Couple of Lee Enfield questions

[Plecotus]

I'm planning to acquire one! Ideally, a No. 4, Mk. 1. I shot these in the army cadets 40 years ago and have recently had the opportunity to have a go with a couple of member's rifles at the club and I'm now keen to acquire one for myself.

I have two questions that I've not been able to find answers to. Firstly, I thought that the No. 4 Mk 1 had a square-ish end to the cocking piece? Was that always the case or did some have a round-ended cocking piece?

Second question is about rear sights. Are all the Mk 4 rear sights interchangeable? One of the rifles I'm interested in has a battle type rear sight and it would be good to know if an adjustable rear sight can be fitted without modification?

Cheers!

Denis

[mag41uk]

AFAIK I don't think any No4 came equipped with only a battle sight.

[dromia]

Moved to correct forum!!

[dromia]

AFAIK I don't think any No4 came equipped with only a battle sight.

He probably means the 300/600 yard flip up peep sights.

[Plecotus]

Yes, that's what I meant...and sorry for posting this in the wrong place. Thanks for shifting it.

[Dark Skies]

You might find any of these on the No.4 as they are interchangeable.

The best and most expensive of the factory sights (£45 - £50 on Ebay and online stores) is the Mk1 sight screw adjustable type.

The flip up L sights are around £8

The MkIII and Mk4 can be had for around £15. Of the two the later Mk4 is the better buy. The shaped catch for the ladder adjustment is less likely to catch on stuff.

[Jamesj]

You will find every Parker Hale sight for the No.4 in the article below. They are designed to fit without modifications.
The PH5C is a popular one for these rifles and I’m sure Fulton’s has a load of them.

http://www.rifleman.org.uk/PH_Service_sights.htm




Sent from my boing using "An application"

[GeeRam]

Firstly, I thought that the No. 4 Mk 1 had a square-ish end to the cocking piece? Was that always the case or did some have a round-ended cocking piece?

Yes, very early production No.4's had a round cocking piece, and are quite rare to find, as most rifles were subsequently upgraded to later spec etc. and fitted with the Mk. 1* 'rectangular' cocking piece.

If you really are after a Mk.1 you may have to wait a long while as finding a No.4 Mk.1 that hasn't been through a rebuild/refit to later Mk.1* spec, or even to later Mk.1/2 spec are few and far between.

[Plecotus]

Thank you all for some very useful information. It really is much appreciated.

Turns out is really is an early Maltby production No 4 Mk 1. All the numbers match up and it has a very good, 2-groove bore. Totally unmodified from it's original spec. A deal has been done and I await my variation. Very pleased indeed.

[dromia]

I would check thoroughly that it hasn't been barrelled if you are seeking a complete original rifle especially as such things so far from the dates of manufacture are extremely rare beasts if not almost extinct by now.