Re-activate an SMLE Mk4
Printed From: Enfield-Rifles.com
Category: Enfields
Forum Name: Enfield Gunsmithing
Forum Description: Submit any how-to's or other gunsmithing suggestions here.
URL: http://www.enfield-rifles.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13869
Printed Date: March 26 2026 at 8:19pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.07 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Re-activate an SMLE Mk4
Posted By: kronos109
Subject: Re-activate an SMLE Mk4
Date Posted: March 01 2025 at 4:47am
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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  ------------- David |
Replies:
Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: March 01 2025 at 10:22am
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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) |
Posted By: DisasterDog
Date 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. |
Posted By: paddyofurniture
Date Posted: March 01 2025 at 1:31pm
| I have seen P17 that where deactivate in this manner. |
Posted By: Zed
Date Posted: March 01 2025 at 2:14pm
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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! |
Posted By: paddyofurniture
Date Posted: March 01 2025 at 2:18pm
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I would buy a Enfield that is already registered. Not interested in jail time. |
Posted By: hoadie
Date Posted: March 01 2025 at 3:03pm
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Is there a "DP" stamp on the rifle anywhere? ------------- Loose wimmen tightened here |
Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: March 01 2025 at 3:16pm
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Good question. ------------- Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force) |
Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: March 01 2025 at 3:17pm
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Thanks Zed. ------------- Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force) |
Posted By: A square 10
Date 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 |
Posted By: kronos109
Date Posted: March 01 2025 at 11:32pm
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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 |
Posted By: hoadie
Date Posted: March 02 2025 at 4:38am
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"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 |
Posted By: britrifles
Date Posted: March 02 2025 at 4:49am
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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. |
Posted By: Sapper740
Date 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. |
Posted By: terrylee
Date Posted: March 02 2025 at 7:57am
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The SMLE Mk IV. A conversion of the long Lee to SMLE Mk III configuration.   |
Posted By: paddyofurniture
Date Posted: March 02 2025 at 8:36am
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Very nice! N marked, Navy? |
Posted By: terrylee
Date Posted: March 02 2025 at 8:46am
| I have always understood that the "N" marking stands for a Naval issue. I have another different "Upgrade" with a similar marking. It seems that these modified rifles were offloaded on the navy! Perhaps there was an assumption that naval needs were not so pressing. |
Posted By: paddyofurniture
Date Posted: March 02 2025 at 8:57am
| more to look for. |
Posted By: Mayhem
Date Posted: March 02 2025 at 3:28pm
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You will need to complete a B709 import permit and depending where in Australia you intent to return to, you will have the particular hoops to jump through depending upon their laws. Also, be very careful if you enter Australia in a state in which you do not reside. In particular, Western Australia. I would start email both the licensing services in your state police force and border force to ensure it isn't seized and destroyed on arrival. ------------- .303 - Helping Englishmen express their feelings since 1889 |
Posted By: paddyofurniture
Date Posted: March 02 2025 at 3:42pm
| Good to know. |
Posted By: andy h
Date Posted: March 02 2025 at 4:38pm
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I saw this picture and I feel I must say that looks like an Uk deactivation specificaton , The action will have been removed from the wood work and inverted and clamped onto the bed of a miller then using a minimum of a 1/3 bore diameter cutter used to cut from the mag well through the feed ramp chamber wall and at least 3/4 the length of the barrel concealed by the wood work, Then a steel rod had to be welded from chamber for 3/4 of the barrel length . Then a hole was drilled through from one side of the action through the chamber but not through the other side of the action( blind hole) and a hardened steel rod inserted across and though the action/chamber and then welded in. In no way would this be safe to use for the original chambering.
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Posted By: andy h
Date Posted: March 02 2025 at 4:53pm
| I have to hang my head in shame as I have had to deactivate many many firearms as it used to be part of my job years ago. |
Posted By: A square 10
Date Posted: March 02 2025 at 7:20pm
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nice lookin mkIV terry , am i mistaken or didnt i see receiver mounted rear sight on the OPs rifle , i think it was a no 4 not a mkIV , which also makes it NOT an SMLE ,
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Posted By: britrifles
Date Posted: March 03 2025 at 3:43am
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Calling a No. 4 a Mk 4 is the most common mistake in Lee Enfield nomenclature. Maybe except for calling “chargers” “stripper clips”. |
Posted By: hoadie
Date Posted: March 03 2025 at 4:08am
...& calling a "rifle" a gun, & a magazine a "clip".  ------------- Loose wimmen tightened here |