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New Guy, "New" Rifle Identification
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IdahoRancher View Drop Down
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Points: 6 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote IdahoRancher Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: New Guy, "New" Rifle Identification
    Posted: February 24 2022 at 11:27am
he!!o,

Yesterday I purchased my first Enfield from an auction.  Up to this point I am not that familiar with the rifle.  I am wondering if you can help identify it.  After researching the web all morning I have yet to find one with this short of a barrel, which is slightly less than 20".  I believe it is an Isaphore as it is chambered in 7.62x51 and made in 1968.  It also has no bayonet lug.  

If anyone can tell me anything about this rifle I would be appreciative.  

Thanks 
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Goosic View Drop Down
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Points: 8842 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Goosic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 25 2022 at 5:56am
You have a modified version of the Ishapore 2A1.  Typically these were modified, such as yours to what is referred to as a, "Tanker" by Gibbs Rifle Co. Gibbs also shortened the 2A1 to resemble the Jungle Carbine as well. These rifles are not too uncommon. Nice find and welcome to the forum...
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The Apprentice View Drop Down
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Points: 217 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote The Apprentice Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 25 2022 at 6:19am
Eric 
Nice Rifle like you I am also new to Enfield’s you will find we have sone very good experts on this forum nice to see a Idaho guy here I bet that .308 will be a tack driver
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IdahoRancher View Drop Down
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Points: 6 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote IdahoRancher Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 25 2022 at 7:27am
Thank you very much!
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IdahoRancher View Drop Down
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Points: 6 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote IdahoRancher Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 25 2022 at 7:31am
Thank you.  I was able to put a couple shots through it from my back deck and discovered that the safety wasn't working properly, so I ran it to my gunsmith for repair.  I'm looking forward to putting it to paper to see what kind of groups I can get.  
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Goosic View Drop Down
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Points: 8842 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (2) Thanks(2)   Quote Goosic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 25 2022 at 8:46am

The Bulldog Enfield a.k.a.

The Tanker Carbine

In recent years, as the popularity of owning or collecting wartime surplus arms has grown, so has the market for unique or "as new" models of these firearms. Responding to this market, current arms manufacturers and importers have revisited the drawing tables and have come up with a few offerings of their own. Companies such as the Gibbs Rifle Company (now gone) in the U.S. offer for sale completely re-built Enfields of all descriptions, but most notable are their copies of Jungle Carbines (made from original No1 and No4 rifles) and the "Bulldog" rifles (also fashioned from original No1 and No4 rifles). 

Suffice to say that there was never any official government contract (UK or Commonwealth) authorizing an Enfield Bulldog (sometimes referred to as Tanker Carbines, the popular myth being that they were issued to armored tank crews) of any description. These rifles are the invention of modern day arms manufacturers designed to meet the commercial demand for a short light trail/trapper gun...
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IdahoRancher View Drop Down
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Points: 6 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote IdahoRancher Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 25 2022 at 9:22am
Originally posted by Goosic Goosic wrote:

The Bulldog Enfield a.k.a.

The Tanker Carbine

In recent years, as the popularity of owning or collecting wartime surplus arms has grown, so has the market for unique or "as new" models of these firearms. Responding to this market, current arms manufacturers and importers have revisited the drawing tables and have come up with a few offerings of their own. Companies such as the Gibbs Rifle Company (now gone) in the U.S. offer for sale completely re-built Enfields of all descriptions, but most notable are their copies of Jungle Carbines (made from original No1 and No4 rifles) and the "Bulldog" rifles (also fashioned from original No1 and No4 rifles). 

Suffice to say that there was never any official government contract (UK or Commonwealth) authorizing an Enfield Bulldog (sometimes referred to as Tanker Carbines, the popular myth being that they were issued to armored tank crews) of any description. These rifles are the invention of modern day arms manufacturers designed to meet the commercial demand for a short light trail/trapper gun...


Thanks for the info.  I paid $452 after taxes and the auctioneer's cut + $20 for the FFL fee.
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Points: 20510 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 25 2022 at 9:34am
While its with the 'smith have him check the forend under the sling swivel band. A lot of the shortened "tankers": had the forend cut & splice the join being concealed there.
Many were done poorly & there are many recorded instances of the entire forend & end cap blowing off downrange unexpectedly!
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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IdahoRancher View Drop Down
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Points: 6 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote IdahoRancher Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 25 2022 at 10:05am
Originally posted by Shamu Shamu wrote:

While its with the 'smith have him check the forend under the sling swivel. A lot of the shortened "tankers": had the forend cut & splice the join being concealed there.
Many were done poorly & there are many recorded instances of the entire forend & end cap blowing off downrange unexpectedly!

Thanks for the heads-up.  I will do that immediately.  
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