The blade bayonet for a Lee-Enfield No 5 Mk I. 5 Mk I rifle intended for Airborne use were also trialled, but were not put into production. Similarly, a number of "takedown" models of No. 5 Mk 2 version (or, more accurately, versions, as several were put forward) of the rifle was proposed (including changes such as strengthening the action to enable grenade-firing, and mounting the trigger from the receiver instead of on the trigger guard), but none of them was ever put into production and there was subsequently no No. 5 blade bayonet, which was also designed to serve as a combat knife if needed. ĭue to the large conical flash suppressor, the No 5 Mk I could only mount the No. 4 Mk I rifles then in service) and general ease of use, although there were some concerns from troops about the increased recoil due to the lighter weight and shorter barrel. It was used in the Far East and other Jungle-type environments (hence the "Jungle Carbine" nickname) and was popular with troops because of its light weight (compared to the SMLE and Lee-Enfield No. A number of "lightening cuts" were made to the receiver body and the barrel, the bolt knob drilled out, woodwork cut down to reduce weight and had other new features like a flash suppressor and a rubber buttpad to help absorb the increased recoil. 5 was about 100 mm shorter and nearly a kilogram lighter than the No. 5 Mk I was informally referred to as the "Jungle Carbine" by British and Commonwealth troops during World War II and the Malayan Emergency. The term "Jungle Carbine" was colloquial and never officially applied by the British Armed Forces, but the Rifle No. Production began in March 1944, and finished in December 1947.
This is where the "Jungle Carbine" nickname comes from. The end of the war in Europe overtook widespread issue of the No.5 and most of the operational use of this rifle occurred in post-war colonial campaigns such as the Malayan emergency, where engagement ranges tended to be shorter and its handier size and reduced weight were an advantage. 4 Mk I, designed not for jungle fighting but in response to a requirement for a "Shortened, Lightened" version of the No.4 rifle for airborne forces in the European theatre of operations. 5 Mk I which was a derivative of the British Lee Enfield No. Jungle Carbine was an informal term used for the Rifle No. Royal Ordnance Factory Fazakerley, Birmingham Small Arms CompanyĢ51,368 total 81,329 (BSA Shirley), 169,807 (ROF Fazakerley) ġ0-round magazine, loaded with 5-round charger clipsįlip-up rear aperture sights, fixed-post front sights Rifle No 5 Mk I (aka Lee-Enfield No 5 Mk I, aka Lee-Enfield Jungle Carbine)