Enforcer sling question

[Btl1994]

Hi all, was wondering what sling would've been issued with an enforcer. I'd like to know what would be a proper sling for it. Thanks in advance for any help!

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Buccaneer]

I'm not sure that the Enforcer ever had a sling as mine has no attachment swivels and it is fitted with a bi-pod. This rifle was issued to police forces to be used by police marksmen, they were not ever considered to be snipers, although I suspect that some might have considered themselves to be so the sniper sling was not necessary.

[Btl1994]

Good point Buccaneer. I just wasn't sure if they did or didn't have one issued by their local police forces.

[Alan de Enfield]

This came with a sling that was supposedly 'original' to the rifle.
I believe it is a standard Parker Hale target sling (Remembering that PH actually built the Enforcers and that it would be supplied with the optional extras - Bipod, Scope, PH5E4 sight, carry case, etc etc)

I don't know what type / model it is - maybe someone can recognise it.

[Mk VII]

It's the usual P-H target shooters sling, earlier catalogs called their 1925 Pattern sling, some were made from converted Lewis gun slings (though not this one). Present day production is made from plastic and nylon.

[Peter Laidler]

PH also made a pinky/reddish colour wide rifle sling post war too. These were ex RAF cargo retaining strap material. Just another bit of useless info if you have such a coloured sling

Did PH actually build the Enforcers? I always thought that they were built at Enfield as a friend of mine was involved in the project to replace the No4T's that were originally used by the cops - that were only ever loaned to them. Or did PH tart them up a bit for the cops?

[Alan de Enfield]

PH also made a pinky/reddish colour wide rifle sling post war too. These were ex RAF cargo retaining strap material. Just another bit of useless info if you have such a coloured sling

Did PH actually build the Enforcers? I always thought that they were built at Enfield as a friend of mine was involved in the project to replace the No4T's that were originally used by the cops - that were only ever loaned to them. Or did PH tart them up a bit for the cops?

Enfield supplied the barrelled actions and bolts to PH.
PH purchased the Butt from Sile in Italy, and the Forend from Colin Moon in Brighton
PH then assembled the rifle to the basic 'specification' and then added the 'optional' parts to meet the order.
The completed rifles were then shipped back to Enfield, who then shipped to the relevant Police force.


Many Police forces 'wanted' the rifle, but were struggling with getting them within their budgets so they would order just the 'basic' rifle with PH5E4 sight.
The optional extras were, scope mounts, Pecar 4-10 telescopic Sight, Harris Bipod, Sling, Carrying case, & additional magazines.

There are a number of Enforcers with 'non-standard' scopes (the 'specified' one was the Pecar 4-10 magnification) which have appeared as a result of the Force buying a 'base model' and then requesting their armourer to make a 'local purchase order' for a scope, which would generally be 'his favourite / preferred model.


Another little known fact :

Following a 'Request For Information' under the Freedom of Information Act I now have a list of what each Police Force did with their Enforcers.

I also have complete sales documents (from Enfield) showing which rifles (serial numbers) were supplied to which Police Force.

It may be surprising to find that one of those Police Forces claims to have never ordered, received, or used Enforcers.

It may be surprising to find that one of those Police Forces (who had 32 rifles shipped to them) claim that their Enforcers were all disposed of by Guillotine and yet I know where 5 of their rifles are, and, are still 'live' and in regular use.



An extract from the FOI repy :

4) By what method where any Enfield Enforcer rifles disposed of ? (i.e. destroyed, sold to the civilian market etc.)

Apart from the one remaining Enforcer mentioned in response to question 2, all were destroyed by Force guillotine as surplus stock.

5) What were the serial numbers of any Enfield Enforcer rifles that were destroyed?

The only records that could be located are details of the last four Enforcers to be destroyed as in question 4 above. In November 2004, serial No's 124, 139, 670 and 269 were destroyed by guillotine.





Enfield were unable to supply enough actions to meet the order for 767 rifles so ended up buying 2nd hand action on the open-market. These included action from both Savage and Longbranch rifles.

Attachment 102321




Regarding the use of a sling, here is a copy of part of the correspondence I have had with an original Enforcer 'user'.


Hi Alan,
Interesting to read your 2010 threads concerning the Enfield Enforcer.
I used to shoot one for several years whilst in the UK Police. I was always led to understand by our armourers that the rifles were purchased separately to the scopes and that the scopes actually cost more in the late 70's than the rifles did!
The Harris Bi-pods were sometimes fitted but usually taken off for use on the ranges where the Hawkins position was used for greater accuracy and higher scores. (Hardly any officer I knew ever shot an Enforcer with a Bipod after learning the Hawkins position).
A short piece of sling was usually cut and fitted to the front sling swivel to hold down the front of the rifle on the left fist. This was often taped heavily to increase it's diameter.
In the Hawking position the butt was placed in a depression, (scraped or kicked out with the heel on the firing point) and the shooters right armpit covered the butt.
This is why on many Enforcers (Especially Genuine items) you will find wear to the bottom on the butt and the rubber recoil pad as when the rifle was fired the butt dug into the ground).I have even seen the butt being used to "make" the depression in soft ground!
Also many Enforcers were used on Sniper Training courses in long stalks over rough country and often got "bruised" or marked up as a result.
I still shoot an Enforcer (No.119) at ranges up to 600yds and it is quite satisfying, although nowhere near as accurate as modern "F" Class scoped target rifles.
Have many other notes, memories and anecdotes regarding this rare rifle and its use in UK if you are planning writing a book about it.
Best Regards

[Gil Boyd]

I can confirm as an aforementioned "POLICE MARKSMAN" that the rifles had more Parker Hale stuff attributed to them, then any other at the time.

They did in fact come with the strap shown above as an option, under a Home Office directive like the PECAR scope was advised, but Forces being Forces with so many ex Military men forming firearms teams like I did, often did their own thing. I still have my old issue Enforcer with fitted bipod, and remember clearly, you even had to indent for that if you wanted it fitted.

They also provided a non slip patterned wood variant like a "sporter", for supposedly "anti slip" in the wet.

A lot of bullshit I'm afraid where most who were just "Marksmen" thought they were more then they were, which we have often spoken about on this site, nothing like the "SNIPER" Military course run at Warminster!!!!
Alan, what you have there in your photo is what I have with mine, exactly, except the nice carving done by Moon's I think on request!

[Peter Laidler]

Ah, yes..... some of the home gunsmiths drilled the front mount screws into the breeching-up ring and into the breech too. Some of the real experts drilled down into the barrel JUST short of the chamber. But alas, the chamber pressure caused the fired cartridge to bulge the weak spot. Probably not on the PH rifles I suspect

I understand now. Enfield made but some fitted out by PH

[Btl1994]

Thank you all for the replys. I currently own no.767 and, which the previous owner had thr scope fitted the other accessories found.