British Military Rifles - Rifle, Number 4

Rifle, Number 4

Beginning shortly after the First World War, the SMLE went through a series of experimental changes that resulted in the Rifle, No. 4 Mk I, which was adopted in 1939 just after the beginning of the Second World War. The changes included receiver-mounted aperture rear sights, similar to that of the Pattern 1914 rifle, a "free-floating barrel" to improve accuracy during extended use and changed screw threads, making nearly all threaded components incompatible with those of the SMLE (No. 1) rifle. The No. 4 rifle had a heavier barrel, stronger steel in the action body and bolt body and a short “grip-less” (or "spike") bayonet that mounted directly to the barrel, rather than to a separate nosecap. The latter was the most prominent visual change.

During the Second World War, the British government also contracted with Canadian and US manufacturers (notably Long Branch and Savage) to produce the No. 4 Mk I* rifle. US-manufactured rifles supplied under the Lend Lease program were marked U.S. PROPERTY on the left side of the receiver.

This rifle remained in use until the mid 1980s, having been refitted to fire the NATO 7.62 mm round, with the wooden foregrip along the barrel's bottom shortened to reduce the rifle's weight, and a chin rest added to the stock. The last version, designated the L42A1, was used in the Falklands War.