Lee Enfield No4 - Chinese issue

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stickhunter

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Here's a picture of a Chinese-issued Lee Enfield No4.

20120621161052.jpg


The receiver is marked ROC 1944 and there are chinese characters on the buttstock.

My google skills failed me and I was unable to find any information online about Lee Enfields in China. Does anyone know the history of their use in China or is there a reference where I can read up about it? The finish is an olive green --- would that be the same green anti-corrosion paint found on other Enfields or a different type of finish?

The rifle is not mine, but it piqued my curiousity.

ADDENDUM:
Some further searching revealed that about 40K Savage "Lend Lease" No4s were sent to China. Now that I know the terms to use, I've started to find some more information. Here's a closeup of the chinese characters from another post:

http://iowamilitarycollectors.maxforum.org/2010/01/22/savage-no-4-from-china/


DSCF0006a.JPG
 
It is for sale from a dealer, but I will not mention who incase stickhunter wants it. Nice to see that dealer selling a real Chinese issue rifle, they have another one listed that is blatantly fake.
 
DocZoid said:
It is for sale from a dealer, but I will not mention who incase stickhunter wants it. Nice to see that dealer selling a real Chinese issue rifle, they have another one listed that is blatantly fake.
Click to expand...

Thanks DocZoid for your consideration. I've PMd Rattus with the dealer info in case he's interested.

Regarding the other Chinese rifle, at least it was advertised as "Authenticity cannot be guaranteed." Are Chinese K98 commonly faked --- I didn't think they were in particularly high enough demand to warrant forgeries.
 
I had to laugh at the "Authenticity cannot be guaranteed" line. I didn't realise they had relisted it - that specific line was the only addition made to the description after I purchased and returned it, with a detailed list of why and how it was fake.

Haven't come across too many other Chinese fakes but they are out there. In the case of the one we're talking about, it is actually a Chinese Mauser but it was made in 1949 at a different arsenal than is advertised. The stock is Spanish, stock marking is fake or misinterpreted from Spanish, handguard is I don't know what, barrel bands are Brazilian, bolt is wrong and was ground and renumbered to match and it has been pretty heavily reblued. Buyer beware. ;)

But the Enfield is nice!
 
Have a no4 buttstock with chinese markings translated; (for instruction purposes)
These No4's were given to the Nationalists. Later captured by the communists.
Same as the Bren guns made by Inglis for the nationalists.
 
I'm no expert on Chinese Lee Enfields but I have an interest in this one for personal reasons. Is there concern about this one's authenticity? Wheaty, do you mean THIS one is way too nice for a Chinese Lee Enfield? I know most Chinese arms were beat to crap.
 
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I have one with Chinese markings on the receiver and "beat to crap" is certainly an understatement. The one I have came into the country about 30 plus years ago.
 
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Well, seeing as they use the same alphabet, I was going to suggest Korean origin. Plenty of No4s were left there. The other folks would know more about it than I would.
 
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