A No5... but what kind?
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Category: Enfields
Forum Name: Info for New Enfield Owners
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URL: http://www.enfield-rifles.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11933
Printed Date: March 26 2026 at 8:19pm
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Topic: A No5... but what kind?
Posted By: Pfnaak
Subject: A No5... but what kind?
Date Posted: March 11 2022 at 12:58am
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Hi there I am new to this forum and I have acquired my first Enfield only by yesterday as an addition to my little collection (p.e. M1 Garand, 30M1 Carbine, K31, K98k). I was looking for a Mk4 actually, but Enfields are quite rare over here in eastern Switzerland. My only problem is, that I am missing some of the marks that you would expect to find on a No5, as far as I have found out, as there is no - No5 Mk 1 on the receiver - marking on the ring shaped clamp behind the trigger (what's it named?) The rest seems fair, as it has the lightening cuts where they should be. The serial is an E for Fazakerley, what matches with lots of "F". It even has matching numbers.         So I would appreciate any help and information in identifying my new gun. Thanks Michael
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Replies:
Posted By: Pfnaak
Date Posted: March 28 2022 at 1:11pm
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Posted By: DaveNo5
Date Posted: March 28 2022 at 5:35pm
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Here's some data from Stratton's book on serial numbers. It appears to indeed be a Fazakerley. The markings were hand-struck, so there is some variation between rifles. From the "E" prefix, it appears to be a 1944. Welcome to the forum and thanks for the patience! Dave   ------------- DaveNo5 |
Posted By: Goosic
Date Posted: March 28 2022 at 6:35pm
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The rifle has been scrubbed. Fazackerly would never had stamped just a serial number into the reciever like that. Your main concern is the asterisk looking stamp on the top of the reciever. That indicates that rust was found in the bore somewhere.
If you haven't yet,take it to a reputable gunsmith and have it checked out...
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Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: March 29 2022 at 9:55am
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Agreed its been "scrubbed", (original marks ground off & new different ones applied). Frequently, but not ,an indication of Indian workshop involvement. "marking on the ring shaped clamp behind the trigger (what's it named?)" It is actually a part of the receiver (action Body) & is called "the Butt Socket".  ------------- Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force) |
Posted By: Goosic
Date Posted: March 29 2022 at 10:04am
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The AK stamp on the back of the reciever has something to do with the Greek army IIRC. The BNP is part of the sold out of service into the civilian market stamp. Unless that has been scrubbed as well, you should also find on the barrel somewhere, .303 2.222" 18.5 Tons Per □" as well as ENGLAND stamped somewhere on the reciever. One other item of contention you need to address is proper headspace, making sure that it does not close on a .074" headspace gauge. The only reason I say this is because of your bolthead has a #3 stamped on it. That is as long as those boltheads get and are only used as a stopgap to keep the rifle in the fight so to speak until it comes back in for a barrel replacement. With that being said and with what I had stated about possible rust in the bore earlier, you definitely need that rifle checked over by a reputable gunsmith... |
Posted By: Pfnaak
Date Posted: March 29 2022 at 1:53pm
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Thanks a lot for the very useful information. (Don't stop now, if you have some more!). I had some more pics, but they were somehow lost in the upload, so here are some more... Why did they scrub the serials? Any licencsing problems with later modifications? There is an 3 on the bolt head?? Where?  And it has obviously been sold to the civilian market. Would then the * or the 3 still be an issue or have these been refurbished/checked before?  There is some wear but generally it looks quite nice.  Any idea on thatCo 1958 stamp? Is it a part from another rifle or has it been refurbished (something to do with the BNR?). I especially very much aknowledge your advice concerning the check by a gun smith. I will get it checked as soon as possible. So what is the most comprehensive or complete source of information about "jungle carbines"?
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Posted By: Goosic
Date Posted: March 29 2022 at 9:57pm
There really is no rhyme or reason as to why a rifle gets scrubbed of the original serial numbers and everything else for that matter, especially if it ended up at the Indian Plant. The rifle would have been sold out of service regardless of the rust found in the bore as denoted by the * or the #3 bolthead. The screen grab of your bolthead has the 3 circled in red. The boltheads can be found with four different numbers. 0, 1, 2, and 3 with each one typically being .003" longer than the previous number with 3 being the longest, typically. When a rifles headspace gets to the point it is fitted with a #3 bolthead, you should have it checked using a .074" headspace gauge. If the bolt closes on that gauge it would best be advised to start looking for a replacement barrel. As far information goes regarding the No5Mk1, the Lee Enfield book by Ian Skennerton would be your best bet...
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Posted By: Pfnaak
Date Posted: March 29 2022 at 10:53pm
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Once more, thank you for the quick and detailed answer. So up to the gunsmith... |