~ WW2 British 1942 Dated No. 4 Mk. I Rifle Old Spec Deactivated ~
The British No. 4 Mk I Rifle is one of the most iconic military rifles of the 20th century, widely recognized for its robust design and role during World War II and beyond.
The rifle is serial numbered S11717 and comes with its UK deactivation certificate.
It can be cocked and dry fires. The bolt can be stripped.
History
Development: The No. 4 Mk I was developed as an improvement over the SMLE (Short Magazine Lee-Enfield) No. 1 Mk III, addressing issues of manufacturing complexity and the need for a rifle suited for modern warfare.
Design work began in the 1920s and 1930s, with trials leading to its adoption in 1939.
Adoption: Officially adopted by the British Army in 1941 as their primary infantry rifle during World War II.
Production: Manufactured in large quantities during WWII by British factories, as well as in Canada (Long Branch Arsenal) and the United States (Savage Arms under the Lend-Lease program).
Design and Features
Action and Mechanism:
Bolt-Action: Based on the classic Lee-Enfield design, with a fast-cycling bolt mechanism allowing rapid follow-up shots.
10-Round Magazine: Detachable box magazine fed by stripper clips, offering one of the highest capacities among bolt-action rifles of its time.
Sights:
Equipped with a flip-up aperture sight calibrated for ranges up to 1,300 yards, making it highly effective for long-range shooting.
Some variants featured micrometer-adjustable sights for precision.
Barrel:
The rifled barrel was designed for the .303 British cartridge, providing excellent accuracy and stopping power.
A heavier barrel profile compared to earlier models improved durability and heat resistance.
Weight and Dimensions:
Length: Approximately 44.5 inches (1130 mm).
Weight: Around 9 pounds (4.1 kg), depending on configuration.
Manufacturing:
Simplified construction compared to the No. 1 Mk III, including fewer parts and easier machining processes to speed up wartime production.
Operational Use
Primary Service: Used extensively by British and Commonwealth forces during WWII, including campaigns in Europe, North Africa, and the Pacific.
Post-War Service: Continued to serve in Korea and other post-war conflicts until gradually replaced by semi-automatic rifles like the L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle.
Global Reach: Adopted by various allied nations, and surplus rifles found their way into civilian hands and militaries worldwide.
Variants
No. 4 Mk I: Original version, introduced in 1939–1941.
*No. 4 Mk I (Star)**: Simplified version produced by Savage Arms in the U.S., with changes to the bolt release mechanism for ease of production.
No. 4 Mk 2: Post-war upgrade with improved trigger mounting.
T Variants: Specialized sniper configurations equipped with telescopic sights.
