Lee Enfield No5 "Jungle Carbine"

[ChromeArty]

I have a LE No5 that I have checked to make sure is the real deal and not a copy or conversion from a No4.

Anyway, the bolt appeared to be from a No4 due to the fact that the bolt head is not hollowed out...but upon closer inspection I found that the serial number matches the receiver...?? keep in mind this is NOT a No4 conversion, she checks out..from everything from the lightening cuts in the barrel to the sight only goes to 800 yards. The only thing that is weird is the bolt isn't hollowed.

The year of the rifle is 1944, does anyone know if they didn't hollow out the bolt head early on..? or what might be going on?

I appreciate you taking the time to read this tread,

 

[enefgee]

The hollow/not hollow bolt head thing is hit and miss on all No4 and newer LE's, I believe.

 

[scott585]

yep, ive seen matching No 4s with the hole and real No 5s without, i think it was a matter of what parts were on hand when the rifle was made

 

[simonsez]

No5 jungle carbine were made from no4 LE. Maybe they forgot to drill the bolt handle???

 

[smellie]

By and large they were not made FROM Number 4 rifles, but they used nearly all the same parts, should you are to check the parts-interchangeability list.

Not surprising that a wartime rifle might not agree 101% with The Official Specs. They had a WAR to fight!

Sounds like you have a fun little rifle.
.

 

[nelly]

It is also possible that the original bolt was lost in service / shipment / transfers somewhere, and the Queen gave it a replacement.

 

[sunray]

"...not made FROM Number 4 rifles..." Trials were done with modified No. 4's though.
Bolt handle knobs were hollowed out.

 

[bigedp51]

The bolts on the No.4 and No.5 were interchangeable with solid bolts and bolts with 3/8 and 5/16 holes drilled in the bolt handle.
(From Small Arms Identification series ".303 Rifle, No.5 Mk.1" Ian Skennerton)

Just one reason for bolt replacement is if the Enfield rifle failed a head space test with a No.3 bolt head, a new bolt would be fitted to increase head space. Also if the rifle went through FTR (overhaul) the bolt could have been replaced or at field level by an Armourer.

Below, No.4 info in left hand column, right hand column No.5 info, please note "ALL" bolts were interchangeable with both the No.4 and No.5 rifle.

Also for grins and giggles below "WHY" they painted the Enfield below the wood line during WWII.

Below, severely neglected No.5 Enfield from Malaysia.

During WWII Enfield rifles were no longer completely torn down for yearly inspections. They were painted and only torn down as needed for repairs and the troops began oiling their own stocks.

 

[ChromeArty]

WOW!!! sorry for the late reply, you guys have given me a wonderful abundance of info.

I truly appreciate all the responses

 

[bigedp51]

The No.5 has a free floating barrel.

Unlike the No.4 below the No.5 should not be touching the fore stock forward of area "D" and does not have any up pressure at the fore end tip.

 

[5THBATT]

1944 No5 bolt hole & a 1945 No5 bolt hole above.

The rifles.

 

[OLD RSM]

HI Guy's
I have a No4 Mkl 45 BSA and a No5 Mk1 45 BSA both have issue bolts with the same hole.
Cheers Gerry

 

[bgcameron]

1944 No5 bolt hole & a 1945 No5 bolt hole above.

The rifles.

Is it just me or is this one ###y pair of rifles?

 

[enefgee]

Wow, a '44 No5 is early - they didn't finalize until March of '44.

 

[5THBATT]

Wow, a '44 No5 is early - they didn't finalize until March of '44.

Here's another early feature, smaller diameter peep hole

 

[old hound]

Is it just me or is this one ###y pair of rifles?

not just you. They are a ###y pair.

 

[enefgee]

Holy Sh*t! Serial number Five Hundred and Twenty-Four - amazing (and no letter either). Very nice indeed.

 

[ChromeArty]

The No.5 has a free floating barrel.

Unlike the No.4 below the No.5 should not be touching the fore stock forward of area "D" and does not have any up pressure at the fore end tip.

Cool! gonna take a closer look at those drawings now