The Cypriot "Jungle Carbine" Query

[krinko]

Does anyone over here remember anything about the horrible cut down No4 rifles that were marked as having been "converted" to No 5 rifles in Nicosia, Cyprus?
I know they were called out as fakes years ago, but have forgotten most of the details of the online discussion at the time.
Someone at Gunboards has posted photos of one of these things wearing a sorry excuse for a No5 bayonet copy and I would like a refresher course in the whys and wherefors, if anyone remembers them.
-----krinko

Information

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[Thunderbox]

I thought that it was revealed that they were made up in Sidney, and that "NIC/CYP" were the initials of the individuals or gunsmith entities involved.

[browningautorifle]

I was in Nicosia Cyprus when #4's were the thing to carry by affected parties. I seriously doubt they had ANY interest or knowledge about converting rifles to anything but serviceable. They simply wouldn't spend the time. They weren't gun people. Peter Laidler was there too, maybe he can back me up here.

[Brit plumber]

I posted on a thread recently about the NIC/CYP rifles and from what I understand they came out of Cyprus in the 1980s. I got my NIC/CYP conversion in 1993. All this time I thought it was Cypriot, you learn somthing new everyday.

[Warren]

The carbines in question were purchased by a UK dealer back in the 80's. I'll check my travel doc's and give you a date, as I was there when the arrived at his warehouse. They ran from new to "bog standard" as was the expression at the time. IF memory serves me right, they came out of the east, and I am thinking India/Indonesia/Thailand area. If I have a chance I will call him and see if he remembers or will check his books, as this has been going on for a long time, trying to pin the damned things down as to origin. He gave me one at the time, so I will see if I can find it and post the markings. It was a "bog standard" but the price was right...free!!!! The days when you could bring something back on the airplane and they never batted an eye.

[breakeyp]

I am aware of a group of No.5s converted by Victoria Trading and sold by them with NiC markings and a story of them coming from Cyprus. We heard from Springfield Sporters that VT was buying up all the No. 5 unique parts they could find. Warren paid the right price.

[krinko]

Thanks to everyone for responses---Thunderbox has hit the memory button for me, the Sydney story was the one I heard, years ago. Wheaty has an interesting line, as does PB. More than one forger at work?
Anything more is welcome.
-----krinko

[browningautorifle]

Can ANYONE post a pic of these ubiquitous pieces?

[krinko]

Lee Enfield Jungle Carbine No. 4 Conversion questions? [Pictures Included]

Here's a link to the Gunboards thread, I don't want to steal the guy's photos. In the first shot of the left side, the "NIC CYP" can be seen.
-----krinko

[Warren]

PauL The ones JR at Victoria Trading got were from my contact in the UK.... There was less than a couple of hundred which is the reason why none of the bigger dealers touched them. Too small a lot to advertise.