Rifleman Q&A: Oddball Enfields

by
posted on September 22, 2022
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Enfield

Q. I was at a gun store and saw an Enfield No. 4 rifle that looked to be a pretty standard model to me, except it had a pointed stacking swivel. I have never seen one like this before and was wondering if you could tell me something about it. Is this some odd variant, or is it a common one that I have just never seen before?


Enfield No. 4 Mk I barrel muzzle gun parts rifle

A. I, too, have seen these rifles around and about. Apparently, Century Arms acquired a significant number of Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk I and Mk I* rifles with this uncommon feature from a Middle-Eastern country’s war-reserve supplies that were sold off as surplus.

A visit to centuryarms.com confirmed that this batch of rifles included both British- and North American-manufactured Enfield No. 4s. These rifles were likely standard-configuration No. 4s that were sold off to that country several decades ago, but were later modified with the addition of this odd stacking swivel. Our resident Enfield nut—I mean authority—verified that these are assuredly not British-issue parts.

As far as collectibility concerns go, it all depends on your perspective. Oddly enough, many military rifle collectors are very enthusiastic about modified surplus rifles that can be identified as part of a specific lineage. Regardless, they certainly have their place in the history of Lee-Enfield rifles. I hope this helps.

—Michael O. Humphries


This “Questions & Answers” was featured in the March 2006 issue of American Rifleman. At time of publication, "Questions & Answers" was compiled by Staff, Ballistics Editor William C. Davis, Jr., and Contributing Editors: David Andrews, Hugh C. Birnbaum, Bruce N. Canfield, O. Reid Coffield, Charles Q. Cutshaw, Charles M. Fagg, Angus Laidlaw, Evan P. Marshall, Charles E. Petty, Robert B. Pomeranz, O.D., Jon R. Sundra, Jim Supica, A.W.F. Taylerson, John M. Taylor and John W. Treakle.

To subscribe to the magazine, visit the NRA membership page and select American Rifleman as your member magazine.

Latest

Google Ai Logo
Google Ai Logo

AI Summaries Reducing Firearm-Related Web Traffic, Sharing Incorrect Information

"[T]here are increasing concerns about how frequently AI systems invent false information—AKA hallucinations—with error rates in some tests reaching as high as 79 percent.”

Preview: Rite In The Rain 25 Meter M16A2/M4 Zeroing Targets

Precipitation and humidity can render a standard paper target unusable in only seconds, which is what makes Rite In The Rain’s line of weatherproof targets such a godsend for outdoor shooters.

Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Now Available In .30-30 Win.

Smith & Wesson expanded its Model 1854 series of lever-action rifles with several .30-30 Win.-chambered variants, just in time for deer season.

Preview: Making The Enfield Pattern 1853 Rifle-Musket

In Making The Enfield Pattern 1853 Rifle-Musket, author Peter Smithurst details the tools and processes used to produce this historically significant firearm.

Gun Of The Week: Charter Arms Double Dog

For this Gun Of The Week episode, we’re on the range with a convertible wheelgun from Charter Arms, and it’s one that goes from .357 Mag to 9 mm Luger quickly and easily. Welcome to the Double Dog.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 17, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.