[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
LEE-ENFIELD
RIFLE MANUAL
No.1 - - No.3 - - No.4 - - No.5
MKlll
MKI
MKI
MKI
No. 4 Mk. 1
The No. 4 Mk. 1 rifle was developed from the No. 1 SMLE between
the World Wars. It retained the basic Lee action design of the No. 1
rifle, but was extensively modified to improve performance and made
easier to manufacture.
Important modifications included a heavier barrel, heavier receiver,
aperture rear sight and simplified bedding of the barrel in the fore-
end.
Before the Battle of Dunkirk, only a few No. 4 rifles were built.
However, after the British disaster, these rifles went into major
production in England, Canada and the United States. After World
War II, No. 4 rifles were used by Italy, Greece and some Arab
countries. The No. 4 Mk. 2 rifles were used during the Korean War. In
1954, the No. 4 rifle was replaced in the British, Canadian and
Australian Services by the FN-FAL in 7.62 NATO. No. 4 rifles are by
and large in better condition that No. 1’s. but for the most part, are
not finished as well as the peacetime rifles.
No. 5 Mk.
During World War II, the No. 1 SMLE and No. 4 rifles were found to
be too long and heavy for jungle fighting. A shorter more handy rifle
was needed and the No. 5 Mk 1 was developed and adapted from
the earlier rifles. The new rifle became popularly known as the ‘jungle
carbine”, as was a No. 4 with short fore-end and barrel.
It was also fitted with a flash hider and a rubber buttplate. The short
fore-end makes the No. 5 look like a sporting rifle. Many of these
rifles were built and used in Burma and the South Pacific during the
later part of World War II. This version of the Enfield is very popular
with shooters and hunters and will likely bring a premium price.
Sights
The front sights for the Enfield were originally a barley corn sight with
a small ‘v’ for the rear. As improvements were made to the rifle, a
front blade was used and a u-shaped ,rear sight replaced the old ‘v’.
Later a long range adjustable stand-up sight with a peep was used.
They were fixed to the barrel. As the rifles were further refined, the
rear sights were set over the tang to increase sight radius. These
sights have adjustments out to 1600 yards and some can be fine
tuned with a worm wheel to more precise increments.
The purpose of the long range sights was not for accuracy. The British
like to fire in volleys and were able to use this strategy to terrorize
the enemy with a hail of bullets from long range while the hapless
enemy could not return fire.
During World War II, sniper scopes were introduced along with
mounts and boxes to carry them when the scopes were not attached
to the rifle.
loading and Firing
Place the rifle on a table in the upright position or if
in the
field, place
the left hand under the receiver and with the right hand, grasp the
bolt and turn it up and to the left. Pull the bolt straight back as far as
it will go. Insert a loaded five round clip in the clip guide inside the
receiver and force the cartridges down into the magazine with the
right thumb. Take out the empty clip. Place another five round clip in
the clip guide and strip these cartridges into the magazine. There will
be ten rounds in the magazine.
With the right hand, grasp the bolt handle and push it forward and
down, (to the right). This will strip a cartridge from the magazine and
slide it into the chamber. This action also cocks the firing pin. The rifle
is
now ready to be fired by squeezing the trigger. If the rifle will not
be
fired immediately, set the thumb safety on the rear of the receiver
to “Safe”.
After the rifle has been fired, lift the bolt handle up and to the left.
Pull the bolt straight back. This action causes the spent cartridge to
be
withdrawn from the firing chamber and flipped clear of the
receiver. To reload the rifle, push the bolt handle forward and down.
9 fresh cartridge is stripped from the magazine and slipped into the
:hamber. The rifle is now ready to fire again. This sequence may be
repeated until the magazine is empty.
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]