Picked up an Enfield No.5 for $100! Some general questions about it...

[skorpion]

So I was on a routine visit to the LGS to pick up odds and ends when I saw an Enfield No. 5 Jungle Carbine on the rack for $150. I gave it a once-over and found that the pins that are supposed to hold the front sight/flash hider assembly are missing and the rear sight is missing some parts so it flops around. Other than that, it looked great so I decided to purchase it for $100 ($50 knocked-off for frequent customer "discount").

Now, I was never very knowledgeable on Enfields but I know that the No. 5 is worth way more than $100 and is not something I see very often. I began researching it and started noticing some differences. The left side of the receiver is tapped for a scope mount. The receiver also has no markings on the side other than the serial number (no "No. 5 MK1"). The stock is different, as it doesn't have a top handgaurd, the fore-end is shorter, and I see no evidence of it ever having a barrel band. The left side of the metal strap near the grip only says "England" with a goofy marking above it. There is no year stamped anywhere on this thing. There are British proof marks on the barrel. So far have have only come across one other example of this variation in an image search and no info was available.

Anyone know anything about this variation? Also, any sources for flash hider pins and a rear sight kit? Thanks, fellas!

[skorpion]

Upon closer inspection of the left side of the receiver, I found the model number stamp. It says "No." but the number was right where one of the scope mount holes was drilled. Also, looking at the stock, it appears that it may be original but was cut down and "sporterized" years ago. That would explain the uniqueness of the stock. I still can't find a date stamp any where.

[Helen Keller]

proper bolt . proper cuts on barrel shank. .. is the receiver cut properly?


what is on top of the barrel about 12" from the shank. It should have it's pressure inspection stamp right where the top handgaurd ended.



the rear sight Should have a nice peen mark at the 275meters mark. some have a rivet.


With all I see, late '45 Fazakerley.

[El Laton Caliente]

Nice buy. I had wanted a #5 since I saw one as a grade schooler... finally got one out of a pawn shop two/three years back.

[skorpion]

proper bolt . proper cuts on barrel shank. .. is the receiver cut properly?


what is on top of the barrel about 12" from the shank. It should have it's pressure inspection stamp right where the top handgaurd ended.



the rear sight Should have a nice peen mark at the 275meters mark. some have a rivet.


With all I see, late '45 Fazakerley.

It has the "Sold from Service" X-stamp and a proof test with ".303 2.2222" or something along those lines. From what I have researched so far, the plain "England" on the side instead of a date indicates it was exported after being taken out of service and refurbished.

Nice buy. I had wanted a #5 since I saw one as a grade schooler... finally got one out of a pawn shop two/three years back.

I missed an opportunity years back to get a good deal on a nice No. 5 and wanted to find another ever since. For $100 I couldn't pass it up, especially since it looks very shootable.

[O.S.O.K.]

Good deal but as you noted, it's not a No 5 - it's a sportered No 4.

Should shoot good.

[skorpion]

Thanks for the info, HK.

[skorpion]

Good deal but as you noted, it's not a No 5 - it's a sportered No 4.

Should shoot good.

Is it? It has the No. 5 receiver cuts.

[O.S.O.K.]

I'm no expert, but it looks like they've been milled. I might be wrong... might just be refinished...

[O.S.O.K.]

f3enf5sr.jpg

Here's one to compare with.

[O.S.O.K.]

This reminds me of a recent trade that I made. I traded a H&R Handi 500 S&W with dies, brass, ammo for a Ruger Super Blackhawk 44 Mags with dies, brass, lots of ammo.

The BH has a 5" barrel that was shortened by a previous owner. The front sight was pretty bad looking but seemed functional. The guy says he got it in trade and never shot it. It has an alloy grip frame which I'm pretty sure is a switch from another Ruger - especially since it doesn't quite match exactly at the back of the frame but this doesn't bother me as it works overall.

I took it out back and shot it and the front sight came loose and fell off. OK Fortunately, I had all the tools to fix it and a new front sight was only $13 shipped. I installed it and it looks good now. It wasn't shooting very well and looking at the muzzle, I could see where the rifling wasn't evenly cut - the overall crown was fine but it needed some work - again, I had the tools and gave it a 45 degree chamfer and now it's shooting like it should. I've got a Belt Mountain base pin coming for it. Considering the issues with the BH, if I'd of had to pay a gunsmith to fix them, this wouldn't have been a good trade for me. As it turned out though, it was a great trade!


Trading and buying used can be an adventure!

Here is what it looks like now:



It may have a "replacement grip frame" and the barrel is chopped but I like it. It's a shooter and kind of a "custom" gun lol. So I'm happy.

I'm sure you will be happy with your Enfield too.

[El Laton Caliente]

Mine:

[Helen Keller]

it is a NO. 5
other than the bolt handle, those cuts on the barrel shank are a dead giveaway.

".303 2.2222" Tonnes

is the proper marking right in front where that top HG would be.

can't tell but is the actual rubber butt pad in place?
If you want to dress it back up to proper specs try out sarco or numrich. Wood will cost you about what you paid for the rifle in most cases.
https://www.gunpartscorp.com/Manufac...043.htm?page=1



Late '45 Fazakerleys Were tossed together from what was leftover. Some have an end cap on the stock, some didn't .




Worst thing you can get a hold of is one all dicked up by Golden State Arms / Santa Fe



For what you paid , that's fair . WOUld be a $250-350 rifle if it didnt have all those holes tapped.

If you want to get rid of it someday , I know a guy who "needs" another junker #5 for a project





I acquired 90% of a private estates Enfield collection this past summer. Passed on some duplicates but I picked up some Gems, and.. NO I do not know how many Enfields I have .

[Schuetzenman]

Like has been said, not bad for a C note. Bubba improved it or at least that's what he thought he was doing at the time. You could try to restore it somewhat, get replacement parts and stock. You just can't undo those screw holes though. Still you could at least put some plug screws in to fill them so that they don't collect shit.

[Helen Keller]

the top 3 screw holes are the only "alien" ones.


red loctite plug screws, grind flush and cover with the shittiest black engine paint you can find.



these arent bad shooters. I've shot mine a few times with my Bren loads and recoil isn'tmuch. I usually stick with 178 hard cast unique loads for range plinking though.
More accurate than a Mini 14 @ 100yds.

[O.S.O.K.]

Well, there you go. Helen to the rescue! Glad you got a 5. Regardless IMHO, for $100, you couldn't go wrong.

[skorpion]

Thanks for all of your input, fellas! I've been looking for stocks and there are zero out there. I will still enjoy it the way it is as a shooter, though. And HK, yes, it still has the rubber butt pad. Kind of pointless - I don't see how a strip of hard rubber could help with recoil.

[El Laton Caliente]

And HK, yes, it still has the rubber butt pad. Kind of pointless - I don't see how a strip of hard rubber could help with recoil.

LOL, it doesn't... that rubber is about a .7 on the hardness scale and narrowing the butt makes it worse.

[alismith]

Thanks for all of your input, fellas! I've been looking for stocks and there are zero out there. I will still enjoy it the way it is as a shooter, though. And HK, yes, it still has the rubber butt pad. Kind of pointless - I don't see how a strip of hard rubber could help with recoil.

My guess is it was designed to make sure the shooter didn't waste ammo.

[El Laton Caliente]

My guess is it was designed to make sure the shooter didn't waste ammo.

LOL, the few times I shot mine I stopped at a box or so and went to a lighter recoiling weapon...