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View Full Version : Whats the deal with these .410 Enfields?

shwebo
12-02-2001, 06:11 AM
Killing time on gunbroker the other daya dn came across this:

http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=2529754

Enfield #1 converted to a .410???? I am kinda new to the C&R game so if anyone could offer any information about these I would really appreciate it. I am dying to get one.

Also how much is too much to pay for one of them?

Thank You,

~Brian
Richard Simmons
12-02-2001, 08:54 AM
They were converted from .303 to .410 for foraging and guard duty according to the books. I don't know if they used new rifles or ones that were shot out. Springfiled Sporters in Shotgun News usually has them, they have no website, but I don't recall their prices. Some of them are 2.25" or 2.5" shells and some are 3" IIRC.
parrothead
12-02-2001, 09:17 AM
If memory serves me right, those were converted for use by guards in India. The Brits didnt quite trust the Indians that were in the British service so they used the converted rifles for them. If they decided to rebel they only had a single shot and it was .410, but if they had to use it in the line of duty, they still had a weapon that would do some damage but somewhat limited though.;)
AJ Dual
12-02-2001, 11:15 PM
Were they re-barreled or bored out? Does the .410 rim size match up with .303 letting you keep the bolt?

Also, becaue of the rifle action, can you experiment with high pressure .410 loads you'd never dare try in a regular shotgun?

Too bad there's no way to get them to feed from the mags.
NC_Rebel
12-03-2001, 08:06 AM
Egypt, not India. The operating system is such that conventional .410 will not fire in this weapon. Since the ammo is no longer available, the ATF doesn't think it's too dangerous so we peons can buy them if we want.
AJ Dual
12-03-2001, 10:19 AM
So it's a different .410 shell?

Sounds pretty useless, unless you are an Enfield collector and only want one of every variant ever made.
NC_Rebel
12-03-2001, 11:10 AM
Scratch that, I was thinking of Egyptian converted Lee-Martini's. :o

The .410 convert WAS Indian. The Indians converted a RFI No.1 Mk.III* by boring out the barrel and inserting a block of wood in the mag well (since this was intended to be a single shot weapon). Should still fire standard .410 shells. I've only seen them in books, though. If you get this one shwebo, be sure to post pics!!