British Enfield No.5 Mk.I Jungle Carbine .303 British Bolt Action Rifle C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,325
WOA#: WY240117CB001
Make: ROF Fazakerley
Model: No. 5 Mk. I ‘Jungle Carbine’
Serial Number: Z1702
Year of Manufacture: 1947, January
Caliber: .303 British
Action Type: Bolt action, detachable 10 round magazine
Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked “No 5 Mk I (F) 1/47 Z1702”. The rear of the bolt handle is marked “Z1702”. The left side of the buttpad base is marked “M/78”. The bottom of the magazine is marked “AC 5153”. The underside of the forend is marked “AC 3074”. The comb of the buttstock is marked “S”. As is common on British firearms, there are numerous small proof marks throughout. The left ricasso of the bayonet is marked “R.F.I.”
Barrel Length: 19”. There is an integral 1.5” flash hider at the end of the muzzle.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade post dovetailed into a base mounted between two protective ears. The rear sight is an aperture which when flipped up has an adjustable aperture.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The two-piece wood stock has a straight grip with finger groove, barrel band with sling loop, nose cap, right side of buttstock sling well with bar, and a hard rubber buttpad. The buttpad is intact with some very light wear near the bottom. There are light compression marks, scuffs, and scratches throughout the wood. The LOP measures 13.25” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. The stock rates in about Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Black gun paint and oil darkened metal
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is light erosion in the bore with stubborn fouling near the muzzle.
In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 9 out of 10.
Many military and C&R eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide. For example, the U.S. used corrosive ammunition throughout WWII. The U.S. military did not begin to phase out corrosive-primed ammunition until the 1950s.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. There are light scuffs and scratches throughout the metal surfaces. The buttplate base and the nose cap have most of their black paint remaining. There is wear along the heel edge of the buttpad base. There are drag marks on the top of the barrel. There is light wear along some of the receiver edges. The screw heads show light to moderate use. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good overall condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The rifle comes with a 10 round detachable magazine in Good condition and a reproduction No. 5 Mk. I bayonet.
Our Assessment: This is an example of a No.5 Mk. I, also known as the ‘Jungle Carbine’. The No.5 was an attempt by the British military to develop a lighter, carbine length version of the No.4 rifle for jungle and other inhospitable combat conditions where longer range fighting was typically not a concern. Produced from 1944 into the end of 1947, the No.5 saw service most notably during the Malayan Emergency and the Vietnam War. This example was made in January of 1947 at the Royal Ordnance Factory Fazakerley. The stock is lightly worn. The metal retains little of the black paint finish, but the oil darkened finish is lightly worn. The bore is bright with light erosion, which should make for a great shooter. This rifle comes with a canvas sling and an R.F.I. marked reproduction No. 5 Mk. I bayonet. This would fit into any British or Enfield collection. Please see our photos.
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