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Lee-Enfield No. 4
Lee-Enfield No. 4 is a British magazine rifle, adopted in 1939 as an improved version of the legendary SMLE (Short Magazine Lee—Enfield), which became the main infantry rifle of the British Empire in World War II. She uses a cartridge.303 British (7.7×56 mm R), providing an effective firing range of up to 500 meters and a powerful stopping effect. The rifle features a longitudinally sliding shutter with a 60° rotation (instead of 90° for analogues), which allows rapid-fire aiming up to 20-30 rounds per minute by an experienced shooter. No. 4 is equipped with a 10-charge magazine, which was loaded with clips, and an improved diopter sight to increase accuracy. The main difference from the SMLE is the weighted barrel and simplified design, which increased accuracy of fire and reduced the cost of mass production. The rifle was produced in the UK, Canada and the USA (under the designation Rifle No. 4 Mk I*), becoming a symbol of the British military industry. It was actively used in key battles, from the Normandy landings to the jungles of Burma, earning a reputation as a reliable and trouble-free weapon in all conditions. Sniper modification No. 4 (T) with Telescopic Sight No. 32 was considered one of the best in the world in the 1940s. After the war, No. 4 remained in service with the countries of the British Commonwealth until the 1960s, and in some regions (for example, Pakistan) it was used until the end of the 20th century. Lee-Enfield No. The 4 went down in history as the last mass-produced rifle of the "smoky powder" era, combining centuries-old traditions such as the 1895 bolt action group and an upgraded design for total war.
Photo of the constructor:
Main Features:
Caliber: .303 British (7.7×56 mm R).
Barrel length: 640 mm.
Total length: 1128 mm.
Weight: about 4.1 kg (without cartridges).
Magazine capacity: 10 rounds (loaded with clips or one at a time).
Rate of fire: 20-30 rounds per minute (aimed shooting).
Aiming range:
Effective range: ~500 meters.
Maximum range: up to 1800 meters (with adjustable sight).
Type of automation: longitudinal sliding shutter.
Shooting type: single shots only.
Other features:
High-speed bolt: The Lee-Enfield No. 4 has a shortened bolt stroke (60° instead of 90° for most rifles), which allows an experienced shooter to fire at high speed.
10-round magazine: The roomy magazine gave an advantage over rifles with 5-round magazines (such as the Mauser 98 or the Mosin rifle).
Improved sight: No. 4 received a more accurate diopter sight (instead of an open one, like the SMLE), which increased the accuracy of shooting.
Durability and reliability: The rifle was renowned for its survivability and could operate in the harshest conditions.
Mass production: No. 4 was produced in the UK, Canada and the USA (under the designation Rifle No. 4 Mk I*) to supply the Allies.
Produced: about 4.5–5 million copies. If we take into account all the modifications, the total production of the Lee-Enfield rifle family exceeds 17 million.
Advantages:
High rate of fire for a magazine rifle.
Reliability and ease of maintenance.
Good accuracy over medium distances.
Comfortable ergonomics and balance.
Disadvantages:
Outdated cartridge .303 British compared to new intermediate ammunition (for example, 7.62×39 mm).
Higher weight and length compared to automatic rifles.
The lack of automatic firing capability.
Interesting facts:
The British soldiers called her "Smelly No. 4" (a pun: SMLE → Smelly — "stinky") because of the characteristic smell of grease and a wooden box after intense firing.
The rifle got its name from James Paris Lee (the creator of the bolt) and the Royal Enfield Arms Factory.
During World War II, British soldiers in the trenches sometimes used special periscope consoles for Lee-Enfield No. 4, which allowed them to fire from behind cover without exposing themselves to enemy bullets.
Lee-Enfield rifles were assembled using inch rather than metric threads, which created problems during field repairs for countries accustomed to the metric system (for example, for continental Europe).
Sniper No. 4 (T) with No. 32 optics could effectively hit targets at a distance of up to 900 meters, and some shooters achieved hits at 1000 + meters. For a magazine rifle from the Second World War, this is an outstanding indicator.
Interesting facts:
British soldiers called her "Smelly No. 4" (a pun: SMLE → Smelly — "stinky") because of the characteristic smell of grease and a wooden box after intense firing.
The rifle got its name from James Paris Lee (the creator of the bolt) and the Royal Enfield Arms Factory.
During World War II, British soldiers in the trenches sometimes used special periscope consoles for Lee-Enfield No. 4, which allowed them to fire from behind cover without exposing themselves to enemy bullets.
Lee-Enfield rifles were assembled using inch rather than metric threads, which created problems during field repairs for countries accustomed to the metric system (for example, for continental Europe).
Sniper No. 4 (T) with No. 32 optics could effectively hit targets at a distance of up to 900 meters, and some shooters achieved hits at 1000 + meters. For a magazine rifle from the Second World War, this is an outstanding indicator.
Photos:
Partisans from the Leningrad region are going on a raid with British Lee-Enfield rifles, 1942
Canadian sniper Sergeant Harold Marshall with a Lee Enfield rifle, 1944
An Afghan mujahid with a Lee-Enfield No. 4 rifle in Kunar province, 1985
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