British Enfield No.5 Mk.I Jungle Carbine .303 British Bolt Action Rifle C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,100.00
LSB#: LSB250603DU002
Make: ROF Fazakerley
Model: No. 5 Mk. I ‘Jungle Carbine’
Serial Number: Y6350
Year of Manufacture: Dec. 1946
Caliber: .303 British
Action Type: Bolt action, detachable 10 round magazine
Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked “No.5MK.I (F) 12/46 Y6350”. All seralized parts are matched to the receiver. There are various small proofs throughout.
Barrel Length: 19”. There is an integrated 1.5” flash cone at the end of the muzzle.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade post dovetailed into a base mounted between two protective ears. The rear sight is an aperture which when flipped up has an adjustable aperture.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The two-piece wood stock has a straight grip with finger groove, barrel band with sling loop, right side of buttstock sling well with bar, and a hard rubber buttpad. The buttpad is scuffed around the edges with some light scratching. There are compression marks and scratches throughout the wood with small chips. The LOP measures 13.25” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. The stock rates in about Very Good overall condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Oil darkened metal, black rust proofing paint
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 9.5/10.
Many military and C&R eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide. For example, the U.S. used corrosive ammunition throughout WWII. The U.S. military did not begin to phase out corrosive-primed ammunition until the 1950s.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its metal finish. There are light scratches throughout the metal surfaces. There is wear on the leading edges. The screw heads show moderate use. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good + overall condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The rifle comes with a 10 round detachable magazine that is in Very Good condition, canvas sling.
Our Assessment: The British No.5 Mk.I, often referred to as the “Jungle Carbine,” was a late-World War II development intended to provide British and Commonwealth forces with a lighter, more maneuverable rifle for use in dense terrain and specialized operations. Built at the ROF Fazakerley plant in 1945, this example comes from the final year of production. Featuring a 19-inch barrel with a distinctive conical flash hider, lightened receiver cuts, and a shortened stock, the No.5 Mk.I balanced firepower and portability at the expense of increased recoil and reduced long-range accuracy—tradeoffs that were accepted given its intended use in jungle and airborne operations. It retains about 95% of its original oil-darkened / painted metal finish, with some light wear. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion, consistent with being a post war rifle, rating 9.5 out of 10. The refinished wood stock shows light wear and small chips, but is otherwise solid. Importantly, all serialized parts match the receiver—a rare and highly desirable feature for No.5 collectors.
For enthusiasts of British military firearms or collectors of WWII small arms, this No.5 Mk.I represents a historic and increasingly scarce addition. With its correct wartime features, matched numbers, and included period-correct accessories like the sling and action cover, this Jungle Carbine is a complete and compelling piece ready for display, preservation, or even light recreational shooting. It captures a fascinating chapter of British arms development in the waning days of World War II. -R.E.
