| Author | Message | ||
     Peter J Blatt (Peteb) Senior Member Username: Peteb Post Number: 67 Registered: 10-2002 |
I dug out of my closet, an enfield 303 #5 mk 1 from april 46, It's been sitting there since 1985, I was wondering if anyone knows anything about these rifels, and if anyone in the phila area could help me with a cleaning, ??????? the 303 is not rusted at all, but i think that a barrel cleaning should be done before firing, i can see through the barrel and it is clean too! am i being paranoid? Thanks! Peter | ||
| John Davies Unregistered guest |
If you: don't have a gun cleaning kit don't know how to service the rifle don't know that leaving an old firearm abandoned for 18 years is really bad for it don't know how risky it is to shoot a neglected firearm I hope you know enough to follow this advice: take it to a professional riflesmith for a thorough inspection and cleaning, then buy a cleaning kit and some modern ammo. We don't want to see an article in your local paper describing how your barrel ruptured..... Be safe - a rifle isn't a toy. | ||
| M. K. Watson (Lrover94) advanced member Username: Lrover94 Post Number: 683 Registered: 02-2002 |
john just gave you some great advice, heed to it and if you decide not to CAN I HAVE IT? | ||
| Zak Ruck (Zak) Senior Member Username: Zak Post Number: 401 Registered: 07-2002 |
Peter, where in the Philly area are you located? There are some very good firearm shops up in Bucks county. Especially Quimbys on Rt.313 near Quakertown. I've had him take a look at a few older riffles of mine over the years. Very nice riffle you have there, but like John said, take it to a pro, and have them look at it. PS, if you want to take it to a range after a pro has cleaned and serviced it, I'll bring along my 1903 Springfield. have a little cross the pond target shooting. | ||
| Dean Chrismon (Chrismonda) Member Username: Chrismonda Post Number: 50 Registered: 12-2002 |
I have a .303 unknown make but it does have the British crown on it. Can you take a picture of it and post it? Just take it to a gun shop and have it cleaned and if you are going to shoot it make sure that it doesnt have any pitting in the barrel. | ||
| Peter J Blatt (Peteb) Senior Member Username: Peteb Post Number: 68 Registered: 10-2002 |
Thank you for all your good advice! I have already taken it fully apart and cleaned/lubed with ballistrol! the enfield was clean to start, now it's extra clean, i will take it to the shop you suggested and am interested in accross the pond shooting! i'll try to post a pic, there has been some probs with my pc so i'll try! Peter  | ||
| Dean Chrismon (Chrismonda) Member Username: Chrismonda Post Number: 52 Registered: 12-2002 |
Okay I think that mine is a newer model. Mine does not have the exposed magazine. Nice rifle preciate the pic. | ||
| Jeff Bieler (Mrbieler) Member Username: Mrbieler Post Number: 179 Registered: 02-2002 |
Dean, it's quite possible you have a WWI era P-14 (No3) Enfield. This rifle later became the P-17 for the Americans (chambered in 30-06). Does it look like the pic attached?  Peter, are there any markings on your No5 Mk1? Does it say #5 or No5? If it's a real No5, it has the wrong front sight and is missing the flash cone. The rear stock looks wrong too. It's hard to say in the pic. There are many more repro No5's then real No5's circulating around. That all being said, 1946 is a "real" date for a No5. They were made up until 1947. Either way, it will be a much harder kicking and louder rifle then a full sized Enfield. Jeff | ||
| steve herrod (Sherrod) New Member Username: Sherrod Post Number: 5 Registered: 02-2003 |
go to this site to see what a no.5 enfield (jungle carbine)looked like as issued. http://www.angelfire.com/vt/milsurp/no5.html | ||
| Peter J Blatt (Peteb) Senior Member Username: Peteb Post Number: 70 Registered: 10-2002 |
the markings on the barrel and mechanism, i dont know the real name, the area around the bolt , Match, they are as follows No 5 MK1 rof(f) 4/46 v7785 I believe that it is true, there are numerous stamps, with initials, the crown, ect, I have some info i found, and i bilieve that it is the real thing, the wooden stock i dont know, thank you for the info, I'de like as much as possible! Thanks again!!! Peter. | ||
| Dean Chrismon (Chrismonda) Member Username: Chrismonda Post Number: 54 Registered: 12-2002 |
Jeff you are exactly right that is what my rifle looks like. It has pop up adjustable sights. Do you have alot of knowledge about these? I would love to know where mine was made but I have been unable to locate any documentation. Thanks. | ||
| Jeff Bieler (Mrbieler) Member Username: Mrbieler Post Number: 181 Registered: 02-2002 |
Peter, your numbers & markings add up to a real No5. The ROF(F) is "Royal Ordance Factory (Fazarkley)" and this was the only factory to produce the No5. The forend looks correct, but the butt stock is missing the clip on the right side, the front sights and flash cone are wrong/missing, and I can't tell from the picture about the receiver. Is it real? I can't give you an answer from the pic & your information, but the I'm not saying it isn't. Dean, the P14 was a stop gap rifle made for the British in the US for WWI when it was a concern that there wouldn't be enough #1 SMLE's for the British troops. Originally, before the war, it was called the P13 and was to be chambered in a sub .30 cal round that never came about. With war on the horizon, it became obvious to the English that fooling with their .303 production would not be smart so they rechambered the P13 & the P14 was born. SMLE production never became an issue and production stopped very early on. It was never a popular rifle with the English. The rifle later became the P17 when it became apparent that there would not be enough 03 Springfields for US troops. Many more US troops used the P17 (30-06 chambering of the P14) then the Springfield. It's a decent rifle. I just don't like the lines versus a SMLE and I think the SMLE is a better battlefield weapon. The P13/P14/P17's are not true "Lee-Enfields" per se. If you're not familiar with it, have the rifle checked out. For the most part, .303 is a pleasant military caliber to shoot and very inexpensive on the surplus market. I like it more the 8mm or 30-06. It's a lot rougher on the shooter in Peter's No5! Jeff | ||
| Todd W. McLain (Ganryu) Member Username: Ganryu Post Number: 123 Registered: 10-2002 |
I have seen a lot of No4 Mk1 rifles with a stock similar to the one Peter has. It's an aftermarket replacement sport stock for those that don't like the additional weight of the upper wood. I can't remember the company that makes them, but, I do know they also made a similar stock for the Mauser 98. Never seen one on a No.5, though, nor have I seen a front sight tip like that on an enfield. | ||
| Peter J Blatt (Peteb) Senior Member Username: Peteb Post Number: 71 Registered: 10-2002 |
what do the front sights and flash cone look like? similar to the ones in the pic in the above post? and where would i get such parts to put this rifle back to origional condition? Peter | ||
| Peter J Blatt (Peteb) Senior Member Username: Peteb Post Number: 72 Registered: 10-2002 |
ps. the rear of the stock cushion does say J C Higgins | ||
| Dean Chrismon (Chrismonda) Member Username: Chrismonda Post Number: 56 Registered: 12-2002 |
Peter go to gunsamerica.com and look up military rifles non us. I found your rifle on the second page. | ||
| Bill Bettridge (Billb) Senior Member Username: Billb Post Number: 654 Registered: 02-2002 |
Peter - If you want to take a trip to the MD/PA line - I've got quite a few enfields and shoot competittevely with a couple and can help you tear down and clean and check for shootability. Enfields (IMO) are one of the best military bolt-actions ever produced (all Marks)and are quite accurate as along as the rifling is still in good shape. Your "sporterized" model was very common for quite along time (ie: add sporter stock, but pad, remove sights, re-barrel, etc) Bill webviii@earthlink.net |
