Enfield No 5 Jungle Mk I Carbine…….(F 1003) Sold
Created on February 24th 2022
Enfield No 5 Mk I Jungle Carbine.
Built in standard Military specification, chambered in .303 British with a ten shot detachable box magazine. This well presented late World War Two carbine is stocked in a straight grained European Walnut three piece stock set, peculiar to the carbine model. Nothing would be interchangeable to the other marks Enfield made. Overall the carbine is 39.1/2″ long. The round blued barrel is 20″ long including flash hider. The trigger pull to centre is 13.1/2.”
Developed to aid troops fighting in the close quarter confines of jungle warfare conditions. It was the intent of the developers to provide a weapon that could be easily and quickly brought on target, against an enemy, that could be hiding only feet away in dense undergrowth. An enemy that were expert in camouflage and concealment and ferocious in close quarter hand to hand combat. The No 5 retained the power of the .303 cartridge but the full length of the rifle was reduced in place for a more manoeuvrable weapon. The only problem was, they didn’t alter the powder burn of the cartridge, consequently, you still had powder burning beyond the length of the shortened barrel. This produced a giveaway muzzle flash which would betray your position – hence the development and fitting of the classic flash hider fitted to the carbine barrel. The larger ring size of the flash-hider cone required a larger bayonet ring and thus required a redesign of the bayonet. Eventually resulting in the instantly recognisable Jungle carbine Bowie style knife bayonet associated with this carbine. The end result is a handsome and business like looking outfit which was very much up to the job. It only resulted in one slight disadvantage when going up against a screaming Japanese infantryman armed with the longer reaching Type 38 or Type 99 rifle and long bladed bayonet; your opponents reach! The solution being; shoot him first, before he gets anywhere near you – and that was idea of the shorter rifle – quicker target acquisition.
The Jungle carbine is instantly recognisable for all the above reasons. There is a great debate about accuracy and wandering zeros etc, but I can only comment drawing from experience; made no difference to me; the only competition I ever appeared on the score sheets for involved my own example of this weapon – so I think the effects are minimal. This example is certainly a handsome looking piece. Even coloured and finished woodwork all over. Minimal dings and dents. The classic and almost standard effect of time on the black finish painted on the action and barrels etc. Some finish remaining in protected areas. Battle sight and flip-up rear ladder sight graduated to 1300 yards. Front sight protected by ears with bayonet lug under the flash hider.
The LH wrist is marked “ENGLAND” stamped over “M/47 / 1945 / BE3333” Unfortunately the bolt is non-matching and reads “BJ 0941”. Drilled bolt knob. No 1 marked bolt head. Rectangular cocking piece. Classic rubber recoil pad with pressed steel surround which incorporates the side bar for the sling. Safety catch to rear LHS of action. Period light tan canvass sling attached – illegible printed markings. The outer wall of the action being marked “No5 Mk I” Steel capped fore-end. Bore excellent.
An interesting part of any military rifle shooters armoury.
Stock No F 1003
£ 1170. SOLD
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