Any time Ian says “but I digress” or “I’m getting ahead of myself” I find myself thinking ‘no! Please carry on!’ Id love to own this Gorgeous rifle, and it’s fascinating history. Cheers Ian!
The seller should specify that it is a reproduction, even they can go for around £3000. If you don't know just ask the dealers in the UK a nice blokes. I had to look around for the one I got for the price.
Matt Hayward it is really I jumped at it when I saw it on C&G firearms. You said you were getting your FAC, I promise you will not regret it. I have spent about £10,000 on six rifles so far do I regret it? Absolutely not. All best mate.
Ian is quite possibly the best man on UA-cam talking about historical firearms. Always clear, concise and accurate. You learn something every time you listen to him. In a universe of misinformation and ill informed opinions, he stands out. Well done sir !!
@badcopnodonut08 The British Army was sent to Northern Ireland to protect the Irish, who welcomed them because they protected them from loyalist attacks in 1969. It was the IRA who drew their guns against the army.
@@slamblamboozled1245 that wouldn't surprise me at all, when u see photos of our guys in the gulf there was a right mix of weaponry... Sa80s, L1A1s, sterling's...the lot
Most of the sniper rifles used in the Falklands War were the L42A1's, but these were conversions of the L1A1 with a new, heavier barrel and firing the 7.62 NATO cartridge. All the wood forward of the barrel band was removed to lighten the rifle and a few more detail changes, like a new magazine suitable for 7.62 were added. These weren't quite the rifles of the Mark 1 (T) in the video, but they still used a lot of the original parts. Some were still being used by the SAS during the first Gulf War. Quite a life span for one basic rifle.
My father carried one of these rifles in the kings own rifles regiment during his conscription in ww2 This was a pleasure to watch and brought home to me memories of what he would tell me about it during my childhood A sincere thank you for your very informative videos
Pristine condition, connection to ww2, rare configuration (even rarer to find without anything missing) and refitted by Holland and Holland... this will go for a pretty penny
I have one of these and with good quality factory ball ammunition it shoots about 1.5 MOA groups at 100 yards. With hand-loaded ammunition it shoots just sub-MOA. The weight is not a problem at all for a sniper rifle, and I think it probably helps a little with accuracy as it aids with recoil management. Great video, keep up the good work Ian!
Bloomed or blooming was how lens coatings were referred to, before factory coated lenses were produced, early lenses would develop an natural coating over time--some kind of oxidation, I think--and people noticed that the "bloomed" lenses gave better results. So optical companies worked to figure out how to reproduce and ultimately improve upon this effect. After WW2, the technology was widely applied to camera lenses.
Quite correct Rob Biemer, and the process was done by evaporating a layer of magnesium fluoride or such like in a vacuum chamber so that it deposits on the lenses in a controlled fashion. I believe Zeiss were the pioneers of this process. As the lenses acquired an apparent colour it was called "blooming" in the UK. The very first process was done with a solution applied on the lenses and centrifuged off to give the right thickness. As this coating was soluble it could only be applied on internal surfaces. I have found one such lens, a Leitz 8 cm Summar (microscope use). Hard coatings were applied from about WW2 period, improving over time mainly regarding durability. Much later the multi-coating fad came in although it is debatable if it's a great advantage.
The coatings work by being the right thickness. It needs to be 1/4 of a wavelength of light thick, for a colour of light that the eye is particularly sensitive to - green, generally. The effect is to give two reflections, one from the coating and one from the glass. Because they meet 180 degrees out of phase, they cancel and the efficiency of the lens increases. Similar techniques are used in microwave systems to improve waveguide efficiency. Of course the effectiveness of the coating decreases either side of the green wavelength so the lens reflects blue and red light to a greater extent, which is why camera lenses often look kinda purple. The green light just falls through.
Correct. The actual wavelengths are 800 nm for far red, 400 nm for violet and about 550 nm for green, so we are looking at a coating of about 0.15 microns. The actual difference is not large, we only see a tiny slice of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Ricardo Davidson I can’t think what the hell the world would look like if we could see between say L band and UVc. The night sky would look a lot different and blackout blinds would be useless :(
Regarding accuracy and people scoffing at it not being 1MOA. Most people can't shoot that well regardless of the rifle and in times of war like WWII you need something that will reliably drop an enemy at distance and this rifle would do it all day long if need be and that's more than good enough. You wouldn't want to be spending more time and money trying to get 1MOA when your biggest worry is fending off the enemy, whatever keeps the sound of jackboots off British soil is what gets produced.
I've owned 2 No4mkIT's, and even surplused and very well used they shot VERY close to 1MOA. With my feeble skills and good handloads, they could put all 10 rounds into a tennis ball. Both of them. Their accuracy is nothing to scoff at.
People continuously ignore the difference between a battlefield weapon and a target weapon. The first is expected to be "good enough" while continuing to work under very adverse conditions while been cheap and easy to produce in large numbers. The latter is expected to be "perfect" working under ideal conditions while very likely been rarer than rocking horse dung. ua-cam.com/video/2MopYMnVXVA/v-deo.html - adds to the idea.
Nissan Patrol GR 3.0 Di Turbo the ammo we used in the 7.62 version was called “ Green Spot” and was the first 1% (iirc) of any batch. This ensured the best of the ammo was used by us.
My brothers and i had the pleasure of fixing up one of these for a gentleman who's father carried it in the invasion of Italy, overall a beautiful rifle and I wish I would have been able to keep it. Thanks for another great video Ian
Yep. I've heard apocryphal stories of good Mosin snipers firing sub MOA with the Jesus-rare (in the US) Soviet competition shooting ammo, but most seem to hover around the 1.5-2MOA mark and the infantry rifles are lucky if they're under 3 or 4. Still better than most people can shoot unless they're benchresting, mind you.
The ring markings may come from engine building. Connecting rod caps are often similarly marked, so they get reassembled in correct orientation, in correct position, with their matching components.
GordonjSmith1 I was in the Air Cadets (144 Squadron), in the late '80s; had to stop because of my GCSEs, but to my chagrin, I never got a chance to shoot anything other than a .144 air rifle (they didn't even give anyone a chance to zero the sights; just five rounds rapid, then hand off to the next cadet ...), nor fly a Chipmunk; just seemingly drill, drill, and more drill, (with, I am guessing, Mk IIIs/IVs, which where deactivated not only by filling down the firing pin flush, but a two inch hole drilled, on the underside, close to the magazine well, through the wood, and into the barrel ... bloody barbarians ... ), with the leading cadet, whom was a bit of a arse, turing the air purple with his constant swearing ... I use to call it gravel bashing, as we used to do our drills outside, in a car park; reason for the name is that at the hault, he wanted us to bring our foot down with enough force to crush the gravel, with part of the reason being was the Army Cadet compound was at the other end of said car park. Hell, it got to the point of almost being like the India/Pakistan border, of whom could parade harder ... crazy stuff ...
I was in the cadets in the late 00's and was fortunate enough to be in a squadron that was renowned for its shooting. Our shooting officer was an ex police marksman and knew rifles and shooting inside out. We even had our own 25m indoor range. I have find memories of shooting the No.8 .22 cadet rifles (which were based on the original Lee Enfield design if I remember correctly) along with the larger bore stuff like the L96A2 (essentially an SA80 with the fire selector removed) and the L81 (which I loathed).
Sam Rouse You were lucky that you were in a decent branch, and had a decent firearms training; even back then, a police officer with firearms training was a rare thing; slightly more now, but even still, not that many compared to the number of officers in a standard constabluary ... Our squadron were pretty damn poor, so we never had much in the way of life firearms; if you stayed long enough, they had to borrow a local range for live firearms training, and even then, looking back, I doubt it would have been any good. Only good thing was the Radio Room; my God that thing was massive, easily 8ft by 6ft ... not sure what it was used for, though, as it seemed to be almost always locked ... Irony is, if I want smart dress shoes today, I have to buy a pair of cadet parade shoes, size 5 ... yup, tiny feet ... Oh, and the L98A1: got to handle one once, but thank God I never got to fire it; if the original L85A1 was a pig in a poke, I can't imagine what the hell the L98A1 was like to shoot ... [Edit= I think you mean the L98A2, the updated version of the SA80, along with the L85A2 infantry rifle ... the L96 was the sniper rifle made by Accuracy International, now upgraded to the L96 AW (for Arctic Warfare) ... if you did shoot the AI L96, colour me green with envy ... Also, what was it about the L81A1/A2 you hated ...? (Yet another rifle I never got to shoot ...)]
@@nigelft Yes we were very lucky. The timing was just about right too as the Health and Safety brigade were beginning to clamp down on shooting just as I was leaving (running man targets were banned as they encouraged cadets to shoot at humans apparently?) I got to shoot not the A1 and A2 version of the L98. The A1 was a dreadful rifle. Single action only and used to suffer from stoppages all the time. I was one of the first cadets to do the conversion course into the A2s and they were much better. Of course they'd been massively overhauled by HK who obviously knew what they were doing. They had HK branding all over them and were much better to shoot. We were told that the only difference between the L85A2 and the L98A2 was that the 98 didn't have a fire selector on it. Regards the L81 I just disliked the Mauser action on them. They were big, clumsy and awkward to shoot but then ergonomics isn't a huge priority when you're shooting out to 1000m from a prone position I suppose?
Sam Rouse Yikes ... not having 'Running Man' targets, because it was teaching Cadets to shoot at a man sized target ...? Did those idiots not know the reason why the ATCC was created in the first place ...? Honestly ... As for the L98A1, I can well imagine if the L85A1 was a pig in a poke rifle, the L98 would have been just as bad, if not worse, since it was 'just a cadet rifle' (I mean its not like we have teach those kids rifle accuracy, amiright ...? Heh ...). Again, I never got to shoot either, but judging by Ian's excellent video series, he went into great detal the amount of not insignificant changes that H&K made to the damn things between the A1 and the A2; quite honestly, Enflield should have came up with the overall design (personally, there is nothing inherently wrong with bullpups, just the implementation ...), then subcontracted H&K to do the rest ... it is kinda sickening to think that Enflield went from making perhaps the best sniper rifles in WWII, to the perhaps the worst infantry rifle issued to any army, even the Soviets, in just 40 years. Because, naturally, H&K kept their expertise up to snuff, no wonder the A2 was by far the better rifle ... Oh, and you are right ... Ian has done a video on the L98, and yes, it was only a single round only ... can't have Cadets firing semi-auto/full auto, and waste ammo, can't we ... As for the L81; yup I can imagine it was a pretty hefty rifle. But at 1Km, the thing is not so much ergonomics (although decent eye relief, and cheek weild helps ...), but rather harmonics. The very last thing you want in a sniper rifle is for the barrel to vibrate like a tuning fork; hence why the Mk4 No.1 (T) weighed nigh on 12lbs; most of that was specifical as the result of the originator rifles to be as accurate as possible, even just 'as' a standard issue infantry rifle ... I am not that familiar with the L81 as I ought to be, but I can imagine that if you stick a decent scope on it, 1000yrds is easily achievable, depending on, as another commentator said, the nut behind the butt ...
I just watched another video about the Lee Enfield Mark IV. There was a great comment on there which explained the enormous lengths to which Lee Enfield went in order to accommodate left handed shooters. This approach can be summarised as follows : "Learn to fire it right handed."
Enfields are amazing. We used them from 1895 until 1957. And they were manufacturing them in India up until 1980! When this rifle was adopted, Queen Victoria was on the throne, Grover Cleveland was the US President, the motor car was only a 10 year old invention and the first ever aeroplane was still 8 years away. The Enfield was replaced by the L1A1 SLR, which was basically a British FN FAL. That lasted until the 80s when we adopted the assault rifles we currently use - The L85. Only 3 infantry rifles in over 100 years. Superb.
Ian, thank you for this excellent review of this beautiful rifle. About accuracy expectations, the quality of the ammunition was a major variable that they took into consideration. With out precise modern loads, these rifles can prove to be impressive instruments of warfare.
He's got plenty of incredible videos from our perspective to be fair - check out the prototype SMLE series video - or the prototype No4 series video.. or all the SMGs series - or all the L85 developmental series, the P13 video... he's even got an L129A1 video - I mean the man is a legend. I'm interested in this stuff, but as a Londoner this channel is one of only a very few to actually show me things that would exist only in my imagination otherwise.
Absolutely. I actually found some of his videos compiled into one work on Amazon Prime (the SMG series) but the No4 Mk1 (T) was certainly one that I looked forward to more than most :)
Thanks Ian for a very interesting and comprehensive film. I haven't fired a No.4 Mk1 for many years and certainly not a 'T', alas, but I was always amazed by the accuracy I was able to achieve with this weapon, even with my own very limited shooting skills.
I am not a gun owner or indeed enthusiast. But I AM English and was born in WWII so you perhaps will understand my interest in the Lee Enfield rifles. I do find them extraordinarily visually attractive. Yes, handsome is the word! Thank, Ian. Your videos are so interesting and you present them in a very personable way. Thanks again!
Not mentioned in this vid is that some folks consider the scope badly made as for most the windage adjust is sort of on the wrong side. The windage is on the left to accommodate the bren gun magazine. It was deemed acceptable to leave it as is due to redesign vs swift entry into service. The scope was meant to be used when the bren was fitted to the tripod and not as an attempt to turn the bren into some sort of sniper thing. The bren aspect is also partly why the scope construction is so heavy.
Favourite sniper rifle ever. Got to love the Canadian ones with dedicated sniping buttstocks (pistol grip, special cheek rest, and rubber buttpad) and C N°67 Mk.1 scopes.
Holland and Holland is still there - in the same anonymous looking commercial building in Harrow Road, Harlesden. You have to know where it is to spot it.
As I found out several years ago at the Birmingham (AL) gun show, they don't come cheap. As always, it's great to see the finest bolt-action battle rifle ever made being profiled.
The only problem was in the desert With just a light wind the sand could jam the bolt. I remember one time out of a company only 4 or so rifles were working after a few hours.
Good point(s) on the MOA. Essentially, for all of the milsurps they qualified with one minute of torso. All of the usual suspects in my C&R collection easily do that. (and these Mk4 No 1*s have the fatest lands you'll ever see in a rifle...outstanding stability)
I just found one recently, that was sitting in a shop. It has been sporterized, but they only took off the wood and replaced it with a sporting stock, as well as taking off the front sight. Gonna see what he wants for it and try and restore it.
Until very recently, 1MOA was the mark of elite shooters and very specialized rifles. Easily free-floated AR pattern rifles and modern materials allowing sophisticated stock design, along with newer optics allowed 1MOA to become something of a standard.
many years (30+) i remember buying ammo in grades - the same maker would sell many grades with the same loading in the same calibre. What you were paying for was consistency. You started out buying the cheap stuff, and when you got fairly good, you bought more expensive ammo. I thought WW2 snipers got "standard issue" ammo, rather than special ammo. That would explain why the 400 yard accuracy test allowed you to drop a shot, and only count the best 6 of the 7. I rather expect modern manufacturing has improved the consistency of ammo since WW2.
TBH I'm no firearms expert but one would imagine that the more consistent the ammo in terms of powder charge quality (age?) and weight, and the shape, diameter and weight of the slug itself, the more precise your grouping will be. Even if there is significant variation in the manufacturing process there would be nothing to stop one sorting the ammo oneself into 'bins' or even fastidiously weighing the powder out oneself. After all these rifles themselves were cherry picked during some precision binning process for conversion. But yeah for practicalities sake they probably tested them with random ammo hence the allowance to drop one shot as you say.
I believe one of the gentlemen involved with the development of this model used to teach target shooting at Marlborough college summer school. He had to do a 4" group at 800yards with diopter sights to prove the concept/basic guns accuracy before they went with the telescope..
MrSloika Say what you want but the Lee-Enfield served the commonwealth for 50+ years of extensive use in every imaginable climate and scenario... and it’s rich history disqualifies it from the “junk” category. This particular rifle is an absolutely beautiful piece of British history and I’m one American that would love to own it.
MrSloika You know what they say... “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” You’re certainly entitled to your own opinion but if you’re into firearms history I’d strongly recommend watching more of Ian’s (Forgotten Weapons) videos and also be less cynical. You may not appreciate a true battle rifle that isn’t refined as a Target rifle but that’s the reality of war. “Quantity has a quality of its own”- and personally I think the Lee-Enfield is the perfect bolt action rifle for a conscript army or one pushing volunteers thru training to get them to the front.
I bought an iron sighted .303, from my uncle, for 35 bucks. Took a couple deer and a few bears with it. Forwarded it to a new hunter and as far as I know it's still operating up north of Yellowknife.
Very accurate information as always. Nice example of a very nice shooter. I have a No4 mk1 Canadian Longbranch, which I purchased a very good reproduction mk32 scope and mounts from Waffenmiesters in the USA. In need to do a cheek piece yet.
I wonder if there's anyway Ian could do an entire British military sniper and sharpshooter rifle series from this and it's WW1 older brother (heck I'd love to see video on a Baker rifle if it could be done!) right up to the current issue ones? Keep up the good work Forgotten Weapons, always love seeing these videos :-)
If you're interested in the Baker - might I suggest the channel 'britishmuzzleloaders' - although very different to Forgotten Weapons, it's of a similar quality, conveyed by a man of clearly similar dedication, passion, and similarly wonderfully communicated. He has plenty of videos on the Baker, including several on its accuracy with various methods of ammunition - and many other British long arms from the Napoleonic to the 20th Century besides.
Growing up in Canada I passed on buying dozens of these complete, matching and with their original transit box for $750.00. I thought the sellers were crazy asking for so much when unissued No.4 MkIIs with matching bayonet and scabbard were selling for $129.00, Ishapore 1A1 (FAL clone) were $169.00, Russian SVT 40's were $115.00, U.S. Rifle M14 were $550.00, brand new SKS's and original 1911's were plentiful at $69.00. Who knew?
A Friend and I bought an Australian Army Mk4 used in the Korean War, it was the H/T version with the Heavy Barrel. Still had a beautiful action and was in pretty nice condition, except that the previous owner tried to "sporterize" it by removing and replacing the wood around the barrel and making it look like a hunting rifle, was a shame. We did have trouble sighting it in as the scope mount was very finicky, almost everytime it was transported it would need to be sighted again.
Was just down on the bench a couple days ago loading up some empty .303 brass to Mk VII specs for when the range here finally reopens and get the old Mk2 out.
My Number 4, Mark 1 doesn't have the features to mount a scope. However, it is still quite accurate. The iron sight has two settings, one for up to 300 yds, flip it over, and the other setting is for up to 600 yds. I last fired it a few years ago, at a 100 yd. range. Shot 40 rounds, and still hit the target 37 times.
Just one comment about that 2.5 MOA accuracy, that was done with service ammunition, and Mk 7 or Mk7z wasn't match quality by any means. Most of your 'modern 1 MOA target rifles' will only do that with match grade ammunition.
I lucked into one of these jewels (though I did not know it at the time) at a sprter shop in PA. They had just received a couple of crates of them surplussed from God knows where. The man working there had no idea what they were, and decided the 'T' stood for 'training' and they were damaged since the battle sights were filed off. The number on the stock 'told' him that they had been replaced. He sold me 2 for $65 apiece, as the normal price for a SMLE was $75 on the shelf. On one, I put on a nice Zeiss 6x scope and a magazine conversion for AK magazines, and the other, I have in it's original condition, except for no scope mount and a replacement cheek pad. They are extremely nice to shoot. The weight, I believe adds to the accuracy, as there is less barrel rise than some rifles I have shot, and with the new scope, I can put 10 rounds into a 6 inch disc at 200 yards. I use it for deer, and it has never failed on me once. The other is enconced in a place of honor above the fireplace (in a nice wood and glass case) with a M1 carbine I got in 1985 for $150.
Really interesting to hear that the standard of accuracy was so much lower back then considering what some people were able to accomplish with winchester model 70s.
Another great video on a great Rifle!! Ian, I sub'd to the channel a few months back, and have not found a disappointing video yet! All of them are genuinely interesting, you nerd out about history, construction and other interesting pieces of information that I also would! I also like that you're not just spouting off internet rumors on things, you do your homework, presentation is good, there's no goofy music or dramatic flare and also NO sign of political dribble in anything. Just simple, professional, accurate and honest reviews and breakdowns of weaponry. You're a true arms historian and keep it on topic and simple. I VERY much appreciate that. Thank you for what you do!
I remember seeing a Longbranch made No. 4-T for sale, with all the accessories including wooden case and documentation, at a gun show in Calgary around 1986-7. The price was $750 which was more than l could afford or plausibly account to my then wife. To keep things i perspective, l bought a beautiful M1 Garand for $300 wrapped in paper and coated in cosmoline. Mosin Nagant sniper rifles were going for about $98 at that time. Wish l still had that M1 now.
Interesting sidenote, the specialty sling swivel on the "T" is the same as what was used on the Slazenger model 24 which is a factory 22 hornet conversion of the no1 mk III done by Lithgow in Australia
re the "B" for blooming on the scope; it refers to coating the optics with an anti-reflection coating of magnesium fluoride that gives the surface a purple or amber color.
I just bought this exact rifle and scope today, and all the numbers you explained match appropriately. It's in good condition, but not pristine. Barrel is good. Action is smooth. About what are these worth? I paid $800 for mine.
I have one that is slightly different but same factory, have the transit case, canvas scope case bayonet and breach cover came with rifle and have since picked up period binos and scout scope also found a 1951 Canadian sniper manual original book. Very accurate and had the scope fixed so it will keep zero finally, iron sights at 200 yds off hand can hit a large gong 8 out of 10 times and my eyes suck.
In use till the early 70s. Last operational use was Op Banner. Replaced by L42A1 which in turn was replaced by the L96 in the mid 80s as we were then re equipped with Tat.....
L96 Artic Warfare was introduced in 1992. The L42 served for about 20 years. Of course, the L96 has now been replaced by the superb L115 .338 version of the Artic Warfare.
My sporterised is a 1942 and keeps going. 4X old Redfield on top with a glass bedded barrel. Shot it's umpteenth deer two weeks ago and has bears, moose, snowshoes, coyotes, grouse etc. to it's resume.
The next premier auction at Rock Island Auction is Sept 7-8th. They are open to viewing on the 6th from 10 AM till 6PM. It doesn’t cost anything to get in, and you can handle most of the weapons. So if you’re in the area you can stop by and see awesome stuff like this! At the last premier auction there were either 3 or 4 Mk4 T’s there up for bid in various conditions. I’ll be looking at the MP40’s, and MP44’s. Looking, not buying.
James Neave I mean I don’t divert from the main roads if I have to travel south through there. Seems like most weeks someone’s getting shanked. Luckily I live just north of blazingsmoke
Okay Ian, this is wonderful but... how long until we get the British lee patter rifle development series like the ones you've done on the Berthier and the SA80? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, PRETTY PLEASE. A month of lee-enfields and lee-metfords! :)
I have a no4mk1 that is in excellent condition. I made it a T, I put a replica opticand mounting plates. My gunsmith broke two drill bits and three taps to mount the pads. So great steel. The rifle was made in 1917 and reworked in 1956. I still shoot it. A great weapon.
How is it possible for a No.4 which wasn't adopted until 1939 to have been built in 1917? The Trials rifles mentioned in the video were tested only in the 1930s.
In Canada the (T) was a barrel designation, 5 groove, made by CIL Long Branch facility, originally meant for Sniper assignment. Later this was the barrel retrofitted into Canadian Service Rifle competition rifles. I know this as my father was an RCN Armour who built the 1949 Navy Rifle Team rifles, One of these rifles was built for Staff Sargent Smith an Armour for the Canadian Army.
As a matter of interest, I did not hear him mention the caliber of this rifle. When I used them they were 303 but I fired them without a scope. I was at Bisley a few times but the weather did not help much but with a bit of luck managed to get a medal. I had several of these rifles and found that they varied quite a bit because as they warmed up they changed the point of aim quite a bit. But I had one that could put 5 rounds in a 4-inch square at 100 yards
Interesting to hear your comments regarding accuracy requirements. Whilst in the army cadets aged 15, i was issued with a virtually unused No.4, i think Canadian built. With the standard open sights, that rifle would group 2" at 200 yards, and out to 500 I never doubted hitting a Fig 11. I think it was the L42A1 issued in the Falklands and though a very capable rifle, a bit outdated by then. You can read accounts of them being thrown away by their users and replaced with captured Rem 700's when the chance arose, because of the harsh weather conditions there. Personally, I'd have one in a flash!
Hope to see a video on a matching mauser 98k sniper rifle. I have 2 friends who's rifles are pristine that deserve some camera time! Great video as always ian!
They where made in the thousands, and most survived the war, not as much of a unicorn as you'd think, rare but they come up for auction pretty regularly. Something unicorn like would be a G41 Sniper.
Mine too, especially if it comes not only with the tin to store the scope, but the orginal transit case, with all added extras it had, including a telescopic spotter scope, with its own case ... Every sniper in the British Army were pretty well kitted out for the time, which is why, if you happen to chance upon an example, with its transit case, complete with everything that came with it, and your bank won't have a seizure, it is a must ... indeed, every book (and I have a few ...) that I have on sniping almost concentually agree it was perhaps the best sniper rifle of WWII, produced by either side; and yes, a few of those books were written by Americans ...
Also, if you remove the buttstock from the rifle, the portion on the stock that goes inside the wrist of the receiver will be stamped with the rifle's serial number. Great video!
Really like your informative videos. I'd like to make two recommendations to you for your next visit to the UK. The IWM ,Duxford, now houses the airborne museum. Check out the small sub machine gun made for Gen " Boy" Browning who commanded the 1st Allied Airborne Army. This weapon has a unique two row magazine, one in front of the other. Chambered in 9mm, made and presented to him by . . . You've guessed it ! . . .Browning ! A very unusual weapon. Secondly , the British Army small arms museum has many items that would make you feel like a young boy in a sweetie shop. There they have enfield prototypes for the cavalry which were intended to be used as lances , when the 17 inch sword bayonet was fixed. One model has a stripped down stock with a very professional thumb hole through it, to aid gripping. Hope you enjoy my suggestions, keep up the great work.
i do remember that when fired they had a hell of a kick even though it was bolt action so you tended to put something over your shoulder to cushion the kick.
I dream of some day being able to afford a Holland and Holland. There is a great video on UA-cam where they show their master craftsmen building a custom rifle. Amazing company. That weapon in my eyes increased in value as soon as you stated who had done the conversion. Great video. Did not realize, although I should have , that H and H was involved with the war efforts.
Any time Ian says “but I digress” or “I’m getting ahead of myself” I find myself thinking ‘no! Please carry on!’
Id love to own this Gorgeous rifle, and it’s fascinating history. Cheers Ian!
You can mate if you have a FAC. I have just recently bought one for £3200, expensive yes but my god it's one of best rifles I own.
macaulay elsworth £3200 actually sounds a bargain, given how good it looks!
I’m going to get a FAC once the kids are through uni 👍
Slaughter Round I can’t see them being legit for £400, but I’d be happy to be proved wrong!
The seller should specify that it is a reproduction, even they can go for around £3000. If you don't know just ask the dealers in the UK a nice blokes. I had to look around for the one I got for the price.
Matt Hayward it is really I jumped at it when I saw it on C&G firearms. You said you were getting your FAC, I promise you will not regret it. I have spent about £10,000 on six rifles so far do I regret it? Absolutely not. All best mate.
Ian is quite possibly the best man on UA-cam talking about historical firearms. Always clear, concise and accurate. You learn something every time you listen to him. In a universe of misinformation and ill informed opinions, he stands out. Well done sir !!
Carried this on several tours in Northern Ireland in the 70’s. Glad to say that it never got used in anger.
Thanks for liberating Germany from the nazis back then !
@@abelgerlihe didn't, he said he was carrying one in the 70ds
Ah yes. The great history of how the English have treated the Irish throughout history.
@badcopnodonut08
The British Army was sent to Northern Ireland to protect the Irish, who welcomed them because they protected them from loyalist attacks in 1969.
It was the IRA who drew their guns against the army.
@@badcopnodonut08Local Ulster man here. He was literally defending the democratically established borders of the united kingdom
The 7.62 nato versions were still used by the paras in the Falklands in 82
@@slamblamboozled1245 that wouldn't surprise me at all, when u see photos of our guys in the gulf there was a right mix of weaponry... Sa80s, L1A1s, sterling's...the lot
Most of the sniper rifles used in the Falklands War were the L42A1's, but these were conversions of the L1A1 with a new, heavier barrel and firing the 7.62 NATO cartridge. All the wood forward of the barrel band was removed to lighten the rifle and a few more detail changes, like a new magazine suitable for 7.62 were added. These weren't quite the rifles of the Mark 1 (T) in the video, but they still used a lot of the original parts. Some were still being used by the SAS during the first Gulf War. Quite a life span for one basic rifle.
@@sarjim4381 Eh? The L1A1 is the FAL. What you describe there IS the L42A1.
@@slamblamboozled1245 doing the job inspite of the kit as usual lol
Rats! Fat fingers did it again.
My father carried one of these rifles in the kings own rifles regiment during his conscription in ww2
This was a pleasure to watch and brought home to me memories of what he would tell me about it during my childhood
A sincere thank you for your very informative videos
Pristine condition, connection to ww2, rare configuration (even rarer to find without anything missing) and refitted by Holland and Holland... this will go for a pretty penny
123 456 RIA's bid estimate is $5500-8500 which puts it pretty well out of my price range.
tinfoilhat38 exactly we’d all love it but dropping that much on a single gun... that’s a tough thing to commit to
@@tinfoilhat38 I predict it will exceed 10k for actual sale price.
It's been review by Gun Jesus.
Add an extra $5k
5500-8500 bucks is cheap for a gun touched by Holland and Holland.
I have one of these and with good quality factory ball ammunition it shoots about 1.5 MOA groups at 100 yards. With hand-loaded ammunition it shoots just sub-MOA. The weight is not a problem at all for a sniper rifle, and I think it probably helps a little with accuracy as it aids with recoil management. Great video, keep up the good work Ian!
Would you like to sell it to me in NZ?
Bloomed or blooming was how lens coatings were referred to, before factory coated lenses were produced, early lenses would develop an natural coating over time--some kind of oxidation, I think--and people noticed that the "bloomed" lenses gave better results. So optical companies worked to figure out how to reproduce and ultimately improve upon this effect. After WW2, the technology was widely applied to camera lenses.
Quite correct Rob Biemer, and the process was done by evaporating a layer of magnesium fluoride or such like in a vacuum chamber so that it deposits on the lenses in a controlled fashion. I believe Zeiss were the pioneers of this process. As the lenses acquired an apparent colour it was called "blooming" in the UK. The very first process was done with a solution applied on the lenses and centrifuged off to give the right thickness. As this coating was soluble it could only be applied on internal surfaces. I have found one such lens, a Leitz 8 cm Summar (microscope use). Hard coatings were applied from about WW2 period, improving over time mainly regarding durability. Much later the multi-coating fad came in although it is debatable if it's a great advantage.
The coatings work by being the right thickness. It needs to be 1/4 of a wavelength of light thick, for a colour of light that the eye is particularly sensitive to - green, generally. The effect is to give two reflections, one from the coating and one from the glass. Because they meet 180 degrees out of phase, they cancel and the efficiency of the lens increases. Similar techniques are used in microwave systems to improve waveguide efficiency.
Of course the effectiveness of the coating decreases either side of the green wavelength so the lens reflects blue and red light to a greater extent, which is why camera lenses often look kinda purple. The green light just falls through.
Correct. The actual wavelengths are 800 nm for far red, 400 nm for violet and about 550 nm for green, so we are looking at a coating of about 0.15 microns. The actual difference is not large, we only see a tiny slice of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Ricardo Davidson I can’t think what the hell the world would look like if we could see between say L band and UVc. The night sky would look a lot different and blackout blinds would be useless :(
@@WineScrounger It would be beautiful though!
Regarding accuracy and people scoffing at it not being 1MOA. Most people can't shoot that well regardless of the rifle and in times of war like WWII you need something that will reliably drop an enemy at distance and this rifle would do it all day long if need be and that's more than good enough. You wouldn't want to be spending more time and money trying to get 1MOA when your biggest worry is fending off the enemy, whatever keeps the sound of jackboots off British soil is what gets produced.
FordPrefect23 - indeed which is why we made STENs. good at dropping nazis, for a reasonable price.
I've owned 2 No4mkIT's, and even surplused and very well used they shot VERY close to 1MOA. With my feeble skills and good handloads, they could put all 10 rounds into a tennis ball. Both of them. Their accuracy is nothing to scoff at.
And that accuracy had to be achieved with mass produced Ministry Of Defense ball ammo
People continuously ignore the difference between a battlefield weapon and a target weapon. The first is expected to be "good enough" while continuing to work under very adverse conditions while been cheap and easy to produce in large numbers. The latter is expected to be "perfect" working under ideal conditions while very likely been rarer than rocking horse dung.
ua-cam.com/video/2MopYMnVXVA/v-deo.html - adds to the idea.
Nissan Patrol GR 3.0 Di Turbo the ammo we used in the 7.62 version was called “ Green Spot” and was the first 1% (iirc) of any batch. This ensured the best of the ammo was used by us.
My brothers and i had the pleasure of fixing up one of these for a gentleman who's father carried it in the invasion of Italy, overall a beautiful rifle and I wish I would have been able to keep it. Thanks for another great video Ian
I thank you and Bloke for doing as much as you can to put stuff into context for people regarding accuracy standards of the day.
Yep. I've heard apocryphal stories of good Mosin snipers firing sub MOA with the Jesus-rare (in the US) Soviet competition shooting ammo, but most seem to hover around the 1.5-2MOA mark and the infantry rifles are lucky if they're under 3 or 4.
Still better than most people can shoot unless they're benchresting, mind you.
I recently bought a Longbranch No 4. Mk 1* and now I'm drooling over this one! Thanks alot Ian .....
The ring markings may come from engine building. Connecting rod caps are often similarly marked, so they get reassembled in correct orientation, in correct position, with their matching components.
in my school cadet force (in the UK) I used to shoot MkIVs in competition (1980's). Loved it! Really great to hear more about its history.
GordonjSmith1
I was in the Air Cadets (144 Squadron), in the late '80s; had to stop because of my GCSEs, but to my chagrin, I never got a chance to shoot anything other than a .144 air rifle (they didn't even give anyone a chance to zero the sights; just five rounds rapid, then hand off to the next cadet ...), nor fly a Chipmunk; just seemingly drill, drill, and more drill, (with, I am guessing, Mk IIIs/IVs, which where deactivated not only by filling down the firing pin flush, but a two inch hole drilled, on the underside, close to the magazine well, through the wood, and into the barrel ... bloody barbarians ... ), with the leading cadet, whom was a bit of a arse, turing the air purple with his constant swearing ... I use to call it gravel bashing, as we used to do our drills outside, in a car park; reason for the name is that at the hault, he wanted us to bring our foot down with enough force to crush the gravel, with part of the reason being was the Army Cadet compound was at the other end of said car park. Hell, it got to the point of almost being like the India/Pakistan border, of whom could parade harder ... crazy stuff ...
I was in the cadets in the late 00's and was fortunate enough to be in a squadron that was renowned for its shooting. Our shooting officer was an ex police marksman and knew rifles and shooting inside out. We even had our own 25m indoor range. I have find memories of shooting the No.8 .22 cadet rifles (which were based on the original Lee Enfield design if I remember correctly) along with the larger bore stuff like the L96A2 (essentially an SA80 with the fire selector removed) and the L81 (which I loathed).
Sam Rouse
You were lucky that you were in a decent branch, and had a decent firearms training; even back then, a police officer with firearms training was a rare thing; slightly more now, but even still, not that many compared to the number of officers in a standard constabluary ...
Our squadron were pretty damn poor, so we never had much in the way of life firearms; if you stayed long enough, they had to borrow a local range for live firearms training, and even then, looking back, I doubt it would have been any good. Only good thing was the Radio Room; my God that thing was massive, easily 8ft by 6ft ... not sure what it was used for, though, as it seemed to be almost always locked ...
Irony is, if I want smart dress shoes today, I have to buy a pair of cadet parade shoes, size 5 ... yup, tiny feet ...
Oh, and the L98A1: got to handle one once, but thank God I never got to fire it; if the original L85A1 was a pig in a poke, I can't imagine what the hell the L98A1 was like to shoot ...
[Edit= I think you mean the L98A2, the updated version of the SA80, along with the L85A2 infantry rifle ... the L96 was the sniper rifle made by Accuracy International, now upgraded to the L96 AW (for Arctic Warfare) ... if you did shoot the AI L96, colour me green with envy ...
Also, what was it about the L81A1/A2 you hated ...? (Yet another rifle I never got to shoot ...)]
@@nigelft Yes we were very lucky. The timing was just about right too as the Health and Safety brigade were beginning to clamp down on shooting just as I was leaving (running man targets were banned as they encouraged cadets to shoot at humans apparently?)
I got to shoot not the A1 and A2 version of the L98. The A1 was a dreadful rifle. Single action only and used to suffer from stoppages all the time. I was one of the first cadets to do the conversion course into the A2s and they were much better. Of course they'd been massively overhauled by HK who obviously knew what they were doing. They had HK branding all over them and were much better to shoot. We were told that the only difference between the L85A2 and the L98A2 was that the 98 didn't have a fire selector on it.
Regards the L81 I just disliked the Mauser action on them. They were big, clumsy and awkward to shoot but then ergonomics isn't a huge priority when you're shooting out to 1000m from a prone position I suppose?
Sam Rouse
Yikes ... not having 'Running Man' targets, because it was teaching Cadets to shoot at a man sized target ...? Did those idiots not know the reason why the ATCC was created in the first place ...? Honestly ...
As for the L98A1, I can well imagine if the L85A1 was a pig in a poke rifle, the L98 would have been just as bad, if not worse, since it was 'just a cadet rifle' (I mean its not like we have teach those kids rifle accuracy, amiright ...? Heh ...). Again, I never got to shoot either, but judging by Ian's excellent video series, he went into great detal the amount of not insignificant changes that H&K made to the damn things between the A1 and the A2; quite honestly, Enflield should have came up with the overall design (personally, there is nothing inherently wrong with bullpups, just the implementation ...), then subcontracted H&K to do the rest ... it is kinda sickening to think that Enflield went from making perhaps the best sniper rifles in WWII, to the perhaps the worst infantry rifle issued to any army, even the Soviets, in just 40 years. Because, naturally, H&K kept their expertise up to snuff, no wonder the A2 was by far the better rifle ...
Oh, and you are right ... Ian has done a video on the L98, and yes, it was only a single round only ... can't have Cadets firing semi-auto/full auto, and waste ammo, can't we ...
As for the L81; yup I can imagine it was a pretty hefty rifle. But at 1Km, the thing is not so much ergonomics (although decent eye relief, and cheek weild helps ...), but rather harmonics. The very last thing you want in a sniper rifle is for the barrel to vibrate like a tuning fork; hence why the Mk4 No.1 (T) weighed nigh on 12lbs; most of that was specifical as the result of the originator rifles to be as accurate as possible, even just 'as' a standard issue infantry rifle ... I am not that familiar with the L81 as I ought to be, but I can imagine that if you stick a decent scope on it, 1000yrds is easily achievable, depending on, as another commentator said, the nut behind the butt ...
awesome info
I just watched another video about the Lee Enfield Mark IV. There was a great comment on there which explained the enormous lengths to which Lee Enfield went in order to accommodate left handed shooters. This approach can be summarised as follows : "Learn to fire it right handed."
A bren gun with a scope, oh be still my beating heart!
Enfields are amazing. We used them from 1895 until 1957. And they were manufacturing them in India up until 1980!
When this rifle was adopted, Queen Victoria was on the throne, Grover Cleveland was the US President, the motor car was only a 10 year old invention and the first ever aeroplane was still 8 years away.
The Enfield was replaced by the L1A1 SLR, which was basically a British FN FAL. That lasted until the 80s when we adopted the assault rifles we currently use - The L85.
Only 3 infantry rifles in over 100 years. Superb.
Fired a no.4 (not T) many times at Bisley here in the UK. Beautiful rifle and yes it weighs a bloody ton.
So ahead of its time. Insane the level of engineering and thought that went into making it a sniper rifle.
Ian, thank you for this excellent review of this beautiful rifle. About accuracy expectations, the quality of the ammunition was a major variable that they took into consideration. With out precise modern loads, these rifles can prove to be impressive instruments of warfare.
He's got plenty of incredible videos from our perspective to be fair - check out the prototype SMLE series video - or the prototype No4 series video.. or all the SMGs series - or all the L85 developmental series, the P13 video... he's even got an L129A1 video - I mean the man is a legend. I'm interested in this stuff, but as a Londoner this channel is one of only a very few to actually show me things that would exist only in my imagination otherwise.
Absolutely.
I actually found some of his videos compiled into one work on Amazon Prime (the SMG series) but the No4 Mk1 (T) was certainly one that I looked forward to more than most :)
We have still have this at home, it was given to my father as a souvenir when he was fighting the war against Russia in Afghanistan.
Thanks Ian for a very interesting and comprehensive film. I haven't fired a No.4 Mk1 for many years and certainly not a 'T', alas, but I was always amazed by the accuracy I was able to achieve with this weapon, even with my own very limited shooting skills.
I am not a gun owner or indeed enthusiast. But I AM English and was born in WWII so you perhaps will understand my interest in the Lee Enfield rifles.
I do find them extraordinarily visually attractive. Yes, handsome is the word!
Thank, Ian. Your videos are so interesting and you present them in a very personable way. Thanks again!
I love the fact that they contoured the riser for a shooter's left hand to tuck up on it.
Not mentioned in this vid is that some folks consider the scope badly made as for most the windage adjust is sort of on the wrong side. The windage is on the left to accommodate the bren gun magazine. It was deemed acceptable to leave it as is due to redesign vs swift entry into service. The scope was meant to be used when the bren was fitted to the tripod and not as an attempt to turn the bren into some sort of sniper thing. The bren aspect is also partly why the scope construction is so heavy.
Favourite sniper rifle ever. Got to love the Canadian ones with dedicated sniping buttstocks (pistol grip, special cheek rest, and rubber buttpad) and C N°67 Mk.1 scopes.
Lovely to hear you mention the Holland and Holland link with this lovely rifle, you are well informed!
Holland and Holland is still there - in the same anonymous looking commercial building in Harrow Road, Harlesden. You have to know where it is to spot it.
As I found out several years ago at the Birmingham (AL) gun show, they don't come cheap.
As always, it's great to see the finest bolt-action battle rifle ever made being profiled.
It had a scope case and a lovely wooden box the whole shebang came in.
The only problem was in the desert With just a light wind the sand could jam the bolt. I remember one time out of a company only 4 or so rifles were working after a few hours.
Good point(s) on the MOA. Essentially, for all of the milsurps they qualified with one minute of torso. All of the usual suspects in my C&R collection easily do that. (and these Mk4 No 1*s have the fatest lands you'll ever see in a rifle...outstanding stability)
I just found one recently, that was sitting in a shop. It has been sporterized, but they only took off the wood and replaced it with a sporting stock, as well as taking off the front sight. Gonna see what he wants for it and try and restore it.
Until very recently, 1MOA was the mark of elite shooters and very specialized rifles. Easily free-floated AR pattern rifles and modern materials allowing sophisticated stock design, along with newer optics allowed 1MOA to become something of a standard.
Yeah, they don't like this good though... ;)
Anything to do with more precise rounds too?
many years (30+) i remember buying ammo in grades - the same maker would sell many grades with the same loading in the same calibre. What you were paying for was consistency.
You started out buying the cheap stuff, and when you got fairly good, you bought more expensive ammo.
I thought WW2 snipers got "standard issue" ammo, rather than special ammo. That would explain why the 400 yard accuracy test allowed you to drop a shot, and only count the best 6 of the 7.
I rather expect modern manufacturing has improved the consistency of ammo since WW2.
TBH I'm no firearms expert but one would imagine that the more consistent the ammo in terms of powder charge quality (age?) and weight, and the shape, diameter and weight of the slug itself, the more precise your grouping will be. Even if there is significant variation in the manufacturing process there would be nothing to stop one sorting the ammo oneself into 'bins' or even fastidiously weighing the powder out oneself. After all these rifles themselves were cherry picked during some precision binning process for conversion. But yeah for practicalities sake they probably tested them with random ammo hence the allowance to drop one shot as you say.
I'm not sure but just trying to remember if bespoke sniper ammo was even a thing before the Viet Nam war.
I believe one of the gentlemen involved with the development of this model used to teach target shooting at Marlborough college summer school. He had to do a 4" group at 800yards with diopter sights to prove the concept/basic guns accuracy before they went with the telescope..
These rifles were available for $44.95 from the mail order seller Ye Old Hunter in the late 50's. Oh, to go back in time...
I paid $49.99 for mine from Turner's sporting goods in San Bernardino Ca back in 1996. They had a 55 gal drum full of them. Still looks pristine.
MrSloika Ian doesn’t work for the auction house... I take it your not familiar with Gun Jesus?
MrSloika Say what you want but the Lee-Enfield served the commonwealth for 50+ years of extensive use in every imaginable climate and scenario... and it’s rich history disqualifies it from the “junk” category.
This particular rifle is an absolutely beautiful piece of British history and I’m one American that would love to own it.
MrSloika You know what they say... “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”
You’re certainly entitled to your own opinion but if you’re into firearms history I’d strongly recommend watching more of Ian’s (Forgotten Weapons) videos and also be less cynical. You may not appreciate a true battle rifle that isn’t refined as a Target rifle but that’s the reality of war.
“Quantity has a quality of its own”- and personally I think the Lee-Enfield is the perfect bolt action rifle for a conscript army or one pushing volunteers thru training to get them to the front.
I bought an iron sighted .303, from my uncle, for 35 bucks. Took a couple deer and a few bears with it. Forwarded it to a new hunter and as far as I know it's still operating up north of Yellowknife.
Very accurate information as always. Nice example of a very nice shooter. I have a No4 mk1 Canadian Longbranch, which I purchased a very good reproduction mk32 scope and mounts from Waffenmiesters in the USA. In need to do a cheek piece yet.
I wonder if there's anyway Ian could do an entire British military sniper and sharpshooter rifle series from this and it's WW1 older brother (heck I'd love to see video on a Baker rifle if it could be done!) right up to the current issue ones?
Keep up the good work Forgotten Weapons, always love seeing these videos :-)
If you're interested in the Baker - might I suggest the channel 'britishmuzzleloaders' - although very different to Forgotten Weapons, it's of a similar quality, conveyed by a man of clearly similar dedication, passion, and similarly wonderfully communicated. He has plenty of videos on the Baker, including several on its accuracy with various methods of ammunition - and many other British long arms from the Napoleonic to the 20th Century besides.
Growing up in Canada I passed on buying dozens of these complete, matching and with their original transit box for $750.00. I thought the sellers were crazy asking for so much when unissued No.4 MkIIs with matching bayonet and scabbard were selling for $129.00, Ishapore 1A1 (FAL clone) were $169.00, Russian SVT 40's were $115.00, U.S. Rifle M14 were $550.00, brand new SKS's and original 1911's were plentiful at $69.00. Who knew?
Yea Harley Davidson worth 50 bucks.
A Friend and I bought an Australian Army Mk4 used in the Korean War, it was the H/T version with the Heavy Barrel. Still had a beautiful action and was in pretty nice condition, except that the previous owner tried to "sporterize" it by removing and replacing the wood around the barrel and making it look like a hunting rifle, was a shame. We did have trouble sighting it in as the scope mount was very finicky, almost everytime it was transported it would need to be sighted again.
Was just down on the bench a couple days ago loading up some empty .303 brass to Mk VII specs for when the range here finally reopens and get the old Mk2 out.
My Number 4, Mark 1 doesn't have the features to mount a scope. However, it is still quite accurate. The iron sight has two settings, one for up to 300 yds, flip it over, and the other setting is for up to 600 yds. I last fired it a few years ago, at a 100 yd. range. Shot 40 rounds, and still hit the target 37 times.
Just one comment about that 2.5 MOA accuracy, that was done with service ammunition, and Mk 7 or Mk7z wasn't match quality by any means. Most of your 'modern 1 MOA target rifles' will only do that with match grade ammunition.
Happy to see these videos reappearing in my feed ❤️
We love you Ian, Keep trucking
I lucked into one of these jewels (though I did not know it at the time) at a sprter shop in PA. They had just received a couple of crates of them surplussed from God knows where. The man working there had no idea what they were, and decided the 'T' stood for 'training' and they were damaged since the battle sights were filed off. The number on the stock 'told' him that they had been replaced. He sold me 2 for $65 apiece, as the normal price for a SMLE was $75 on the shelf.
On one, I put on a nice Zeiss 6x scope and a magazine conversion for AK magazines, and the other, I have in it's original condition, except for no scope mount and a replacement cheek pad.
They are extremely nice to shoot. The weight, I believe adds to the accuracy, as there is less barrel rise than some rifles I have shot, and with the new scope, I can put 10 rounds into a 6 inch disc at 200 yards. I use it for deer, and it has never failed on me once. The other is enconced in a place of honor above the fireplace (in a nice wood and glass case) with a M1 carbine I got in 1985 for $150.
This is a wonderful UA-cam channel. Thanks.
A beautiful, all purpose rifle, not just for sniping. Love your vids Ian.....
The scope and especially the mount is just unbelievable... looks better than my ACOG. too.
Really interesting to hear that the standard of accuracy was so much lower back then considering what some people were able to accomplish with winchester model 70s.
Great video and I can't wait for the L42 video! That one is on my list of dream rifles, right below the ZfK-55 you already profiled.
Another great video on a great Rifle!! Ian, I sub'd to the channel a few months back, and have not found a disappointing video yet! All of them are genuinely interesting, you nerd out about history, construction and other interesting pieces of information that I also would! I also like that you're not just spouting off internet rumors on things, you do your homework, presentation is good, there's no goofy music or dramatic flare and also NO sign of political dribble in anything. Just simple, professional, accurate and honest reviews and breakdowns of weaponry. You're a true arms historian and keep it on topic and simple. I VERY much appreciate that. Thank you for what you do!
Glad you enjoy it!
I remember seeing a Longbranch made No. 4-T for sale, with all the accessories including wooden case and documentation, at a gun show in Calgary around 1986-7. The price was $750 which was more than l could afford or plausibly account to my then wife. To keep things i perspective, l bought a beautiful M1 Garand for $300 wrapped in paper and coated in cosmoline. Mosin Nagant sniper rifles were going for about $98 at that time. Wish l still had that M1 now.
It's so very beautiful.
the IRA didnt think so they were still in use in Ulster till the end of the 80's possibly as long as 91
Bought my #4Mk1 at an auction for $35...put a 4-16x MOA mil dot scope on it, and it's a GREAT gun!
Interesting sidenote, the specialty sling swivel on the "T" is the same as what was used on the Slazenger model 24 which is a factory 22 hornet conversion of the no1 mk III done by Lithgow in Australia
re the "B" for blooming on the scope; it refers to coating the optics with an anti-reflection coating of magnesium fluoride that gives the surface a purple or amber color.
Beautifully explained by Ian......as usual.
I just bought this exact rifle and scope today, and all the numbers you explained match appropriately. It's in good condition, but not pristine. Barrel is good. Action is smooth. About what are these worth? I paid $800 for mine.
beautiful looking rifle, so glad i've got to shoot even a copy of it (with an original scope though)
I have one that is slightly different but same factory, have the transit case, canvas scope case bayonet and breach cover came with rifle and have since picked up period binos and scout scope also found a 1951 Canadian sniper manual original book. Very accurate and had the scope fixed so it will keep zero finally, iron sights at 200 yds off hand can hit a large gong 8 out of 10 times and my eyes suck.
Sir, yours is, by far, my favorite gun channel on UA-cam. I have watched many of your vids several times each. Please keep them up!
In use till the early 70s. Last operational use was Op Banner. Replaced by L42A1 which in turn was replaced by the L96 in the mid 80s as we were then re equipped with
Tat.....
L96 Artic Warfare was introduced in 1992. The L42 served for about 20 years.
Of course, the L96 has now been replaced by the superb L115 .338 version of the Artic Warfare.
Great vid as always matey
Thanks Ian very interesting as usual
What an immaculate example, thanks so much for sharing.
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the vid Ian. Another great one. I need to get my FAC...
Super video and review! Many thanks Ian.
Brilliant video, thanks for posting
My sporterised is a 1942 and keeps going. 4X old Redfield on top with a glass bedded barrel.
Shot it's umpteenth deer two weeks ago and has bears, moose, snowshoes, coyotes, grouse etc. to it's resume.
Much enjoyed thank you,
I use a much modified No4 mark1 as my go to deer rifle.
It shoots minute of deer just fine
What a beautiful rifle.
The next premier auction at Rock Island Auction is Sept 7-8th. They are open to viewing on the 6th from 10 AM till 6PM. It doesn’t cost anything to get in, and you can handle most of the weapons. So if you’re in the area you can stop by and see awesome stuff like this! At the last premier auction there were either 3 or 4 Mk4 T’s there up for bid in various conditions.
I’ll be looking at the MP40’s, and MP44’s. Looking, not buying.
Beautiful.
And one we're allowed to own here too!
Woo!!!
James Neave uk?
@@HJDore
Yes, Portsmouth, England, UK.
James Neave greetings fellow person from Hampshire. Basingstoke area myself
How is Basingrad these days?
Still the brutalist concrete Wonderland I remember?
James Neave I mean I don’t divert from the main roads if I have to travel south through there. Seems like most weeks someone’s getting shanked. Luckily I live just north of blazingsmoke
Beautiful rifle!
The lee Enfield was my favorite sniper in sniper elite idk why it's just so cool for some reason
Okay Ian, this is wonderful but... how long until we get the British lee patter rifle development series like the ones you've done on the Berthier and the SA80? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, PRETTY PLEASE. A month of lee-enfields and lee-metfords! :)
I need a month of "From Mosin to hammer" series of videos.
Yeah but:
1. they aren't presented by Ian.
2. I'd have to rewatch them...
Ian, you can come to me and I will let you review all of mine....both No. 1/IIIs and No. 4/5s, plus my Ishies. I will take you out for barbecue.
Who thumbs this down ???
Geez some folks ...
I have a no4mk1 that is in excellent condition. I made it a T, I put a replica opticand mounting plates. My gunsmith broke two drill bits and three taps to mount the pads. So great steel. The rifle was made in 1917 and reworked in 1956. I still shoot it. A great weapon.
How is it possible for a No.4 which wasn't adopted until 1939 to have been built in 1917? The Trials rifles mentioned in the video were tested only in the 1930s.
I remember shooting the 7.62 version at Pilning Rifle Range in 1980 as a young soldier.
In Canada the (T) was a barrel designation, 5 groove, made by CIL Long Branch facility, originally meant for Sniper assignment. Later this was the barrel retrofitted into Canadian Service Rifle competition rifles. I know this as my father was an RCN Armour who built the 1949 Navy Rifle Team rifles, One of these rifles was built for Staff Sargent Smith an Armour for the Canadian Army.
As a matter of interest, I did not hear him mention the caliber of this rifle. When I used them they were 303 but I fired them without a scope. I was at Bisley a few times but the weather did not help much but with a bit of luck managed to get a medal. I had several of these rifles and found that they varied quite a bit because as they warmed up they changed the point of aim quite a bit. But I had one that could put 5 rounds in a 4-inch square at 100 yards
That's amazing just a production item with a few accessories.
Interesting to hear your comments regarding accuracy requirements. Whilst in the army cadets aged 15, i was issued with a virtually unused No.4, i think Canadian built. With the standard open sights, that rifle would group 2" at 200 yards, and out to 500 I never doubted hitting a Fig 11.
I think it was the L42A1 issued in the Falklands and though a very capable rifle, a bit outdated by then. You can read accounts of them being thrown away by their users and replaced with captured Rem 700's when the chance arose, because of the harsh weather conditions there.
Personally, I'd have one in a flash!
Such a beautiful gun omg
If only I could afford this.... I'd have two of them! Beautiful rifle.
Wow !
Gorgeous gun
That's one lovely rifle.
Hope to see a video on a matching mauser 98k sniper rifle. I have 2 friends who's rifles are pristine that deserve some camera time! Great video as always ian!
Another great video Ian! Keep up the good work.
Oh gosh, my unicorn gun. One day, when I win the lottery.
Your Eleanor?
They where made in the thousands, and most survived the war, not as much of a unicorn as you'd think, rare but they come up for auction pretty regularly.
Something unicorn like would be a G41 Sniper.
Plus an Accuracy International AWP in .338 Lapua as well
Not if I buy it first.
Mine too, especially if it comes not only with the tin to store the scope, but the orginal transit case, with all added extras it had, including a telescopic spotter scope, with its own case ...
Every sniper in the British Army were pretty well kitted out for the time, which is why, if you happen to chance upon an example, with its transit case, complete with everything that came with it, and your bank won't have a seizure, it is a must ... indeed, every book (and I have a few ...) that I have on sniping almost concentually agree it was perhaps the best sniper rifle of WWII, produced by either side; and yes, a few of those books were written by Americans ...
Also, if you remove the buttstock from the rifle, the portion on the stock that goes inside the wrist of the receiver will be stamped with the rifle's serial number. Great video!
Really like your informative videos. I'd like to make two recommendations to you for your next visit to the UK. The IWM ,Duxford, now houses the airborne museum. Check out the small sub machine gun made for Gen " Boy" Browning who commanded the 1st Allied Airborne Army. This weapon has a unique two row magazine, one in front of the other. Chambered in 9mm, made and presented to him by . . . You've guessed it ! . . .Browning ! A very unusual weapon. Secondly , the British Army small arms museum has many items that would make you feel like a young boy in a sweetie shop. There they have enfield prototypes for the cavalry which were intended to be used as lances , when the 17 inch sword bayonet was fixed. One model has a stripped down stock with a very professional thumb hole through it, to aid gripping. Hope you enjoy my suggestions, keep up the great work.
What if I told yall that I picked one of these up in a trade for an SKS..... feel like I won that trade in a landslide!
I'd hate to be the poor weirdo that took the SKS.
Great video. Thanks Ian
Blooming was a lense cleaning process. To remove blooming being the objective.
i do remember that when fired they had a hell of a kick even though it was bolt action so you tended to put something over your shoulder to cushion the kick.
Used a mk3 which I cut down to a sporting rifle , big kick but not a problem if held firmly into shoulder.
I dream of some day being able to afford a Holland and Holland. There is a great video on UA-cam where they show their master craftsmen building a custom rifle. Amazing company. That weapon in my eyes increased in value as soon as you stated who had done the conversion. Great video. Did not realize, although I should have , that H and H was involved with the war efforts.
They had a much more realistic appreciation of combat accuracy.
A 10" circle at 200 yards is about the size of the vitals in a human torso.
I hate that I can't watch these videos without getting drowsy. I can't help but drift away into Ian's voice
gay