Lee-Enfield Rifle No. 5 Mk I Jungle Carbine

Firearm

Fred Light Museum

Name/Title

Lee-Enfield Rifle No. 5 Mk I "Jungle Carbine"

Entry/Object ID

FL-75-838

Description

FIN 7082064 barrel is tubular; the forearm extends to 18cm from barrel end; on barrel is "303, 2.222, 18.5 Tonsper"; a black metal ring encircles the barrel and forearm has a strap ring on bottom; on metal near firing chamber is "NBP"; the former accession number on the right side of the barrel is "121"; on breech side is "No MK* IROF (F) 8/44 2896"; above the trigger "England"; there is a clip magazine that is black in color; it is bolt action; RCN: 8387937.0001 10 shots /donation

Firearm Type

Rifle

Context

This specimen represents an exceptionally well-preserved, early-production example of the British No. 5 Mk I "Jungle Carbine," manufactured within the first six months of the model’s official assembly life. Developed to address the unwieldy length of standard No. 4 service rifles in thick tropical combat zones, the No. 5 represents the pinnacle of British bolt-action evolution, favoring rapid mobility over long-range optimization. This specific artifact is of high curation value due to its verified "all-matching" status—retaining its original factory-serialized wood furniture, which was frequently replaced during post-war refurbishments. Furthermore, its markings meticulously document the entire lifecycle of a mid-century Commonwealth service arm: starting as a frontline WWII British infantry weapon (1944), and finally entering the global civilian collection market through the Birmingham Proof House after 1954

Cataloged By

Justin M. Miller

Acquisition

Source (if not Accessioned)

Town of Battleford

Notes

Accession Date: 01/01/75

Firearm Detail

Model

Model Name

No.5 MK1

Manufacturer

Royal Ordnance Factory Fazakerley

Caliber

303. Brittish

Action

Bolt Action

Cartridge Capacity

Finish Type

Bluing

Serial Number

A2896

Date Made

Aug 1944

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Receiver Marking, Engraving

Notes

1. Receiver (Left Action Body)Type: Electro-penciled factory roll-mark Transcription: No5MKI ROF (F) / 8/44 / A2896 Description: Designates model type (Number 5 Mark I), factory origin (Royal Ordnance Factory Fazakerley), month/year of manufacture (August 1944), and military serial number (A2896). 2. Wood Fore-End (Underside, Forward of Trigger Guard)Type: Hand-stamped impression into wood grain Transcription: A / 2896 Description: Factory-matching serial number. Positioned underneath a faint British Crown over an internal factory inspector code (Fazakerley validation stamp).3. Wood Fore-End (Underside, Forward of Sling Swivel) Type: Hand-stamped impression into wood grain Transcription: F Description: Capital "F" inspector stamp, verifying stock fabrication and final bench fitment at the Fazakerley facility. 4. Barrel (Exposed Upper Flat)Type: Struck commercial proof house stamps Transcription: .303 2.222" / 18.5 TONS PER ▢" / [Crown over BNP]Description: British civilian commercial proof marks applied under the 1954 Rules of Proof. Features caliber, maximum case length, and high-pressure safety testing certification (18.5 long tons per sq. inch) from the Birmingham Proof House (BNP). 5. Receiver Ring (Top Left) Type: Struck military proof stamp Transcription: [Crossed Flags with 'P'] / [Crown]Description: Official British Military Proof House mark applied at ROF Fazakerley during WWII assembly. Denotes successful high-pressure proof-load test firing prior to government acceptance. 6. Rear Sight Leaf Type: Struck manufacturer mark Transcription: S.M. Description: Component code for Singer Manufacturing Co., acting as a wartime subcontracting parts supplier. 7. Magazine Casing (Base Plate)Type: Struck foreign military property stamps Transcription: 87 L / 3732 / NZ [with partial Broad Arrow]Description: Post-war asset tracking, rack, or unit inventory numbers applied by the New Zealand Military Forces following a Commonwealth hardware transfer. (only relates to magazine at this time and not the rifle)

Dimensions

Dimension Type

Overall

Length

39-1/2 in

Weight

7-1/8 lb

Barrel Length

20-1/2 in

Material

Carbon Steel, Wood

Other Names and Numbers

Other Numbers

Number Type

Serial

Other Number

2896

Location

Display Cabinet

TF-FR-N8

Room

Firearms Room

Building

Fred Light Museum

Date

June 28, 2026

Condition

Overall Condition

Good

Notes

Overall Condition: Excellent / Highly Intact (Historical Context Restrained)Metalwork: Displays original dark, semi-gloss "Suncorite" paint over phosphate finish, showing minor, authentic edge wear and superficial scratching consistent with period field use. Interior bolt track displays intact, factory-correct "lightning cuts" (weight-reducing recesses) unique to authentic No. 5 receivers. Stock: Original wood furniture remains un-sanded, retaining crisp edges and deep, readable factory stamps. Features correct cut-down fore-end leaving the forward barrel exposed. Muzzle Assembly: Features an original, un-tampered conical flash hider with an integrated lower bayonet lug, pinned tightly to the barrel with standard flush factory retaining pins. Magazine: Present, functional, and matching the New Zealand secondary issue inventory profile. Displays moderate finish loss and metal exposure on the bottom edges from historical surface resting.

Created By

[email protected]

Create Date

April 22, 2026

Updated By

Justin M. Miller

Update Date

August 28, 2026