POTD: Britain’s WWII Service Rifle – The Enfield No. 4 Mk I
Sam.S 07.30.24
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! The No. 4 Mk I Rifle which was adopted in 1941 is a development of Lee-Enfield design that improved upon the SMLE (Short Magazine Lee-Enfield). The changes were: strengthening of the receiver, simplified charger bridge, heavier free-floating barrel, and new aperture sights. While No. 4 kept the .303 British cartridge, there was limited parts interchangeability with SMLE. England started production in 1941 in new factories as did Long Branch Arsenal in Canada and Savage Arms in the U.S. The Variant No. 4 Mk I* with its simplified bolt release was manufactured from North America during World War II but officially approved when it reached 1946. That’s how we got to No.4 Mk2 after war improvements affected it. In all more than two million no four rifles were made during WWII and North American production exceeded that of Britain during this period.
“Manufactured in Canada and dated “1942”. Blade front and two-leaf rear sights, with a “N(broad arrow)7” New Zealand mark on the socket and a smooth stock with sling swivels and “broad arrow in C” military proofs. With a Number 4 Mark II socket bayonet, 9 3/4 inches overall with an 8 inch spike.”
Lot 2571: Two SMLE Rifles, Long Branch/Enfield – Collector’s Lot of Two Lee-Enfield Pattern Bolt Action Rifles. (n.d.-at). Rock Island Auction Company. photograph. Retrieved July 30, 2024, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/72/2571/two-smle-rifles-long-branchenfield.
