Questions from Someone New to Enfields

[flyrod40]

I have been trying to learn about Enfields with the intent of purchasing one in the near future and have lots of questions for the forum members. I do however have some knowledge of US surplus weapons having started a small collection several years ago. Here are my questions:

1. I do not have a muzzle gauge in any caliber. When I gauge the muzzle of a US weapon I use a 30.06 round to approximate wear. Can I use a .303 round as my gauge? If so, I assume it must be a surplus round, correct? Could I use a 30.06 round?

2. I sure do like the look of the brass butt plates. Do they only come on the No 1 or were they also found on the No 4?

3. What are the lengths of the No 1 and No 4? My safe is not that big and I have limited space for the real long guns, for example, my US Rifle Model 1917.

4. Which of the Enfields were chambered for 7.62x51?

5. Finally for now, were 16 inch bayonets only used on the No 1 or did the No 4 also sometimes carry a 16 inch bayo?

Thanks in advance; I'm sure I will bother the members with other questions in the future,
George

Information

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[Maxwell Smart]

The projectile on a 30-06 is .004" less diameter than that of a .303, so I'm not sure that it would be much use as a wear indicator.

No 4 buttplates are often mazak alloy (dull silvery gunmetal colour), sometimes black steel and sometimes brass, particularly on the newer Mk2 models.

The SMLE and No 4 rifles are both 44.5 inches long with standard length butts, so shorter than an M-17.

7.62 x 51 are the Indian made 2A or 2A1 version of the SMLE; sniper/target versions of the No 4 with heavier barrels (L42A1, Enforcer, Envoy, L39A1) and standard weight barrel conversions (L8 series,Sterling conversions, DCRA types, sundry other gunsmith conversions)

The No 4 did not use the long sword-type bayoet

[Peter Laidler]

In truth, you don't need a gauge to show barrel wear. The only test you need is an accuracy test. That way, even if a barrel looks absouletly worn out, if it shoots accurately, then who's to say that it's worn out. By the same token, a barrel that is mint and pristine and conforms to every gauge limit can sometimes shoot like a pig. And to be brutally honest, in my opinion as a bit-part Armourer, I'd say that NO test was better than the nose-of-a-round-in-the-muzzle test you speak of!