What’s your Lee Enfield Holy Grail?

[Son]

Good luck, Aussie48! I assume it's a little cheaper than the one advertised?

Looking forward to some pics!

[Aussie48]

Hi Son,

Have never seen one advertised, this is a private sale, I was in the right place at the right time for once. Do you have any idea of the price on these rare beasts?

[No4Mk1(T)]

I've been very lucky in my 25+ years of collecting Enfields to be able to stock my small collection with some very nice examples of rare Enfields. The one that eluded me for many years though was an L42A1. Well that changed a couple of weeks ago with the arrival of this:











Here's the serial number barcode on the end of the chest:


With thanks to Simon I know:

Rifle No AV3640 was part of batch number 48 which consisted of 40 weapons and has a recorded conversion date of 30th December 1971. on completion it was shipped to store at Donnington.
Cheers,
Simon.

On the other end of the chest a shipping label. Interesting its #44 of 209. Were all 209 pieces L42's? How many other shipments went out? Interesting.



Stores tags attached to the rifle:



Which corresponds with the unit markings on the outside of the chest and on the butt stock:



With a little push in the right direction from PL and a bit of time using Google I learned the rifle was formerly on issue with 1st Battalion, 52nd Lowland Volunteers, D (Cameronians) Company at Hamilton. Interestingly D Coy. was disbanded April 1 1992 at about the time the L42 was being retired from service.
As with so many of these rifles it's missing most of its accessories so I guess my new grail quest will be to fill all the little slots. Now for the big sell-off to pay for it!

[Suddsy]

My heart's desire is a No 4 Mk 2 in new, or nearly new condition ... With a 0 or 1 bolt head and correct head space. If anyone in Canada has such a piece, and is interested in selling, please let me know -- I will pay a fair price.

This is my first posting, so hello everyone. I'm not sure how members communicate, other than on this forum, or if it is permitted to connect for trading purposes via this forum. But I'm sure someone will let me know.

[No4Mk1(T)]

Welcome Suddsy! I think I just saw what your looking for over on Canadian Gun Nutz.

[mrbungle]

a no4 mk1 T with full kit and case.....one can dream.....

[butlersrangers]

For me it would be a Lee-Metford or Lee-Enfield Cavalry Carbine with NWMP markings!

[olskool]

this is mine, i found it in a pawn shop in 1991 it was my birthday, the carbine was 150.00 i came home and told my dad about it, i thought no more about it. that night he walked in my house holding it and gave it to me. it had an original steel s&k bolt on scope mount on it with no scope or rear sight. i found the correct rear sight, but years latter i wanted to hunt with it so i put the s&k mount back on with a 2x7 leupold matt finish scope. my dad died in 1996 and a couple of years ago i completely dissambled it and took all the oil out of the wood and bead blasted the steel. since i could not get sunkorite i painted it with gunkote, 1/2 matt 1/2 gloss mix, i reoiled with real pure tung -oil(not the kind with varnish in it) i thought long and hard before i installed a sniper cheek rest. i love this gun, it shoots 3/4 in. groups and is a joy to carry and kill deer with. i will have it until the end. it is special to me because of my dad, he was the smartest man i ever knew and taught me how to hunt, fish, and be honest.

[olskool]

[Peter Laidler]

Of all the things your dad taught you Olskool, then if he taught you to be honest as well, then that speaks volumes about him.