Charnwood assembled Enforcers

[rgg_7]

Does anybody know the serial number block that Charnwood used on their Enforcer builds? The only info I could find on this form was posted by "Simon". He confirmed Enforcer 684 was Charnwood assembled. I'm looking for the first known Charnwood build SN as well as the last. I would then assume that the difference would be the number of Enforcers put together by Charnwood Ordnance. Any info appreciated. Ron

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Alan de Enfield]

From the original sales ledgers there are big 'gaps' in the issuing of serial numbers.
The ledger shows numbers 1 to 767 and where they were sold by Enfield the Police Force, issue/sold date and advice note / invoice number are shown.

Speculation but it may help :
I believe that the actions were not used in sequence, my feeling is that they just took one 'off the shelf' and built an Enforcer to order - this may explain why there can be "100s" difference in serial number for rifles sold / shipped on the same date.

Example - nothing is shown for serial numbers 570 - 600 but then 601 - 630 were sold by Enfield. 631 - 643 are not listed (except 633 which was sold to Bangkok Police)
690-696 were not sold by Enfield.

There are other big 'gaps' but 762 is the last known built by Enfield and was sold to Bangkok Police.

I believe that all of the 'missing numbers' were sold off at the end of the contract to Charnwood etc. (Not only Charnwood - There were others who purchased them as well)

Out of the 767 actions built, 9 were scrapped by Enfield, 1 went to H&K Germany, 2 went to Radway Green and a total of 134 are listed as 'not being sold by Enfield.

It is known (there are several examples) that towards the 'end' there were both Longbranch and Savage actions used to build Enforcers.
Example : Enforcer 706 was built on a 55LXXXX Longbranch action.

[Bindi2]

Are you sure about Lithgow they only made SMLE actions not No4s

[Alan de Enfield]

Are you sure about Lithgow they only made SMLE actions not No4s

Many thanks - stupid mistake and one that I've corrected other folks on.
Should read - Longbranch - I've corrected it above.

[Peter Laidler]

I'm a bit confused about the 'charnwood assembled' enforcers. They're not my forte of course but one of the chaps at Warminster was on the Home Office working party regarding the Police need for a sniping rifle and he's never heard of them (Charnwood) being what he calls an 'authorised signatory' regarding the issue or supply of Enforcers. Now he's confused. He says that the Police contract meant work for Enfield and at the time, the Military withdrew their old No4T's that were on loan to the Police because what they needed was an accurate 'good shot' rifle as opposed to 'sniper' rifles

Were the Charnwood enforcers just made up afterwards from Enfield left-over parts or were they contractors to the Home Office/Police. Are they real/true enforcers issued and supplied to the Police? Any Enforcer experts out there.....................

[Badger]

Here's an old (and long) thread from 2009 where Charwood was referenced in some posts ..

Factory converted No 4

Regards,
Doug

[Alan de Enfield]

Peter - The 'official' Police issued Enforcers were built / assembled by Parker Hale & Enfield. I have a copy of the original sales ledgers showing which serial numbers were assembled / sold by Enfield.

At the end of the contract there were a number of actions, barrels & bits left over that were never assembled. These parts were sold off to the highest bidders.
The two main purchasers of these 'bits' were Charnwood Ordnance and an RFD in the Durham area (cannot remember his name off hand).

Some of these rifles were assembled and sold as 'Enforcers' which they of course are, but they are not 'issued' Enforcers. (A bit like that US company that bought up all the Lithgow bits and pieces, assembled them and sold them as 'new' Lithgows)

I know the RFD who purchased the business of the RFD in Durham, when he opened the store-room he found loads of Enforcer bits and pieces with enough to build at least 12 complete Enforcers. He has now sold much of these but still does have some bits and pieces (the odd action, forends etc)

[Peter Laidler]

Thanks AdeE. He reads the forum when it's on at work and wondered about them and the Charnwood connection - but all clear now. Are they still officially 'Enforcers' and a collectable item or just another repro..... if that's the right word to use!

Thanks again

[Roger Payne]

DPL,
I can remember talking to Tony at Charnwood when they were selling everything off in about 1998. He stated quite clearly that they had bought a quantity of incomplete Enforcers & parts from British Aerospace. Indeed NoBS Dave & I bought a couple just to get the barrels for L42's!! I still have a receiver that was rendered unserviceable as the milling of the sidewall to remove all original markings was so deep it cut through into the bolt locking lug recess. There is a horizontal hole in the receiver where it has gone through. In spite of this the Enforcer engraving has been applied. I'll look out the number & post it on the forum later.

ATB

[rgg_7]

I greatly appreciate the feedback. The information presented clears up some questions. Since the Enfield lock records have survived it validates the Enforcer builds. Enfield assembled until the early 1980's; components were sold off to Charnwood Ordnance and the former owner of Barbican Armoury in soth Durham. Anybody know of any other purchasers as I'm assuming these surplused lots went in larger packages.

Interestingly Roger Payne purchased a couple for barrels. Where these 4 groove hammer forged by any chance. I'm still looking for barrel markings if the information is out there.


Ron