- Location
- Richmond, BC, CANADA
The 50,000 Irish Republic contract rifles are serial number PF 309348 to PF359347. Other rifles with "PF" prefix were for Anglos-Egyptian Sudan, Zambia, Singapore, Jamaica, Trinidad, St. Vincent. St. Kitts, Uganda, Burma, Zanzibar, Kenya, Hong Kong and Unknown. Possibly some contracts for the Royal Air Force and South Africa, with unknown serial number ranges. Too many people see the "PF" prefix on these post-WWII No. 4 Mk. 2 rifles and assume, incorrectly, that they are all "Irish Contract". See p. 172 For Collectors Only British Enfield Rifles Volume 2 Lee-Enfield No. 4 and No. 5 Rifles by Charles R. Stratton. As stated, the esteem that "Irish Contract" rifles hold among collectors is for mint Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk. 2 rifles still factory wrapped (I had one) and for those that have been carefully unwrapped (also had one of these), rather than their history etc.
As far as finding a rifle covered in Cosmoline is concerned, it was not just factories that used it. Military forces also often used Cosmoline for long term storage, so do not assume that a rifle filled with Cosmoline is factory new.
The Canadian Ranger rifles were not marked in any special way sadly, so it is the paperwork that shows that historic connection. Occasionally one may see a rifle with a CANADIAN RANGER decal on the butt.
If buying an ex-Canadian Ranger rifle, do try to get the original, or at least a copy, of the DONATION AGREEMENT which is six (6) legal sized (8-1/2" x 14") pages long! There are 5 signatures! Contrast this with the Pacific Coast Militia Rangers' receipt for their Winchester or Marlin rifles. The Ranger paid $5, the Commanding Officer signed the receipt which listed the make, model and serial number. If you cannot get the paperwork for a Canadian Ranger issued rifle, then do ask for a copy of the bottom of page 1/3 at the minimum which has the "Material to be Donated" section and lists the rifle's serial number. Happily it also lists the bolt's serial number and states "*Serial Number for the Rifle and Bolt Must Match". Interestingly they did not care about any serial number on a magazine as the document states Magazine (Serial Number) "Not applicable". The Canadian Ranger rifles are listed in the DSSPM (Director Solider Systems Program Management) and each Canadian Ranger rifle being donated (the correct word, as "gifted" and "gift" are not verbs) and they had to have the "Serial Number Validated Against DSSPM National Holdings".
As far as finding a rifle covered in Cosmoline is concerned, it was not just factories that used it. Military forces also often used Cosmoline for long term storage, so do not assume that a rifle filled with Cosmoline is factory new.
The Canadian Ranger rifles were not marked in any special way sadly, so it is the paperwork that shows that historic connection. Occasionally one may see a rifle with a CANADIAN RANGER decal on the butt.
If buying an ex-Canadian Ranger rifle, do try to get the original, or at least a copy, of the DONATION AGREEMENT which is six (6) legal sized (8-1/2" x 14") pages long! There are 5 signatures! Contrast this with the Pacific Coast Militia Rangers' receipt for their Winchester or Marlin rifles. The Ranger paid $5, the Commanding Officer signed the receipt which listed the make, model and serial number. If you cannot get the paperwork for a Canadian Ranger issued rifle, then do ask for a copy of the bottom of page 1/3 at the minimum which has the "Material to be Donated" section and lists the rifle's serial number. Happily it also lists the bolt's serial number and states "*Serial Number for the Rifle and Bolt Must Match". Interestingly they did not care about any serial number on a magazine as the document states Magazine (Serial Number) "Not applicable". The Canadian Ranger rifles are listed in the DSSPM (Director Solider Systems Program Management) and each Canadian Ranger rifle being donated (the correct word, as "gifted" and "gift" are not verbs) and they had to have the "Serial Number Validated Against DSSPM National Holdings".
