Unique Enfield For the Enfield Lovers Among Us.

Dimitri · Super Member Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5946

Quote::

Small numbers of Lee-Enfield rifles were built as, or converted to, experimental semi-automatic loading systems, the best-known of which was the Charlton Automatic Rifle, designed by a New Zealander, Philip Charlton.

During WWII, the majority of New Zealand's land forces were deployed in North Africa. When Japan entered the war in 1941, New Zealand found itself lacking the light machine guns that would be required for local defence should Japan choose to invade. The New Zealand Government funded the development of self-loading conversion kits for the Lee-Enfield rifle. The end result was the Charlton Automatic Rifle (based on the obsolete MLE) which was issued to Home Guard units in NZ from 1942. Over 2000 conversions were made - including some by the Australian firm Electrolux using Lithgow SMLE Mk III* rifles- and an example is viewable at the NZ Army museum in Waiouru (NZ), as well as at the Infantry Museum in Singleton, NSW (Australia) and the Imperial War Museum in London (UK).

There is one for sale for 10,000$ NZ ( www.guncity.co.nz/303-...29426.html ) or
6,600$ USD
3,550 UK Pound
7,500$ CAD
8,750$ AUD

Shocking! Shocked

Dimitri

kbis

Do they say how reliable they were, looks like a mechanical nightmare.

Dimitri · Super Member Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5946

Kbis,

I do not know how reliable they were, not much on these guns, I'd think they would be plenty reliable though, looks like a mess but thats only because they had to install everything externally from the gun Smile

This is the South African Model of a semi-automatic version of the Lee-Enfield:

Myself I'd prefer the New Zealand design no chance of having the bolt wack in to your face like the South African model. Shocked

Dimitri

kbis

Strange.
I am with you about the bolt.
It would be interesting to see one in person.

Dimitri · Super Member Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5946

If I had 7,500$ laying around I'd buy it just to see how it is Laughing

Dimitri