Much cuter than its big brother the MK III, which has always looked nose-heavy to me (even though it's not).
The thing that really cracks me up about the No. 5 is the "recoil concentrator" on the butt . . . . What WERE they thinking? That thing HURTS!
Yeah, I thought it was pretty neat looking, too. Picked mine up for - wait for it - $150 at the local Black Sheep Sporting Goods store. The fact that it was in .308 made it am easy buy, but even if it had been in the standard .303, I would have bought it anyway. Love the Enfield action. Bought a bunch of the No 1 Mk III 2a variants a while back. Fixed ‘em up, zeroed ‘em and stashed them away with a bit of other kit. The ultimate ‘rainy day’ rifle that you can use to get yourself another rifle.
Sure wish the No 5 was more fun to shoot, though. The missus thought it was a cool little rifle, too - until she shot it. And that was that. Been sitting in the armory for the last 10 years basically untouched. Sigh.
BTW - saw them recently offered for $650 from Hunter’s Lodge. Guess I’ll keep mine.
I have an Enfield No.4 Mk1, with a solid brass butt-plate. Is that the 'recoil concentrator'? It does hurt like hell, and after a few 20-round boxes, I can't take any more.
How in the hell did Victorian soldiers make it through a battle? Their shoulders must've been made of iron back in those days.