As a Lee-Enfield collector, discovering a new, undocumented rifle is extremely exciting; thus, I could not wait to share it with the masses instead of announcing its discovery in my forthcoming books in the fall.
I am always looking for treasure out in the world of the internet, and I am always looking for new serial numbers to add to the previously mentioned books, which resulted in the luck of this Rifle No. 5 catching my eye. ROF Fazakerley manufactured approximately 278,000 Rifles No. 5 before they were discontinued in favor of restarting the Rifle No. 4 Mark I production line in October 1947, and then in April 1949, the Rifle No. 4 Mark 2. It is safe to say the ROF Fazakerley Rifles No. 5 are commonplace to locate. This rifle is marked as a Rifle No. 5 Mark I with an April 1947 body date, but what caught my eye immediately was the serial number. In April 1947, ROF Fazakerley was using the “AA” prefix with their rifle serial numbers; this rifle is marked “(S6)”. The “S” prefix was used at ROF Fazakerley in October-November 1945, and what is it with the brackets around the serial number? The next picture on the internet ad set off alarm bells, and I knew the seller had to “take my money”; plus, it was all matching and in mint condition!
The fore-end was serial numbered to the body, and the metal endcap was “F” marked; however, the rear part of the body lacked the sheet metal cross strap. In its place was a two-headed screw. Side note, the magazine and bolt are also matching, but only the body and barrel have the brackets around the serial number.
Could this rifle be an undiscovered missing link? Upon its arrival today, it is confirmed. This rifle is a Trials Rifle for ROF Fazakerley to start to manufacture the Rifle No. 4 Mark 2 and converted Mark 1/2 and Mark 1/3. It is, in form, a factory converted Rifle No. 5 Mark 1/2.
Already known is BSA’s Rifle D5E171-X-8, commonly called the No. 5 Mark 2 in the collector’s world, where they explored mounting the trigger onto the rifle body in 1944. It appears that ROF Fazakerley was not interested or wanted to go another way for mounting the trigger to the body, and commenced their own program.
The trigger is mounted on a body extension bracket that is brazed onto the body, almost identical to what was later used in mid-to-late 1949 when they started the Rifle No. 4 Mark 1/2 and 1/3 conversion. The new made fore-end is relieved for this extension and two two-headed cross screw installed, similar to the screw system used to hold on the butt plate frame, to secure the rear portion of the fore-end. The trigger guard is relieved of the metal portion that held the trigger cross pin, which is identical to the converted trigger guards used in the Rifle No. 4 Mark 1/2 and 1/3 conversion program.
Was this rifle part of a program for the development of the Rifle No. 4 Mark 2, or for the development of the Rifle No. 4 Mark 1/2 and 1/3 program, or both? Why was the rifle type not changed on the body? Unknown, but it is now a newly identified bridge in ROF Fazakerley’s rifle history.
Sorry for being long-winded, I hope you enjoy this new Lee-Enfield discovery, happy collecting!!
I am always looking for treasure out in the world of the internet, and I am always looking for new serial numbers to add to the previously mentioned books, which resulted in the luck of this Rifle No. 5 catching my eye. ROF Fazakerley manufactured approximately 278,000 Rifles No. 5 before they were discontinued in favor of restarting the Rifle No. 4 Mark I production line in October 1947, and then in April 1949, the Rifle No. 4 Mark 2. It is safe to say the ROF Fazakerley Rifles No. 5 are commonplace to locate. This rifle is marked as a Rifle No. 5 Mark I with an April 1947 body date, but what caught my eye immediately was the serial number. In April 1947, ROF Fazakerley was using the “AA” prefix with their rifle serial numbers; this rifle is marked “(S6)”. The “S” prefix was used at ROF Fazakerley in October-November 1945, and what is it with the brackets around the serial number? The next picture on the internet ad set off alarm bells, and I knew the seller had to “take my money”; plus, it was all matching and in mint condition!
The fore-end was serial numbered to the body, and the metal endcap was “F” marked; however, the rear part of the body lacked the sheet metal cross strap. In its place was a two-headed screw. Side note, the magazine and bolt are also matching, but only the body and barrel have the brackets around the serial number.
Could this rifle be an undiscovered missing link? Upon its arrival today, it is confirmed. This rifle is a Trials Rifle for ROF Fazakerley to start to manufacture the Rifle No. 4 Mark 2 and converted Mark 1/2 and Mark 1/3. It is, in form, a factory converted Rifle No. 5 Mark 1/2.
Already known is BSA’s Rifle D5E171-X-8, commonly called the No. 5 Mark 2 in the collector’s world, where they explored mounting the trigger onto the rifle body in 1944. It appears that ROF Fazakerley was not interested or wanted to go another way for mounting the trigger to the body, and commenced their own program.
The trigger is mounted on a body extension bracket that is brazed onto the body, almost identical to what was later used in mid-to-late 1949 when they started the Rifle No. 4 Mark 1/2 and 1/3 conversion. The new made fore-end is relieved for this extension and two two-headed cross screw installed, similar to the screw system used to hold on the butt plate frame, to secure the rear portion of the fore-end. The trigger guard is relieved of the metal portion that held the trigger cross pin, which is identical to the converted trigger guards used in the Rifle No. 4 Mark 1/2 and 1/3 conversion program.
Was this rifle part of a program for the development of the Rifle No. 4 Mark 2, or for the development of the Rifle No. 4 Mark 1/2 and 1/3 program, or both? Why was the rifle type not changed on the body? Unknown, but it is now a newly identified bridge in ROF Fazakerley’s rifle history.
Sorry for being long-winded, I hope you enjoy this new Lee-Enfield discovery, happy collecting!!
