I have been after a No5 for some time now. I’m not sure if it was due to its rather usual shape and profile, or its reputation of being a rifle that lets you know you’ve fired it. The No5 is certainly unique and a break from the traditional style and shape of the earlier No1′s, the No3 or that of the later No4′s.
The No5 was intended to be lighter in weight, have a reduction in overall lenght,and to be far more compact rifle. When compared to that of its cousin, the No4, it certainly met that criteria. The No5 was also a rifle well suited to the jungle environment. Its action and ability to work in trying conditions was well documented and the reduction in weight a blessing to the soldier carrying the carbine. The No5 whilst being produced 1945 did see use in WWII, even being issued to paratrooper units.
But it was this attempt to reduce the weight of the rifle that may have inevitably lead to its questionable reliability. This mainly centered around the inability of the rifle to hold its zero. Or the famous “Wandering Zero”.
As a result, the No5 in fact saw the shortest length of service for a British service rifle . This may be in part due to the wandering zero, but may also be attributed to the focus on the newer and prevailing self-loading rifles and semi automatic firearms of the time.
A while back I was fortunate enough to stumble onto what was to be my first No5. Whilst a little on the scratched side and missing the odd piece, she still remained very appealing. I emailed the owner whom I knew and trusted and simply asked “is it worthwhile a restoration job?”.
“Definitely!” was the reply.
I received a few pictures and the only real issue was the flash hider had been removed. There were a few scratchs around where the forward barrel band had been and the top wood was missing.
So here are a few photos after a day of tinkering with the woods alone.
- Very faint but there!
The numbers on the Mag, Bolt and Receiver all matched, but what really topped it of was that the woodwork did as well. I noticed this upon closer inspection, I could tell that there was some numbering as seen in the left photo that showed something. I lightly worked on it till I could see a clearer defined set of markings. This is as far as I will go for now. This is also why you never use sand paper, it’s going to take time for the wood to accept the “magic solution” and to be honest im not going to push my luck any further in fear of lightening the surrounding woods and just fading it all into the back ground.
As you can see the butt just soaked it up and the resulting colour that has come back is just wonderful. The scratching around the front barrel band will take a bit longer, but that will just be accomplished over time with lighter and lighter solutions. But again gently gently. Today all I did was clean up the bore a tad and just let the wood accept the oils. The bottom picture shows todays results. With restoration you just need to remember its a slow process but worth it. It may sound odd but its sort of handy to have a couple of projects on the go, that way you don’t rush any one job.
So now I need to source the correct barrel band and flash hider.
Now here’s a trick for new players. Some companies out there have made “conversion” kits for the NO4′s to resemble a No5, these entailed a new butt, modified top and bottom woods, again normally from excess no4 stocks. But they had to make the flash hider to fit the No4 barrel, which has a different size muzzle where the hider was attached. So, ALWAYS check and measure the muzzle diameter before ordering and make sure you get the correct flash hider. it’s a long way to sort stuff out when the supplier is half way around the world.
ALSO shop around, No5′s were painted black so don’t rush out and get the flash as new blued hider, it’s going to stick out like the proverbials.
more photos to come……
Update, the old girl is going to spend some time with Rod Woods, and even better still, I have aquired another one……and shes nice 
2nd Update, My buddy and I went down to the range and got the old girl so hot that oil was coming out of the woods! The barrel so hot you could cook an egg on it! My shoulder was a tad tender, but boy what fun! Huns head at 50m with 10 rounds rapid, a few times…. like iIsaid FUN.
for more info http://www.allaboutenfields.co.nz/no5/
Hi, great website, nice Enfields. I have a faz No5 which I purchased many years ago. The guy I purchased it from claim it was his paratroopers accurised paratroopers sniper.
One expert I have spoken to advised that the rifle fits the bill, others say it’s just a No5 with the bayonet lug removed and some work done.
The lug has been ground off and the action and a section of barrel bedded with titanium putty, a sniper cheek piece was fitted, screw holes still there, and scoped.
It shoots exceptionally well, it’s a FTR faz 1947, your page is only the second reference to the para’s using these I have ever come across.
Recently, because the flash hiders with bayonet lug are available, I’ve been thinking of replacing it, I have heard it’s a hell of a job, not sure how they attached them. Now I wonder if the story has any credence and I should fit a cheek piece, and just leave it alone.
Interested if you or anyone has any further info, and how exactly is the best way to re & re the flashhider, or fab a bayonet lug and tig it on. I do not want to spoil my really well shooting rifle, for the sake of appearance. Any advice welcome, thanks Ian
Ian, thank you for the kind words regarding the website.
To be exactly sure of what you have got could you email me some pictures? I am interested in the serial number as a FTR in 47 would have indicated that the rifle was made prior to that date and then back to the factory for its 2nd time? If you flick me serial numbers I can work out production dates.
Again, I profess to be no expert but here goes my interpretation of what you have described.
To me what you describe is a sporterised No5. My knowledge of the materials, the methods employed coupled with the accurising techniques of the day lead me to believe that your rifle has been “sporterised or modernised” well after its Factory Through Repair in the Fazakerly factory in 1947. Titanium putty is certainly omitted from any of the stocking up process’s that I’ve ever seen from that period in time! The removal of bayonet lugs, the addition of a cheek pad and a scope , again I would tend to agree with the second person who looked at the rifle. Then there is also the lack of official nomenclature to such a creation!
There are plenty of examples of post WWII rifles that were tinkered with and sold as something a little more interesting that what they really were. But what you have is still very special, and I do want some more pictures!
Ian, my advice would be let’s have a look at it and if it’s just a case of retro fitting a flash hider let’s do that! But I temper anything that we may do as I wouldn’t want to ruin an accurate rifle, especially a No5! PLUS it has a history of its own!
But yes the No 5 was issued to paratroopers as was the sten gun, Brens and No4’s, I will update the site with some images that show the British 1 Airborne in Norway with the No5.
I hope this helps in some small way. But again send me some pictures.
Hi Mark,
Firstly you are most welcome, job well done. On the second, no tradional serial # only the electric engraved #, in full it reads No5 MK1 (f)
1/47 Y9933
It was the second gun I ever purchased, and so I have owned it for 20+ years, I will shoot some pic’s very soon and upload them. I don’t mind what the gun is, I love it, and wouldn’t part with it. No one can believe it shoots so well, as long as you space the shots and don’t heat up the barrel to much, it’s around the 1″ at a 100yds, no access to more at the present. Thanks for your response.
Regards Ian
Ian,
What a great second rifle to own! It took me a while to get one!
The serial prefix that you have (Y XXXX) runs from the end of 1946 into the beginning of 1947. Yours looks to be at the end of the Y series, I am unable to tell the month but the follow prefix numbers series are observed for the 1947 production at the Fazakerly factory Y, Z, AA, AB, and AC.
BSA Shirley used a double prefix starting with ‘B” 1945 BB, BD, BE, BF, BG 1946 BH and BJ 1947 BK
I dont think your rifle went through an FTR program, have a good look around the other stencilling, can yoy see “FTR” anywhere?
Hell any Enfield that gets 1 inch at 100 yrds is a keeper! dont mess with it, infact get it out and shoot some more! You could get a repro flash hider, but ensure you get the correct diameter and get a good gunsmith familiar with Enfields to do it….personal experience, dont try it yourself! but in all honesty I would just get the old girl out and have fun!
Mark
Hi Mark,
I emailed you some pictures of my two carbines, the jungle MK5 and my LEC 1, did you ever get them or did they just dissappear. Thanks for the recommendations, I think I will do both. Numerich has the repro flash hiders in 0.95 dia.
Regards Ian
Regards Ian.
No Ian the pictures never arrived this end? Just make sure the flash hidr is the correct diameter and not for the No4 “Conversions”!
Does anyone know if the no.5 mk1 was ever used as a sniper rifle? I’m about to buy one with all correct numbers, parts, etc., really good looking piece of history. On the left side of the receiver are two holes that appear to be drilled for a side mount scope. They don’t interfere with the electro lettering. I hate to think someone did this to the lady to mount a scope that didn’t belong. Serial number is Z72xx which should be a 1947 rifle from Fazakerley but I haven’t found any info that might indicate that any were drilled for scopes.
Hello,
I just picked up a No5 prefix is X. I haven’t seen X mentioned much and I just want to make sure she is legit. It was suposedly manufacture at Fazakerley in 1946.
Any confirmation would be appreciated. Thanks.
No the No5 was never converted for sniper work.