L42A1 Sniper Overview: The Last Lee Enfield

[Sentryduty]

It a noble idea, but I think the firearms community at large is mainly concerned with trying to save the Browning Hi-power from the smelters when they are eventually replaced in service. Not very many folks are chasing the L-E stockpile that I have heard about.

One saving grace, and this is pure speculation, is that the No4 rifles could be written off and left in the possession of the Ranger to whom they are currently issued. This could see the rifles enter into the private market. I do know from speaking with former Ranger embedded NCO's that No4's were often "written off" due to loss, breakage, mistreatment etc. but that was at least 20+ years ago, and knowing the supply system nowadays that may never happen again.

I wonder if someone could look them up, I would laugh if they were a Class "C" item, not accounted, disposable, and single-issue. In all likelihood they should be Class "A" like all other weapons and possibly ITAR controlled and classified for mandatory disposal when Not Serviceable (NS).

Remember, everything above is idle (wishful) speculation, I don't want to start rumours.

[CINDERS]

I do have the last one

You were probably the one packing it in grease Gil and squirelled it away under the floor managers nose

[Lee Enfield]

Technically the argument about the "last enfield" (manufactured or in service?), is going to be between Indian No1Mk3*, 2A1 and the AIA "No4Mk4" family.

Indian No1Mk3• actions dated as late as 1980 have been reported.
2A1 actions were manufactured to about 1968.

Indian police and 2nd line (4th line???) military will have Lee Enfield Rifles in service long after the Canadian Rangers have changed to Tikka rifles.

AIA actions are certainly "Lee", actions, whether they are "Enfield" rifled is up for debate.

I believe it's a matter of definition, the L42A1 was certainly the last Lee rifle issued to front line troops of any military...to 1985 or 1992 (whenever they were finally withdrawn).

[bros]

I am a current serving Canadian Ranger serving with the Dawson Patrol in the Yukon Territory. My issued rifle is a 1955 Fazakerly, when it was issued it was as near mint as could be and still is other than some small dings in the wood from following me around countless miles, mostly in the winter time via snowmobile. We just finished a recent exercise and we again were told that our new rifles are to be issued starting at the end of this year ( Tikka's made by Colt Canada). There are many different patrols across northern Canada and the last rifles to be issued should be early 2017. This came from the top brass in charge of 1CRPG who was at Pelly Farm where over 120 Rangers assembled for a joint exercise. No new 303 ammo will be issued I was told (we often receive ammo to keep at home with the rifle for our own training purposes) IVI will not be doing another production run. The ammo left in the system will be used on exercises but not to be handed out to individual Rangers. We had a competition shoot while we were at Pelly Farm. It's a modest competition at 100 meters......2 five round groupings as practice then some minimal sight adjustment as needed, then 1 five round grouping, next 2 prone, 2 sitting, 2 kneeling, 2 standing, this all at the dreaded figure 11 target. Temperatures here in the winter can be extreme I have personally competed in temperatures as low as -40c. After 2 shots the bolt would not move and I mean no movement,.......a couple dribbles of gas line anti-freeze on the bolt and it cycles as if you were in the tropics, best to have no oil on moving parts at all things just tend to seize. I have seen numerous issued No4MK1*'s and No4MK2's, most are in very nice shape and the majority of the Rangers in the Yukon take care of there equipment,....I have heard in the extreme Northern regions they are more thought of as tools. The majority of issued rifles are Longbranch and no I have not seen a 1941 yet but have seen some early 1942's. I did see an EAL this time round. There are a bunch of us that also have been issued Fazakerly No4MK2's as I stated before. I have not seen any English made No4Mk1's and yes I always look, without being to intrusive.
The top brass at the exercise confirmed again that current serving Rangers would be able to keep their current issue service weapon as long as they have a current firearms license. I will believe it when it actually happens but I have heard the same story time and time again so hopefully there is some truth to it.
Hope this clears up any mis-understandings with some of the last Enfields in service.

[CINDERS]

Glad to hear some sense crept in and you are perhaps and hopefully given the opportunity to acquire a piece if firearms history at no doubt a modest cost paid to the Govt.

[Sentryduty]

The top brass at the exercise confirmed again that current serving Rangers would be able to keep their current issue service weapon as long as they have a current firearms license. I will believe it when it actually happens but I have heard the same story time and time again so hopefully there is some truth to it.

That is a very positive statement, hopefully it all pulls through, at least those rifles won't hit the smelter.

Temperatures here in the winter can be extreme I have personally competed in temperatures as low as -40c. After 2 shots the bolt would not move and I mean no movement,.......a couple dribbles of gas line anti-freeze on the bolt and it cycles as if you were in the tropics, best to have no oil on moving parts at all things just tend to seize.

Same experiences here, keeping the C7 series running we would strip them dry, and use pencil lead graphite on the bearing surfaces, but even with this preparation we would need to manually cycle the bolt every hour to keep things from freezing up.

I am a current serving Canadian Ranger serving with the Dawson Patrol in the Yukon Territory.

I hear that is beautiful country, my grandfather was posted in that region for a few years during the 1960's and aside from at the time not being able to get fresh eggs, he speaks fondly of his time there.

[Seaspriter]

the winter can be extreme I have personally competed in temperatures as low as -40c.

That's quite frigid. I make several trips to Yellowknife, North West Territories every year. Sometimes I'm there in -40 to -50C temperatures. People who've never been in this type of climate don't realize that the physics of materials change significantly at temperatures below -35C. For example, Air Canada's planes are not certified to land when the temperature is below -35C, they are locked out of the airport. Frostbite sets in on raw skin in 4-5 minutes. Metal cracks. The rubber wheels on my roll-aboard suitcase crack and flake off. The exhaust fumes of a vehicle freezes in mid-air, and can suffocate a car that follows too closely behind it. The only thing that seems to thrive in this horrible cold, strangely, are the big black ravens that scrounge garbage cans throughout the city.

So glad the old No.4s are not going to be scrapped for junk. Bros, think of collecting some of the adventure stories that go with these venerable weapons.