British Enfield No.5 Mk.I Jungle Carbine .303 British Bolt Action Rifle C&R
SOLD FOR: $770.51
WOA#: WY240117CB034
Make: ROF Fazakerley
Model: No. 5 Mk. I ‘Jungle Carbine’
Serial Number: F1100
Year of Manufacture: 1945, January
Caliber: .303 British
Action Type: Bolt action, detachable 10 round magazine
Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked “No5MKIROF (F) 1/45 F1100”. The rear of the bolt handle is marked “K302”. The left side of the stock collar is marked “F1100”. The underside of the forend is marked “F1100”. The left side of the buttstock is marked “B W S 5 50”. The bottom of the magazine is marked “F1100”. As is common on British firearms, there are numerous small proof marks throughout the metal and wood surfaces.
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, right side of buttstock sling well with bar, and a hard rubber buttpad. The buttpad is missing a few small chunks around the edges and there are very shallow circular indents scattered throughout. There are compression marks, scuffs, and scratches throughout the wood. There is a small divot on the right side of the forend in front of the barrel band. The LOP measures 13.3” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. The stock rates in about Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Oil darkened metal
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray and the rifling is sharp. There is light erosion in the bore with stubborn fouling throughout.
In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 6.5 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 80% of its current metal finish. There are scuffs and scratches throughout the metal surfaces. Most of the black paint has been removed, leaving behind the oil darkened finish. There is a small amount of black paint remaining on the rear sight and the cocking piece. There is finish wear along the edges of the receiver, stock collar, and bayonet lug. There is surface rust present in the magwell, on the trigger guard assembly, and around the base of the rubber buttpad. There are small impact marks on the top of the barrel, behind the front sight base. There is pitting on the upper handguard collar and the barrel band. The bolt and action show usage wear. The bottom of the magazine has some light wear. The screw heads show moderate use. The markings are legible, though those on the receiver are faint. Overall, this rifle rates in about 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 that is in Very Good condition. It also comes with a canvas sling and a reproduction No. 5 Mk. I bayonet in Very Good condition.
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 1945 at the Royal Ordnance Factory Fazakerley. The stock has very little wear to it, with most of the wear being present on the rubber buttpad. Nearly all of the black gun paint has been removed, but most of the oil darkened finish underneath has been retained. The bore has a lot of stubborn fouling but the rifling is in good shape, which should make for a great shooter after a thorough cleaning. The rifle comes with a canvas sling and a reproduction No. 5 Mk. I bayonet. This would fit into any British or Enfield collection. Please see our photos.
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