Although
the old Lee-Enfield No.1 Mark III rifle performed sterling service
throughout World War I, it was an expensive and time consuming weapon to
produce as every example had virtually to be made by hand. In the years after
1919, consideration was given to a version of the basic design that could be
mass-produced, and in 1931 a trial series of rifles known as the No1 Mark VI
was produced. These were accepted as suitable for service but at the time there
ws no funds to launch production, so it was until November 1939 that the
go-ahead was given for what was the redesigned rifle No.4 Mark I.
The No.4 Mark I w designed from the outset for mass production, and differed
from the original No.1 Mark III in several aspects the No.4 Mark I had a much
heavier barrel that improved overall accuracy, the muzzle protruded from the
forestock by an easily recognisable amount and provided the No.4 Mark I with a
definite recognition point; and the sights were moved back to a position over
the receiver, which made them easier to use and also provide a longer sighting
base, again an aid to accuracy. There were numerous other small changes most of
them introduced to assist production, but for the soldier the biggest change
was to the muzzle, where a different fitting was introduced for a new bayonet,
which was light and a simple spike with no grip or anything like it, so
depriving the soldier of one of his favorite front-line tools. The spike
bayonet was not liked, but being simple and easy to produce it was retained in
use for many years.
The first No.4 Mark Is were issued for service during the late 1940 and there
after the type supplemented the old No.1 Mark IIIs. But III was never entirely
replaced. This was not for lack of production effort for the No.4 Mark 1 was
churned out in hundreds of thousands by numerous small arms production
facilities all over the UK and even in the USA. These 'American ' rifles were
produced at the Stevens-Savage plant at Long Branch and were known as the No.4
Mark I * as they differed in the manner in which the bolt could be removed for
cleaning.
These American examples also differed in various other small details most of
which were introduced to assist production using American methods.
In service the No.4 Mark I proved itself an excellent weapon, to the
extent that many now regard the design as one of the finest of all service
rifles of the bolt-action era. It was capable of withstanding even the roughest
of handling, and could deliver accurate fire for prolonged periods.
It was relatively easy to strip and keep clean using the 'pull-through'
carried inside the butt strap along with the oil bottle and a few pieces of the
famous 'four by two' cleaning rag.
Special sniper's version of the No.4 were also produced. These used various
types of telescopic sight over the receiver along with a special butt plate.
These rifles were usually selected from production examples and were virtually
rebuilt and restocked before issue. They were designated Rifle No. 4 Mark I (T)
The No. 4 Mark I is still in widespread service around the world. Many current
service examples have been rebarreled with new 7.62-mm (0.3-in) barrels and
more have been converted to match or hunting rifles.
Specification
Rifle No. 4 Mark I
Caliber 0.303 in (7.7mm)
Length 1.129m (44.43 in)
Length of barrel 640mm (25.2 in)
Weight 4.14 kg. (9.125lb)
Muzzle velocity 751m (2.465 ft)per second
Mag 10- round box
The No.4 Mk I rifle dating from 1941 The No. 4 was simplified version of
the No.1 or SMLE
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