Enfield No 5 Jungle Carbine ………………. (F1198)

Good example of the Enfield No 5 Jungle Carbine

Designed to aid troops fighting in the close quarter confines of  jungle warfare conditions. It was the intent of the designers 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.

Built to standard Military specifications, chambered in .303 British with a ten shot detachable box magazine.  This well presented late World War Two carbine is stocked in the classic dark coloured walnut three piece stock set which was peculiar to the carbine model. This set of woodwork is in particulalry fine condition with an even patina, little sign of oil staining and a good shine to it – almost as if prepared for parade.  There are however no stock marking on any of the woodwork axcept a solitary diamond shape marked on the RHS of the butt-stock face.   Nothing in the furniture would be interchangeable to the other marks Enfield produced.  Overall the carbine is 39″ long.  The round blued barrel is a nominal 20″ long including flash hider.  The trigger pull to centre is 13.”

  The LH outer action wall is marked; ” No5 MKI ROF (F) / 10 / 45  S 8099″.  The ROF meaning manufacture at Royal Ordnance Factory (Fazakerley.)  The bolt is matching on the reverse of the bolt arm.  Drilled bolt knob to reduce weight. The digit “0” marked bolt head.  Rectangular cocking piece. “F” for Fazakerley marked on the RHS of the rear sight slide.  “ENGLAND” stamped into upper left hand of wrist strap.  Classic rubber recoil pad with pressed steel surround which incorporates the side bar for the sling.  The rubber pad being in good condition.  Safety catch to rear LHS of action. Very good bore with strong rifling,very clean and bright with no apparent damage, pitting or misting.   The detachable ten shot box magazine has a non-matching number engraved into its underside.

Correct Enfield carbine rear sights with an open aperture battle sight for close quarters and an reduced aperture adjustable height cross bar for longer distances with cross-hatching to reduce glare.  The graduations range correctly from 200 to 800 yards on the rear face.  If your going to shoot a carbine with a barrel some 5″ shorter than a standard rifle, you may as well chose one with an excellent bore and this would be it.  With these rifles you need all the advantages you can get.  “BNP” proofed.

Stock No F 1198  – FAC Required

£ 1050.00

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