Milsurp After Hours

Very nice rifle.

Looks like the "No1 MkV1" is actually a later restamp (probably by a civilian owner) as the original would have been a Crown with "Enfield" and date of production - the same as on an SMLE, but on the left butt socket. It seems that the data has been ground off, probably when it was rebuilt as a No4 Mk1.

Its not clear from the photos: does the rearsight use a spring-and-steel-ball like a No1 MkV, or has it been converted to standard No4 spring-and-plunger?

This the slightly later model - the 1933 No4 Mk1 Trials rifle. You can see the sort of markings they used on the butt socket.

http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL605/23 ... 367135.jpg[/pic]

Other side, showing the magazine cut-off (the reason why so many No4s have the cut-out in the forend).

http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL605/23 ... 083261.jpg[/pic]

brewstop, the rearsight plunger is neither a ball nor the typical No4 plunger that flares out at the top with a flat on the side.

The one on this rifle is like the No4, but lacks the flared top.

Here are some pictures just taken;

Aha, it looks like they did the same bodge that i did!

All of the No1 MkVI and No4 Mk1 trials rifles use a spring and steel ball detent, just as on the preceding SMLE No1 MkV. The rearsight has a corresponding cup on the base into which the steel ball fits.

When the trials rifles were refurbed as issue No4s - or restored by collectors like me - the special prototype Mk1 rearsights were/are usually unobtainable. A normal Mk1 reasight with plunger will not fit, as the receiver is actually higher on a trials rifle than it is on the production No4. The flat of the plunger is too tight under the standard Mk1 rearsight, preventing it from rotating into position.

The solution is to grind off the flat of the plunger and shape the shaft into a rounded end, which will more or less work with the standard sight. This modification/bodge is what both of our rifles have.

P.s. if anyone reading has a trials No4 rearsight that they'd be willing to part with , i'd be VERY keen to negotiate....!!