The Irish Contract Rifle

[@alanrobinson375]

I can personally assure all that the Lee Enfields did make it to Ireland. As a teenager in the 1980s I joined the FCA, Irish Army reserve, and our rifle was the No. 4 Mk 2. We didn't change over to the FN till the very late 80s. The 303, as we called it, was a great rifle. We must have been the last recruits in the western world to get standard infantry training with a bolt action.

[@skylongskylong1982]

Nearly the last. The last were the Canadian Rangers who operated the rifle till by five years ago. Why did they use for so long ? Had problems finding a new rifle that could operate reliably at minus twenty five below .

[@gregwilliams386]

I've 5 No.1 mk1***'s and 2 No. mk111*' s marked Sinn Fein, all Irish.

[@enfield.3039]

This Enfield was the first one I owned. It came wrapped in cosmoline grease paper. It was the start of my addiction to Enfield rifles. I think I now have over17 of them. Great rifles.

[@borkwoof696]

The No. 4 has to be the best bolt action infantry rifle from the individual soldier’s perspective. Accurate, low recoil, good sights, fast action and 10 rounds ready to go. Somewhat under-appreciated I would say.

[@desertdogoutdoors1113]

Definitely underrepresented in gun media and historical conversation.

[@bcb5696]

No. 5 was the best perfect size and weight if you’re going to fight with a bolt action rifle

[@gortbot7748]

Low recoil?

[@GHefly445]

@@bcb5696yeah but it sucks to shoot

[@bcb5696]

@@GHefly445 not really it has a bit more kick of course but to me it was much more handy and maneuverable to shoot especially while moving and for closer snap shots

[@jackscott2594]

Such an unbiased review , as a kiwi I hunt with a no4 mark 1 and they are the most reliable and tough rifles ever

[@craigsavarese4554]

I picked up my Irish Contract (11/53) example before Covid hit. The only wear I could find on it was a scratch or two around the bayonet lug. Other than that, it didn’t appear to have ever been fired.

[@mickgillen9809]

I fired the .303 in the FCA from 1977. 45 years later I managed to lay my hands on one of the last of the No4Mk2s. Turns out it was made a month before yours - 11/54 #331xxx. Shoots beautifully (as you would expect from a brand new rifle). Take it to the range man!

[@tonymartin9550]

Excellent piece. I see some suggestions on the internet that the "Irish Contract" rifles were never delivered to Ireland. I enlisted in the FCA to which you refer in 1963 aged 15, we were issued personal rifles which we kept at home. My rifle serial number was 330626. It's to see that superb rifle bing highlighted as you did. Well done and thank you, it took me down memory lane.

[@paulharding1621]

That’s a fabulous rifle. I don’t own a Lee Enfield but have shot some. Proud to be British. Thanks DD.

[@dansaver8247]

We used to shoot Enfields in 22 caliber in our range in the basement of Northern Secondary School in Toronto in the early '60s. The first rifle I fired was an Enfield from WW1. Good video. Thank you.

[@abbeybremner4162]

Awesome vid. Definitely an under rated rifle. With similar balistics to 308win, a passive shove of recoil and mine shoots 2moa. I love the ole bus!

[@goldiefish72]

They are in good condition because the ones we took out of the crates, we spent more time cleaning and maintaining than firing. We'd fire a few once a year, but many that were in use never saw a round go down the barrel. Purely a ceremonial rifle. Was issued my first in 1988.

[@igorchumakov7584]

Hello! Your reviews are the best and most honest in the vast expanse of English-language KZbin on hunting topics! This speaks about your huge hunting experience and opportunities! Thank you so much for your reviews! Health and good luck!

[@Marcus-jg4jb]

Super cool rifle! Lee Enfield rifles aren't rare up here in Canada, but I don't think I've ever seen one of these. Awesome!

[@YellowHammer26]

I love hearing the history behind different firearms and you certainly have a treasure in that rifle. Really appreciate the video, thanks.

[@plaiddad276]

Fascinating history and what a beautiful piece for your collection, bet it's worth a bundle these days.

[@markr5132]

Just want to thank you again for another top quality video, complete with historical as well as practical information. Really appreciate the fact that you deal in FACTS, or as close to facts as possible based on your extensive historical research. I have always agreed with the historians that pointed out the battle effectiveness of the rate of fire of the Enfield's vs the marginally superior knock down or range advantage of a 98. As I understand it..In many battle sinario's getting back on target after ea. shot can be a very high priority.

[@22vampyre]

Great vid! I have always been a big fan of Enfields. I own a No.4 and a No.5 myself, owned for over 20 years now. “Fastest bolt action in the world” was a claim to the No.4 type action back in the day.

[@reloadnorth7722]

I have a 1942 Longbranch .303. It was made at the Longbranch Armories in Mississauga Ontario Canada. As a Canadian infantry veteran I am very proud to own this piece of history. It is in amazing condition and is incredibly accurate. Every year I take it out for a few shots.

[@FlyPiper14]

I’ve got a 5-groove 1949. I love it, wonderful and very capable rifles out to 500 yds. Cheers from alaska ☕️

[@factorybear5264]

Not surprisingly, 303 British out of Lee Enfields harvested more moose in Canada than any other caliber/rifle combinations. No need to fact check me on that. My wife is Canadian so therefore I have a vested interest in knowing what I’m talking about.🇨🇦 🫎

[@richardgibbins5612]

​@@factorybear5264You're correct about the 303brit Enfield taking a LOT of moose. That, and the 30-30 winchester. Under 100yrds, a 30-30 does the job. As does the 303brit. From ontario Canada.

[@factorybear5264]

@@richardgibbins5612 30-30 still holds the crown for whitetails in the United States. In fact I’m hunting with one right now. Just came in the house to eat something and warm up a bit. Happy Thanksgiving! Or belated thanksgiving if you’re of the Canadian variety like my woman. Cheers.

[@richardgibbins5612]

@@factorybear5264 Happy Thanksgiving!! I hope your hunt is successful!!

[@siomurchu]

I was in the FCA in the late eighties and trained on the No. 4 Mk 2 before transitioning to the FN FAL when, as you say, the regular army switched to the Steyr Aug. The Enfield was a beautiful rifle to shoot. I loved the sights and was unimpressed with the FAL in comparison.

[@marshallmaez4770]

Awesome informative, now enlightened about these British rifles. I've been too narrow minded about my beloved mausers so thanks again DD for your video. I guess I'd like one now😊👍

[@Chiller11]

I bought a mummified No4 Mk2. Had to peel the factory paper off of it an clean off the cosmoline. I’ve kept it unfired as well. I also have a 1945 Longbranch No.4 MkI* in excellent condition. It’s the shooter. Lee Enfields are pretty common and revered up here in Canada. They are no longer inexpensive, however.

[@denisleblanc4506]

The only safe queen I own is a never issued Lee Enfield No4 made in Canada in 1956. If I remember well it was part of a returned shipment from Belgium in the 90's. I too saw it in the crate when I got to pick the one I wanted. Full of cosmoline like yours. The big difference is the wood on mine is very dark and it has some marks where it rested in the crate. The sites aren't as fancy as yours but I often take it out and handle it. Here in Canada they were a very popular hunting rifle for decades and could be had in all kinds of shape. But my pristine one reminds me what they really looked like when issued. The quality of the Long Branch rifle may not be as good as the Irish contract rifles but its pretty good nonetheless.

[@desertdogoutdoors1113]

The Long Branch rifles are excellent quality. Actually some of the best "war time" production Lee Enfields ever made.

[@NCWoodlandRoamer]

Very interesting and good information DD .

[@desabc221]

Excellent video. I own one and it is exactly as you described. BTW born there but live Stateside now. Also avid milsurp collector!

[@paulsimmons5726]

Great video, thanks for posting!

[@DrBreezeAir]

Running the SMLE bolt takes some getting used to, but once you do, you can’t get enough of it. The even more humble “garbage rod” endured extreme weather and combat conditions as well.

[@davidobyrne9549]

That may be the case in the USA, but here in Britain we've barely heard of the Mauser, the Lee Enfield is known by just about everyone you meet and gets around 90% of the media coverage when it comes to rifles.

[@madaboutmilitaria3630]

Beautiful, I pick mine up tomorrow😍

[@raymondoreilly7569]

I have a Lee Enfield 55, Irish Contract, I imported it from Germany. Never fired. Only a few months ago. Have the matching bayonet 😊

[@ronaldroehrick4872]

Thanks for sharing.

[@cgarrand78]

Awesome video on an awesome gun!

[@robertrobert7924]

I really enjoyed this video and only wished I had gotten one of these in the 1990s. Back then I only shot Muzzle Loaders with black powder and owned an Uberti Henry Rifle in .44-40 WCF. In the early 2000s I got my C&R FFL and started collecting WW2 Surplus Rifles and Pistols. I have a SAVAGE made No. 4 with a zinc or aluminum buttplate, and an Australian No. 1 Mk 111 that was refinished in its military format and used as a target rifle before the Aussie Government exported them to the USA. It looks brand new and is very accurate at 100 yds.

[@Boerseun]

Now a proud owner of one myself. Cannot wait to receive it. Could you maybe expand on the bayonet, sling, stripper clips and oil pot on this specific rifle please?

[@Dale37]

I enjoy your videos, Desert Dog.

[@desertdogoutdoors1113]

Thank you.

[@sloppydog4375]

Great video

[@MrTurkeyshoot]

You could correct excessive headspace on a worn No.4 to some degree by switching to a longer bolt head they were numbered 0 to 3. The No 3 boltheads are impossible to find now. Those Irish No.4"s are beautiful your a lucky man to have one. Did you sell the rest of crate and just keep the one rifle?

[@desertdogoutdoors1113]

I kept one other rifle; Still in the mummy wrap with the Fazakerley placard on it.

[@heerkrupp64]

Yes the Faza is a Gem, we have a few unissued over here, don't use the Military ammo though if anyone want's to fire them, not worth the hassle, even if the ammo was for free.

[@LD-wm7jm]

Fazarkerley is a suburb of my home city, Liverpool. The scousers armed the Irish!

[@charlielewis9471]

I have a no4 mk2 Enfield rifle, new old stock never fired dated 1955 made at the fazakerley factory in England, prefix A on the receiver, I was told when I bought the rifle some years ago that it was from a cancelled RAF order, always makes me smile the Irish contract line that is talked about, nothing Irish about these great rifles, made in England, though we should be grateful the Irish military did order them then cancel otherwise they probably wouldn’t exist

[@desertdogoutdoors1113]

As you saw in this video, most rifles were actually delivered to Ireland.

[@michaelchen8643]

Yes, the Mauser actions is still made commercially both in Germany and in Serbia and Croatia and this customized with the world Over Lee, Enfield As final battle rifle, as it is, does not lend itself the customization, and in fact does not let itself reach chamber to a more powerful cartridge In the 1960s the indian government had redesigned the Enfield to take the 3087.62×51 cartridge which made it more adaptable to modern use I think the Lee, Enfield is a much more comfortable gun to shoot when it comes to recoil although I’m not particularly recoil sensitive

[@airbornesoldieramerica7125]

Never known about the MK2 or 4 until now. But remember very well the first time I learned about the Enfield 303 British. One of my uncles used one of these WW2 Enfields 303 British rifles during deer hunting. That was his main deer rifle. Wish I could remember the story on where he bought it or how he got it etc... Only thing I remember he said on it he had a hard time getting ammo for it, cause back then forign ammo for these WW2 rifles was much harder to find back than then now days. Seen some boxes at my local mom and pop gun store of 303 British yesterday.

[@woodsteel5227]

I have an unfired Irish contract mk2 with the needle bayonette matching. Only the bayo is still in cosmoline. Nice safe queen. Need to move it on.

[@wencroom]

I bought one of those about 15 years ago and everything that was said about them is true. They almost look fake because they are so "minty" but they are original.😊

[@billmelater6470]

I love the Enfield (I have 2), but the whole, "Mausers are hunting rifles" thing that people talk about is a modern spin because we're used to seeing that market dominated by the Mauser action.

[@HomesByPatrick]

If you loved the Lee Enfield, you should take a look at the K31 Swiss. While it didn't see combat, it was a engineering feat for non semi automatics.

[@desertdogoutdoors1113]

I have 15 K31s. One of my favorites.

[@gunguide9201]

I like your hunting vid. Stay with them.

[@agbcrartsora6918]

I enjoyed the video sir. I love the Lee Enfield. Which kind of finish has this rifle? Is parkerized? best regards

[@ashmerch2558]

I got my first deer with a hand-me-down, poorly sportirized, no 1 mk 3. It was always viewed as a poor man's rifle, or the "bolt action 30-30" it wasn't much but it worked. But all of those were sportirized bubba'd out rifles with deeply pitted orangish rust marks... They were NOT like the rifle you showed. That thing looked brand new Love my no.4. I have a Savage manufactured no4 mk 1

[@desertdogoutdoors1113]

I also have a Savage No4. Mine is in great condition. They are also high-quality rifles.

[@igorchumakov7584]

I apologize in advance for my English! Good luck!

[@desertdogoutdoors1113]

Your English is excellent.

[@hassnainshah004]

Great rifle...

[@twinsixty]

I also have a No.4 mk2 from Ireland - but my wood of the weapon is darker, not as yellow as yours. Did the Irish make all MK4's out of the same wood?

[@dominicohea5624]

I agree the lee Enfield is a true battle rifle.

[@nasseraliazadi9809]

Lovely as usual, I know it ia a 303 caliber , but kouldn't figure what grain bullets? also heard this cartridge is loved by the Canadian hunters. Your input will be appreciated.

[@desertdogoutdoors1113]

The common load in WWII was the Mark VII cartridges shooting a 174gr bullet.

[@ecossearthur]

I have UF 55 A17775 This what I trained in the 60's in the UK before we were over onto the SLR British spec sucked especially in Artic warfare lol I am one year older than my weapon!

[@MikeFoxtrot1]

Where did you get the info on these rifles? I always believed the "Irish contract" was internet BS.

[@raymondoreilly7569]

Google the serial numbers, I have one from 55

[@cgdeery]

Given away by the Irish civil service in the 90's ..reportedly £40 each...

[@roperbrad93]

Desert dog love the content you upload would you please do a video dedicated to the amazing 264 win mag please sir god bless and thank you for entertaining us all

[@falba1492]

I once read the Enfield No. 3, was the main rifle used by American soldiers in WWI. I’ve never used a 303 British. I’m assuming the M1 Garand is next. If so, it would be awesome to compare the three rifles, AND the three cartilages of the war. The Pea Shooters of WWII! Out of curiosity, which of the three would you prefer to take into battle?

[@geezerp1982]

there is a channel called bloke on the range he did a mad minute with the lee enfield vs the M1 garand , the garand was only faster by 30% ! just shows you the amazing speed of that bolt

[@desertdogoutdoors1113]

I would take the Garand over all other WWII battle rifles in a heartbeat. Great rate of fire, ease of loading, great sights, great trigger, super accurate, and it shot the most well-balanced cartridge in that war. It was also probably the most reliable self-loading rifle at the time. But, if you throw the FG42 into the mix, the conversation gets very interesting.

[@geezerp1982]

@@desertdogoutdoors1113 i might as well then again i am very fast with my lee enfield that i wouldnt feel under armed if the enfield was my only choice

[@gregsmall5939]

The Springfield M-1903 in .30 caliber was the primary US service rifle in WWI. The M-1917 "Enfield", ALSO in 30-06 was a "substitute standard" rifle. It was adapted to US ammunition by Remington, from a pre WWI British design that had been considered to replace the #1,MK3 Enfield. But war got in the way. Remington was contracted by the UK to make it as the "Pattern-1914 Enfield" in .303 standard British ammo. As it was designed to be easily mass produced Remington made them for the US after finding they could easily be retool the rifle to use US standard ammo.

[@Chiller11]

@@desertdogoutdoors1113I would prefer the MP44, the first “assault rifle.” It fired an intermediate cartridge, was select fire, and had a 30 round capacity.

[@benzflynn]

Both theories about the "Irish Contract" are plausible. Often UK manufacturers of all sorts of surplus industrial equipment have a habit of saying it was a Middle East/Far East/African/etc contract that was cancelled so you can have it at a discount. It kinda saves face. It's also known that the Irish Army had stockpiled a good share of LE rifles by the late 1960s. Then they switched to the FN in the 70s. As you say, the FCA Reserve in Ireland used Lee-Enfields for basic drill training. A friend who grew up in UK says likewise with the Territorials there during the same period. Safer than having a lot of young men across the country proficient in automatic rifles ! The thing about these rifles that strikes me is the quality of the stock. Often you see WW1 LE303s with really blackened and grooved stocks. Maybe it's just the wood stain they used in the early models but these ones seem to have a better grade of wood, less knottier stuff. Beech, I believe. Which is harder to work than other varieties and not dimensionally stable. But it's cheaper than other woods used in more expensive leisure rifles and shotguns and it's well dried and treated before manufacture. An exploded 3-D animation of the rifle would be nice so we can see all the parts and how they fit together.

[@Richsmg]

🍀

[@A14b19]

Love shooting mine good hits I’ve had to 300 yards on military range . Beat a guy with telescope 🎉

[@harry9392]

Some of the Irish contact rifles were supplied to the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Ulster specials they were beautiful rifles. Some of these rifles fell into the IRA Hands I am a British Army Vetran and I fired some of these to be honest I liked better than the L1A1 SLR

[@jimmywilliamson8540]

I could never own a rifle or any kind of firearm that I don't shoot unless I simply had 2 of them or 10 of them in which case I would probably just shoot one until it was worn out

[@MrTangolizard]

The Irish and the British get on fine my god how many times has the U.K. bailed out Ireland and it was the British that supplied them to fight the anti treaty IRA

[@rabbitholereviews]

I have several of these and I'd shoot the hell of it--it's made for war.

[@igorchumakov7584]

Hello! In my letters to you, I often wished you a hunting fart! But I apologized for my English! Today my children corrected me ! In my native language, the word fart comes from the word fortune! I apologize again for my English! Good luck, including hunting!

[@NCWoodlandRoamer]

Off topic for this video but I can’t believe how much Ron Spomer learns from you and then repeats. Kind of pathetic really! Lol