Enfields_In_Queue:Ireland

Rifle 28
Lee-Enfield Carbine Mk I Enfield 1898 Converted to Royal Irish Constabulary pattern carbine (a LEC carbine modified with a new nosecap to take the P1888 bayonet) in 1904 as part of a contract for 10,000 rifles. Overall 90% + finish; bore sharp and bright; wood is VG with only the usual nicks and dents. Matched (bolt, receiver, barrel, rear sight leaf). No import marks.

Rifle 95
SMLE No. 1 Mk III* BSA 1918. This rifle is marked on both the receiver and knox form “FF” indicating “Fianna Fail.” Upon granting of Irish independence in 1921, the new government of the Republic of Ireland formed a new national army. Weapons of this force were supplied by Britain, with the standard service rifle being the SMLE. These rifles were marked “FF”. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s the Irish continued to purchase rifles from Britain, all of which were marked with the “FF” cartouche. This practice was discontinued after WWII. Overall 90% + finish; bore sharp and bright; wood is VG with only the usual nicks and dents. Matched (bolt, receiver, barrel, rear sight leaf, nosecap, forestock). No import marks.

Rifle 97
SMLE, No. 1 Mk III* Enfield, 1918. Marked to 3rd R.I.R. (3rd Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, 5/18 ). In May 1918, the 3rd Battalion of the RIR was in Dublin and engaged against the IRA. Overall 90%+, bore VG (sharp and bright). Wood VG with typical small dings and dents. Matched (bolt, receiver, barrel, sight, nosecap, and forestock. No import marks. Good solid bonafides for the Irish Revolution.

Rifle 104
SMLE No. 1 Mk III* BSA 1916. Marked “2 I.G.” and dated “6 17” – 2nd Battalion, Irish Guards. The Irish Guards – the 4th Regiment of the Brigade of Guards – was raised in 1900 by order of Queen Victoria to commorate the valor of the Irish regiments who had served in the Boer War. A one-battalion regiment in 1914, the 2nd Battalion was raised for wartime service (as was the 3rd Reserve Battalion), and entered action in France in August 1915, serving on the Western Front until the end of the war in November 1918. Overall 90% + finish; bore sharp and bright; wood is VG with only the usual nicks and dents. Matched (bolt, receiver, barrel, rear sight leaf, nosecap, forestock). No import marks.

Rifle 109
SMLE, No. 1 Mk III*. BSA, 1917. Marked to 1 N.I.H. (1st North Irish Horse, 2/17). The 1st NIH was formed in May 1916 from A, D, and E Squadrons of the NIH. In March 1918 it was converted to a cyclist battalion. In February 1917, 1 NIH was serving with the Cavalry Division in France. Overall 90%, bore VG (sharp and bright). Wood VG with typical small dings and dents. Matched (bolt, receiver, barrel, sight, nosecap, and forestock. No import marks.

Rifle 132
SMLE, No. 1 Mk III. Enfield, 1914. With long range auxiliary sights and windage rear sight. Marked on stock disk "11 14" and "4 DG" indicating that it was in use by the 4th (Royal Irish) Dragoon Guards in November 1914. The 4th DG arrived in France on 15th August 1914 and - on 22nd August 1914 - fired the first shot against German forces by the BEF. Later that day, the regiment made the first British cavalry charge of the war. Overall 90%, bore VG (sharp and bright). Wood VG with typical small dings and dents. Matched (bolt, receiver, barrel, sight, nosecap, and forestock. No import marks.

Rifle 177
Rifle, No. 4 Mk 2. Fazakerley, January 1954. “Timing,” says my wife, “is everything.” The Irish Republic placed an order for 50,000 No. 4 Mk 2 rifles (s/n range PF309348-PF359347) in 1953; in December of the same year the newly formed NATO alliance adopted the 7.62mm round (.308 Winchester) as its standard – and suddenly the .303 round was obsolete (along with the .30-06). Granted, Ireland wasn’t part of NATO, but what to do with a stack of rifles in .303 when the world was migrating to 7.62mm? So the Irish lads sat in storage somewhere for a long time before being sold off as surplus. Doubtful is these rifles were ever delivered. Overall condition 98% finish. Bore is exceptionally sharp and bright (virtually unfired). Wood appears unissued. All matching - bolt, receiver, forestock, and magazine. No import marks. With matched serial number No.9 Mk I bayonet. Even the scabbards are matched serial numbers. Number Two of two rifles, sequentially serial numbered. Exceptional pair of Irish lads. Matched.