British No 5 Jungle Carbine……..SOLD

The Famous Jungle Carbine by Royal Ordnance Factory Fazakerley

A good No 5 MkI Jungle Carbine produced at the Fazakerley plant in the last part of the Second World War.  The whole idea behind the design of this carbine was to reduce weight and length, but maintain the impressive firepower of the ten shot .303 rifle.  To this end the weapon had a shortened barrel of  18″ and the regular detachable ten shot magazine.  In short they succeeded but, it has a reputation for being a bit heavy on recoil.  True, but what would one expect if you shorten the barrel and lighten the weapon!  The only thing that stops is kicking and bucking is going to be the fellow behind it, so holding it correctly is going to be the primary concern.  However, if you do hang on to it correctly, it is a fine weapon to shoot.

On the subject of shortening the barrel, an immediate side effect would be from the ammunition used – it was the same as any other .303 weapon.  To this end, the designers had to address the problem of “muzzle flash” because, the powder is still burning as it exists the short barrel.  A bright muzzle flash is an immediate give away to the users position in a combat situation.  The solution was to fit the iconic “flash hider” which distinguishes this weapon among its contemporaries.   The flash hider, bayonet lug and front sight is incorporated in a single unit which is fitted to the muzzle.  The bayonet had to be redesigned to fit over the larger diameter of the redesigned muzzle.  Another side effect was the increased recoil – hence the rubberised recoil pad fitted to all jungle Carbines.

This Carbine is marked on the outer LHS of the action as follows;  “No5 MKI ROF(F)  /  7/45   P4996”  Also, on the rear face of the action are some clear markings, including a strong War Department broad arrow stamping, as well as some clear factory inspectors stampings.  On the same side as these, lower down on the steel wrist are the letters “F.M.P”  In the center there is another arrow.   At the top is the safety.   The other side of the wrist is devoid of markings.

This carbine is 40″ long, including flash hider.  It is stocked in stained beech with a walnut hand guard.  The action has been made lighter by applying cuts to the action body and, the bolt knob is correctly drilled to make that component weigh less.  The bolt head is a No1 fitment.  Rectangular cocking piece to the rear.  Matching serial number stamped on rear of bolt arm.  Mounted on the rear end of the action are the correct carbine type sights.  It has large aperture battle sight and a flip up adjustable aperture sight, graduated up to 800 yards.

General dings and dents all over the stock from service usage and the carbines’ serial number stamped into the underside of the of the fore-end.   High edge wear all over and loss of finish in general.  There has been no “refinishing” and the rifle looks absolutely right for its age.  The action has been thoroughly cleaned and serviced.  It feeds and cycles well.  The bore is very good with strong five groove rifling.  A great fun gun to use these days on the range, but also a weapon with a special place in the history of the Second World War and conflicts that followed.

Stock No  f 418

£ 650…………………SOLD

 

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