Lee Enfield On-line Knowledge Libraries (Index of Articles)

“Khyber Pass” Lee-Enfield No.I Mk.III* Rifle

With thanks to member Steve H. in N.Y., we've added a new entry to the England - Milsurp Knowledge Library (click here) http://www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php?f=12

“Khyber Pass” Lee-Enfield No.I Mk.III* Rifle (click here)http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=17990

Article extract …..

The Khyber Pass is a border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan known for it’s local weapons industry, notably the often crude manufacture of copies of well known firearms including Lee-Enfield rifles. These “KP Special” Enfields were fairly rare here in the USA until 2007 when a quantity were imported, then they turned up in dealers’ racks and on several web sites. Unfortunately, the rifles were not always advertised as what they really were with their false markings, dubious quality and general unsuitability for firing live ammunition.

Samples from 30 picture photo montage …

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Regards,
Badger
 
Interesting threads worth mentioning ...

The first thread below started out as a simple question for Peter Laidler about the definition of the "ZF" marking that appears on Enfield rifles. It turned into a wide ranging multi-page discussion about this marking, with Peter and other Enfield experts elaborating and explaining in detail the variations and meaning of these markings, plus additional feedback about Canadian Long Branch rifles.

"ZF" marking on Enfields? (click here)http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=18070

This second thread also started out as a simple post of an essay relating to the British army new sniper rifle. The poster had been asked to comment on the new weapon and he requested responses from regular shooters prior to finalizing his draft. It also turned into a multi-page thread about this topic content and provoked a lot of discussion.

Essay on British army new sniper rifle (click here)http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=17981

I thought both threads merited being flagged and noted as part of our on-going Knowledge Library building efforts and decided to let anyone know who might be interested in viewing the content of either thread.

Regards,
Badger
 
"The Vickers-Pedersen MKL entry updated ....

With thanks to AlanD, we've updated the "Collectors Comments and Feedback" section of this entry (see note # 11) in the England - Milsurp Knowledge Library

The Vickers-Pedersen (Part One) http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=3521

Alan has provide additional information and serial numbers of Vickers-Pederson rifles that Parker Hale Arms had for sale at the end of 1959.

Regards,
Badger
 
Making Up a Useable No.4 Sniper - Part 1 (by Peter Laidler)

With thanks to Advisory Panel member Peter Laidler, a new article has been added to the Technical Articles for Milsurp Collectors and Re-loaders (click here)http://www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php?f=25.

Making Up a Useable No.4 Sniper - Part 1 (by Peter Laidler) (click here)http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=18763

As Peter says …. "This series will describe a reasonably accurate and passable way of making up a useable No4 sniper from a pile of repro bits. Not a fake or means of ripping anyone off, but just a useable replica.

Article Extract .....

If you’re about to embark on making yourself a repro No4 sniper, then this is where we start. Firstly, by now, you should have yourself a bracket, a set of pads and most importantly, a telescope.

There’s something else you’ll need before you start. It’s a little cradle thingy so that you can rotate the telescope. On the basis that one picture describes a thousand words, the photographs here show something that will do the job as well as anything. This was knocked up by me in 10 minutes using two bits of plastic sheet, cut with a hacksaw and screwed to the end of a bit of wood. No measurements needed because the telescope shows it all in proportion and the two ‘vee’s hold the telescope in position while you roll it.


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As with reading any kind of article, whether it be traditional paper magazine based, or in this case an electronic format, it's sometime difficult to gauge the reader's interest level. Peter has requested that if anyone has any questions on his current series of articles, comments or additions for inclusion in his articles under the "Collectors Comments and Feedback" section of the MKL article, or ideas for future topics, that they please leave feedback for him in the appropriate announcement thread.

Regards,
Badger
 
Making Up a Useable No.4 Sniper - Part 2 (by Peter Laidler)

With thanks to Advisory Panel member Peter Laidler, a new article has been added to the Technical Articles for Milsurp Collectors and Re-loaders (click here)http://www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php?f=25.

Making Up a Useable No.4 Sniper - Part 2 (by Peter Laidler) (click here)http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=18807

As Peter says …. "This series will describe a reasonably accurate and passable way of making up a useable No4 sniper from a pile of repro bits. Not a fake or means of ripping anyone off, but just a useable replica.

Article Extract .....

By now, you should have your centered telescope in its bracket with both drums set to 0. What we’re going to do next is to fit the front pad so that when you tighten up the front thumbscrew, the bracket and therefore the grat will swing up and down EXACTLY across that DAP.

It’s important that you read, re-read and fully digest these simple instructions over a glass of scotch while the wife is out shopping and the kids are out playing……………

A body (this time a skeletonised rifle) locked in place on the block.

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Peter has added a personal request within the text of this second part of his series of articles.

Note: If you have any questions or don’t understand something or my instructions are ambiguous then please ask on the forum and NOT by PM (Private Message). That way everyone will get the benefit of the question and answer.

Regards,
Badger
 
Making Up a Useable No.4 Sniper - Part 3 (by Peter Laidler)

With thanks to Advisory Panel member Peter Laidler, a new article has been added to the Technical Articles for Milsurp Collectors and Re-loaders (click here)http://www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php?f=25.

Making Up a Useable No.4 Sniper - Part 3 (by Peter Laidler) (click here)http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=18847

As Peter says …. "This series will describe a reasonably accurate and passable way of making up a useable No4 sniper from a pile of repro bits. Not a fake or means of ripping anyone off, but just a useable replica.

Article Extract .....

Up to this part in our project, you’ll have a properly set-up telescope in a bracket, a front pad screwed on to the rifle, but NOT permanently fixed quite yet and a bracket that fits to the front pad where the graticle swings up and down right across the point on which the bore is bore sighted. This has fixed the left – right deflection. What we want to do next is equally important. We need to fix the REAR pad between the bracket and the body, EXACTLY in such a position that it allows the bevel of the bracket to fit solidly and firmly against the corresponding bevel of the pad. This will fix the up and down movement of the bracket. Is it all making sense now?

A body (this time a skeletonised rifle) locked in place on the block.

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Peter has added a personal request in regards to this series of articles.

Note: If you have any questions or don’t understand something or my instructions are ambiguous then please ask on the forum and NOT by PM (Private Message). That way everyone will get the benefit of the question and answer.

So, after reading any of the parts in the series up to this point, members are requested to post you questions here in this thread for Part 3, or the appropriate announcement thread for Part's 1 and 2.

Regards,
Badger
 
Making Up a Useable No.4 Sniper - Part 4 (by Peter Laidler)

With thanks to Advisory Panel member Peter Laidler, a new article has been added to the Technical Articles for Milsurp Collectors and Re-loaders (click here)http://www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php?f=25.

Making Up a Useable No.4 Sniper - Part 4 (by Peter Laidler) (click here)http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=18915

As Peter says …. "This series will describe a reasonably accurate and passable way of making up a useable No4 sniper from a pile of repro bits. Not a fake or means of ripping anyone off, but just a useable replica.

Article Extract .....

When we left part 3, we had the front and rear pads fitted to the bodyside with their 4BA machine head or raised countersunks (x3 at the front) and countersunk x2 in the rear pad. Now is the time to scrupulously clean and flux and tin the flat and angled mating surfaces of the pads and the body side and allow a small amount of the flux to run into the 4BA holes too. Because we want the soft solder to penetrate into the threaded holes in order to LOCK the screws too. Just run a smooth file down one side of the 4BA threads because this small flat is going to allow the molten solder to run into the threads and lock the screws. Position the front pad and start the screws. They’ll soon get tight in the holes so this is the time to get the flame of the blow torch to soften the solder on the body and pad. While the solder is fluid and you’re playing the flame over the area, get your colleague to slowly, bit at a time and evenly tighten up the screws……… There, they are now done up very tight locking the pad to the body. If he as professional as you and if he’s got the correct size and serviceable screwdriver, you won’t have any amateurish gouges of the screw heads either. …... <continued>

Knocking down 12" steel plates at 500 and 600 meters with a 1945 Enfield No.4 Mk1(T).

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Peter has added a personal request in regards to this series of articles.

Note: If you have any questions or don’t understand something or my instructions are ambiguous then please ask on the forum and NOT by PM (Private Message). That way everyone will get the benefit of the question and answer.

So, after reading any of the parts in the series up to this point, members are requested to post you questions here in this thread for Part 4, or the appropriate announcement thread for Part's 1, 2 or 3.

Regards,
Badger
 
L59A1 DP Rifle (by Peter Laidler)

With thanks to Advisory Panel member Peter Laidler, a new article has been added to the Technical Articles for Milsurp Collectors and Re-loaders (click here)http://www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php?f=25.

L59A1 DP Rifle (by Peter Laidler) (click here)http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=18957

As Peter says …. "Putting my old teaching hat on and remembering the phrase that one picture describes a thousand words, here are a series of pictures showing the important points of what one of these mysterious ‘rifles’ embodies."

Article Extract .....

That was a timely picture by tlvaughn (click here)http://www.milsurps.com/showpost.php?p=103330&postcount=17http://www.milsurps.com/showpost.php?p=103330&postcount=17 of his selection of No4 rifles which included a shot of an official No4 DP rifle, known to us in the UK Military as the RIFLE, DRILL PURPOSE, L59A1. I expect that some of the wild and untamed colonials and antipodeans among the forumers have been at their wits end trying to decipher what we unwashed Brits have been chuntering on about during our recent discussions about an Enfield rifle that is incapable of firing anything, but is still a rifle…….called ‘……..an L59!’ The L59 was a downgraded rifle converted to a non firing, totally inert rifle for training use with Cadets (and not only Cadets I should add). Incidentally, numerically this is the last Lee Enfield. While there were 6 L59A2's, that should be looked upon as a sample run. That fact makes a genuine L59 a cheap but important item in any collection of Lee Enfields. …... <continued>

The left side of a typical L59A1 Drill Rifle. Notice the distinct, wide white bands on the butt and fore-end/handguard. This particular rifle had a blunted/rounded tip DP marked bayonet fitted too. There doesn’t appear to be any official EMER reference to DP No4 bayonets in the relevant EMER SA&MG V150 but this bayonet bears a label with the distinct red ‘S’ for serviceable which is lined through and now reads ‘…to EMER DP spec’. On the basis that if it is DP, it cannot be truly serviceable.


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Peter has added a personal request in regards to this article.

Note: If you have any questions or don’t understand something or my instructions are ambiguous then please ask on the forum and NOT by PM (Private Message). That way everyone will get the benefit of the question and answer.

Regards,
Badger
 
Sniping in France 1914-18 (by Major H. Hesketh-Prichard DSO, MC.)

:cheers:

With thanks to member Alan De Enfield for locating it, a newly scanned on-line book has been added to the Technical Articles for Milsurp Collectors and Re-loaders (click here)http://www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php?f=25.

Sniping in France 1914-18 by Major H. Hesketh-Prichard DSO, MC. (click here)http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=19426

Article Extract .....

For anyone wanting to get a sense of what it was like to train and operate as a sniper during the Great War 1914-1918, this book Sniping in France 1914-18 by Major H. Hesketh-Prichard DSO, MC. that Alan located on-line is a must read.

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This is a highly interesting read and discusses the use of tactics, equipment, training methods and the creating of the first official sniper training school for British forces. To realize that their engagement ranges for early SMILE and Pattern sniper rifles with Winchester A5, Aldis and Periscopic Prism scopes was between 200 and 400 meters (average distance between trenches) is fascinating, when we think about modern military sniper engagements today starting at 600 meters and going out to 2,000 meters with heavy caliber rifles.

There are two rifles of the kind Prichard talks about being used, in the England - Milsurp Knowledge Library (click here) http://www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php?f=12

1916 ShtLE (Short Lee-Enfield) No.1 MkIII* Sniper Rifle (click here) .....http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=87

No3 MkI* (T) Rifle - (Pattern 1914 Mk1* W (T) Sniper Rifle)(click here) …..http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=88http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=88
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Regards,
Badger
 
Although not a direct library entry yet, nonetheless a most interesting post for Enfield collectors by Peter Laidler with pics from Warminister collection.

SMLE hit by AP round !!http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=20135

Peter said: "Here is a genuine documented set of photos of the true SMLE where the shooter was hit by an AP round. The core went down the barrel leaving the envelope behind in the muzzle, detonated the round in the chamber and blew it up. He was only shaken. We have the full documented story at Warminster."

Regards,
Badger
 
Weekly Lee Enfield Collectors Forum on-line chat gathering ……

For all of you serious Enfield collectors who would like to meet live on-line with other collectors and various Enfield experts, check your personal calendars and add a new regular event.

Weekly Lee Enfield Collectors Forum on-line chat gathering ……

Every Sunday (Monday in Australia/New Zealand) starting at the local times listed within the following time zones:

Corresponding UTC (GMT) 8:00 pm

London (U.K. - England) 9:00 PM UTC+1 hour BST
Berlin (Germany - Berlin) 10:00 PM UTC+2 hours CEST
Sydney (Australia - New South Wales) (Monday morning) 6:00 AM UTC+10 hours EST
Auckland (New Zealand) (Monday morning) 8:00 AM UTC+12 hours
Toronto (Canada - Ontario) 4:00 PM UTC-4 hours EDT
San Francisco (U.S.A. - California) 1:00 PM UTC-7 hours PDT
Phoenix (U.S.A. - Arizona) 1:00 PM UTC-7 hours MST
Houston (U.S.A. - Texas) 2:00 PM UTC-6 hours CDT
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What is the "Members Chat Room"? (click here)http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=19909

Confused with understanding multiple time zones, try the World Clock Time Zones (click here)http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/

We are currently organizing scheduled chat events for different forums, as well as assembling a list of celebrity speakers to cover an interesting range of rare subjects. The topics for discussion may be very specific, or perhaps more general and just titled ... "An evening with (fill in your favorite speaker request here)". If you'd like to see any specific members formally invited to appear as guest speakers, please let us know and we'd be happy to check if they have any interest in doing so. For example, we already have two recognized experts, who have agreed to be guest speakers in the coming months, for similar events being held for members of the M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle forum.

It's ok just to show up and "lurk" (listen), or ask a specific question you've always wanted to ask another member you may see in attendance, using the private side-band instant messaging function built into the chat software. ;)

In order to provide for the most enjoyable experience for our members with the highest on-line performance and reliability, the chat system software we use is professionally built and hosted externally. We'd like to advise our host server in advance as to approximately how many members will be logging in and attending. There is a 50 seat maximum, so, if you could check the poll at the top of the thread on the Milsurps.Com site and advise as to whether you'll be attending our first inaugural evening this Sunday, April 4th, 2010 starting UTC (GMT) 8:00 pm (check your local time here)http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclo...th=4&day=4&year=2010&hour=20&min=0&sec=0&p1=0, it would be appreciated and help our planning considerably. :cheers:

Planning timings for a world wide real time event is challenging, so your particular time zone may not be the best or most convenient for you. As we get a better sense of attendance and which world wide geographic time zones are represented the most, we may adjust the start times of future chat nights to provide a fairer sense of balance. If interest is high enough, we may even offer more regionally oriented chat evenings, specifically set to accommodate those individual time zones.

As with any new feature we add, we'll be monitoring this new addition to the site to get a sense of popularity and usage. If you try it, we'd appreciate any feedback and comments on it to make sure we're giving our members not only the functionality they'd like, but providing it at the highest quality level of service delivery. :)

Regards,
Badger
 
Handbook of the Pedersen Self Loading Rifle

With thanks to member Kev G (click here), we've added a new publication to the Technical Articles for Milsurp Collectors and Re-loaders (click here)http://www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php?f=25.

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Handbook of the Pedersen Self Loading Rifle (click here)http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=20973

This manual covers the description and management of the Pedersen Self Loading Rifle Model P.A. (yith description and data). It is an official Vickers-Armstrongs Limited. It covers all aspects of operating and handling the Pedersen Self Loading Rifle Model P.A., including including stripping and assembling, as well as accessories.

Kev G has also kindly supplied the Knowledge Library with a complete set of high resolution blueprints for the manufacturing of the No.4(T) sniper rifle Chest S.A. No.15 Mk1, which we're just organizing to post to the libraries in the next few days.

Regards,
Badger
 
Blueprints for Chest S.A. No.15 Mk1

With thanks to member Kev G (click here), we've added a new set of technical blueprint drawings to the Technical Articles for Milsurp Collectors and Re-loaders (click here)http://www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php?f=25.


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Blueprints for Chest S.A. No.15 Mk1 (click here)http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=20994

This complete set of technical blueprint drawings are for Chest S.A. No.15 Mk for Rifles No.4 with telescope and case. The originals appeared to have been created about December 9th, 1941 and they include revisions through to May 7th, 1945

Regards,
Badger
 
Every now and again, a really interesting and educational thread about our Enfield collecting comes along that presents for discussion, fresh material not seen before. The thread below started in early April but it's grown in size and content to be very popular, with both very experienced Enfield collectors and novices alike participating. I thought those serious Enfield collectors who don't login very often, might enjoy this particular thread and especially the pics, so this might be a good one to click on the link and read

As an example, here's some really neat pics provided by a new member Nobsdave, of his L42 chests he builds from original technical documentation. Outstanding work!

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Also, some of you may have already seen some of the pics from member grant580 showing his fabulous work on building his No4 Mk1(T) transit chests. Here's a couple of pics from the thread showing his "work in process".

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No 4 Mk1 T Transit box Reproductions/Canadian Version (click here)http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=20758

Hope you enjoy the discussion. We'll try to create a Knowledge Library article from the ongoing content, so if any of you would like to participate in that, add your posts to the thread so they can become part of the ongoing learning experience for all of us.

Regards,
Badger
 
I'm hoping I can find some help in here, does anyone know where I may be able to find these two long lee-enfield barrel bands? I'm willing to buy internationally and I'll accept any fair offer. I'm trying to restore a Long Lee with very little success.

I've emailed numerich gunparts, been on ebay and gunbroker again with very little success. Pics below.

Upper Band


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Lower band


Uploaded with ImageShack.us
 
Milsurp Knowledge Library

We have re-structured the way our Milsurp Knowledge Library is accessed and viewed by members, moving away from the traditional forum posting look and feel, to a simpler and more familiar standard web page look. This style uses the traditional "by country" selection method, but also features the ability to select library content by "category". For example, a member can select the category Sniper Rifles to view all sniper rifles in the library, regardless of what's their country of origin. We've also cross categorized and created a special section for Peter Laidler's current 23 (and rising) Enfield related articles.

The new Knowledge Library may be accessed by selecting the tab titled Knowledge Library (click here)http://www.milsurps.com/content.php, located in the top left corner of the web site right under the Milsurps.Com graphics image.

Regards,
Badger
 
Advisory Panel addition (Ian Skennerton)

On behalf of all of our members, I'd like to welcome Mr. Ian Skennerton as a member of our Advisory Panel (click here)http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=23.

Although it isn't necessary as his reputation precedes him, more details of Ian's accomplishments and a brief biography may be viewed by hovering your mouse over his name above within the posted link mentioned above.

Ian has graciously joined our Advisory Panel, working along side Peter Laidler, Dr. Roger Payne and many other recognized experts within the broader Enfield collector community. We're looking forward to collaborating with him in coming months on a special project, a film documentary on the World War II Sparrow Force to Timor, as well as some other exciting and creative special projects, specifically oriented towards the military historical research and collector community.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to once again publicly thank all of our Advisory Panel members, for their gracious help and support within the forums assisting the many novice collectors, as well as their contributions in writing articles and providing feedback that has helped the Knowledge Library (click here)http://www.milsurps.com/content.php become a major free reference source over the last four years, for the benefit of the entire collector community.

Regards,
Doug (Badger)
 
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