Enfield-Rifles.com Homepage
Forum Home Forum Home > Enfields > Hunting with the .303 British cartridge.
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - 40 years to get my Enfield
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

40 years to get my Enfield

 Post Reply Post Reply Page  123 5>
Author
Message
Dr. Hillbilly View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie


Joined: April 08 2021
Location: Oregonia Ohio
Status: Offline
Points: 28
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dr. Hillbilly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: 40 years to get my Enfield
    Posted: April 08 2021 at 7:28pm
40 years ago in the mountains of NC I was hunting boar (in the wild, not in cages) and I had concluded that a No5 Mk1 carbine would be the perfect rifle (in dense woods and short range).   I found a nice one and was going to buy it when I got a job in the city.  Having no use for guns in an urban setting I passed on the rifle and put my guns in storage.  Now I am retiring and bought some forest property for my new home, far from civilization.  So last week I finally took delivery of a carbine:
  • a No5 Mk1, as planned long ago
  • matching serial numbers, except for the magazine, which is at least a UCF so the proper supplier and vintage
  • V 5536, made in April of 1946, so it was too late for the war and has seen little use (nice barrel)
  • slightly sporterized which reduced its value to nil, making it a spontaneous purchase
Background on Russian Boar in the Smokies...
A Colonel White got very rich during the first world war (how does a colonel do that?), and after the war he established his own private game reserve near the Smokies (on the other side of "the dragons tail"  from the smokies (for you bikers), closer to Robbinsville than any other town). It included Elk, various bear, and just about anything that could survive in the climate, imported from around the globe.
He lost his money during the depression and gave the reserve to his caretaker.
The caretaker was able to sell all the critters to zoos, except for the Russian Boar, so he invited his friends over for a pig hunt.  Their dogs chased the pigs into the fence, the fence failed, and the pigs escaped.  As I recall the death toll was one pig and six dogs, leaving the hunters without their planned dinner.  And now our wild pigs have a bit of Russian blood.  The only surviving element of the reserve is the concrete feeding troughs.  

My first game will be a wild turkey (I have lots of them).  A little small for a 303, but I never liked picking out the birdshot, or chewing it, so the 12 ga can stay home. 
Dr. Hillbilly
Back to Top
Pukka Bundook View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: February 02 2015
Location: Canada
Status: Offline
Points: 1369
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Pukka Bundook Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 09 2021 at 6:34am
A very warm welcome to the forum, Dr Hilbilly.
Thank you for your nice and interesting introduction.   :-)
We would like to see photos, not only of your finally acquired No 5, but also some of the area you will be hunting.  It adds such a lot to see each others local scenery.
 
All the best from western Alberta,
 
Richard.
Back to Top
Dr. Hillbilly View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie


Joined: April 08 2021
Location: Oregonia Ohio
Status: Offline
Points: 28
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dr. Hillbilly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 09 2021 at 8:41am
Thanks for the warm welcome!

After this post I discovered the thread for introductions.  So I will provide you with photos there.

Greg
Dr. Hillbilly
Back to Top
Shamu View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar
Logo Designer / Donating Member

Joined: April 25 2007
Location: MD, USA.
Status: Offline
Points: 17603
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 09 2021 at 8:51am
Welcome aboard.
Unlike some forums we consider sporters part of the Enfield family.
We do prefer they weren't chopped up new minty ones though.
Here's mine It had already been (well) refinished & the bayonet lug removed & the stock internally butchered before I got it.
(this is a Santa Fe "5 round" magazine but I also have the original 10 rounder.)

Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
Back to Top
Honkytonk View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: December 30 2017
Location: Brandon Mb
Status: Offline
Points: 4770
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Honkytonk Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 09 2021 at 8:58am
Welcome from Brandon, Manitoba, Canada! Your move sounds like heaven. I wish I had the guts to do the same. I think turkey hunting with the No5 is a great choice! If you miss with the bullet, the muzzle blast will give the bird a heart attack! I've taken rabbits with mine... and squirrels. Not much left of the squirrel though.
Back to Top
Zed View Drop Down
Special Member
Special Member
Avatar
Donating Member

Joined: May 01 2012
Location: France
Status: Offline
Points: 5585
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Zed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 09 2021 at 9:54am
Welcome from Paris France. Sounds great getting a retreat for your retirement. 
If the .303 is too much you could try a .22 Enfield. 
Cheaper ammo, but a more expensive rifle though!

Look forward to your photos.
It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!
Back to Top
Dr. Hillbilly View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie


Joined: April 08 2021
Location: Oregonia Ohio
Status: Offline
Points: 28
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dr. Hillbilly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 09 2021 at 12:28pm
OK, here are the photos
My place runs from the river up to the bluff which is out of view on the left, 220 ft. above the river.

My No5 above, and damage to the flash suppressor below.  Someone removed the sight protectors recklessly, abrading away much of the bluing in the process.  I will reblue this weekend, and look for a replacement long term.  

The sporterized stock below.

Serial No

As a machinist I love the lightening on the No5, but I must hate on Fazakerley just a little as they let their milling tool get dull!

I like to maintain my old cars, and now guns with period-correct machinery.  Most of my shop is in storage waiting for completion of the new shop, but these are three of my old machines still in IL.


Dr. Hillbilly
Back to Top
303 Hunter View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: December 14 2019
Location: Alberta, Canada
Status: Offline
Points: 316
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 303 Hunter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 09 2021 at 4:20pm
Welcome from east central Alberta, Canada.
Good luck with the turkeys šŸ‘šŸ»šŸ˜, look forward to seeing some pictures of your rifle and hopefully of your future table fare!
The Lee Enfield is to the Canadian north what the Winchester repeater was to the American west.   Cal Bablitz
Back to Top
britrifles View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: February 03 2018
Location: Atlanta, GA
Status: Offline
Points: 6539
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote britrifles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 09 2021 at 5:10pm
Welcome from Atlanta, GA. You have done what I plan to do when I retire.  Iā€™m moving up to the Blue Ridge mountains...never living in the city again.  
Back to Top
Zed View Drop Down
Special Member
Special Member
Avatar
Donating Member

Joined: May 01 2012
Location: France
Status: Offline
Points: 5585
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Zed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 10 2021 at 3:14am
You have a lovely place there. Is there trout in the river? for a bit of fly fishing!
You can't beat old machinery! be it cars, guns or machine tools. That's a nice set of workshop hardware you've got there.
I have a small Relmac Lathe from the early 1920's; but it is currently in storage. I'm still working so haven't found the time to set it up in the workshop yet. But I'd like to get a milling machine and sand blast cabin as well. Oh and maybe a small forge! 
It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!
Back to Top
Dr. Hillbilly View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie


Joined: April 08 2021
Location: Oregonia Ohio
Status: Offline
Points: 28
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dr. Hillbilly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 10 2021 at 6:34am
Sadly no trout (I grew up with trout in the Smokies), but we have Sauger for fly fishing.  They are interesting as they are migratory like Salmon, they just do not go all the way to the sea.  

My approach to machines and cars is the same as for my No5 Carbine - forget mint at high prices, but accept flaws and buy lots of toys!

If this works as well in France as in the States you can buy old machines for scrap-metal pricing if you are willing to do a bit of restoration work.  My total collection includes 2 lathes, 2 mills, 1 drill-press, 1 shaper, and 3 grinders (it may have become an obsession!).  And I have 3 cars built prior to 1930 (again, not worth much, but fun)

Just pick them up and put them in storage until you have time for them.  Hopefully it will not take 40 years for you!


Dr. Hillbilly
Back to Top
Shamu View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar
Logo Designer / Donating Member

Joined: April 25 2007
Location: MD, USA.
Status: Offline
Points: 17603
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 10 2021 at 10:53am
They removed your bayonet lug too.
Those are tougher to remove than you might think. 2 blind rivets & a tight friction fit.
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
Back to Top
Marco1010 View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: February 04 2020
Location: New Zealand
Status: Offline
Points: 400
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Marco1010 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 10 2021 at 12:18pm
Those flash hiders are right sods to remove !
I had one butchered very similarly, wow you wouldn't believe how much effort was needed to get the thing off, found repeated heating and quenching got it unglued from the barrel, but took some serious persuasion finally with a brass block and very heavy hammer.  I have no idea how they were installed but they sure never intended them to be changed out in the field.
Back to Top
Dr. Hillbilly View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie


Joined: April 08 2021
Location: Oregonia Ohio
Status: Offline
Points: 28
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dr. Hillbilly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 10 2021 at 12:29pm
Thanks for the warnings regarding removal of the flash hider.  
I do not need a bayonet, so perhaps I will settle on touch-up of the bluing.

Dr. Hillbilly
Back to Top
lyman1903 View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: August 12 2018
Location: Beach VA,
Status: Offline
Points: 93
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lyman1903 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 10 2021 at 1:19pm
with a mill and a lathe,  that old flash hider will come of in no time, 


Welcome  from RVA
Back to Top
Zed View Drop Down
Special Member
Special Member
Avatar
Donating Member

Joined: May 01 2012
Location: France
Status: Offline
Points: 5585
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Zed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 10 2021 at 1:22pm
I'd be interested to see the cars. Maybe post in the "Off Topic" part of the forum. 

It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  123 5>
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.04
Copyright ©2001-2021 Web Wiz Ltd.