Lee Enfield No5 Mk1 front band

[finloq]

NUMRICH, lists them as No.4/No.5: http://www.gunpartscorp.com/catalog/...960&catid=5833
Of course, they also list all Lee Enfields as 'SMLE'.

Nobody else seems to list them at the moment: Hoosier Gun Works, Popperts, Liberty Tree, Springfield Sporters, Sarco, etc.

[enscien]

Bear in mind that No.5 rifles were made by ROF Fazackerley and BSA only, in England from 1944.
It is unlikely therefore that a Savage marked band would be used, especially as the thicker material would add weight!

[enscien]

As a final addition to this thread, I have been able to look at the relevant drawings.
For Rifle No.4 'Band, lower' has catalogue No. BB8554, drawing No.DD(E)450/2.
Alternative patterns for this are shown, but they all have a dimension of 1.875" from the inside at the top to a notional point on the inside at the bottom (which would exist if there wasn't the gap for the sling swivel).
No.4 Rifle drawings have this DD(E)450 parent number, whereas the later ones which cover components originally specifically for the No.5 Rifle have a DD(E)3579 parent number.
For Rifle No.5 Mk.1 the 'Band' is Part No. BB5853, drawing No.DD(E)3579/1.
This shows a dimension of 1.79" from the inside at the top to a similar notional point to that for DD(E)450/2. The radii on the inside of the band are also different, as shown in the photographs I posted earlier.
I can well imagine that one could use a No.4 rifle band on a No.5 Rifle, but it might be difficult the other way round.

[RJW NZ]

Huh? Enscien's right. I've just been working on this with a rifle and the not 5 band is way different than the no4, and a no4 won't fit, I've just been trying to do it.

What about BDL Brian?

[Brian Dick]

Hit me up directly Myles. I may have one or two more here. I've sold most of them off.

[Enfieldlock]

IMO, the front band for the No5 is bigger than the No4. It stands to reason as the No5 Band sits nearer the receiver which is fatter at that point.

It is just possible to make No5 fore-ends from No4s, the later ones with the metal cap, that is. Likewise, the topwood can (and was) made from No4s.

Butts are a challenge, but it can be done. There will be residual holes from the rear swivel mount but they can be coloured in.

[Peter Laidler]

We had fore-ends and butt supplied from Ordnance in the 60's that were clearly ex No4 butts and fore-ends. The No4 butt sling loop recesses were made off and the screw holes glued, pegged and made good prior to re-shaping the end to take the No5 butt plates.

Forends were also ex No4 because the exposed internal recesses were patched in, pegged and machined to the No5 spec but none were ever fitted with the steel end caps. These end caps were a complete waste of time, money and rations! Because once the salt water - or ANY moisture - got between it and the wood, they'd start to rust out within 5 minutes or 10 minutes on a good day. We took them off, made good the wood, plugged the rivet hole and made good the wood. Once it was immersed in the hot linseed tank, that was the only real cure for moisture laden rifle furniture........... except L1A1 laminated handguards that would virtually delaminate while you looked at them!

[muffett.2008]

except L1A1 laminated handguards that would virtually delaminate while you looked at them!

Thats why I loved the wooden ones, flat bottomed, they sat much better in the hand. Even looked nicer.