Lee Enfield

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Rutland lad

Rutland lad

Well-Known Member
I’m not sure if this is in the right section, but I’m sure you’ll be able to help.

A mate who does Military re enactment (and who restores old motorbikes) is thinking of sourcing a Lee Enfield from WW1 or 2 to finish off one of his lovely restored BSA’s (bike).
He’s asked me if he could apply for an FAC for a Lee Enfield in.22 rimfire. He believes the original .303 was either sleeved down to .22 or rebarrreled.
That’s what he’s after - my question to you is which was it ?

And if he does get an FAC for a centre fire .303, do you know anyone who can sleeve or rebarrel it to .22 rF.

Over to the collective wisdom on here !
 
Husky said:
Does he want to carry it on the BSA in some kind of scabbard at re-enactmemts / military shows?
If so a de-act would be better.
Click to expand...
For the simple convenience of being able to hang something that looks like a SMLE or similar on his bike he needs to go with a deactivated rifle otherwise he's forever going to fall foul of why he might want to carry a live firearm in "public places", you know, frightening people, upsetting re-enactment event organisers etc. Oh wait.... I'm assuming we're talking about someone in the UK?

As to the .22 idea, such training rifles did exist in period and they are very collectable indeed. Mostly they were sleeved down as it was simply expedient. They still count as FAC rifles so he's back at square one. But commissioning someone to sleeve down .303 period rifle? He should talk to one of the specialist historic rifle sellers such as Simon at Highwood Classic Arms, the Lee Enfield Rifle Association Home - Lee Enfield Rifle Association or Historic Breechloading Smallarms Association http://www.hbsa-uk.orgwho could advise.

Honestly, the more I think about the notion of rocking up at re-enactment shows with a live firearm the more I think it's a really bad idea. Organisers might simply not allow it and I'd be astonished if firearms licensing would allow it.
 
Hmmmm! Tend to agree that a live 22 firearm at a show might cause a bit of a stir but saying that my pal has a live WW1 18 pounder with which he does just that! Can you smell the black powder children? Mmmmmm!
🦊🦊
 
I have seen some converted to 410, which you can hold on a SG ticket and the reenactors like them as you can fire blanks,
but as for carrying on a bike, that is another can of worms,
T
 
tikkathreebarrels said:
For the simple convenience of being able to hang something that looks like a SMLE or similar on his bike he needs to go with a deactivated rifle otherwise he's forever going to fall foul of why he might want to carry a live firearm in "public places", you know, frightening people, upsetting re-enactment event organisers etc. Oh wait.... I'm assuming we're talking about someone in the UK?

As to the .22 idea, such training rifles did exist in period and they are very collectable indeed. Mostly they were sleeved down as it was simply expedient. They still count as FAC rifles so he's back at square one. But commissioning someone to sleeve down .303 period rifle? He should talk to one of the specialist historic rifle sellers such as Simon at Highwood Classic Arms, the Lee Enfield Rifle Association Home - Lee Enfield Rifle Association or Historic Breechloading Smallarms Association http://www.hbsa-uk.orgwho could advise.

Honestly, the more I think about the notion of rocking up at re-enactment shows with a live firearm the more I think it's a really bad idea. Organisers might simply not allow it and I'd be astonished if firearms licensing would allow it.
Click to expand...
Saved me jotting down my view...
 
He could apply for a Lee Enfield, whether in it’s original .303 or other calibre. His “good reason” would be as an established member of xxxxx re-enactment society and for it to be used for historical re-enactment with blank ammunition under the supervision of the appointed officers of xxxxxx society. Whether it is held by virtue of an FAC, SGC or is a registered de-ac if he should decide to mount it on his motorcycle in open view, irrespective of whether he is travelling to or from an organised historical re-enactment event in which he is to participate, he is likely to attract unwelcome attention
 
I would imagine travelling to/from an event with an FAC rifle of any calibre in plain view would be seriously frowned upon - the HO guidance states that guns should be transported out of sight. Even a gunslip (vintage) it's pretty obvious what is in it, and then there's all the issues at an event - gun shouldn't be left visible to the public without the owner in constant attendance, the owner can't even let another person 'watch over' the gun while they go to the loo, etc.

Far better to go down the de-ac route.
 
I can't imagine a war-time BSA had a Lee-Enfield mount on it. I would certainly hesitate to try to load and fire any bolt-action rifle while riding a motorbike or even a bicycle.

I would advise your mate to get a deac. Much less hassle certificate-wise and it will either be so full of holes or alternatively welded solid that it will be no risk to the public should it be lost.

Although if he is travelling to a re-enactment event with it on show, he should still expect the possibility of being asked reasonably robustly at the business end of a G36 or HK 416 to prove who he is and what he is doing with a "firearm".......................
 
My shooing partner has two #8 .22 rifles made as .22 . We know this as he and his whole family worked at enfield arms factory up the lee , one's mine when he pops off . both are mint one is unfired , he was given them when Enfield closed and they all lost there jobs :eek: they were from Enfields own target club armoury .
If they say yes he can get what he wonts good luck to him but also buy a electric gutar case , it will be better and far less fuss than the cock wobbles hitting the panic button and punching 999.
but as to your post this will help:

Lee-Enfield Rifle No.2 Mk.IV* and .22RF No.1 Mk.III

Historic Arms Resource Centre facility for British and Commonwealth Enfield and other Miniature calibre training and small-bore TARGET RIFLES (BSA- Birmingham Small Arms Co.), conversion units and accessories with representation of other nations' training rifles, plus Postal League competitions...
rifleman.org.uk
 
Lee Enfield No8s were .22 rimfire, factory produced for training purposes. My uncle was commodore of local sea cadets in 1970s and 1980s and remembers Navy personnel turning up to collect the No8s - for destruction!!!!
 
Thanks chaps for the comments. A lot of your thoughts were similar to mine but being unfamiliar with the re enactment thing I thought I’d ask. I did think a deactivated one would present no issues.
 
paul o' said:
My shooing partner has two #8 .22 rifles made as .22 . We know this as he and his whole family worked at enfield arms factory up the lee , one's mine when he pops off . both are mint one is unfired , he was given them when Enfield closed and they all lost there jobs :eek: they were from Enfields own target club armoury .
If they say yes he can get what he wonts good luck to him but also buy a electric gutar case , it will be better and far less fuss than the cock wobbles hitting the panic button and punching 999.
but as to your post this will help:

Lee-Enfield Rifle No.2 Mk.IV* and .22RF No.1 Mk.III

Historic Arms Resource Centre facility for British and Commonwealth Enfield and other Miniature calibre training and small-bore TARGET RIFLES (BSA- Birmingham Small Arms Co.), conversion units and accessories with representation of other nations' training rifles, plus Postal League competitions...
rifleman.org.uk
Click to expand...
He might know some of my family , they also worked at the RSA . I was born on Ordnance Road , small world . And to get back on thread , buy a deact , a lot less grief and a lot less money . A decent No8 will sell for well north of $ 1000 bones here , add $ 500 if it's a Long Branch .

AB
 
I'd like a Number 8. My 22LR had a Parker lined barrel but no working magazine. The bolt looked like a purpose built 22LR bolt. The rifle came with a 303 mag with no inards. I always thought it funny that if I opened the bolt at the right speed the empties flipped into the empty mag to be dumped after that string of fire. It was an exceedingly accurate rifle. Only had issue sights which was certainly it's only accuracy limitation.~Muir
 
There Surname is Mears , they were also involed in taking the boats to the powder mills ww1.
Muir your have to stand in line its mine first the other will be sent to the Leeds Royal Armouries museum along with his test fired T4 in its box compleat with draw scope :cry:
 
The No8s have only very recently been taken out of cadet use. Sadly they have pretty much all been cut and destroyed.

When I was at school we had them in the CCF. I wangled it to be range Seargant so every Monday parade I would open up the range, get all the rifles out and often have a lane to myself just to shoot. I shot thousands of rounds with the No 8 and loved them.

As for show purposes Henry Krank has plenty of deactivated with deactivation certificates just for the purpose the OP wants.
 
Dreadful outcome. These rifles trained generations, many of whom went off to war and sadly never returned. They should have been preserved in perpetuity as a memorial to a generation sadly no longer with us. Shame really.
🦊🦊
 
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