The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum

I picked this up from a local gun shop. I traded an Ishapore No. 1 Mk III and some cash to get this beauty. I understand these were the last of the Lee-Enfield SMLE rifles. Several sources indicate these rifles were made for contracts that fell through and the rifles never delivered. The quality is really high on these and the rifle is unfired with perfect headspace. This rifle came from an estate sale and was not in the original wrap. However, the cosmoline was very thick on the gun and it took quite a bit of cleaning. I plan to shoot this rifle, because I don't think it has high collector value and I have a bunch of really good surplus ammo including HXP (Greek) and MEN (German). In addition, I reload a lot of .303 British. Your thoughts on shoot or not shoot would be appreciated.

Careless handling and lack of cleaning is what takes a toll on a new rifle. Shooting it won't hurt it at all. Very nice Mk#4.

Nice one, I have one but have never seen it, it's still in the wrap.

You did good.

That rifle is a thing of beauty,love the wood.

Very nice !!!!

Very nice!

I'd shoot it if it were mine. I'd like to come across one of those at my local shops. I haven't seen an Enfield in a year or so. Local shop had several sportered Enfields for a couple of years a few years ago, but it appears they finally found new homes. I bought and restored a couple myself.

In order to give you an honest answer we need more information. Which arsenal and date are stamped on the buttstock collar? See PM.

Longcolt44 wrote:In order to give you an honest answer we need more information. Which arsenal and date are stamped on the buttstock collar? See PM.

Thanks for the PM. It is a Fazakerley 54 on the stock. The serial on the receiver starts with UF 55. Certainly these were the last of the production, but this rifle seems very well made. I know there is a lot of information out there about who these were made for, RAF, Irish contract; who knows? I have checked headspace and dry fired on a snap cap and it's all good. The bore is new. I plan to shoot it.

So perfect! I think I would transport it to and from in a hard case!

Nice rifle No reason not to shoot it.