Short 303 Enfield

[Guest bigguy233]

I have this rifle that has a 20 inch barrel and is marked NO1 MK111* 1948 ishy . I have been told is is a tanker model and also that it has been cut down. Does anyone know more about this rifle. Thanks http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb435/bigguy233/DSCF1977.jpg?t=1286375381

[Guest coldblackwind]

That the one that's been floating around the gunshows? From what I've managed to find on them they are strictly aftermarket, and were never a military rifle. As the only one I've seen in person was obviously completely redone (as the one in the photo appears to be), and looked to have NO original parts in it, I would be inclined to believe this.

[Loon160T]

Maybe these can help: Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk III SMLE Rifle and Rifle, Short, Magazine Lee Enfield Mark 3 -- 1907 and Range Report: Short Magazine Lee-Enfield (SMLE) No. 1 Mk III.

[Guest Ae-35]

There actually was a short barrel , jungle carbine rifle made, BUT..... they removed TOO much metal from the receiver, and there came the problems !!! Flex.... It was so inaccurate that no one could hit anything with it, even at close range !!! After much testing, they were not issued in any large numbers and mostly issued to natives in the south Pacific, not something worth shooting and hasn't seemed to hold much collector value.

[Guest coldblackwind]

There actually was a short barrel , jungle carbine rifle made, BUT..... they removed TOO much metal from the receiver, and there came the problems !!! Flex.... It was so inaccurate that no one could hit anything with it, even at close range !!! After much testing, they were not issued in any large numbers and mostly issued to natives in the south Pacific, not something worth shooting and hasn't seemed to hold much collector value.

True, the jungle carbines have held some value though. They do tend to go higher than the other enfields you see, to the tune of about $100 more when I see them. However, the one pictured is most definitely NOT a jungle carbine. The jungle carbines don't have a full length stock, and they have that big crazy flash hider on the end of the barrel.

[Guest bigguy233]

Thank's for the replys. I read in the links provided by Loon160T that it may be a parts gun made by Gibbs. I have fired it at the Gallatin range and it shoots well. I will look forward to any further posts.