The Old and the Bold: Short Magazine Lee Enfield Rifle
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- Опубліковано 15 вер 2024
- Norman Mitchell, 93, served for 18 years with the Grenadier Guards. Here he talks about the Short Magazine Lee Enfield Rifle (SMLE).
'The Old and the Bold' is just one of the community projects being run by the National Army Museum as part of its 'Building for the Future' redevelopment project.
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The smile on his face when he pulled that trigger !
I was thinking the same thing! He was actually giddy. 😊
This man is a treasure.
BitHead1000 the kind of treasure that gets more rare by the year.
+Ivan Chen and still they just make some 3 minute pieces with him, instead of some en detail interviews,
A shame
How not? The man has a wealth of knowledge and memories...
Load yer gadgets!
BitHead1000 , amen to that.
this man is no longer with us, as far as i know respect to him a war hero
+Harry Williamson I watched the WWI veterans dwindle away and now I'm watching the WWII veterans do the same - heart breaking. RIP - and thank you......
+1
Harry Williamson Did you make that up to get likes? 😡
Unless it's happened in the last month, he's still very much with us.
Harry Williamson yes these brave men are all passing away
@@tommyatkins2527 There not dead yet so show respect
Sadly, Norman passed away on 24th January 2018 at the age of 97. A life well lived.
Giving pleasure to an old man, who served his country, by giving him his old rifle to refresh his memory ... priceless ...
I'm sure you would give him a clip of five fresh rounds, he'd happily give it a go, again ...
God bless you sir, thank you for your service. Cheers . And yall lay off him. He is a bit rusty and I'd be surprised if anyone of you would remember every detail, being 90plus, heck I'm 40 and I forget often if I locked my car, let alone the intricate details of a gun he handed, 70 plus years ago.
Living history right there, respect the man, respect the service, take in stride the information shared.
Above all, great rifle.
Thanks for this Apex
This gun is a symbol of liberation not oppression. This gun was carried by British and commonwealth troops and they put their lives on the line to give you freedom and a life without oppression. Just because this weapon was used in the age of colonization doesn't mean that this is a weapon of oppression and evil, in fact it was quite the opposite, this weapon was used to liberate not only Europe but also Asia and North Africa. The lee enfield was a beautiful weapon that was British weapon of choice and where ever it went it was used to help to restore peace and order in a place where non exists. I will forgive your ignorance on this matter but Don't judge a man by the weapon he uses but by what he pledges his allegiance to. My grandad fought and died in Italy during the Second World War along side other Canadians and Brits, with his lee enfield in hand, fighting for a world free of the nazi regime.
Too bad its ancestors were used to enslave and oppress colonies to your precious crown. To hell with you poms.
@@Nogu3 STFU crim
The gun is no symbol, the man who's pulling the trigger is what matters.
@ET Hardcorgamer Nothing more than a weapon? This firearm at one point protected a mans life, as well as the men around him. It's more than just a 'weapon'. That's a fucking brainwashed anti-gun way of thinking. At one point, that rifle was important to someone. They kept it oiled, clean and maintained.
"The Nazis didn't lose - they just moved over here."
- a Canadian WW2 veteran
I met Norman back in 2005 at the Grenadier memorial day known as Black Sunday at Wellington Barracks. Norman served in the 6th Battalion along with my Grandad. Both served in North Africa and Italy. He was a real gent. It was great to see the old soldiers laughing and joking together.
god bless him. bless em all - the long and the short and the tall......
I have So much respect for that old soldier
He is 93 years old and he still remembers 💂🏼🇦🇺🇨🇦🇫🇷🇬🇧
British Rifleman once you have a bit of time you remember as if you were 20
How am I just now finding this video. What an absolute f*cking gentleman. And looking razor sharp in that uniform.
God, I would just love to sit there and have a conversation with him about the war. Fortunately, my dad was told some pretty cool WW2 stories by my great grandfather (who was a German who emigrated to England before the war and ended up fighting for the British) before he died a couple of years ago. Apparently, him and his mates got captured by some Germans in North Africa and were placed into a cave of sorts. The Germans were alerted by something and my great grandfather and his friends legged it to the German's car and just drove off lol.
My grandfather's friend did the same thing in North Africa with an Italian truck.
ElAshtonio That's so cool, none of my family fought in the war. My papaw was the right age but he had a family and a farm to take care of.
at my neighbours funeral a couple of years ago I met his brother [who lived less than a mile away]. The house is full of old RAF and Lancaster memorabilia and it turns out he was a rear gunner in a Lancaster bomber during WW2.
Great to listen to him talk with rightful pride of his service. As i left I wondered how many of these guys were still alive.
I love old folks! They are such a wealth of knowledge and experience. Like living history books. This old gentleman is priceless! I loved how he was surprised by the weight of the weapon...."used to throw it around like nothing back then..." too cool!
As for the weapon itself, IMHO, it is the greatest bolt action rifle ever created. I collect them. I have a 3 BSA SMLE's , one from 1918, one from 1942, and an Austrailian Lithgow 1944. I have a Canadian No.4Mk1* dated 1950.
Remember, these weapons not only held their own, but excelled on battlefields shared with automatic and semi automatic weapons! I use mine to target shoot and hunt with regularly. MiF
Лучшая винтовка WW2 K98
This guy is awesome; I wish I could buy him a pint if he's still around. He's right - the rifle is outstanding. I own one and I love it. I would venture to say that the Lee Enfield rifle is the greatest bolt action battle rifle ever devised. There are better bolt rifles for specific purposes, but as a general battle rifle, if I had to use a bolt rifle, I'd choose nothing else but a Lee Enfield.
+WhiteCavendish I agree, for a bolt action battle rifle the Lee Enfield is unbeatable.
+WhiteCavendish Back during the Rodney King riots in LA, my (then) wife gave me permission to purchase a Springfield M1A to protect our home, should rioters enter our neighborhood. I went to our local gun store and eyed the M1A, which I coveted, but it cost the same as a house payment. They also had a No. 4 Mk II Lee Enfield, FTR (Factory Thorough Refurbished) by ROF Fazerkely. It was BEAUTIFUL, and one sixth the cost of the M1A. I'd read about how in WWI, the Germans had the best hunting rifle (Mauser M98,) the Americans had the best target rifle (Springfield M1903) but the UK had the best BATTLE rifle (No. 1 Mk. III S.M.L.E., the predecessor to the No. 4 Mk. II that I was examining and which the gentleman in this video is showing.)
I didn't hesitate. I snagged it for CHEAP, ordered some still-available Greek surplus ammo, and never felt safer. The rifle is a joy to shoot, and it CAN be fast if one practices. The Brits did firearms RIGHT, in my opinion, and I am proud of this piece of history which, thankfully, I've never needed to use except for target practice.
+jmfa57 That's awesome. Firstly, good on you for stepping up and taking steps to defend your family. Second, good choice of rifle! I'm glad you never had to fire it in defense of your life and your loved ones, but I have no doubt it would have served you well in that regard if called upon to do so. Cheers mate!
+WhiteCavendish And cheers to you, Sir! yes, being a Yank (from SOUTHERN Minneapolis, for my Rebel friends) I DO own a couple of Mausers, and my first real rifle WAS an M1903A3 Springfield (still own it after 41 years.)
Still, my first pick in a bad situation would be my Enfield. May the Good Lord ever prevent the need for that! I'd rather feed people than shoot them... but bad guys make their own choices too.And of course, the best reason that I exist is to protect my family and my friends. The second best reason I exist is to enjoy what life I am granted... and my Enfield, reliable though not especially accurate after hard use defending mankind against tyranny, is a part of my life that I am blessed to enjoy most.Cheers to you and yours, WhiteCavendish!
+jmfa57 The '03 Springfield is one of my "Holy Grail" rifles. They're exceptionally rare in Canada, so much so that I've never seen one here, and I imagine they would be way outside my price range. The good news is that they make an excellent reproduction of the sniper version now, which theoretically I could afford, so I'd love to get my hands on one of those.
I do have an M1 Garand though, which will have to suffice for now. :)
We are blessed to have had this gentleman, and men like him, in our midst. God bless his very soul.
this is probably my favorite video on all of UA-cam. an old soldier talking about one of the most historically significant rifles that he personally owned and fought with. this video is so legit
That little chuckle when he pulled that trigger though. Can tell it wasn't his first time.
I've always enjoyed listening to veterans talk about their experiences. The love they had for the weapons and for their comrades is truly amazing
RESPECT to this great man.
I am a proud owner of an SMLE No. IV. Mk. 2., Long Branch, made in 1942 (Canadian manufacture= no war there in the country itself, no 'war rush' in arms manufacture, this is the best made Enfield money can buy, it's a class better than any other Enfields).
The magazine holds ten rounds, and can be topped up by two, 5-rounder stripper clips.
The strippers :) (LOL) fall out after use, ergo, they're clever fly-away design, just close the bolt on them in the bridge, no need to throw them away. This saves 1 second, which may not seem much, but in combat, it CAN make a difference.
My Enfield shoots sub MoA all day, bench rested, ergo, less than 2,54 cm/1 inch at 100 yards. Of course, a 15-30 rounds/minute fire rate will be less accurate, but these volleys are devastating as suppressive fire. The peeps sights are GREAT for long range shooting, ideal marksmanship rifle.
And btw, the 303 British rounds are MILD to shoot, hardly any recoil, thanks to the 10 pound weight of this rifle. Spare parts are plenty, maintenance is easy, reliabilty excellent. FLawless design.
5 stars + 2 thumbs up.
I LOVE MY ENFIELD. BUY ONE AS LONG AS YOU CAN, these old rifles are getting harder to get.
Greetings from Hungary.
Like
I could literally listen to this gentleman's stories and memories all day long
What a wonderful old Gent. You have right there the amazing British sense of humour, good manners and knowledge of the subject.
much respect for this man, thank you for your service from the US to the UK
Great Rifle! My Lee enfield is my favorite from my collection, ( and take into account im an American and own a Garand!) The Lee is the most accurate rifle i own. Loved this video, love hearing veterans storys! Thanks for posting :)
The SMLE is a pleasure to shoot.
The smoothness of the action rivals that of the M1898 Krag that I have yet the bolt on the Enfield is quite a bit more robust.
Uhh.. no. The Krag has a single lug. SMLE has more. Krag was known as a smooth action and is known to crack the lug.
SMLE has been known for being a smooth and fast action for a long time. The British troops magically get 100 year old SMLE's and lie about it?
The 1903 which is a copy of the action the Mauser 98 used is no where near as smooth as the original 98.
Smoothness of the action has nothing to do with 50 years of wear.
But thanks anyway for your wrong assessment.
IT's interesting how he differentiates snipers by calling them "trained killers", the implication being they the average squaddie wasnt particularly inclined towards killing. A splendid and honourable gentleman.
Did you see his face light up and he chuckled the first time he pulled the trigger ?An excellent video , hats off to the British and their Marksman ! This old warrior still has his sense of humor, it brightened my day.
Thank you for your service!
Awesome Rifles. Will be getting my one soon. It belongs to my grandfather and his father used it in the Boer war when he was still a young Boer lad.
*The "BEF" this gentle man was referring to was the "British Expeditionary Force." A quick response force - a great idea which is still being developed by the US and NATO forces to this day. Unfortunately the BEF hung on to many 1st WW tactics which as he said including the idea that trench warfare was still relevant. Unfortunately this thinking led to Dunkirk. The rest is history.*
This man is an absolute gem hope he lives for many a good more years
Oof just found out hes dad that makes me really sad
"A trained infantryman can fire off about 15 rounds a minute" I've seen a guy do almost 30. Smoothest action of any bolt action rifle in history
Marksman for 1st Life Guards was 15 rounds hitting a target at 1000' within a minute. That's something!
15 includes a reload. And we’re aiming here, not just going bangbangbang like on UA-cam
Try and check on the mad minutes and the record for one minute 38 shots
I absolutely love hearing the stories of WWII vets, especially in person.
The Canadian rangers still use this rifle today. It works incredibly well in cold north. I have several, used for hunting, passed down from my father. Must say powerful against any game, accurate, and reliable.
My grandfather was a WW2 vet, it took me years to get him to talk about the war. He wouldn’t wear his medals and I can tell you he would never of picked up a Lee Enfield and explained it on UA-cam. Great this man shared his experience!
Damn shame ammunition for the enfield is so expensive these days, best bolt action ever made.
try cast bullet loads I shoot my No4 mk1* all day for cents.
+Sergei Ivanovich Mosin I went and found one of the No.1 MkIII 2a Indian rifles in 7.62. They are not conversions, rifles made out of stronger steel for the 7.62 cartridge from the beginning.
where are you? Canada? Europe? a box of 20 rounds is around 17-18 bucks depending on where you get em from. Come tax time i'll be getting a bulk box of 280 rounds for 115 dollars. Sure, not as cheap as the 5.56 NATO ammunition but's it's in the same ball park as my .243s.
303. Is cheap as chips.
You can buy them at 90 pence a round normally
@@ryancook6452 Yep, often as cheap as 70 pence, or 50 Pence if reloading. Maybe cheaper, but regardless of cost every one is great fun to shoot.
I moved from the UK to America about 6 years ago. I own numerous Enfields but I love my No 1 Mk 3s. Insanely accurate rifles, soft shooting and silky actions.
My favorite one that I own was built by BSA sometime during WW1, it was then shipped to Australia and refurbed by Lithgow in 1940 to be used during WW2. It's in fairly good condition apart from a few slight cracks in the stock at the stress points. I haven't shot that one yet, don't want to break the stock.
At 0:36 he went to say "we used to throw it round like a bastard" but he stopped when he went to say bastard 😂😂😂😂👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
I like him, an honest old man is more valuable than all the idealism of youth.
You still see a few out in Uganda where I am currently based. Amazing video and a wonderful man.
+James Jacob In Nepal to, where I am going in two weeks
Lol, heath and safety with a bullet. I agree people these days...
Don't make the bullet out of lead, or it might be dangerous!
Apparently lead bullets can be the cause of death worse than other bullets ;0
Only place for a lead free bullet is hunting, if you want to eat the meat ^^
Actually, lead bullets can end up in streams and rivers, potentially contaminating someone's water supply as well. Most bullets have copper jackets so it isn't an issue; it's mostly a problem with unjacketed ammunition like buckshot.
Jonathan Hughes
Jacketed bullets can break exposing the lead.
People especially History buffs say that the Mauser has the best bolt action ever however the Germans used it in both World Wars and lost both wars but the Brits well lets just say they had a lovely stroll in Berlin.
i swear now this is entertainment.
genuine story drawing from his experiences.
much appreciated for his time taken to share his experience.
Really cool to see this, the little bit of a laugh after pulling the trigger at 1:12 was priceless undoubtedly reminiscing of years past :)
The SMLE is a Lee Enfield No.1 Mk3. ( The No.1 Mk.1 is the MLE). The rifle shown is a No. 4. The Indian troops at 20 seconds have SMLE rifles.
+gamesbok Yah that. I just bought a smelly. Epic video though!
Shot these all the time After I joined the Army cadet force back in 1967 or so. Really good little rifle.
the Canadian Rangers are just in the process of retiring the rifle now from formal active service...
+DEEREMEYER1 I didn't say they were special forces or anything like that but they are an active reserve unit that operates in some of the harshest environmental conditions on Earth.
Yeah, the USA is a bigger country and has a correspondingly bigger military. So what??? What does that have to do with the Lee-Enfield?
+DEEREMEYER1 My point was the the rifle is still in use right up until today in the arctic by an active military reserve unit. That's pretty good for an old bolt action battle rifle!
Yes, there are newer rifles today that can do that. Yes, there are desert environments in the states. What does that have to do with my original comment? I never claimed that the Canadian Rangers were something extra special elite or anything like that. I never claimed the old Lee Enfield is better than newer rifles. I never claimed it wasn't obsolete.
Wow... ????????
Rangers a mostly volunteer group ppl in Arctic Canada,mostly innuit/natives,303 is what theyve used for getting a feed for generations,so was a good choice.
Thank you MR. Mitchell for your service in WW2, you helped save the world for all of us now living. God Bless you sir.
Wow, I expected it and its happened . I knew as soon as i clicked on this video us marine trollerman0311 would be here seeing as its British .
We still use this in India for training, I think some police use it on patrol duty (with a modern pistol/revolver of course). Mighty weapon.
For the Australian infantry the standard for rapid fire was '20 well aimed shots per minute".
From what I see, this gentleman and national treasure died this year - 24/01/2018
We don't make men like that anymore.
RIP
Went into a gun store trying to find some .303 for my enfield, to shoot at the local distance range. Asked an employee if they had any .303 British, (he was an older fellow) and he said he never heard of it. I said "you've never heard of .303? It's the cartridge for the best bolt rifle in the past 100 years"
This Yank salutes you sir!
I could listen to this guy all day with the stories he must have.
What a great video! I love how once you get him talking, he's as sharp as a tack. I could sit and listen to guys like this for hours. Fantastic interview!
I want to hug this man
Thoroughly enjoyed you & your knowledge ! Thank you for your time in the service!
"Health and safety". "Fatuous ideas".
He could not have hit the target more accurately if he had been firing that rifle.
He was a gentleman and soldier, which earns him my respect.
Bless him.
My father loved the SMLE.
What a wonderful gentleman, a wonderful generation, now sadly and missed long gone.
Gotta love this guy! He still remembers how to handle his rifle; Right away opens the bolt for a safety check.
Then calls out the 'fatuous ideas' of the newthink of protectionists in Britain.
That red uniform is gold
One area where the old gentleman's memory failed was in terms of the stripper clip. You could see him struggling to remember. He said it held 10 rounds. The magazine held 10 rounds, but the stripper clips were only 5. It takes two stripper clips to fully load the magazine.
Veteran riflemen didn't load ten, it weakened the magazine spring, so you went with 7 or 8. This avoided jams, which was a rarity with the SMLE, but nothing you'd want to risk in combat. The pull for the bolt is one of the smoothest I've ever experienced.
Well I'm subscribed! I bet that gentleman was an absolute bad ass in his day. Having shot my fathers sporterized SMLE from childhood I must say its an extremely accurate rifle and paired with the 303 round its a pleasure to shoot. Noticeably more expensive to feed compared to a 308 or 30-06 but I still prefer to shoot the 303. A wonderful piece of engineering and design.
Bless his heart...Great man.
this rifle is STILL in use now with some of the Canadian Rangers are a few other elite groups around the world. STILL GOOD
Too bad they are replacing it.
That isn't an SMLE, that's a No.4 Lee Enfield Rifle. You can tell by the rear aperture sight. SMLE's used a leaf sight mounted after the action. SMLE's also had a magazine cut off, which was missing on that rifle.
the reason they went to FmJ was because the projectiles were traveling at very fast speeds and at those speeds lead tends to melt before it comes out of the barrel and fouls the barrel making the rifle unsafe to fire due to fouling buildup.
a guy got a 620m accurate bow and arrow kill and its 100fps so the military dont need 3 to 5000fps rounds its studip velocity
I love the british enfield rifles. I have five of them. It was interesting to hear him speak. He has a sharp mind. The only thing that was not accurate was that he said you fed the magazine ten rounds with a gadget... The magazine does hold ten rounds but each stripper clip only holds five rounds....
Excellent video. Laughed more at his jokes than at most of the stuff on TV. Good to see the SMLE in the right hands.
This is a no.4 mk1 not an SMLE, the SMLE (No.1) is an earlier model used through ww1 and into ww2 until the No.4 took its place.
Its the real life Cpl Jack Jones! Yes he had a fact wrong here and there, but hey an old war horse, with an old war horse what do you expect! hehe
The longest serving, best bolt action battle rifle ever devised... The Lee Enfield. 2015 marks the beginning of it's full retirement from the Canadian Rangers. Not a bad legacy if I do say so
+scotchrks The Lee Enfield still sees some use with India. I believe their police units and the prison guards still use the .410 musket conversion.
+commissarpistols There police still use the 303 version! POF still makes ammo for it!
+Andre Krumins cant remember the units proper name but its an arctic patrol im either canada or alaska and i think they stil use them
Pickles4429 It would have to be Canada. Alaska being part or the U.S. would not use an Enfield. Unless at one time they used a U.S. rifle Model of 1917.
commissarpistols yeah as i said im shaky on the details read it a while back
We need more interviews with both those who fought and those who endured. (On both sides.) We must never forget.
That makes me really wonder how good a shot my uncle was. He prepared to enlist in WWII and they wouldn't put him overseas. They had my uncle training snipers in Scotland instead of losing him in combat. His livelihood was being a gamekeeper in the highlands like his father before him, who did his time in France in the First World War. I imagine the rifles were variants of the SMLE. Everyone in the family said he was a phenomenal shot, rifles and revolvers. I only met him a few times - an old school gentlemen in tweed plus fours, jacket with elbow patches and a fore-and-aft cap. Quite the way of life back then.
This old soldier/grandfather/father makes me proud to be british.
Me and my brother shot through the same hole today after the last setting of his rifle. He bought a m1910 ross mk3 and it was hitting 2 feet left and after 15 shots we got it adjusted and finally hit bullseye at 200 yards. Then i shot next and my bullet went through his bullet hole at 200yards using peepsights. My 303 british no 1 mk3 * sporterized was hitting 4 inches high at 200 yards on the 200 setting.
The old timer knows his shit
Great video love from New Zealand !
My father joined the UDR in 1970 and was issued a .303
God bless him and as for lead being dangerous, he did pretty well bless him, GREATEST RESPECT.........
1. the most beautiful bolt action rifle;
2. the most reliable rifle;
3. the most smooth rifle;
ladies and gentlemen''LEE-ENFIELD''you brits don't have beautiful women,but rifles you have.Greetings from Serbia ;)
This really is a beautiful weapon and so accurate, but had a hell of a kick. used it in the Army cadets in the late sixties, even as a young teenager used it on the range at six hundred yards.
God Bless him.
My great grand father in arras france 14-18, 1919 pow rastatt. 8th btn kings royal rifles. Left his brother behind on the battlefield .
The SMLE is one of my favorites. I have owned upwards of 10 but currently have 5, a 1943 Australian Lithgow No.1 Mk III, a 1942 BSA No. 1 MkI, 1943 Longbranch No. 4 Mk I*, 1954 Fazakerly No. 4 Mk II and an unissued 1956 Faxakerly No. 4 Mk II. The Lithgow is the smoothest and most accurate but all work great and all have matching numbered parts.
I have a 1942 Longbranch which shoots far better than I ever will.
Respect to this man. Lived an incredible life by the sounds of it.
As for the rifle, there's a line in the graphic novel series Preacher by Garth Ennis I remember where a bad guy was shooting at someone with a Lee Enfield. He was working the bolt and going, "Hear that? **works the bolt** that's the fucking sound of history."
I have a No4 MK1 from 1943. It has the painted over parkerized receiver. Don't know why they painted them but it's still looks good with a few scratches in the paint. It's a lovely rifle. Saving for a WWI SMLE next. I think I prefer the 1917 Enfield (Eddystone) over the Enfield No4, but only by a slight margin. I prefer them both over the 1903 service rifle.
The guy in this video is so cheery! I'm pretty sure a Lee Enfield is going to be the first big calibre gun I will own, probably get a ruger 10/22 first though :)
love these old iron soldiers..God bless em
rip buddy you'll never be forgotten
much respect to the old war horses. they might be old. but if they were ever in a pressure situation...bet he could shoot that rifle like he was 18 again.
This guy is a legend. Doesn't seem his age one bit.
Excellent, a true soldier. great respect to him
Wonderful video.
I shoot a No. 4 Mark 2 in our local matches here in Alberta.
I had always thought that the average British soldier during the Great War was able to shoot an average 28 rounds on target. Nearly double what this man said
4:39 - "health and safety!" Love it! LOL