No4 MkI and MkI* Rifle

History

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The No4 MkI rifle is the result of 17 years of trials by the Royal Small Arms Factory (RSAF) Enfield. Beginning in 1922, the No1 MkV mostly resembling the SMLE, experimented with rear mounted aperture sights in an effort to improve accuracy. The No1 MkVI rifle followed in 1926 incorporating many changes to the basic design of the SMLE with efforts to improve accuracy, utilize new manufacturing methods and reduce the cost of production. Then in 1931 with a few more changes the MkVI was re-designated the No4 Trial rifle. It was this rifle that in 1939 would become the No4 MkI rifle of World War II fame.

Although approved in late 1939 production didn't actually commence on the No4 MkI until 1941. Though RSAF Enfield produced the trial rifles that would become the No4 MkI, it did not participate in the wartime production of the rifle. It was Royal Ordnance Factory's (ROF) Fazakerley, Maltby and Birmingham Small Arms-Shirley (BSA Shirley) that would undertake this task in England. This is one of the reasons why the No1 MkIII & MkIII* cannot be dismissed as solely a World War I rifle. Though technically replaced by the No4, it continued to be produced by BSA, Ishapore India and Lithgow Australia throughout World War II.

The only other locations to produce No4's during WWII was in North America at the Small Arms Factory Ltd., located at Long Branch, Ontario, Canada and by Savage Stevens at Chicopee Falls Massachusetts, USA. It was at these two plants that the No4 MkI* version was adopted from 1942 on. This version simplified the machining process of the receiver, allowing increased production. This modification altered the method of bolt removal from the MkI type, of a "spring and Plunger" at the rear of the bolt travel, to a notch in the bolt raceway close to the front of the bolt travel.

During the course of the war, the many parts contractors adopted methods designed to reduce cost and speed production of the No4. The most notable of these included stamped front sight ears, rear sights, magazines and a two position fixed range flip sight. After the war, these cost saving measures were discontinued and production reverted back to pre-war milled parts.

The No4 rifle proved itself to be every bit as reliable as its predecessor did the No1. The retention of the Lee action and generous chamber dimensions continued to allow it to cycle quickly with less operator fatigue and to work in the most extreme conditions. Essential qualities for a battle rifle. When the rifle was modified to accept a telescopic sight to provide British and Commonwealth snipers with a suitable platform to ply their trade, the No4 MkI(T) was the answer. Thus giving them a robust dependable rifle that could withstand the harsh conditions of the battlefield and still maintain the accuracy needed to do the task at hand. Expert opinion would suggest that it was the best all-round sniper rifle produced by any of the countries, "friend or foe" involved in World War II. For more detail on the sniper rifle see the No4 MkI(T) page.

During its tenure as the UK's service rifle, the No4 provided notable service throughout most of World War II and Korea before being replaced by the self-loading L1A1 and the 7.62mm NATO cartridge. Yet despite being replaced as a front line service rifle the No4's over-all characteristics allowed it to be modified in a number of ways, keeping it in the spotlight for many years to come.

The most significant changes included modifications to its trigger system. This change was implemented post war, to correct an accuracy problem. It resulted in the No4 Mk1/2, Mk1/3 and the Mk2 variants of the rifle. For greater detail on this modification see the No4 Mk2 page. The No4 was also converted to chamber the 7.62mm NATO cartridge to provide a competition rifle suitable for matches utilizing the new round. In England the L39 rifle and in Canada the DCRA rifle. For information on the DCRA rifle see the DCRA page. Further alterations produced the L42 and the Enforcer sniper rifles. Information on these rifles can be seen on their own specific pages.

Like the No1 rifle the No4 remains in limited use by some countries to this day, a lasting testament of its design qualities.

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