ScottCollins
Private 1st Class
A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.
Posts: 548
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Post by ScottCollins on Jul 3, 2014 22:44:55 GMT -5
So someone thought that I made an Enfield a while back when discussing a kar98 build for some reason. That got me thinking of doing one. Now here is my question to all of you Limeys out there. Would you prefer an SMLE or a No.4 Enfield?
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stuka
Sergeant
The one and only
Posts: 1,205
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Post by stuka on Jul 3, 2014 23:14:11 GMT -5
I personally would like a smle but i believe the no4 was more common and such
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Post by volkssturm on Jul 4, 2014 0:02:18 GMT -5
Early war the No. 1 Mk. III was still most common and remained common in North Africa and Italy. By 1944 the No. 4 was largely replacing it in Northwest Europe, at least with frontline units. Interestingly, the Aussies manufactured their own No. 1 Mk. III's at their Lithgow factory and continued to use it through the Korea War. They never adopted the No. 4.
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stuka
Sergeant
The one and only
Posts: 1,205
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Post by stuka on Jul 4, 2014 1:46:09 GMT -5
welp, guess you should make smle's then XD
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Post by insterburger on Jul 4, 2014 8:50:46 GMT -5
There were enough SMLE's around that either would be right, even for late war, but as Volksturn said, the #4 became more common later on.
The Matrix SMLE's have the early WWI-style cocking piece, which was still seen but getting quite uncommon by WWII. If I were building an SMLE for WWII use, I wouldgive it the later style bolt details.
I don't know if they came up in previous discussions of Enfields, but the ideal candidate for a conversion-- #4 or SMLE-- would be a "Khyber Pass" rifle. These were bootleg guns made by local artisans in India as copies of popular firearms. Most very much look the part, some are hard to tell from an original without careful inspection, all are made with questionable metallurgy and are considered dangerous to shoot. They are not nearly as historic as real battle rifles.
A while ago there was a guy selling a ton of them, they seem to have dried up, but when they can be found they're usually dirt cheap-- another recommendation for conversion.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Jul 4, 2014 17:02:42 GMT -5
A barely serviceable Enfield cab be purchased at gun shows for $100.00. The barrels are pitted and the function is questionable but all the parts are there for your replica. Getting everything at once is way cheaper that buying items piecemeal. The SMLE is especially attractive in my book because it transends 100 years of actual combat use. SMLEs can still be sen in the hands of Afghani fighters.
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Jerry-ADK
Private 1st Class
Unteroffizier, Heeresgruppe Nord-Ost
Posts: 418
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Post by Jerry-ADK on Jul 4, 2014 17:23:15 GMT -5
A few years back I purchased a SMLE chambered for NATO .308 at a gun shop for $100. It was manufactured for the Indian army and they used them up through the 90's until they switched to FN FAL I believe. It was actually a good shooter, and accurate. Unfortunately I traded it for a Dutch Naval Cutlass. I might see if the guy I traded with still has it and try to buy it back. It would be great for said conversion.
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stuka
Sergeant
The one and only
Posts: 1,205
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Post by stuka on Jul 4, 2014 18:15:57 GMT -5
A barely serviceable Enfield cab be purchased at gun shows for $100.00. The barrels are pitted and the function is questionable but all the parts are there for your replica. Getting everything at once is way cheaper that buying items piecemeal. The SMLE is especially attractive in my book because it transends 100 years of actual combat use. SMLEs can still be sen in the hands of Afghani fighters. To be fair, I believe the afghani's will use whatever they can get. I beleive I heard of muzzle loaders/muskets being used as well
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