Enfield No 3

SwedeSteve · 04-15-2008, 06:28 PM

With all things being equal condition-wise, is a No. 3 as good as a No. 4?

Nathan123 · 04-15-2008, 08:07 PM

I would say better. But then again my opinion is biased, us Aussies have a strong connection to the NO1 MK3.

I have owned both, both of which were great, i prefer the NO1 MK3 to the No4 MK1. And in their standard form (which they should be, LOL) i prefer the look of the MK3 being straight at the muzzle end rather than the No4's tapered look.

SwedeSteve · 04-15-2008, 10:12 PM

I am totaly new to the Lee Enfields, I have read a bunch, but held few. This No & Mark is quite confusing to me! The rifle I am currently looking at is an Enfield. Other than that I am oblivous! It has an exceptional bore and is marked on the Sellers tag as a Enfield No.3, MK I, and a ? mark as to caliber. Is this an US 7,62x51 Enfield. I am going in the next day or so to copy all numbers and markings. Shop owner knows nothing about Enfields either, so he is no help! Critical stampings is what I need to know to ID this rifle!

acarpenter · 04-15-2008, 11:23 PM

surprisingly the lee enfield wikipedia page is really good. includes marking info!

irish murphy · 04-16-2008, 04:08 AM

No3 is usually a P14.They have a very strong action.And have been chambered in a lot of different calibres.

jimkim · 04-16-2008, 06:08 AM

swede this is a P-14

Big Dog · 04-16-2008, 06:12 AM

There are two basic Enfield rifles we get here - the No.1 Mk.III and the No.4 Mk.1 or No.4 Mk.2.
The P14 is quite a different rifle altogether, as is it's American counterpart, the M1917 Enfield.
I prefer the No.4's aperture sights - I find them more precise and easier to adjust.
Both can be quite accurate shooters.

irish murphy · 04-16-2008, 09:38 AM

Most of the stock p14s ive seen have the same if not better sights of the no4.A flip up sight the same as most no4mk2.But i will say my favourite is still the no1mk3 with iron sights.I can hit most things with it and it is my back up spotlight gun.

SwedeSteve · 04-16-2008, 10:31 AM

Thanks for all the help guys!

squirrelbaster · 04-16-2008, 11:06 AM

swedesteve what is the shopkeep asking? im just curius

SwedeSteve · 04-16-2008, 07:59 PM

It is a No 1, MK III. I got it for $220. I do not know if that is good or bad.

squirrelbaster · 04-16-2008, 08:00 PM

im not eather but to ME that seems good. i would have jumped on it.

REM.303 · 04-16-2008, 10:42 PM

Swede,
Is it a #1 MKIII or a #1 MKIII 2A? the first one is 303Brit, the second one is .308, there is a big difference. To tell the difference the easy way, is to look at RT side of the reciever, below the bolt handle. if it has Maltby, Fazerlakey, BSA or Lithgrow it is a .303 Brit Caliber Rifle. If it has "RFI" and a date, it is a .308 and was made at the Ishapore Armory in India. Or take it to a Gunsmith for a positive ID.

SwedeSteve · 04-16-2008, 11:40 PM

I have just brought the rifle home, and laid it in the rest! A more specific investigation will follow. Other than my my Swede M96, (and I am prejudice), this is probably the most BEAUTIFUL rifle I have ever held in my hands! The lines are perfect, the contours are the same! No wonder you guys have been marking these up for so long!! Truly a #1 act! Oh my GOD!

REM.303 · 04-17-2008, 12:47 AM

Swedesteve,
I like the sights on the #1 MKIII, more than the ones on the #4, they seem to line up better for me. (I pefer Blade/Notch over "Ghost Ring"-"Ghost" being the key word...)

OH by the way, Welcome to the ranks of the "Enfield Junkies" you WILL be buying more of them....soon.

SwedeSteve · 04-17-2008, 01:29 AM

I am having a bit of trouble disassembling this rifle. It is not a recent import and bears no import mark! It has no cosmoline, but has what can be best described as caked grease in all of it's orifices! It is the consistency of clay!! Did the Brits "depot" there's in a different way, or was this one "packed away" by a civilian?

irish murphy · 04-17-2008, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REM.303

Swede,
Is it a #1 MKIII or a #1 MKIII 2A? the first one is 303Brit, the second one is .308, there is a big difference. To tell the difference the easy way, is to look at RT side of the reciever, below the bolt handle. if it has Maltby, Fazerlakey, BSA or Lithgrow it is a .303 Brit Caliber Rifle. If it has "RFI" and a date, it is a .308 and was made at the Ishapore Armory in India. Or take it to a Gunsmith for a positive ID.

The indian ishapore factory also made 303 chambered no 1 mk 3s.I own one.The easiest way ive found to tell a 7.62 chambered ishy is the square box magazine if looking from a distance.Then the markings will tell you anyway.I would also say that the 7.62 chambered rifles would be no4s and also no1mk3s

Nathan123 · 04-17-2008, 06:13 AM

Good stuff Steve. We told you they were beautiful. You will be hooked for life now.

Do you have any pictures?

SwedeSteve · 04-17-2008, 01:12 PM

Right side has:
A crown?
CR (might be GR)
ENFIELD
1917
S?LE ? Looks like smaller HT or NT
III =

Top of receiver has:
Crown
BNP

Serial# is 1999*

Caliber is .303

REM.303 · 04-18-2008, 12:11 AM

Steve,
It is "GR"
Made in 1917 (Just in time for WWI)
SMLE=Short Magazine Lee Enfield
The "Crown"="His/Her Royal Majesty OK's this rifle for use defending the Crown"
"BNP" is most likley a "proofmark" or an "Inspectors Stamp"

And Yes that is Very Old Cosmo...I scrub mine down with a old "Soft" toothbrush and good old Hoppies #9, using a small common acrewdriver and a scribe to get into the hard to reach places...Good Luck and be careful.

04-15-2008, 10:12 PM	#3
SwedeSteve Thor's Hammer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alaska Posts: 12,158 Images: 1	I am totaly new to the Lee Enfields, I have read a bunch, but held few. This No & Mark is quite confusing to me! The rifle I am currently looking at is an Enfield. Other than that I am oblivous! It has an exceptional bore and is marked on the Sellers tag as a Enfield No.3, MK I, and a ? mark as to caliber. Is this an US 7,62x51 Enfield. I am going in the next day or so to copy all numbers and markings. Shop owner knows nothing about Enfields either, so he is no help! Critical stampings is what I need to know to ID this rifle! __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

04-16-2008, 06:08 AM	#6
jimkim Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Near the Little Ocmulgee river in GA Posts: 2,250 Blog Entries: 15	swede this is a P-14 __________________ "Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum." Last edited by jimkim; 04-16-2008 at 06:12 AM.

04-16-2008, 06:12 AM	#7
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,359	There are two basic Enfield rifles we get here - the No.1 Mk.III and the No.4 Mk.1 or No.4 Mk.2. The P14 is quite a different rifle altogether, as is it's American counterpart, the M1917 Enfield. I prefer the No.4's aperture sights - I find them more precise and easier to adjust. Both can be quite accurate shooters. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

04-16-2008, 11:06 AM	#10
squirrelbaster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,511	swedesteve what is the shopkeep asking? im just curius __________________ "My Shotgun SAYS I AM the POLICE !"--Mooseman684 "I like Turtles!" youtube kid

04-16-2008, 07:59 PM	#11
SwedeSteve Thor's Hammer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alaska Posts: 12,158 Images: 1	It is a No 1, MK III. I got it for $220. I do not know if that is good or bad. __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

04-15-2008, 06:28 PM	#1
SwedeSteve Thor's Hammer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alaska Posts: 12,158 Images: 1	Enfield No 3 With all things being equal condition-wise, is a No. 3 as good as a No. 4? __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

04-15-2008, 08:07 PM	#2
Nathan123 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Newcastle, N.S.W, Australia Posts: 359	I would say better. But then again my opinion is biased, us Aussies have a strong connection to the NO1 MK3. I have owned both, both of which were great, i prefer the NO1 MK3 to the No4 MK1. And in their standard form (which they should be, LOL) i prefer the look of the MK3 being straight at the muzzle end rather than the No4's tapered look.

04-15-2008, 11:23 PM	#4
acarpenter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 385	surprisingly the lee enfield wikipedia page is really good. includes marking info!

04-16-2008, 04:08 AM	#5
irish murphy Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canberra,Australia Posts: 1,028 Blog Entries: 5	No3 is usually a P14.They have a very strong action.And have been chambered in a lot of different calibres.

04-16-2008, 09:38 AM	#8
irish murphy Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canberra,Australia Posts: 1,028 Blog Entries: 5	Most of the stock p14s ive seen have the same if not better sights of the no4.A flip up sight the same as most no4mk2.But i will say my favourite is still the no1mk3 with iron sights.I can hit most things with it and it is my back up spotlight gun.

04-16-2008, 10:31 AM	#9
SwedeSteve Thor's Hammer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alaska Posts: 12,158 Images: 1	Thanks for all the help guys! __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

04-16-2008, 08:00 PM	#12
squirrelbaster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,511	im not eather but to ME that seems good. i would have jumped on it. __________________ "My Shotgun SAYS I AM the POLICE !"--Mooseman684 "I like Turtles!" youtube kid

04-16-2008, 10:42 PM	#13
REM.303 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: 15 miles PAST the end of the earth Posts: 145	Swede, Is it a #1 MKIII or a #1 MKIII 2A? the first one is 303Brit, the second one is .308, there is a big difference. To tell the difference the easy way, is to look at RT side of the reciever, below the bolt handle. if it has Maltby, Fazerlakey, BSA or Lithgrow it is a .303 Brit Caliber Rifle. If it has "RFI" and a date, it is a .308 and was made at the Ishapore Armory in India. Or take it to a Gunsmith for a positive ID. __________________ Remember, the easy path IS ALWAYS Mined...

04-16-2008, 11:40 PM	#14
SwedeSteve Thor's Hammer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alaska Posts: 12,158 Images: 1	I have just brought the rifle home, and laid it in the rest! A more specific investigation will follow. Other than my my Swede M96, (and I am prejudice), this is probably the most BEAUTIFUL rifle I have ever held in my hands! The lines are perfect, the contours are the same! No wonder you guys have been marking these up for so long!! Truly a #1 act! Oh my GOD! __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

04-17-2008, 12:47 AM	#15
REM.303 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: 15 miles PAST the end of the earth Posts: 145	Swedesteve, I like the sights on the #1 MKIII, more than the ones on the #4, they seem to line up better for me. (I pefer Blade/Notch over "Ghost Ring"-"Ghost" being the key word...) OH by the way, Welcome to the ranks of the "Enfield Junkies" you WILL be buying more of them....soon. __________________ Remember, the easy path IS ALWAYS Mined...

04-17-2008, 01:29 AM	#16
SwedeSteve Thor's Hammer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alaska Posts: 12,158 Images: 1	I am having a bit of trouble disassembling this rifle. It is not a recent import and bears no import mark! It has no cosmoline, but has what can be best described as caked grease in all of it's orifices! It is the consistency of clay!! Did the Brits "depot" there's in a different way, or was this one "packed away" by a civilian? __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

04-17-2008, 06:13 AM	#18
Nathan123 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Newcastle, N.S.W, Australia Posts: 359	Good stuff Steve. We told you they were beautiful. You will be hooked for life now. Do you have any pictures?

04-17-2008, 01:12 PM	#19
SwedeSteve Thor's Hammer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alaska Posts: 12,158 Images: 1	Right side has: A crown? CR (might be GR) ENFIELD 1917 S?LE ? Looks like smaller HT or NT III = Top of receiver has: Crown BNP Serial# is 1999* Caliber is .303 __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

04-18-2008, 12:11 AM	#20
REM.303 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: 15 miles PAST the end of the earth Posts: 145	Steve, It is "GR" Made in 1917 (Just in time for WWI) SMLE=Short Magazine Lee Enfield The "Crown"="His/Her Royal Majesty OK's this rifle for use defending the Crown" "BNP" is most likley a "proofmark" or an "Inspectors Stamp" And Yes that is Very Old Cosmo...I scrub mine down with a old "Soft" toothbrush and good old Hoppies #9, using a small common acrewdriver and a scribe to get into the hard to reach places...Good Luck and be careful. __________________ Remember, the easy path IS ALWAYS Mined... Last edited by REM.303; 04-18-2008 at 12:48 AM.