This Old Gun: Enfield No. 5 Mk 1 'Jungle Carbine'

by
posted on October 7, 2014
** 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. **
junglecarbine.jpg

Gun: No. 5 Mk 1 Enfield “Jungle Carbine”
Manufacturer: BSA Shirley
Condition
: NRA Excellent (Modern Gun Standards)
Caliber
: .303 British
Manufactured
: 1947
Value
: $850-$900

There’s little doubt that, despite its somewhat truncated service life, among shooters and collectors the No. 5 “Jungle Carbine” remains one of the more popular and recognizable models in the Enfield line. Why? Well, it certainly looks and feels handy. Plus, it provided a more glamorous alternative to the No. 4 Lee-Enfield, unquestionably one of the more unprepossessing bolt-action battle rifles of the 20th century. Unfortunately, in the No. 5’s case, beauty was only skin-deep.

The end of a long line of illustrious Lee-Enfields, the No. 4 without a doubt more than fulfilled the promise of its forebears. It was a superbly rugged, reliable piece of ordnance. But as good as it was, authorities felt that it could be made better, and in 1943 work began on experiments in that direction. It was decided that the gun would maintain the time-tested cock-on-closing bolt-action mechanism, and would employ the same basic 10-shot sheet steel magazine as the No. 4.

Initial efforts to lighten the gun by altering the No. 4’s stock and barrel proved to be less than satisfactory, so some experimental rifles were fabricated from scratch. It was found that by trimming a 25.2" barrel to 20½", muzzle flash was greatly increased. This was duly addressed and corrected by the addition of a cone-shaped flash hider.

The stock itself was shortened and the handguard reduced so that some 11" of the barrel was now exposed. Metal was pared down wherever possible, resulting in a rifle that was almost 5" shorter and 2 lbs. lighter than its 9-lb. predecessor.

As the gun was considerably lighter than the No. 4, recoil became heavier. Accordingly, the butt was equipped with a narrow rubber recoil pad. Other modifications included the addition of a steel nose cap (some guns were made without them), moving the rear sling swivel from the base to the side of the stock, and the adoption of an 8" clip-point bayonet.

A peep-style ladder rear sight with a large-diameter battle aperture, graduated to 800 yds., was mounted atop the rear of the action. Prudently, the .303 British chambering of earlier Enfields was continued.

Approved on Dec. 9, 1944, originally called the “Lightened No. 4 Rifle”, the gun’s title was changed to No. 5 Mk 1. Production was undertaken at the Royal Ordnance Factory, Fazakerly and BSA Shirley. Despite initial approbation from the field, after a while the No. 5 was found to have a dark side—extended shooting showed a dramatic drop-off in accuracy. Put plainly, the rifle had a “wandering zero.”

The No. 5 was given a thorough going over and various components eliminated or redesigned—to no avail. Ultimately the project was halted, officials tendering the excuse that the problem was “inherent in the design.” Years later it was discovered the accuracy drop-off was caused by the action torqueing due to lightening cuts in the back and sides of the receiver. Some 250,000 guns were made before manufacture ceased in 1947. Despite its attenuated life span, the No. 5 did see service in Malaya and Kenya.

Recently Gibbs Rifle Co. (gibbsrifle.com) discovered a quantity of No. 5s and is currently offering them for sale at very fair prices. The rifle shown here, though, is an older import in NRA Excellent condition. It even has a rare matching serial-numbered magazine. As such, it is worth between $850 and $900.

Latest

Stuart 45 Pistol Pre War Manuevers Web Main
Stuart 45 Pistol Pre War Manuevers Web Main

Guns Of The U.S. Tankers In World War II

Since the end of World War II, debates have raged about the effectiveness of American armored fighting vehicles in that conflict. Despite all the Monday morning armored quarterbacking, American AFVs were war-winners, driven to victory by some the finest fighting men our nation has ever produced.

MidwayUSA Foundation Awards Over $14 Million In Cash Grants In 2025

In honor of National Shooting Sports Month—held annually in August—along with the growing popularity of the sport with new participants, MidwayUSA Foundation announced it has distributed more than $14.2 million in cash grants to support youth shooting sports in 2025.

Making The KelTec PR57 In Wyoming

To make its PR57 handgun, KelTec invested in an entirely new manufacturing facility located in Rock Springs, Wyo. "American Rifleman Television" headed out for an inside look at the company's efficient production process.

Taurus 66 Combat: A New "Fighting Revolver"

First introduced in the 1970s, the Taurus 66 Combat is a medium-frame revolver that has seen several evolutions in its lifetime, and the latest update creates what the company considers "the final word in fighting revolvers."

Review: Taurus GX2

From cars to cellphones, as a product gets more sophisticated, it usually also gets more expensive. And, as modern handguns get more modular and optic-ready, their prices tend to go up.

Rifleman Q&A: A Garand Puzzlement

"We are a father-and-son NRA member tandem in search of an answer regarding the branding of an M1 Garand rifle. We own an M1 rifle that has markings indicating it was a “lend lease to England,” and it also has a .308 barrel/sleeve."

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.