SMLE No.1 Mk.5

revilo

CGN Regular
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Location
Upper Fort Gary
Lou's refinished SMLE got me thinking. What would creating a No.1 Mk.5 entail? The hardest part, to me, seems to be the addition of No.4 style sights to a No.1 style receiver. Otherwise, it appears to be doable, and a cool project for an old bubba. Could No.4 upper handguards be modified to suit? How would one go about adding the No.4 ladder? What do you think?
 
fabricating mounts and then silver soldering them wound not be much of a problem, then there is the sight, its a fair bit different then the No4 ladder sight, but for a 1 off you could make somethign up using some sheet metal.
 
Making a MKV

I don't think you'd be happy with the results with a made-up one. Better to run some WTB ads and see what's out there. As rare as they are, I know of three here on Vancouver Island alone. One is mine and two others belong to fellow collectors I know. None for sale however. I'll post some pics of mine later today.
Geoff
 
I don't think you'd be happy with the results with a made-up one. Better to run some WTB ads and see what's out there. As rare as they are, I know of three here on Vancouver Island alone. One is mine and two others belong to fellow collectors I know. None for sale however. I'll post some pics of mine later today.
Geoff

Dam collectors :p won't sell, whats up with that :D

I've decided to take a few of my parts rifles that are buabbed betond restoring and make them into something interesting, like my No4 tanker. Right now I'm working on a No1 carbine ;) Metal working is not really a big deal, its then wood parts that need to be fabricated that slow the process down. I won't wreck an good piece of wood to make a bubba
 
No.1 MK V big pics

Here are some pics of my MKV. Notice even the safety is unique to this rifle.
Sorry for dark pics, I need better lighting.
Geoff
MKVrightside.jpg

MKVrightaction.jpg

MKVrightsideaction2.jpg

MKVsafety.jpg

MKVbarrelbands.jpg
 
Thanks for the pics. That does look like it would be difficult to fab. Interesting barrel band arrangement. Buying may be a better idea! What is a Mk.5 worth when they can be found?

Your pics are actually pretty good, too. If you want to compensate for poor lighting, try tri-podding your camera, set as high a number aperture as you can(to make the hole as small as it will go, which gives pics greater clarity and definition), and then do long exposures. Your pics will turn out quite nicely without a need for pro gear :)
 
Pics

Thanks for the tips Revilo. My camera's an older 3.1 pixel with a bit of zoom, maybe time for a new one. Plus my lighting is 2 48" floresants and a glaring 150 watt clear bulb. This in my little 6'X9' gunroom. Need more soft lighting I guess. As for MKV value's? That's a tough one as they just don't come up often. Actually more were imported to the U.S. than here in Canada. I lucked into mine about 10 years ago for $150 I recall. I'd guess a very clean,correct MKV would fetch over $1,000.00 today, maybe more. Bolt doesn't match but everything else does. You might notice in the pics that mine has remains of green anti-rust paint beneath the woodline. I've seen other Enfields painted same.
Geoff
 
I did notice the green paint. I suppose that means it saw service. Imagine being the guy issued with the anomalous SMLE!

$150? I'd say you stole it! Of course, milsurps have experienced a price explosion in recent years. Maybe I could trade you my 1942 Winchester 97 trench gun? I paid a little over $200, so you I would actually be losing money on the deal ;) Otherwise, I'll have to keep my eyes open Stateside.
 
Lou's refinished SMLE got me thinking. What would creating a No.1 Mk.5 entail? The hardest part, to me, seems to be the addition of No.4 style sights to a No.1 style receiver. Otherwise, it appears to be doable, and a cool project for an old bubba. Could No.4 upper handguards be modified to suit? How would one go about adding the No.4 ladder? What do you think?


How about going the other way? Instead of trying to add No.4 sights to a No.1 why not add the front end of a No1 to a No.4? Just turn the diameter of the barrel at the muzzle end down to that of a No.1 and fit a No.1 sight, modify the wood to accept a No1 front end and extra band and there you have it.
Would it look the same? From a distance maybe a bit but not up close that’s for sure but way easier than trying to add a sight to the back of a No.1 that in the end also won’t look even close ether.
 
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