Re-activate an SMLE Mk4

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   he!!o,
I have a 1942 SMLE Mk4 that is in good condition, except that it was rendered unusable and I would like to re-activate it. 
The barrel is blocked and there is a rod that has been inserted at the mouth. 
I hope that it is just a case of changing the barrel.
Is this possible?
I have attached a photo.
Many thanks for your advice.

David

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kronos109 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: March 01 2025 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote kronos109 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Re-activate an SMLE Mk4 Posted: March 01 2025 at 4:47am
	he!!o, I have a 1942 SMLE Mk4 that is in good condition, except that it was rendered unusable and I would like to re-activate it. The barrel is blocked and there is a rod that has been inserted at the mouth. I hope that it is just a case of changing the barrel. Is this possible? I have attached a photo. Many thanks for your advice. David
	David

Shamu Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 20510	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shamu Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March 01 2025 at 10:22am
	Its a risky undertaking, & so discouraged. There may be things other than the rod done to render it legally "inert", some of which aren't immediately obvious. Id suggest at the very least having an expert check it out thoroughly. For example, can you see the ends of this rod externally? If you can not only the barrel but the receiver, has been intentionally drilled, rendering it unsafe to ever take firing pressures. Plus there's the legal ramifications of "Re-Nerting" a firearm rendered "inert". I'm not sure on French law regarding this but we have a couple of French residents here who can help you with that particular kettle of fish! (marmite de poisson)
	Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)

DisasterDog Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 21 2025 Location: Brewery Status: Offline Points: 256	Post Options Post Reply Quote DisasterDog Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March 01 2025 at 12:50pm
	It looks like the rod goes across the chamber rather than down the bore? So it may have altered the receiver in the process? A full disassembly & thorough inspection is required.

paddyofurniture Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: December 26 2011 Location: NC Status: Offline Points: 7942	Post Options Post Reply Quote paddyofurniture Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March 01 2025 at 1:31pm
	I have seen P17 that where deactivate in this manner.

Zed Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Special Member Donating Member Joined: May 01 2012 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 6460	Post Options Post Reply Quote Zed Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March 01 2025 at 2:14pm
	It's probably an older deactivation and may require further work to align it with the latest French deactivation laws. Trying to reactivate it is an absolute No in France and could end as jail time. This is because some of the firearms used in the Bataclan terror attack were reactivated east European deact's apparently. However there are good shootable Lee Enfield's in France. So much more practical to buy one that is already registered..
	It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!

paddyofurniture Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: December 26 2011 Location: NC Status: Offline Points: 7942	Post Options Post Reply Quote paddyofurniture Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March 01 2025 at 2:18pm
	I would buy a Enfield that is already registered. Not interested in jail time.

hoadie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: March 16 2006 Location: Niagara/Canada Status: Offline Points: 9680	Post Options Post Reply Quote hoadie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March 01 2025 at 3:03pm
	Is there a "DP" stamp on the rifle anywhere?
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Shamu Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 20510	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shamu Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March 01 2025 at 3:16pm
	Good question.
	Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)

Shamu Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 20510	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shamu Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March 01 2025 at 3:17pm
	Thanks Zed.
	Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)

A square 10 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Special Member Donating Member Joined: December 12 2006 Location: MN , USA Status: Offline Points: 16998	Post Options Post Reply Quote A square 10 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March 01 2025 at 9:01pm
	i would not try to deact this rifle for the purpose of shooting it , but something that still shoots , you are gambling with the lives of others around you as well as your own , IMHO you need vou hang this one on the wall

kronos109 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: March 01 2025 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote kronos109 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March 01 2025 at 11:32pm
	Thank you for all the advice. Though I live in France, I am Australian (with a firearms licence) and intended to take the rifle back there. I will get it thoroughly checked there rather than here as Enfields are a novelty in France, whereas in Australia they are, or were, common currency. I cannot see DP stamped anywhere. What does DP mean, please? Sadly, I am suspecting that this old Mk4 will be a wall hanger rather than a sturdy scrub gun. David
	David

hoadie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: March 16 2006 Location: Niagara/Canada Status: Offline Points: 9680	Post Options Post Reply Quote hoadie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March 02 2025 at 4:38am
	"DP" stands for DRILL PURPOSES. It's usually stamped into a rifle stock somewhere denoting the rifle has been unsafe & withdrawn from any service. It would be ok to use for drill purposes only.
	Loose wimmen tightened here

britrifles Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Georgia, USA Status: Offline Points: 8404	Post Options Post Reply Quote britrifles Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March 02 2025 at 4:49am
	Look very carefully with magnification on the front receiver ring where the barrel is screwed in. Can you see any external indication of the transverse rod in the chamber? If you can, the rifle can never be reactivated, even by changing the barrel. I would not have expected the barrel to be removed to drill and install that rod, then reinstall the barrel. This is a No. 4, not a Mk 4 which is a different rifle.

Sapper740 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: July 15 2021 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 1737	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sapper740 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March 02 2025 at 5:02am
	Small correction in nomenclature: No.4 rifles are not S.M.L.E.'s. Way back in the day when Lee Enfields were either very long (Magazine Lee Enfield) or very short (Carbines) it was decided that one rifle should serve all purposes so they shortened the Magazine Lee Enfield and not surprisingly called it the Short Magazine Lee Enfield. It was eventually realized that it was desirable to have a peep sight at the rear of the receiver for better aiming so they redesigned the rifle again with a bunch of marks and numbers between the No.1 rifle (S.M.L.E.) and the No. 4 rifle (not S.M.L.E.) eventually ending up with The No. 4 MkI, the No.4 MkI*, The No. 4 Mk 1/2 etc. Well, you get the picture.

terrylee Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: December 30 2014 Location: South Africa Status: Offline Points: 942	Post Options Post Reply Quote terrylee Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March 02 2025 at 7:57am
	The SMLE Mk IV. A conversion of the long Lee to SMLE Mk III configuration.

paddyofurniture Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: December 26 2011 Location: NC Status: Offline Points: 7942	Post Options Post Reply Quote paddyofurniture Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March 02 2025 at 8:36am
	Very nice! N marked, Navy?