*British, WW2, Enfield Bolt Action Drill Rifle L59A1 (1943 No 4 MK1 Enfield Rifle by Fazarkely) with Original Sling and No. 4 Mk. II* Bayonet, Deactivated*
Serial No 17172 – Marked on trigger band and on the Deactivation Certificate
Marked on Trigger Band – “48”, crossed out “M 1943”. Inverted War arrows (indicating decommissioning) “17172”.
Marked on side of the barrel: “Drill Rifle L59AL”, crossed out “No 4 MK I F (FTR)” over a repeated crossed out “No 4 MK 1”
Marked on Bolt – 3814
Etched under barrel – 1967
Barrel Length: 25.50″, .303 CAl
An iconic piece of history this gun tells us its fascinating history surviving WW2 as a 1943 No 4 Mk1 Enfield Rifle to its adaptation to a training drill rifle L59A1 in circa 1967. The L59A1 rifle is generally regarded as the last true Enfield rifle model to be produced.
This rifle is a WW2 Lee Enfield L59A1 Training Rifle, converted from WW2 No4 rifles in the 1970s specifically for cadet training purposes. They were issued to British Army, Navy, and RAF cadets and utilized for various training and drill exercises. Often marked with white bands, these rifles were easily identifiable as non-firing weapons. REME armorers intentionally modified the action and barrel by machining or cutting sections to weaken the rifle, rendering it incapable of firing. Additionally, the magazine was altered to prevent loading .303 ammunition. With the introduction of the SA80 rifle, deemed obsolete, the majority of these rifles were disposed off making this a rare find.
The British No 4 rifle was an evolution of the Short, Magazine Lee-Enfield, featuring a sturdier, flat-sided body, a heavier barrel, and an aperture rear sight. Although approved for service in November 1939, large-scale production did not commence until 1942 due to challenges in establishing manufacturing facilities. While RSAF Enfield developed the trial rifles for the No4 MkI, wartime production was primarily undertaken by Royal Ordnance Factory’s (ROF) Fazakerley, Maltby, and Birmingham Small Arms-Shirley (BSA Shirley). Notably, this rifle bears the crossed out date 1943, and also crossed out the marking – No 4 MK1 F (FTR) with F indicating Fazarkely and FTR – denoting Factory Through Repair.
The No. 4 Mk. II* bayonet represented a simplification of the spike bayonet, with the socket and blade produced separately to facilitate assembly by subcontractors across Britain. This method reduced costs and minimized vulnerability to German bombing raids. Tinsley Rolling Mills Co. Ltd. of Sheffield, (“TRM.1,” “TRM.2,” and “TRM 3”) also supplied steel to various socket forging contractors so their initials appear alongside other forgers. This bayonet bears the marks “VNS” – Viners Ltd., Sheffield AND “TRM3” – Tinsley Rolling Mills Co. Ltd., Sheffield.
*Condition*
Excellent used condition commensurate with age and usage. Bolt slides freely. Deactivated. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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