Two Soldiers Killed by One Bullet. Taliban Sniper Used Old British Rifle

Gather ^ | July 09, 2011 | Dexter X. South

[bkopto]

Two Soldiers in Afghanistan knelt to study their map. One quick shot rings out, and both men fall. One shot through the head and the other through the neck. Considering all of today's military technology, it is surprising to learn how it happened.

Private Lewis Hendry and Private Conrad Lewis were part of a patrol looking for a sniper that had fired upon another group of soldier's the day before. Once they came to the suspected area, the two soldiers knelt behind a wall and started looking at their map as they called out for a possible target location. A shot rang out and both men fell to their right. One died immediately, the other passed away in flight to a medical facility.

Military officials say the culprit is a 55-year-old Afghan male who uses an old Enfield rifle made in Britain. The rifle is just one of millions made since 1903. Different versions have been the favorite of snipers for over one hundred years. Highly accurate and simple to use, the bolt-action Enfield has been found in almost every war since their inception. Equipped with a powerful scope, they can be deadly at great distances. However, a well-trained and disciplined sniper can kill easily with just the basic rifle.

Ironically, the two solders were members of the British military, the very same army for which the weapon was designed. Americans often discount the power, ability and dedication of the British military. This tragic incident is just one of many for British soldiers as they have tread beside our own in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Intentionally killing two soldiers with one shot is the hallmark of a dedicated sniper. It does matter if he used an antique fire arm and rides around on a common motorbike. This sniper is one to be reckoned with and is described by Sergeant Major Richard Hames of Britain's 3 PARA unit as "the most well-trained and patient assassin we have come up against in Afghanistan." Do not worry; it will not be long before the sniper is dead. One of the deadliest and most historic armies in the world has his number.

[Noumenon]

I got mine for $110 each. Looked like they’d been on the march, but shot very little if at all.

[GladesGuru]

For those curious about the Lathi L-39, the following may be of interest. The designers brother fired the first two magazine, and wanted more, but they were out. Not too bad on the recoil, evidently.

But, don’t make changes to such a gun, lest the recoil increase. The descriptions are priceless, and the amount of data on that site is remarkable.

http://guns.connect.fi/gow/QA2.html

[Southbound]

I had one of those old Enfield .303s and learned a valuable lesson about the “feed” problems. Seems a load of them were shipped here with the rifles in one crate/pallet/box/whatever and the bolts were shipped in another. Reassembled without checking the headspace (whether the bolt actually FIT that particular rifle). Oh, the bolt would go in, but if the headspace wasn't correct, it could cause the brass cartridge to swell around the base when fired, thus causing an extraction or “feed” problem, not to mention being somewhat dangerous. I got rid of it as soon as I learned what it might do......

[mylife]

The Yugo SKS's also have tons of war art. I have one that reads "Faith in God, Fatherland and Buda" Buda being the 13th century Budamir who held off the muslim hordes

[hiredhand]

Unless the shooter is very, very good, he'll get his due...probably from the air... probably overkill, but he'll get his due. If they know the shooter's gender, age, and weapon details, then I'm willing to wager that they know a whole lot more about him, and his time is therefore SHORT. This type of information doesn't just fly out of somebody's butt without other preceding information on the guy.

We've got a No-4 Mk-1 Enfield (U.S. Lend Lease) and it's a heck of a rifle by it's own right. The old WW-I and WW-II ammo left some to be desired, but mainly because of bullet design. The round nosed, jacketed bullets were good for their time, but compared to high B.C. projectiles available today, they're sub-standard performers. We've got a hand-load behind a 150gr Speer spitzer that will give the .308 Winchester a run for its money at several hundred yards!

Yeah... prayers up for our troops, as well as the Brits and Aussies fighting with them. ...hope they get the shooter soon!

[mylife]

http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=497576

[Psalm 144]

Yeah, those SKS made good, serviceable hand-out rifles back when they were cheaper.

**********************

How much are they now, roughly?

[Stonewall Jackson]

Back in 1995-96 I worked for a small department store (Rose's) that sold surplus military rifles (Enfields, Mausers, Mosin-Nagants, and the occasional '03 Springfield) at rediculously low prices (Enfields for under $50, Mausers for $50-100, Nagants for $30, and the Springfields for $150) but I only bought a couple because I'm left-handed and have a hard time dealing with the bolt action.

I have kicked myself ever since. They would have made perfect weapons to cache for a rainy day or save to sell at gun shows. But I was young and dumb at the time.

The one Swedish Mauser (M96) that I picked up is in almost mint condition, with all matching numbers and a beautiful white birch stock. Even though I have a hard time working the action, it is a joy to shoot. But that metal butt plate is killer.

[ExpatGator]

Yes, that is said. Whatever the case, the Yanks turned the tide in that war with their rifles, tactics and abilities.

[Noumenon]

Looks like they’re around $250 - $350 depending on origin and condition. Used to be around $120-$140.

[Noumenon]

Interesting to know.

[Stonewall Jackson]

Back in the mid-1990's, you could pick up Russian or European SKS's for $100 and the Chinese variant for $60. Now, at a minimum, a Russian will run $400, Europeans are about $300, and Chinese are $250.

Surplus 7.62x39 ammo used to run around $3-4 for a box of 20. Now that same box will set you back almost $10. Even buying in bulk, you are going to pay about $120 for 500 rounds or $220 for a box of 1000. You don't even want to know what the name-brand ammo costs now.

[ngat]

“Ballistically, the .303 is about on a par with the old Span Am War .30-40 Krag.”

No, the .303 offers quite a bit more in terms of working pressure and velocity than the Krag.

[Psalm 144]

Wow! Price has doubled since I looked at them last. Supply and demand I guess. Thanks for your reply, and Noumenon this is sufficient answer.

Regards all.

[Psalm 144]

I missed your reply here. Thanks. From what you and Stonewall have said they have doubled in price since I last looked at them.

[glock rocks]

My first mulie hunt I used a 30-40 Krag, and you’re right... smooth action and accurate... being young at the time, I recall it was kinda heavy and kicked pretty good too. I saved up and bought a Remington 700 bdl 30-06 and later on traded it for a adl in 308. Wish I now had all three of em.

[Bulwyf]

I have a No.1 Mk. III date stamped on rifle is 1911, for India, great shape, and fires well and very accurate. It’s a good rifle, just harder to find .303 surplus ammo anymore.

[PalmettoMason]

Back in 1995-96 I worked for a small department store (Rose's) that sold surplus military rifles (Enfields, Mausers, Mosin-Nagants, and the occasional '03 Springfield) at rediculously low prices (Enfields for under $50, Mausers for $50-100, Nagants for $30,...

We have a sporting goods store here locally that is advertising Nagants for $85. I have a friend who works there in the gun department that says they're in pretty good shape.

Now I only have to figure out how to disguise it as a lamp or something to sneak it into the house, because the wife will NEVER believe that I bought a gun for only $85... LOL.

[DuncanWaring]

If you’re worried about that, have a gunsmith check/fix-as-required the headspace on yours.

[Celtic Conservative]

The mosin nagants can be had for $150 or less, and some are available from the chain stores (cabelas,etc.)> I am saving up for one now.

CC