Lee Enfield #4 Mk. 2

[woodchukhntr]

I reserved a #4 Mk. 2 Lee Enfield at the local gun store for $250.00.  It was manufactured in 1952, and was probably never issued from the looks of it.  There are no importer markings on it, and it has the target rear sight with an adjustable aperture.  Does anybody have any idea of it's value?  What about the sight?  Were they issued with them , or was it put on later?  I have never seen the target sight before.

[30-30man]

The price is the thing.  You said you reserved it, what is the final price?  The unissued thing is very hard to prove.  Refurbished rifles are sometimes very hard to recognize.  I know you can get a very good in excellent condition No.4 Savage, Longbranch, etc.  from Century for $299 with the C&R license.   I have one rule with surplus stuff and that is I will not pay more than if I could buy a decent hunting rifle.  The $300 rule is about the limit I will spend on surplus. That means all the American stuff is mostly out of reach. Mainly this leaves me to the good versions of Enfields which I enjoy restoring. Mosins are what I have been buying lately.  Surplus stuff is suppose to be cheap.IMHO

[woodchukhntr]

I picked it up on Saturday.  The final price, including tax, was $271.00.  There are some pretty beat-up #4 Mk. I's around in the $200 + range, so this one was a bargain.  I haven't had the time to research it on the web yet.  The rear sight has an adjustable aperture, and it has a safety lever that is shorter than the standard one to clear the windage screw that takes the place of the standard rear sight pivot screw.

I shot it with Greek surplus ammo and was happy with the grouping, although I did not have an appropriate target for 100 yards.

Last year I picked up a #4 that had been sporterized with an aftermarket sporter stock, a Weaver scope base, and cutting the barrel back behind the front sight.  When I picked it up and saw the $79.95 price tag on it, I snapped it right up.  The same dealer had another rifle with a 5-round Santa Fe magazine, and we just swapped magazines.

[xhare]

Where was it made?  What factory?  It should be marked on the side.  I have a 1955 vintage No4 Mk2 whose serial numbers fall in the range listed for "Irish Contract" rifles.  These were rifles apparently made for a contract with Ireland, which for some reason the deal fell through.  So the rifles were put away in storage.  I have read several articles in the past about them.  Look around on the internet and see what you find.  Careful about believing everything, try to find more than one source. 

Mine shoots very nicely indeed, and I can put 200 rounds through it at one sitting without suffering a bruised shoulder.  Nice weight and a moderately powerful cartridge.

[Joel24]

Were newly produced 1952s actually issued? The only place I know using them was Sudan, I think. I'm really not sure where one would have ended up, except maybe the Suez crisis?

Probably an (F) Fazakerly?

[Double 30]

Fazakerley was the only British plant to make the MK2.The Paki's made them on equiptment the Brits sold them from the old BSA plant.You paid a VERY good price for your rifle.I have a '53 production and with reloads she shoot sub 6 inch groups at 300 yards as issued.Enjoy her...

[woodchukhntr]

Thanks Double 30.

I haven't been able to shoot it since August, have been sighting-in deer guns & loads when I am able to get to range.  I have been looking for more 60's Greek surplus ammo, but no luck.  The local dealer sold out.  I understand it was made under contract by Winchester, it's non-corrosive and Boxer primed.