The video opens on the Classic Firearms surplus wall, with crates and racks of surplus rifles. The hosts, Clint and Matt, introduce a new batch of Lee-Enfield rifles that has just arrived after a long dry spell for this kind of surplus. Clint notes that Matt is the in-house surplus expert and will be doing most of the detailed talking. They explain that these are No.4 Enfield rifles chambered in .303 British, and Clint mentions that he knows them as very good shooting rifles. He points out their distinctive cock-on-close bolt operation, contrasting it with the more familiar cock-on-open Mauser-style bolt actions that many shooters are used to. This segment sets the stage for a closer look at several rifles pulled from the shipment, emphasizing that there is a mix of production origins and configurations represented on the table.
The conversation moves to the different origins and markings found on the No.4 Enfields in this batch. Matt explains that some rifles are marked as U.S. property, indicating they were manufactured by Savage in the United States for transfer to Britain under wartime agreements. Other rifles are what they broadly refer to as British models, which could have been made in England or in British India. A third group consists of Canadian Long Branch rifles, which are clearly identified by their markings and are treated as a distinct category even though Canada was part of the British Empire. Matt describes the No.4 as a descendant of the Short Magazine Lee-Enfield (SMLE), and he highlights the 10-round detachable magazine as a major advantage compared to the more common 5-round magazines on many Mauser-pattern rifles of the same era. This larger capacity, combined with the rifle’s handling characteristics, made it a very capable service arm for its time.
Attention turns to the mechanical operation of the No.4 Enfield. The hosts explain that, unlike typical Mauser actions that cock when the bolt handle is lifted, the Enfield cocks as the bolt is pushed forward and closed. Demonstrating the bolt, they show that opening the action does not fully cock the striker; the resistance is felt on the forward stroke, which is when the striker is tensioned. Matt ties this to body mechanics, noting that a forward pushing motion is generally stronger and more efficient than lifting against spring pressure, which can allow very fast cycling in trained hands. They reference the famous British “Mad Minute” drill, where soldiers were trained to fire a high number of aimed shots in a short period using this action and the 10-round magazine. The hosts remark that this combination of smooth cycling and generous capacity made the No.4 an excellent service rifle, even though Mauser-type actions ultimately became more common in later commercial sporting rifles.
The hosts then highlight specific rifles on the table that bear “U.S. PROPERTY” markings on an angled section of the receiver. Matt explains that these are No.4 rifles produced by Savage in the United States and supplied to Britain under Lend-Lease during World War II. He notes that most of the rifles in this shipment are No.4 Mk1s, but other marks may appear, such as No.4 Mk1*, No.4 Mk2, and No.4 Mk1/2. Rather than representing entirely different models, these marks indicate incremental design and manufacturing changes. As an example, Matt describes two different methods of bolt removal: some receivers have a cutout in the left rail where the bolt head is aligned and then withdrawn, while others use a small catch or lever at the rear of the receiver that must be depressed to remove the bolt. All of these are still part of the No.4 family, with the mark number and suffixes identifying the specific iteration and production updates.
Next, the video focuses on the rear sight assemblies found on the No.4 rifles. The hosts show one rifle with a robust, milled, rounded rear sight that includes a ladder for elevation adjustments. Another rifle is fitted with a simpler stamped, flat, square-pattern rear sight, and they point out that the stamped example on the table appears slightly bent from age and use. A Long Branch rifle at the end of the rack is also noted as having a stamped rear sight. Matt explains that as wartime production ramped up, manufacturers introduced simplified sight designs to speed manufacturing and reduce costs. Over the course of production, several distinct rear sight patterns appeared, including later versions that omitted the tall flip-up ladder in favor of more basic aperture arrangements. He estimates that there are roughly five or six different rear sight variants on No.4 rifles, and these changes are part of what differentiates the various marks and production runs within the No.4 series.
The hosts then address condition and wear, which is a major concern for surplus buyers. They explain that these rifles came from a cache in Africa and have only received a light initial cleaning to remove dust and surface grime. Viewers are told to expect finish wear, such as thinning or loss of bluing on receivers and barrels, and they recommend a thorough cleaning at home before shooting. Matt points out a small crack in an upper handguard on one example, noting that such stress fractures are common on Enfields and are usually not critical when confined to the handguard. However, he cautions that cracks in the wrist or main stock can affect structural integrity and should be inspected carefully. The hosts emphasize that these rifles likely have long and varied service histories, potentially including manufacture in the U.S. or Canada, use in European theaters, postwar surplus sales or aid transfers, and eventual storage in African climates. The visible wear, dings, and repairs are presented as evidence of that history rather than defects alone.
The discussion shifts to the Enfield’s distinctive two-part stock design. Matt explains that, unlike many rifles with a one-piece stock, the Enfield uses a separate buttstock and fore-end that do not directly meet in the middle. This construction often leads to noticeably different wear and coloration between the two pieces. The hosts describe how a rifle might have a fore-end that appears to be in roughly 80% cosmetic condition while the buttstock shows much heavier wear, dents, or discoloration. Possible reasons include buttstock replacement during service, as well as the fact that the butt is the portion most likely to be set down in mud, used to brace the rifle, or even employed to strike objects like crates or doors. They stress that uneven wood tones, mismatched grain, and varying degrees of finish wear are typical for Enfields and should be viewed as normal signs of field use rather than neglect.
To close, the hosts return to the .303 British chambering and the practical use of these rifles today. They describe .303 British as an older, rimmed centerfire cartridge that is still produced by companies such as PPU and some U.S. manufacturers. It is characterized as a full-power rifle cartridge suitable for hunting and capable of good performance at respectable distances. Clint and Matt recall a previous video filmed outside the warehouse where they tried to identify cartridges while blindfolded, comparing 7.62x54R and .303 British by feel alone and noting how similar the two seem in the hand. They reiterate that, once properly cleaned, inspected, and headspaced, these surplus No.4 Enfields should make solid shooters. The current batch offers a mix of origins, marks, and configurations, giving collectors and shooters a chance to pick from U.S. property-marked rifles, British and Indian production, and Canadian Long Branch examples, all sharing the same classic Enfield handling and history.
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