Question sur l'origine historique d'un SMLE n°4

Hi les dingues 2 flingues,

Assez récemment j'ai fait l'acquisition chez Cartry d'un fusil Lee-Enfield de catégorie C, modèle SMLE n°4 Mk1 en calibre d'origine .303 British. (standard WWII)

Il est comme neuf, et je m'interroge sur son origine ? En effet, sur la tranche supérieure du boitier, un marquage en lettres majuscules est frappé : "US PROPERTY" .... ? (il est chambré en .303 British)

Auriez vous une idée ?

selon wiki :

Rifle, Number 4 Lee–Enfield No. 4 Mk I* 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 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 nose cap. The latter was the most prominent visual change. Later several models of bladed bayonets were created. 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 US PROPERTY on the left side of the receiver. Canada's Small Arms Limited at Long Branch made over 900,000. Many of these equipped the Canadian Army and many were supplied to the UK and New Zealand. Over a million No. 4 rifles were built by Stevens-Savage in the United States for the UK between 1941 and 1944 and all were originally marked "U.S. PROPERTY". Canada and the United States manufactured both the No. 4 MK. I and the simplified No. 4 MK. I*. The UK and Canada converted about 26,000 No. 4 rifles to sniper equipment. The No. 4 rifle has remained on issue until at least 2016 with the Canadian Rangers, still in .303. Some rifles were converted to the NATO 7.62mm calibre for sniping (L42A1) and several versions for target use. L42A1 sniper rifles were used in the Falklands War. a écrit:

résumé : pendant la seconde guerre les roast-beefs ont demandés au burgers de produire des SMLE, ces armes avaient le marquage us property.

Pour sûr les anglais étaient saturés, la sten a été crée pour cette raison, produire localement une arme ultra rustique et pas chère.

Voici un site qui peut peut-etre t'aider : http://www.allaboutenfields.co.nz/no4s/no4-mki/

BackisMack a écrit:selon wiki :
résumé : pendant la seconde guerre les roast-beefs ont demandés au burgers de produire des SMLE, ces armes avaient le marquage us property. Pour sûr les anglais étaient saturés, la sten a été crée pour cette raison, produire localement une arme ultra rustique et pas chère.

Merci Mack,

Je relève ce passage :

" 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 US PROPERTY on the left side of the receiver. Canada's Small Arms Limited at Long Branch made over 900,000. Many of these equipped the Canadian Army and many were supplied to the UK and New Zealand. Over a million No. 4 rifles were built by Stevens-Savage in the United States for the UK between 1941 and 1944 and all were originally marked "U.S. PROPERTY". Canada and the United States manufactured both the No. 4 MK. I and the simplified No. 4 MK. I*. The UK and Canada converted about 26,000 No. 4 rifles to sniper equipment. The No. 4 rifle has remained on issue until at least 2016 with the Canadian Rangers, still in .303. "

Un internaute sur un autre forum, pense que le gouvernement US était tenu par la constitution américaine n'autorisant pas la vente d'armes à des pays étrangers en guerre tant que les USA ne l'étaient pas eux mêmes. Ces armes auraient donc été considérées comme "prêtées" à la couronne britannique jusqu'en 1941, date de l'entrée des USA dans le conflit
(juste après Pearl Harbour) et que ce serait donc l'explication du marquage " US PROPERTY ". (avant 1941 c'était de la location , après 1941 de la vente ..... ?
Il semble en effet que la manufacture US chargée de produire cette arme fut la SAVAGE COMPANY pour plus d'un million de pièces tout de même ....

Some rifles were converted to the NATO 7.62mm calibre for sniping (L42A1) and several versions for target use. L42A1 sniper rifles were used in the Falklands War.

Les armes converties pour un usage de compétition (target use) portaient la référence L39A1 et j'ai le bonheur d'en posséder un exemplaire en .308w équipé de l'excellent dioptre de match Parker-Hale.

MK23USSOCOM a écrit:Voici un site qui peut peut-etre t'aider : http://www.allaboutenfields.co.nz/no4s/no4-mki/

Je conserve précieusement l'adresse de ce site, merci MK23USSOCOM.


The US made No4MkI’s were produced under the lend-lease agreement and as such will have U.S. PROPERTY stamped across left part of the receiver. Well it should have it stamped there! I’ve had stories recounted to me that some units removed the marks. But again, a very stylised square S or the US flaming proof mark may well give it away.
But these early US marked No4MkI’s will be rather limited in numbers.

Alors ?  " limited in numbers "  or   "Over a million No. 4 rifles were built by Stevens-Savage"  


"The main way in which to easily differentiate the models is the bolt head release mechanism. It is a spring-loaded catch just rearward of the charger guide on the right hand side the receiver. Depressing this allowed the bolt to be removed from the rifle."

Le système permettant de libérer la culasse est effectivement différent. Sur les UK models le poussoir est à l'arrière droit du boitier, sur les US PROPERTY models il est à l'avant droit du boitier, près de la chambre, et la procédure est différente.