Israeli Enfield

[h.letourneau]

I've been told that the state of Israel bought after the second war a large quantity of weapons.Some of them were Lee Enfields.I want to know what kind of markings are we expected to find on these rifles.They seem to be very scarce.
Thanks.

 

[BadgerDog]

I've never heard of an Israeli Lee Enfield, but yes, there are Israeli converted to 7.62mm German K98k's. Although not yet prepared and set-up as an MKL entry, you can check the typical markings on them at the link below.

1945 swp K98k (Mfg in 1945 by Waffen Werke Brünn A.G., Bystrica)
(Converted by Israel to 7.62mm)

(Click PIC to Enlarge)

1945 swp 7.62mm Israeli K98k (lots more pics ... click here)http://imageevent.com/badgerdog/germanservicerifles/1945swpk98kisraeli

Hope this helps....

Regards,
Badger

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[sf]

Israel used quite a few LE No1 MkIII during the 48 independence war. May have been old stocks supplied by the Brit during WW2 resistance days against the Nazis.

 

[JP]

I used to have an Israeli designed and manufactured bayonet for the No 1 MKIII*, but I have never seen an Israeli marked rifle. I do see once in a while Webley MKIV pistols with Israeli markings, supposedly Israeli Police issue.

 

[sunray]

"...May have been old stocks..." In those days, the Israelis used whatever they could get. Like ME-109's AND Spitfires. If there were any No.1's around, they were likely left behind by the Aussies, Kiwi's or Indian armies. These would very likely not have been marked in any way by Israel. Mind you, I wouldn't put any money on any of this.

 

[bearhunter]

They also captured thousands of them from the Arabs and British. bearhunter

 

[sf]

"...May have been old stocks..." In those days, the Israelis used whatever they could get. Like ME-109's AND Spitfires. If there were any No.1's around, they were likely left behind by the Aussies, Kiwi's or Indian armies. These would very likely not have been marked in any way by Israel. Mind you, I wouldn't put any money on any of this.

You are wrong. It was well documented the British trained and supplied Jewish fighters in Palestine to conduct commando raids around the Mediterranean against German occupied troops during WW2. LE No1 MkIII, Sten SMGs, Bren guns and Mk 36 Mill bombs were frequently used by the Jewish resistance to carry out their missions. After WW2 was over, the British promptly cut off their relationship and support to the former Jewish ally and caused the Jewish underground to turn on the British forces reoccupying Palestine.