Warbird Information Exchange

My dad showed me this rifle he wants to give to me. He got it from his dad. Neither of us knows what it is, or exactly where it came from. It appears to be military in origin. Who can ID it for me?

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Curtis Block

I've seen too many airplanes destroyed by the term "Static Restoration."

I'm no expert but it looks like some sort of Lee Enfield rifle. Do you have the magazine for it?

Mike

VERY SIMPLE!
"Sporterized" Short Magazine Lee-Enfield (SMLE) No.4 Mk. I*, standard longarm of the British Empire in WWII.

Should be .303 caliber. The magazine(10 rd.) is missing, the stock has been cut back to lighten it, by about 60%45. The forestock is shortened, and the upper handguard is missing.The flip sight has been replaced by an aftermkt. peep sight. You also appear to be missing the front sight blade and foresight protector. Also your original forward sling swivel has been replaced, as the band it goes on is not there.

It was probably armory remanufactured in the 1950's, as it is showing the No.4 Mk I/2, type Mk2 cocking piece, but has the early original style bolt lock.

The serial number appears on the left side, on the band around the rear of the bolt. I can't read it. PM it to me or post it here, and I can tell you where made, etc...

ID'd enough for you?


Robbie

I knew someone out there would get it. Dang Robbie, you are good. I thought it might be an Enfield of some sort, but it didn't look like any I had ever seen. I posted that right before I left for the airport to fly from San Jose to Seattle. My girlfriend and I, stopped for dinner and I just got home.
A quick call to dad gave me the serial number of FA27555. My dad didn't believe me when I said I'd have an answer by the end of the day.

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Curtis Block

I've seen too many airplanes destroyed by the term "Static Restoration."

Curtis- As suspected, your SMLE started life as a standard No.4 Mk I, and was later armory reconditioned to a No. 4 Mk I* or /2... The Serial number indicates it was manufactured by Fazackerly (indicated by the "2" at the beginning of the number) in Lancashire, England. I have one also made there.

If you look close, on the left side of the receiver below the sight(may be covered by your bolted on sight) you should be able to discern the date of manufacture, unless it was intentionally and fully removed during overhaul.(Mine is mostly removed, but the date can still be made out- 3/44)

Robbie

You are good Robbie.



I don't have the rifle with me it is still with my father in CA. He only offered it to me a few hours before my flight was to depart, so I didn't have the time to figure out the necessities for taking it with me.

Would you happen to know the process for shipping such an item to a different state?

Correct me if I am wrong, but I assume the magazine wouldn't be hard to find, nor would the front sight, if it is the same for a standard SMLE. I also assume that if I were to bring it to a gun smith to check out before hand, it would be a fine rifle to shoot.

Not that I am looking to sell it, but would you venture a guess at a value of the piece?

Thanks for the help.

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Curtis Block

I've seen too many airplanes destroyed by the term "Static Restoration."

Short Magazine Lee Enfields are great rifles to shoot- and very easy to get hold of parts for, should you decide to repair the owner induced deformities(i.e.: restore it to its original configuration from "Sporterized") You should have no problem at all with it, especially since it appears to be an armory rebuild at some point- they usually rebarrelled them, as we as fully overhauling them.

Magazines are easily had, I believe they were running in the teens or twenties last time I looked. Check the Shotgun News, or e-bay for one. Also for the parts you need.(A good gun show local to you will also be a good source of parts)

As to shipping it home- I can't tell where you actually are as your location is kinda vague on your posting. It would all depend on the state you live in, and their firearms laws. Best advice- find a local gun shop, and ask them, if you are unfamiliar with the local firearms laws. Longarm(rifle or shotgun) laws are generally more liveable than pistol laws, as they are less easy to conceal, etc. so you may need nothing more than photo ID to purchase one. I would make arrangement with the local dealer to accept delivery into the state, and handle the paperwork for a transfer. Your dad will need to find a gun shop near him to ship it for him. Again, this is all to keep it legal- which is the best way to go... Doesn't cost too much this way, and keeps you out of jail, should something happen... And gives you legal grounds for recovery should it get stolen, and also to be able to sell it.

As to value, last time I looked into one(and I have a very nice factory rebuild, in original configuration) they were running between $150. and $300. That has been a few years however, so, again, consult Shotgun News, and look at the private sales ads.

Enjoy! They are a nice rifle, and also one of the fastest and most dependable bolt action rifles ever made- they were just about the final design of a rifle which had served the British Empire from the late 1800s and with modifications and newer models, were in frontline service through WWII, and are still seen in widespread service today. They are the rifle which the average "Tommy" used to push the Germans back across the deserts of North Africa, the hills of Italy and the Continent of Europe, as well as driving the Japanese out of parts of Burma and China.

Robbie

Thanks again Robbie for all of your help.

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Curtis Block

I've seen too many airplanes destroyed by the term "Static Restoration."

Curtis,

There is an excellent book on state firearm laws:

Traveler's Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States, by J Scott Kappas.

It should answer the transfer questions. You can order from his web site:

http://www.gunlawguide.com

Kerry

Curtis,

Just as a note, Numrich Arms at:

http://www.e-gunparts.com/

can supply all necessary parts to restore to original. As for shipment, find a local firearms dealer who is willing to accept the shipment (a lot will, and will charge a small fee for the paperwork drill). Get a copy of his Federal Firearms license, send it to your father, and have hime ship the rifle to that address via FedEx or UPS. (He can also get a local dealer to do the same, and the dealer needs that copy of the FFL).

Just a late added footnote...If that was my grandfather's rifle, I'd leave it as is....Just because...

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Bob

Ah memories. I cut my teeth on this weapon, in the army and the RAF. I won my marksman badge in the army, 10 rounds in fifteen seconds all in the bull!!!! I didnt get marksman in the RAF, the rifles were'nt up to standard. In the Army, I received 1s 3p (7p decimal) per day. If I had got marksman in the RAF, they don't pay!!!

Ken

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Ken Garner