Pakistani Mk 2's

[amadeus76]

What's the opinion on these? I have a line on one at a decent price. Ty stock is kinda beat, but I have a Beech stock I can replace it with. As I look at possibly building a mock (T) I'm wondering if one of these might prove a good base?

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[browningautorifle]

Didn't they build some "T" rifles themselves? Or were they UK rifles and then they just ,maintained them? From all I've seen the rifles they made were serviceable...

[twh]

Picked up one not long ago and as far as I can tell it is comparable in quality to British production. Given that they are relatively uncommon I wouldn't use one as a project rifle.

[Gil Boyd]

Ummmmmm.................

[limpetmine]

I agree, these are well built rifles and a nice nitch collection item. I also agree that it would be a poor choice for making a mock (T), as these are on the rare side of the spectrum. Do a auction site search and see how many of these you see for sale in 1-3 months. I think the results may surprise and enlighten you.

[mrclark303]

They are interesting pieces, don't believe I've ever handled one.

Made with sold off Fazakerley machinery I believe??

[fjruple]

Folks--

I have a weird one. The rifle is clearly marked as a No.4 MK2 on the receiver and only has a "serial" # 0758 just to the right of the ejector screw hole. The only other markings on the receiver is a very small 59 on the right side of the receiver just below the rear sight and what looks like to be a G over a pair of flags over the letter "P" The buttstock has in large numbers 4/0578 and just behind the triggerguard is English arrow proprietary mark. Is this some sort of No.4 MK2 prototype or an early Pakistani No.4 MK2 assembled from leftover parts?

Thanks

--fjruple

[Peter Laidler]

Pakistan purchased the No4 making machinery from BSA. BSA were not permitted to make No4's after their wartime contract was curtailed but retain it on a care and maintenance basis (paid for by the MoS) for 10 years.

[mrclark303]

Thanks Peter, I didn't know it was BSA, I assumed Fazakerley as Pakistani production seemed to spool up after Faz spooled down.

[Gil Boyd]

Mentioned before, when I was out in India in 2014, I saw quite a few provisional Police still carrying No4's and the Sergeant with a Sterling, so they probably keep the old lathes up and running for them. I suppose Pakistan were pretty much in a simular situation.
Here is an article from 2015 with a couple of photos, the last being every armoureres nightmare, the conversion of a .303 to a rubber bullet firer:

Himachal Police to modify 303 rifles to fire rubber bullets
Gaurav Bisht Shimla , August 19, 2014

Finding it difficult to get rid of 303 rifles, the Himachal Police have now decided to modify the brutally-effective firearms that have remained synonym with the state police for more than a century.

Though old guns are the being replaced with modern weaponry, police still have more than 5,000, 303 rifles in its armory. These rifles, known for their aim and sturdiness, will be the modified to fire rubber bullets to disperse crowds at the time of rioting.
“We have drawn up a proposal to modify 303 rifles to fire rubber bullets,” director general of police (DGP) Sanjay Kumar told Hindustan Times.

“We thought instead of dumping these guns, these may be modified for some other purpose,” said Kumar while adding that the modified 303 rifles will be provided to the state police's riot control teams.
Police personnel feel that 303 rifles, which are not self-loading arms, weigh heavy, look monstrous and they hinder movement during critical manoeuvres.

Meanwhile, there is also a proposal to provide 303 rifles for training to special police officers (SPOs) who are deployed in villages along the Chamba border with Jammu and Kashmir.

The 303 Enfield Rifles are now being replaced by the indigenously-manufactured INSAS rifles that are much lighter than these first World War-era guns. INSAS rifles were introduced in the army in 1994 but these too are being gradually phased out to be replaced with better assault rifles being manufactured in England and Israel.

The state police have also proposed to purchase modern guns to equip the cops. “More guns of the AK series will be purchased by the police under its modernisation programme,” said the DGP.

He said that lately Israeli MP guns have also been added to the police armory. The Israeli made MP5 guns are considered to be effective for close combat. Cops on the VVIP duty are being equipped with MP5 guns. There is a proposal to purchase more MP 5 guns which are fitted with night vision devices.
The state police had started its modernisation drive in 2002 but it has been progressing on snail's pace, owing to the paucity of funds for purchasing new weaponry.

“The state has been constantly urging the union ministry of home affairs to be more liberal with its funding so that police modernisation could be given impetus,” said additional director general of police (armed police and training) AP Siddiqui.