- Refurbished SMLE rifles have had their original serial numbers struck out on the knox form (where the serial number is located on the front of the receiver- normally the right hand side) and a new one added to replace the struck off serial number, usually underneath the struck off serial number.
- Truth be known about Enfield serial numbers is simply, the serial number was used more for production counting than any other reason. For official references, usually the finished and issued rifle was tracked by its rack number and of course these records have long.
- Truth be known about Enfield serial numbers is simply, the serial number was used more for production counting than any other reason. For official references, usually the finished and issued rifle was tracked by its rack number and of course these records have long since been destroyed or lost forever.
From All About Enfields; The No4Mk1 rifle
The Lee–Enfield is a bolt-action, magazine-fed repeating rifle that served as the main firearm used by the military forces of the British Empire and Commonwealth during the first half of the 20th century. It was the British Army's standard rifle from its official adoption in 1895 until 1957. The WWI versions are often referred to as the 'SMLE', which is short for the common 'Short, Magazine. Some people argue that only those rifles with serial numbers in the range I mentioned are Irish Contract rifles. Considering no one knows for sure which rifles were actually delivered to Ireland, many other people consider any SMLE Lee-Enfield No. 2 rifles delivered to Ireland to be Irish Contract rifles.
Lee Enfield No4MkI’s were made by several factories during the 2nd World War. The bulk being from the Royal Ordinance factory Maltby, ROF Fazakerley, BSA Shirley, with smaller quantities at Longbranch in Toronto Canada and by the Stevens-Savage company of Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, USA.
To work out which factory that your Lee Enfield No4 was made is to look at wrist markings where the serial numbers are. Now this only equates to British No4MkI here. The British made No4MkI’s use a prefix and number – (Alpha numerical) system to identify manufacturer. Numbered serials starting with 1 indicated ROF Maltby, 2 indicated ROF Fazakerley and 3 indicated BSA Shirley. However as one soon learns with anything to do with life there are exceptions, early in on the game BSA Shirley did a production run which used only 4 numbers and went from Axxxx to Zxxxx.
Canadian made Longbranch No4MkI’s are easy to tell as they have “Longbranch” written across the receiver and they would have been changed over around 41 /42 from MkI to MkI*. The US made No4MkI’s were produced under the lend-lease agreement and as such will have U.S. PROPERTY stamped across left part of the receiver. Well it should have it stamped there! I’ve had stories recounted to me that some units removed the marks. But again, a very stylised square S or the US flaming proof mark may well give it away. But these early US marked No4MkI’s will be rather limited in numbers.
This does have the squared cocking piece, the MKII. Whereas the earlier models had a button cocking piece, however due to production date of this rifle the square piece is correct to the rifle, as was highlighted in the list of changes Para B4737.
The main way in which to easily differentiate the models is the bolt head release mechanism. It is a spring-loaded catch just rearward of the charger guide on the right hand side the receiver. Depressing this allowed the bolt to be removed from the rifle.
Improvements in the bedding and a heavier barrel, coupled with a longer sight picture gave the Allied soldier a battle rifle with great potential. The reduced weight in the nose cap allowed the rifle to balance and come up to the aim quicker. An improved graduated rear flip-up sight called the singer sight was graduated from 200yds to 1300yds in 50 yd graduations.
Top, Lee Enfield No4 MK2, Bottom Lee Enfield No4 Mk1
The woodwork of the early No4 was that of beech or birch. Earlier less hurried times would have seen wood such as French or European walnut being used. The walnut would have been suitably seasoned and prepared years in advance. However luxuries like that were soon to be a thing of the past. But those issues are better suited to be explored in No4Mk1*. But needless to say, by the time the No4Mk1* was hitting production what skilled operators and man power was left, were doing an exceptional job with what wood they were able to harvest or being supplied. The times of enjoying wood from Europe was ending and North American woods were now becoming increasingly the norm as well as coach woods from as far as Australia.
Lee Enfield Accuracy
The accuracy the No4 was expected to achieve was hitting a 6×4 inch plate at 100 yards. But when we talk about accuracy I feel that I must remind readers of what Maj E.B.B Reynolds wrote in his book “The Lee Enfield Rifle”. Maj Reynolds summarized this whole subject up perfectly when he wrote “throughout its many years of useful service the Lee Enfield has had many critics, particularly regarding is accuracy as a target shooting weapon. Many writers and critics appear to have overlooked the fact that it was designed as the British soldier’s personal arm, not as a target rife” Pg 9, Second impression 1962. And this was no target rifle, nor was it ever intended to be, it was deadly efficient in its intended role and proved an extremely solid and dependable battle rifle
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Full Parts Inventories for the Lee Enfield.
Hoosier Gun Works; http://www.hoosiergunworks.com/ …… Near full inventory for Enfield No1 Mk3 and No4, No1 Mk3 Click Here, No4 Mk1 Click Here. Not able to export, good people, USA.
Numrich Gun Parts Corp; http://www.e-gunparts.com/ ……. Wood plus full inventories for Enfield No1 Mk3 and No4, No5 and No 8, Enfield mini index Click Here. Will export up to $100 per order, will split parcels to assist, USA.
Poppert’s Gun Parts; http://www.poppertsgunparts.com/ …….. Wood, plus full inventory for Enfield No1 Mk3 and No4, Enfield Search, Not able to export. USA.
Springfield Sporters; http://www.ssporters.com/ ……. Wood, barrels, plus full inventory for Enfield No1 Mk3 and No4. Not able to export, USA.
Sarco Inc, http://www.sarcoinc.com/ Also; Sarco Online Order Site, http://e-sarcoinc.com/ …….. Wood, plus full inventory for Enfield No1 Mk3 and No4. Lee Enfield; Click Here. Will Export, USA.
Valmont Firearms; http://www.valmontfirearms.co.uk/Lee Enfield.htm. ……. Enfield and near full inventory of new parts for Enfield No1 Mk3 and No4, UK.
Lee Enfield, parts, accessories
Accumounts; http://www.accumounts.com/ …… Steel, no gunsmith scope mount for Lee Enfield, wide range, including No4 T pads and P14 WW1 sniper mounts. USA
Addley Precision; http://addleyprecision.com/ …….. Very nice range of Enfield scope mounts, some with extra rails for No4 Enfields. Canada.
Aim Surplus; http://aimsurplus.com/ …….. C&R including Lee Enfield and parts.USA
Apex Gun Parts; https://www.apexgunparts.com/rifles/bolt-action/lee-enfield.html …….. Lee Enfield parts list, including original No4 T cheek rests (june/2011). Does not export. US
Battledress and Bayonet; http://www.battledressandbayonet.com/ ……. Repro Enfield No1 Mk3 grenade launcher and Sten bayonets. Wide range for collectors and re-enactors. UK.
BDL Ltd; http://www.bdlltd.com/ ……. Parts, great range of Enfield, world reknown for customer service, Enfield snipers, Enfields on request, and overhauling no32 scopes. Most Enfield parts by query, Contact; Brian Dick, Will Export, USA.
British Lee Enfield Serial Number Database
Buy Milsurp; http://www.buymilsurp.com/zencart/ …….. Wood, Barrels. Lee Enfield, parts. USA
Century Arms; https://www.centuryarms.com/ (Dealers and C&R holders only); ……. Sometimes Lee Enfield, parts/wood sets. USA
Collectible Firearms; http://www.collectiblefirearms.com/RiflesLeeEnfield.html …… Lee Enfield for sale. US
Collector’s Source; http://www.collectorssource.com/ ……. Military collectibles for sale incl. Lee Enfield and militaria. Ontario, Canada
Combat Hunting;http://www.combathunting.com/ …… Rifle store with Lee Enfield section. US
EFD; http://www.efdrifles.com/ ……. New made reproduction parts for early, hard to find Enfield. Lee Enfield for sale also. UK.
Empire Arms; http://www.empirearms.com/ ……. C&R including Lee Enfield and parts. USA
Gibbs Rifle Co; http://www.gibbsrifle.com/index.html …… Re made classic C&R, including Lee Enfield. USA
Huber Concepts; http://www.huberconcepts.com/ …… Low friction triggers for Lee Enfield and other C&R. USA
International Military Antiques, http://www.ima-usa.com/ ……. Large parts and militaria list for British, and other countries. Repro T scope mount. USA
InterOrdance – IO Inc; http://www.ioinc.us/ …….. A well known business with a low profile that quietly imports interesting C&R rifles, including Lee Enfield. US
Joe Salter.com; http://www.joesalter.com/ ……. Excellent classic and rare Lee Enfield for sale. US
KebCo LLC; http://www.kebcollc.com …….. C&R including Enfield parts. USA
Lawrence Ordnance; http://www.lawranceordnance.com/ ……. Sydney based, AIA enfield dealer, plus C&R militaria, Enfield parts and Lee Enfield. Aust.
Lynx Optics; Scope mounts/bases, Lee Enfield and many others. NSW, Aust.
Martini-Henry; http://martinihenry.com/ …….. Excellent large site with Lee Enfield and parts for sale. USA
MarStar Canada; http://www.marstar.ca/dynamic/index.jsp …….. Possible Enfield stuff, Lee Enfield, also ex dealer for AIA Enfield, Canada.
Lee Enfield Serial Number Database Online
Mojo Sighting Systems; http://www.mojosights.com/sample-page/lee-enfield/ …….. After market peep sights for Lee Enfield No1 Mk3. USA
Navy Arms; http://www.navyarms.com/ ……. Re made classic rifles including Lee Enfield. USA
Northridge International; http://www.northridgeinc.com/ …….. C&R rifles and Parts, including Lee Enfield and parts. Los Angeles. USA
Old Western Scrounger; http://www.ows-ammo.com/store/…….. Lee Enfield rifle parts plus a neat jungle carbine flash hider modified to reduce muzzle flip. US
Prestigious Wood Stocks; – New made wood stocks, restoration kits, … Canada
Poppert’s Gun Parts; http://www.poppertsgunparts.com/ ……. Lee Enfield, parts list. US
Simpsons Ltd; http://www.simpsonltd.com ……… Collector firearms, a good range of used Lee Enfield. USA
Wolverine Supplies; http://www.wolverinesupplies.com/ ……. Ex dealer for AIA ‘Lee Enfield’, Canada