Enfield No.5 Mk.I Jungle Carbine .303 British 20″ Bolt Action Rifle, 1947 C
SOLD FOR: $1,025.00
LSB#: LSB260130SM004
Make: ROF Fazakerley
Model: No. 5 Mk. I ‘Jungle Carbine’
Serial Number: Z 1221
Year of Manufacture: 1947, January / C&R
Caliber: .303 British
Action Type: Bolt action, detachable 10 round magazine
Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked “No5MKI(F) / 1/47 Z 1221”. All serialized parts are matched to the receiver including the magazine. There are various small proofs throughout. There is no visible import mark.
Barrel Length: 19”. There is an integrated 1.5” conical flash hider 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 adjustable 1st variation ladder aperture sight.
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 MK5-style shoulder pad assembly. There are compression marks, scuffs, and scratches throughout the wood. There are several chips out of the wrist and forearm, near the trigger guard. There is a repaired crack in the right side of the stock near the receiver. The LOP measures 13.5” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. The stock rates in about Fair to Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Black Enamel, Oil Dipped Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore but there is some faint stubborn fouling. 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 99% of its current metal finish. There are faint handling marks throughout. The action has light wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Excellent 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: 1x 10rd Magazine.
Our Assessment: The Enfield No.5 Mk I “Jungle Carbine” is a specialized variant of the Lee-Enfield developed during the latter stages of World War II for use in jungle and airborne operations. Produced at ROF Fazakerley, the No.5 Mk I incorporated weight saving cuts, a shortened barrel, and an integral conical flash hider, resulting in a lighter and more maneuverable rifle compared to the standard No.4. The distinctive rubber buttpad and modified stock design were intended to improve handling under harsh conditions. Chambered in .303 British, a cartridge introduced in 1888 and used extensively by Commonwealth forces, the Jungle Carbine maintained the proven performance and rapid cycling characteristics of the Lee-Enfield system. This January 1947 example retains approximately 99 percent of its current metal finish, with only faint handling marks and light operational wear visible. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and rates 9.5 out of 10, showing only light fouling. The stock shows honest service wear, including scratches, compression marks, chips at the wrist and forend, and a repaired crack near the receiver, though it remains intact and functional, rating in Fair to Good condition. All serialized parts, including the magazine, are matching, and markings remain clear and well defined. The rifle retains its original configuration, including the integral flash hider and correct ladder aperture sight.
The No.5 Mk I is notable for its distinctive appearance and specialized role, representing an effort to adapt the Lee-Enfield platform for lighter, more mobile use. Its shortened configuration and reduced weight made it particularly suited for close terrain, while retaining the rapid bolt operation that defined the Enfield series. This example stands as a well preserved and matching rifle with strong bore condition and original features, offering a representative piece of late war and post-war British military rifle development. -R.E.