Stupid Question

[Singer B]

I was at my local gun store today. I noticed what appeared to be a sporterized LE No4 MkI. It definitely was not a No5 and was clearly marked as a Longbranch No4 MkI on the receiver with a date of 1942. The barrel appeared to be a different color metal, had a later model commercial ramped front sight and there were 2 holes drilled into the top of the receiver ring (possibly for a scope?). The stock was not the standard full length forestock (it had a rounded tip painted black ending about halfway down the barrel and no upper handguard). I advised the shopkeeper that it was a sporterized rifle and he assured me he was told it was a factory correct model of the No4.

Thus, the stupid question - other than the No5, did Lee Enfield ever make and distribute a No4 rifle that did not have a full forestock and upper handguard? I'm pretty sure I know the answer, but as I have already learned, the cool thing about LE's is that there are all kinds of variants and I don't know them all. Thanks!

Information

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[browningautorifle]

he was told it was a factory correct model of the No4.

Sporterized perhaps by one of the groups that did them. "He was told"... Now, pics on the other hand might help?

[Singer B]

Sorry, no pictures. I was aware of the "Santa Fe" rifles and thought maybe it was one of those, but it wasn't marked as such and it doesn't have a flash hider on it.

[browningautorifle]

Santa Fe were still done out of arsenal. If you look up the different sporters made by half dozen companies and the grades of them, plus Eaton's and Sears and a few others you'll likely see your example there too.

[Surpmil]

The holes in the receiver ring for the Parker Hale two piece base is a hallmark of the "Sussex" and "Surrey" sporterizations done in the UK. A low-end job they were too.

[Singer B]

So they ate all aftermarket modifications? Thanks for all of the info!

[Alan de Enfield]

There were 4 models (that I know of) that were based on No4 actions that had 'shortened / sporterised' wood work and were all manufactured by the original factories, these are the :

L39A1 (Military issue 'target rifle')
L42A1 (Replacement for the No4T)
Envoy (Civilian version of the L39)
Enforcer (Police issued version of the L42)

The Enforcers were manufactured by Parker Hale / Enfield and used a variety of Actions, both new and used, including Long Branch (pictured) when The Enfield factory ran out of their own actions.

The Police Enforcer used the Parker Hale 2-piece scope mounting system where the rear mount used the original rear sight mountings, but the front mounting used two holes drilled into the receiver ring.

HOWEVER they are all in calibre 7.62 NATO and not 303, BUT they are all 'factory made' 'sportered' Lee Enfields.

The 'sportered versions' of the No4 with front sight ramps are not to my knowledge factory manufactured as non were made using anything but the normal front sights, but maybe with a 'tube & ring sight' to replace the blade.

Examples of my Enforcer & L42A1

[bcd8238]

Just a WAG, but does the rifle look like this one? I think the EAL rifle was made on a later dated action, but maybe it was an inspiration for a copy?

[browningautorifle]

There were 4 models (that I know of) that were based on No4 actions that had 'shortened / sporterised' wood work and were all manufactured by the original factories

Those don't have a black painted forestock... I doubt those would have found their way to a shop like this one, besides he said no top wood...

the EAL rifle

Would have been my only guess.

Here's an example of the black front but not the one I wanted.

[Alan de Enfield]

besides he said a Longbranch.

My post was as much in response to the posts suggesting that 'sporterised' rifles were not made by the factories as to answer the OPs statement that 'all sporterised are after market then ?'

I cited the example of the Enfield built Enforcer using a 'used' Longbranch body as an example only.

But of course you are correct about the 'black-tip' on the forend.

Parker Hale made a range with features similar to the OPs description, and many certainly went across the pond.