Some Enfield questions at random..

icehunter121

icehunter121

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First..what is/are good enfield books? As the bug hits me even harder and burrows into my last remaining brain cell I need good reference manuals or the holy grail of just one for reference!! Suggestions?

Second...Is ROF, the Fazerkely ( not sure if I spelt that right) arms plant?

Third.is there any rhyme or reason that follows the 2 groove,5 groove concept? Lets take a Longbranch for instance as I am mostly talking about the NO4 MK1 and 2 versions. Or could say some rifles coming out of a arms plant be 5 groove to begin with and then later in the war be cut down to 2 groove to save on manufacturing time? Or were specific plants/models all 2 groove/5 groove etc etc?

Just a few questions that have been bugging me the past day or so.
 
1. Skennerton makes a good book on Enfields.

2. Royal Ordnance Fazakerly

3. Barrels are random. Later barrels trend to more economical manufacturing. I have a very early Savage No4 MKI with 6 grooves.
 
louthepou said:
Best book is the one by Skennerton. Lots of other good books but that one is the bible.
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THIS! The 2 groove barrels were made as time-saving measure along with the flip 300-600 yd. sights. Demand was such that every step that could be eliminated was implemented so as to increase production. Tests showed that the 2 groove barrels delivered acceptable accuracy at the common distances of engagement. If you look at the 1950 Long Branch rifles for instance, they have 5-6 groove barrels, walnut stocks, and a nicer finish (as a rule). To my mind, they are the prettiest, if not the best, No.4 rifles made. I admit to being biased as a Toronto native who doesn't live a long way away from the arsenal lands.
 
Five groove barrels were the standard from the beginning, through WW1.
Two groove barrels were used during WW2 to reduce manufacturing time and effort. US did the same thing with Springfield barrels.
Six groove barrels were approved because manufacturers were set up to produce them; early Savage, very late Long Branch.
Four groove barrels were approved but not put into production.
The bulk of LB and Savage production was two groove. Most WW2 British production was 5 groove; there are some 2 groove barrels.
Probably the rarest No. 4 barrels are the two piece ones - a cold formed tube pressed and pinned into a breech piece.

Skennerton is the best current source book.
Reynolds is long out of print, but still useful.
 
There were litterally dozens if not hundreds of Royal Ordnance Factories. If all you have is ROF it may be Fazakerly, but it is just as likely Maltby.

Look for a Letter "F" or "M" stamped on the butt socket or receiver side.

ROF(F) = Fazakerly
ROF(M) = Maltby
 
Ian Skennerton's books are the go to for Enfields. there are 3 different versions as he keeps adding to the research.

I have the 2nd and 3rd versions.

now as for barrels there are 5 groove then 2 groove and the illusive and rare 3 groove 2 piece barrels that were determined to be dangerous and all were refit with 2 groove or 5 groove barrels as soon as the barrels were available. Also early and late 6 groove both left hand and right hand twist.

basically the standard spec was 5 groove everything else was just economics to increase production.

early Savage because the rifling machine was set up for 6 grooves and late long branch as the rifling machine was set up for 6 groove barrels for the Bren, are the exceptions.
 
I've got all the Enfield books...... my favorite is by Major E.G.B Reynolds "The Lee Enfield Story". Covers all Enfields from the beginning to the end. The most in-depth book when it comes to the trials during the development......very interesting and informative.
Sadly out of print and rather pricey if you can find a copy. I suggest a WTB here on the Nutz.......I may know where there is a copy to be had if the fellow still has it but again pricey!!!
I wish somebody would do a book on the history of Longbranch and the Enfields they produced!!!
 
Thanks for the answers folks. Cleared some things up for me. I do remember seeing a book by Skennerton on Amazon, dang it was pricey--$225.00. I think Amazon was just trying to rip ppl off with that price. So on my one rifle I have its marked...NO4 MK2 (F) with 8/54 under it. Beside that is PF408### What does the (F) mean? Also on the barrel its marked Surrey. Seems to me that it was redone in a factory (Surrey) and then resold as a sporter. Is that correct?
 
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tiriaq said:
"Surrey" was a model name applied by the English company that sported the rifle.
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I'm not sure who "sporterized" the rifles with the model stamped on the barrel, but I was told it was a budget build by BSA. There was the "Surrey" and the "Sussex". On the Surrey model, all they did was take off the top wood and cut down the forestock. On the Sussex model, which I have, they also cut and recrowned the barrel and installed a blade-on-ramp foresight. The cheap SOB's but a plastic blade on which often breaks.
 
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