Enfield mystery loop

[survivalofthefit]

Hey guys, i followed lou here from cgn...loving all the info its amazing... i am just wondering what the little metal loop is on my no.4 mk1 that sits right in front of the magazine well? Just getting into the enfields with a 1945 BSA No.4 Mk1 and i have definately got a fever... the only cure is more enfields

Information

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[Alan de Enfield]

Hey guys, i followed lou here from cgn...loving all the info its amazing... i am just wondering what the little metal loop is on my no.4 mk1 that sits right in front of the magazine well? Just getting into the enfields with a 1945 BSA No.4 Mk1 and i have definately got a fever... the only cure is more enfields

It seems to be a 'hang-over' from the early Long Lees when the magazine was held with a short length of chain. I was subsequently used as the tying off point for the canvas breech covers (often seen on ebay)

[Badger]

Hey guys, i followed lou here from cgn...loving all the info its amazing... i am just wondering what the little metal loop is on my no.4 mk1 that sits right in front of the magazine well? Just getting into the enfields with a 1945 BSA No.4 Mk1 and i have definately got a fever... the only cure is more enfields

Extracted from the England - Milsurp Knowledge Library (click here)

1896 Mk1 MLE "Long Lee" (click here)

2. When the Lee magazine rifle was first adopted, loading by charger had not yet been adopted, so two magazines were issued for each rifle. But there was a problem with feeding if the magazines were not fitted to the rifle by a skilled workman. So one magazine was considered the primary magazine; it was chained to the rifle (as pictured below); the second magazine, pre-loaded, was carried in the soldier's pocket or belt.

In use, the primary magazine was to be emptied, then it would be released and the second magazine inserted. The chain kept the primary magazine from being lost.

After charger loading was adopted, issue of the second magazine was discontinued. Since the primary magazine would not be removed except for cleaning the rifle, it was considered that attaching it to the rifle by a chain would no longer be necessary, but the loop was retained. Later, it came in handy for attaching the receiver cover.

One additional footnote. Some of the earliest rifles had a more elaborate milled loop in the center of the trigger guard assembly rather than offset as are the later ones. .... (Feedback by "Jim Keenan")

(Click PIC to Enlarge)

Regards,
Badger

[survivalofthefit]

very interesting!!!! thanks guys

[villiers]

There´s a cord attached to the canvas breach cover. And that, in turn, is tied to your loop. That is what it is for.

[Patrick Chadwick]

AND - on the No. 8 trainer - the loop stops the rear sling swivel from turning right round and getting your sling in a twist. If you can turn the swivel past the loop, then the swivel bolt is a "retrofit" (polite term for fake).

Patrick.

[survivalofthefit]

I saw a no4 mk1 enfield recently with a sling swivel where that loop usually is, what does this mean?

[Alan de Enfield]

I saw a no4 mk1 enfield recently with a sling swivel where that loop usually is, what does this mean?

The 'loop' is an integral part of the trigger guard - I think you'll find that the sling swivel has actually replaced the front trigger guard screw (commonly called the KIng Screw)
This is what Patrick was refering to on his comment re the No8.

Heres a pic of my Enforcer showing the swivel & the 'loop'

[survivalofthefit]

so when i saw this style on a beautifully maintained rifle selling for 600$ i should have scooped it? should i be kicking myself even harder now? can anyone find such a swivel, and is it used to hold the sling differently?