agree with jc5, and have said so in previous thread. I find these variants facinating and would like to have an array of them. Providing they weren't too expensive. They certainly aren't worth the sum their originals are. More like a sporterized version.