- Lee Enfield Jungle Carbine Conversion
- Lee Enfield Jungle Carbine Parts
- Lee Enfield Jungle Carbine Price
- Lee Enfield Jungle Carbine Serial Numbers Ab
The Lee Enfield MkIII, known as the 'three-O-three' was the first weapon produced at the Lithgow Small Arms Factory. Approved in January 1907, this short rifle superseded the Long Lee Enfield and featured a number of improvements over previous Marks in respect to simplified manufacture and battle efficiency.
Navy Arms Company is making and selling a lot of these, and they usually describe them (albeit in the fine print) as 'replicas' or 'constructed of original No. 4 Enfields' or some such. SARCO and SOG (among others) are also marketing these (or similar) rifles for comparable prices, again with fair--or at least technically honest--advertising.
- This is not to say that Enfield serial numbers provide no information or that they are not an interesting subject. Model, so it is possible to find carbines/rifles of different Mark designations The same serial number sequences were often used by different makers, and on different series of firearms, so a serial number, e.g. No5 rifles (Jungle.
- Serial numbers tend to be “electro-penciled” onto receiver and butt socket, while rear of bolt handle prefix and serial is stamped. The 1945 BSA Jungle Carbine examined for this article was a bit rougher in both appearance and function than my later 1954 No.
- The No.5 Jungle Carbine featured an overall weight of 7.15 pounds, a reduction from the No.4's 8.8 pound carry weight, and overall length was a handier 39.5 inches, down from 44 inches seen in the original Lee-Enfield design.
- The Fazakerley jungle carbines ran from FE1 to FE1000 initial production, then with no letter prefix, followed by A1 to A9999 through Z9999. Serial numbers of certain Lee-Enfields can serve as indicators of the model and help with initial authentication. The 'BS' prefix was used for the.22 British No.7 rifles, 'T1' for the.22 No.5 trials.
The problem arises when these aftermarket replicas pass through several hands and wind up offered for sale at a gun show or in a pawn shop. Typically, the advertising (such as it was) gets lost, the price gets jacked up, and the seller claims (maybe because he believes it) that the piece really is a long-lost treasure. A lot of people are getting burned by these knock-offs, and an even greater number are just plain confused.
Here’s our take on the various 'bargains' that have been showing up lately.
No. 1 Mk III* (Lithgow - 'New')
Often advertised as “collector grade”or “mint - unfired” or “unissued” andselling for $200 and up.
Watch out for these! Quite a few “new Lithgow” rifles have been built just within the last few years from spare parts bought from the Australian government. The parts are new, and the rifles were never issued--but they aren’t Lithgow factory rifles by any stretch of the imagination! They’re recently-built parts guns.
It is possible (though not likely) that some Lithgow-manufactured rifles with late-1945 (or later) dates were kept in storage and subsequently surplused out in unfired or unissued condition. Such rifles would have 5-digit serial numbers with either an “E” or an “F” serial number prefix, and the serial number would be stamped on the rear of the bolt handle and on the bottom of the fore-end, as well as on the receiver ring. Neither the nose cap nor the bottom of the backsight leaf will carry a different serial number on these rifles. Also, legitimate factory rifles will have 1/4-inch square brass or copper recoil plates installed on the fore-ends where the sear boss bears against the wood. These plates will be attached with small brass wood screws.
If you find a “new” Lithgow with a 1943 or 1944 date, be highly suspicious. This was the height of the war, and virtually all rifles manufactured were issued. If you find the receiver marked with a “JJ CO NY NY” import stamp, assume it’s a parts gun unless you have clear evidence to the contrary. (Many “new Lithgow” parts guns appear to have been assembled on receivers imported by John Jovino & Co.) If you find a 4-digit serial number with no prefix letter and an “A” suffix, this is clear evidence that it is not a Lithgow factory rifle. If you find different serial numbers on different parts, this is clear evidence that it is a parts gun. And if the recoil plates are missing, it is not only a parts gun--it could be dangerous to shoot. There’s a possibility that the fore-end will be damaged with as few as 20 or 30 round fired.
No. 1 'Tanker Carbine'
Overall length 39-40 inches; 20-21 inch barrel, with fore-endshortened and nose cap moved back. Also called “No. 1 Shortened and Lightened” rifle or “No. 6 Tanker Carbine” or “No. 6 Shortened and Lightened” rifle.
These are probably either aftermarket modifications or outright fakes. The Australian government did experiment with a shortened and lightened No. 1 rifle, but only a hundred prototypes were made. These have grooved fore-ends, lightening flutes on the barrel knox forms, and extensive lightening cuts on the receivers. Also, the Lithgow factory prototypes all have aperture backsights mounted on the charger bridge and solid handguards. All bear “XP” serial number prefixes.
Some unofficial experimenting was done by a number of unit armourers during WWII in an attempt to create a shortened and lightened version of the No. 1 rifle, and it is possible that a few of these early experiments have survived. The barrels were shortened, and the nose caps were reset, but most retained the barrel-mounted tangent sights. These are historically interesting, but they are not “official” Lithgow factory prototypes.
The easiest way to tell a recent replica from a WWII-vintage experimental model is to remove the nose cap. If you find freshly-cut wood, you know what you have! Also, many of the recent fakes have a hex-nut rather than a standard oblong nose cap nut securing the rear nose cap screw, and the fore-end stud and stud spring are missing.
No. 2A “Tanker” Carbine
Overall length 39-1/2 inches, with a 20-1/2 inch barrel. Fore-end shortened and nose cap moved back.
There ain’t no such thing! There never was. This is strictly an aftermarket modification. Such a shortened version of the Ishapore 2A/2A1 rifle was never even considered by the Indian government--never mind adopted--or by anyone else, for that matter.
No. 4 “Tanker” Carbine
Overall length 39-1/2 inches, with a 20-1/2 inch barrel. Fore-end shortened and nose cap moved back.
As above, there ain’t no such thing. Strictly an aftermarket modification.
No. 4 Shortened and Lightened
Overall length 39-42 inches; 20-23 inch barrel, withfore-end shortened and nose cap moved back.
Probably an aftermarket modification. The Canadian government did experiment with a shortened and lightened No. 4 rifle, and a few dozen prototypes were made; however, these have one-piece stocks! Also, the barrels and receivers were lightened with extensive milling. All were conversions of Long Branch rifles only.
If you see a two-piece stock or a receiver than doesn’t have any lightening cuts, you have an aftermarket modification or replica. The British version of the shortened and lightened No. 4 rifle is the No. 5 rifle (see below).
No. 4 “Collector Grade”
Savage or Long Branch, often advertised as “new”or “unissued.”
Watch out. It is possible that a legitimate unissued No. 4 rifle will turn up, but it’s not likely. Most of these “collector grade” rifles were arsenal reconditioned somewhere along the line--but somewhere other than Canada or Great Britain (who marked their reconditioned rifles “R” or “FTR”). Look for black enamel or flat black paint on the metal parts--this is a tip-off that the work was done in Pakistan or in South Africa or in some other country. Original No. 4 rifles have an oil-blackened finish (or possibly a blued finish on 1950 or later Long Branch rifles). Also, look for non-British or non-Canadian ownership or acceptance marks.
We have reports of a number of unissued Long Branch rifles re-imported into Canada from Belgium by Districorp. The story is that CAL sold a bunch of No. 4 rifles to the Belgian government in the early 1950s, and that they were kept in storage and never issued. These all have 95L serial numbers and 1950 dates and look quite nice. They are probably the real McCoy. (We’ll look into them further and report as soon as we have additional data.)
No. 5 “Jungle Carbine”
Overall length 39-1/2 inches; 20-1/2 inch barrel withflash hider. Rubber buttplate; short fore-end.
An honest No. 5 rifle (or “Jungle Carbine”) has lightening flutes cut in the barrel knox form and extensive milling done to the receiver to lighten it. (Take the handguard off and look for the barrel flutes.) Also, an honest No. 5 will be electro-engraved “No5MKI” on the left side of the receiver and will not have “No. 4” stamped or engraved anywhere on it. In addition, an honest No. 5 will bear the proper manufacturer’s code: “(ROF)F” for Fazakerley or “M47C” for BSA-Shirley. Finally, the barrel band will be only 8 inches in front of the receiver ring--rather than 10-3/4 inches as on a No. 4 rifle.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Golden State Arms Co. of Pasadena, California modified quite a few No. 4 rifles by shortening the barrels, adding flash hiders, and shortening the fore-ends. Some were equipped with Fajen or Bishop sporter stocks, as well. These were called various names, such as “No. 4 Jungle Carbine,” or “Santa Fe Mountain Carbine,” or “Mountain Rifle,” but all have “Golden State Arms” and “Santa Fe” roll-stamped on the barrel. Nice aftermarket conversions, but strictly that.
Currently, Navy Arms is doing the same thing with No. 4 rifles and selling them as “No. 5 Jungle Carbines.” At arm’s length they look genuine, but they have standard No. 4 rifle markings and DO NOT have the lightening flutes on the barrel or the lightening cuts on the receiver. These are strictly fakes--or thinly disguised “replicas.”
No. 6 “Jungle Carbine”
Overall length 39-1/2 inches, with 20-1/2 inch barrel andflash hider; brass buttplate.
The Australian No. 6 rifle was officially adopted, but only a couple of hundred prototypes were ever built. These have grooved fore-ends and handguards, and most have receiver-mounted aperture rear sights. All have “XP” serial number prefixes, and the bayonet lug on the flash hider is squared to accept a P1907-type bayonet rather than rounded to accept a No. 4-type bayonet. The handguard is the same length as the fore-end and will be solid for its full length or have an unusual set of backsight protectors on it--sort of like the rear handguard on an SMLE Mk I rifle.
Replicas and fakes abound. Golden State Arms made replicas in the 1950s and 1960s, but these are all marked “Golden State Arms” and “Santa Fe” on the barrel. In the 1970s, Federal Ordnance Company (Fed Ord) made some No. 6 look-alikes built on WWI-vintage Lithgow actions, but these are stamped “Jungle Rifle” on the left side of the receiver. Navy Arms is currently making look-alikes with no special marking and selling them as “No. 6 Jungle Carbines.” Don’t pay a premium for these!
If you see a barrel-mounted tangent sight, the rifle is a fake. If you don’t see lightening flutes on the barrel knox form and lightening cuts in the receiver, the rifle is a fake. If it has a No. 5 flash hider, it’s a fake. If the barrel band is up within a few inches of the flash hider, it’s a fake. (Or a thinly-disguised “replica,” if you must.)
No. 7 “Jungle Carbine”
Shortened version of 2A/2A1 rifle, with flashhider installed.Like the 2A Tanker Carbine, this is strictly an aftermarket modification. There never was a carbine version of the Ishapore 2A/2A1 rifle, and there never was any such thing as a “No. 7 Jungle Carbine.” The Lee-Enfield No. 7 rifle is a .22 caliber training rifle, similar in appearance to a full-size No. 4 rifle, which was made in both Canada and Great Britain in the late 1940s. They are clearly marked as such.
A Final Word
We believe that Navy Arms and others are missing a bet by not labeling their products for what they are. Aftermarket modifications and replicas have been around since the days of Francis Bannerman, and they are an interesting part of the history of military rifles. Bannerman Krags are definitely collectable, and there is a growing interest in Golden State and Fed Ord Enfields--but mainly because they are readily identifiable for what they are.
The problem with the current crop is not just that the marketing borders on deceptive: ten or twenty years from now nobody will be able to tell an honest Navy Arms look-alike from the one-off handiwork of a basement wood butcher. We believe that the aftermarket modifications and even “replicas” would sell just as well if they were labeled as such, and we have no doubt that doing so would save a lot of grief for collectors--both now and in the years to come.
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Santa Fe EnfieldsCharles R. StrattonEnfield Research Associates
| Golden State Arms Corp. was a sizeable gun store located at 386 W. Green Street in Pasadena, California. They did a land-office business in the '50s and '60s importing and selling surplus military firearms; their 1958 catalog lists thousands of firearms, many of them one-of-a-kind items. Golden State Arm's 'Santa Fe' division sporterized military rifles--Lee-Enfields, Mausers, and a number of others. Golden State Arms went out of business in the late '60s, but several of their employees founded Federal Ordnance (Fed Ord), which did much of the same kind of work. Fed Ord fell by the wayside in the '80s and was succeeded by the Brinkle Trading Co. The Santa Fe Enfields from Golden State are an interesting group of rifles. The workmanship on all of them is quite nice--much better, in my opinion, than the current run of fakes and knock-offs being sold by Navy Arms' Gibbs Rifle Co. More importantly for the collector, the Santa Fe rifles are all identified as to model and firm by roll-stamping on the barrel. |
| General Observations I had hoped for some consistency in the configuration of various models, but such was not the case. We have identical models with different furniture, different magazines, and different sights. Now, many rifles I am sure were modified over the years. Commercial sporter stocks were installed, magazines were lost and replaced, and new sights were installed. On the other hand, it may well be the case that Golden State was none too consistent when they built Santa Fe Enfields. Reported overall lengths vary from 36 to 45 inches, with most falling in the 39-1/4 to 42 inch range. Reported barrel lengths range from 17 to 24 inches, with most being 21 or 22 inches. It is not clear whether this reflects different ways of measuring lengths or variations in production. At lease one source credits Golden State Arms for coining the phrase 'Jungle Carbine.' That could well be, since the British never used the term to refer to the Lee-Enfield No. 5 rifle. Some Santa Fe conversions keep the original oil-blackened finish, while other models have lathe-turned barrels, bright polishing on the metal parts, and a deep, high-luster re-blue. |
| Barrel Markings All but one of the rifles in the survey had their barrels roll-stamped with the model designation and a line or two identifying Golden State Arms as having done the conversion (figure). The stamped letters are 1/8-inch high, sans-serif, all caps. The exact wording varies from model to model, however. Here are some examples: GOLDEN STATE ARMS CORP PASADENA CALIF 1941 SUPREME SANTA FE JUNGLE CARBINE SANTA FE MODEL 1944 PRODUCED BY THE SANTA FE DIVISION OF |
Special 'Santa Fe' Components
Perhaps the most conspicuous special component is the red rubber recoil pad marked 'Santa Fe.' Close inspection reveals that they also carry a Pachmayr logo. One assumes that Golden State contracted with Pachmayr to make the recoil pads.
Another characteristic item is the 5-round magazine marked 'Santa Fe Magazine.' As these are also stamped 'Made In Japan,' it is reasonable to assume that Golden State contracted for them as well.
It is not clear whether or not all Santa Fe Enfields came with 5-round 'Santa Fe' magazines--many rifles are reported as having them, but many are reported as having standard military 10-round magazines. (But, of course, magazines do get swapped around.)
Also characteristic of many of the Santa Fe Enfields are commercial ramp front sights and folding-leaf rear sights. The ones I have seen have not been marked as to manufacturer but appear to be Williams products, although they could be Marble sights. At any rate, they are quite handsome and nice additions to the more finely finished models.
1941 Supreme
This model is the Cadillac of the Santa Fe Enfields. There were three in the survey, all with 5-round magazines, nice commercial sporter furniture (probably Bishop)--a checkered fore-end and a buttstock with checkered full pistol grip, monte carlo cheekpiece, and Pachmayr recoil pad. The receiver has the charger bridge and rear sight bracket milled off, and the barrel is lathe-turned. All metal is refinished with a high luster blue. Sights are Williams-type ramp front and folding leaf rear. Overall length is 41-1/2 inches, with a 19-1/2 inch barrel.
Model 1943 Standard
These are, as you might have guessed by the name, rather plain-jane rifles. The metal components are not refinished, retaining their original oil-blackened finish. The fore-ends are shortened military. Barrels are shortened to 20 inches and fitted with a No. 5 flash hider, yielding an overall length of 40 inches. The rear sight is standard military, and the receiver is not modified in any way. Of the three rifles in the survey, two were fitted with 'Santa Fe' 5-round magazines.
Santa Fe Jungle Carbine
With six of these conversions in the survey, this model seems to be the most widely circulated of the Santa Fe Enfields. The Jungle Carbine came originally with a No. 5 rifle buttstock, shortened military fore-end, 'Santa Fe' 5-round magazine, and flash hider. Original No. 4 rifle rear sight. One of the six was outfitted with Bishop sporter furniture--probably added after purchase. Overall length is 39 inches, with an 18-1/2 or 19-inch barrel.
Santa Fe Jungle Carbine Mk I
These little rascals are built on SMLE Mk III* actions rather than No. 4 rifle actions and look like Australian No. 6 rifles. Barrels are marked 'MD 20211' in addition to the usual Golden State Arms and Santa Fe Jungle Carbine roll stamping. The barrels are shortened to 19 inches and fitted with No. 5 rifle flash hiders. The fore-end is shortened military, and the buttstock is standard SMLE, with brass buttplate and brass marking disk. One rifle in this set is from Fed Ord and is engraved 'Jungle Rifle' on the left rear of the receiver. No other markings on the barrel.Santa Fe Mountaineer
The Mountaineer is a longer rifle, with an overall length of 41-1/2 inches and a 22-inch barrel. The two rifles in the survey had commercial sporter furniture and commercial ramp front sights and folding leaf rear sights. The charger bridges and excess metal have been milled off the receivers, and the metal components are polished and blued. Both had military 10-round magazines.
Lee Enfield Jungle Carbine Conversion
Santa Fe Special
Lee Enfield Jungle Carbine Parts
The Special model seems to represent minimal gunsmithing. The barrel is full-length, and the sights are standard military. The furniture is sporterized military, with the fore-end shortened and the buttstock retaining the military buttplate. About the only thing 'special' about it is the 5-round magazine.Lee Enfield Jungle Carbine Price
Santa Fe Model 1944
The Model 1944 exhibits the barrel and receiver gunsmithing of the 1941 Supreme but is fitted with sporterized military furniture. The receiver has the charger bridge and rear sight bracket milled off, and the barrel is lathe-turned. All metal re-finished with a high luster blue. Sights are Williams-type ramp front and folding leaf rear. The buttstock is military but is fitted with a 'Santa Fe' red rubber recoil pad. The fore-end is shortened and has the tip painted black to simulate a contrasting fore-end tip. Overall length is 40 inches, and the barrel is 22 inches long. One Model 1944 was reported as having commercial sporter furniture, however.
Lee Enfield Jungle Carbine Serial Numbers Ab
Santa Fe Model 1945
One Model 1945 was reported in the survey. It was identical to the Model 1944 rifles.
Santa Fe Model 1949
The Model 1949 has a No. 5 rifle buttstock, a shortened military fore-end, and a No. 5 rifle flash hider assembly with front sight. The original oil-blackened metal finish is retained, and the receiver is not modified. The receiver has an original No. 4 rifle rear sight. The rifle is quite a bit shorter than others--36 inches overall, with a 17-inch barrel.
Scope-Sighted (T) Model
This is an interesting specimen that I found a couple of years ago. It has no barrel markings to identify it as Santa Fe rifle from Golden State Arms, but the buttstock is fitted with a 'Santa Fe' red rubber recoil pad, and the receiver is milled and machined in exactly the same way as the 1941 Supreme and Model 1944. The rifle was converted from a 1943 BSA-Shirley that has a stamped 'T' following the 'No. 4 Mk I' electro-engraved on the left side of the receiver. The scope mounting pads appear to be original Holland & Holland and are staked in place, while the scope mount is identical to the H&H mount but is marked 'Japan'. The barrel is lathe-turned and has no sights mounted on it. The furniture is sporterized military, and the metal is polished and blued.
Santa Fe Deluxe Sporter
Nobody has actually reported on one of these rifles, but one kindly reader sent in a copy of the instruction manual that accompanied them. The Deluxe Sporters appear to have been fitted with sporterized military furniture, rubber 'Santa Fe' recoil pads, and 'Santa Fe' 5-round magazines.
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