No8 MkI Rifle

 

Developed by BSA Shirley and adopted in 1948 the No8 rifle was designed specifically as a competition rifle and also used, actually still is used, as a Cadet training rifle. Unlike previous sub-caliber Lee-Enfields which were intended as direct military training rifles, the No8 had accuracy as its primary objective. This is why its design departs radically from the common Lee-Enfield receiver and barrel configuration as will be seen in the following pictures. Using spare No4 and No5 rifle receivers for the basis of their build the No8’s loosely have the outward appearance of a No4 rifle, but are actually very different indeed. These rifles were produced by BSA predominately for the UK, New Zealand and South Africa governments and also sold commercially. For a serious look at the history behind this interesting rifle here is the link to the HARC site detailing the No8.

 

 

1952 BSA No8 MkI

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The buttstock used on the No8 is the same one utilized on the Enfield Envoy target rifle. Full pistol grip, no butt trap and plastic butt plate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The fore-end is also identical to the Enfield Envoy rifle with the exception that the No8 has no magazine well mortised into it.

The fore-end incorporates a wider “beaver tail” styling and the handguard sports grip serrations reminiscent of the early No4 design.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This particular rifle was made for the New Zealand contract.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matching serial numbers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notice how the barrel is situated well inside the receiver.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The rear sight, identical construction the to No4 rifle MkI “micrometer” sight, but graduated for .22 LR 25, 50 and 100 yard and a marking H for use on indoor Harmonization targets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pictured here is the unique bolt design used on the No8.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This image details the heavy barrel and sight arrangement. As issued, the rifle uses normal Lee-Enfield front sight blades contained by a removable sight protector. By removing the dovetailed sight protector a Parker-Hale globe sight can be installed with no modifications necessary. The same holds true for the rear sight, the issued sight can be removed and a Parker-Hale sight installed, no modifications necessary. This was done to facilitate serious competition, while the issued sights could easily be re-installed for military specific shooting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Parker-Hale PH5DC rear sight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These two images attempt to illustrate the very unique trigger arrangement used on the No8 rifle. As the rifle was designed for competition plus military use, the trigger has the ability to be fully adjusted from a standard two-stage military trigger pull or refined down to a very light single-stage pull. Quite ingenious.

 

 

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