POTD: No. 5 Enfield Jungle Carbine – Development, Features, and Fate

Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! The bolt-action rifle, No. 5 Enfield, referred to as “Jungle Carbine,” had been made in 1943-1944 specifically for jungle warfare. It was simply a lighter and shorter version of Lee-Enfield No.4 that weighed approximately eight pounds and measured 39.5 inches. These included lightening cuts, a shortened barrel, a conical flash hider, a rubber buttpad, and sights adjustable to 800 yards. The gun was hailed as being smaller than the rest but cursed for increased recoil and “wandering zero” whereby it lost its accuracy. About 260000 were produced from 1944 to 1947. Production ceased in 1947 due to this problem among others including the expectation of semi-automatic rifles’ adoption. The post-war era saw Jungle Carbine being used on civilian conversions of surplus Lee-Enfields. Thus making identification confusing

“Manufacturer: Fazakerley

Model: No 5 MK I

Type: Carbine

Gauge: 303

Barrel: 20 1/2 inch round

Finish: matte black

Stock: hardwood”

Lot 396: Fazakerley Enfield #5 MkI Jungle Carbine. (n.d.-r). Rock Island Auction Company. photograph. Retrieved July 25, 2024, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/2026/396/fazakerley-enfield-5-mki-jungle-carbine.

Sam.S

Writer | TheFirearmBlog Writer | AllOutdoor.com Instagram | sfsgunsmith Old soul, certified gunsmith, published author, avid firearm history learner, and appreciator of old and unique guns.