No4 piling swivels?

[Paul S.]

Numrich, SARCO, or Springfield Sporters in the US was selling modified sling swivels as piling swivels about 15 years ago. I suspect any number of people bought and fitted them to No.4s.

[Bruce_in_Oz]

Not so fast, folks.

Have a look at the first photo of the band and swivel.

If I'm not mistaken, what we see may not be just some bog-standard No4, but a No4 Mk1 TRIALS rifle, or a No1 Mk6, both of which SHOULD be fitted with a piling swivel. Look at the ears on the front sight protector.

Or maybe someone has shuffled a bunch of parts around.

Al Diehl; Is the left side of the butt socket marked:

G (Crown) R
ENFIELD
Dated between 1929 and 1935?
No4 Mk1 or No 1 Mk Vl
A XXXX
to,
C XXXX ??

And does the butt have a brass disc inletted in.

If the left side of the receiver has a lightening scoop cut just below the rear sight, it could be a No1 Mk6, if flat sided, a No4 Mk1 trials

As Mr. Skennerton notes in "TLE", P. 491:

"Because of the shortages of rifles after Dunkirk, most of these Enfield trials rifles were refurbished with wartime No4 parts and put into service, although many of these retained the special foresight protector and cocking piece of the original rifle. Quite a few of the trials rifles were also converted to No4 Mk1 (T) sniper rifles at RSAF Enfield."

Check your markings.

You MAY have a converted No1 Mk6 or No4 Mk 1 trials rifle on your hands. Or It could just be a "Bitsa".

Interesting, whichever way it goes.

[jmoore]

The photos AREN'T of the rifle in question, but are indeed of a Enfield manufactured 1931/3 No.4. Shown for reference.

[Al Diehl]

No, mine are nothing like that. They are in fact a 1942 and a 1944 Longbranch No1 MKIV's. I have removed the swivels and closed the case on mine. Thanks again guys.

Al

[Brian Dick]

I think you mean Long Branch No.4Mk.1*

[Al Diehl]

Would you believe someone was talking to me while I was typing. DUH!
Long Branch No4 MK1*'s. Thank you.

Al