1
Representative history of the use of the cut-off, from the Magazine Lee Metford, to the No. 4 Mk I (T) ex-Trials Rifle. (Arms list in body of article.)
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2
1890? Action Skeleton - Magazine Lee-Metford & Magazine Lee-Enfield Rifles, representing the MLM & MLE family of rifles and carbines.The cut-off makes its debut in Her Majesty's Service.
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3
MLM SKN - Cut-off open. Earliest MLM cut-off differed from this by being narrower for the 8-rd mag., lacked the rectangular stop and had 2 more "spotting" holes near the middle of the plate.
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4
MLM SKN - Cut-off engaged,magazine point-of-view. No cut-out for forward right magazine lip behind pivot screw.
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5
MLM SKN - Cut-off open, bottom. War Department and Enfield inspection stamps visible, as are numerous machining marks for what, misleadingly, first appears to be a relatively simple part.
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6
MLM SKN - Right side, showing configuration of grasping portion of cut-off and giving an appreciation of the amount of milling it took to create it.
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7
1904 Sparkbrook, Sht. Lee-Enfield Mk I***. This model rifle has the upgrades to butt, swivels, sights, etc. of the Mk I, but the cut-off had already reached the basic form it would retain from the Mk I, through the Mk III series.
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8
No. 1 MK I*** - Cut-off open, showing cut-out, (dark area behind pivot screw and below receiver rail), to clear magazine stop clip, and retained through all future types of cut-offs.
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9
No. 1 Mk I*** - Cut-off engaged. Note size of cut-out, (compare to pic. 004). "MA" stamp indicates a later Australian replacement of original. (Un-noticed before this photo was taken, but proof that despite minor variations, these cut-offs are interchangeable.)
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10
1905 L.S.A. Co. Ld., Sht L. E. Mk I***, Grenade Firing - Cut-off removed upon conversion with wire-wrap preventing disassembly to prove it. Surprisingly, during conversion, vice jaws weren't padded.
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11
No. 1 Mk I*** G. F. - Well travelled old warrior showing cut-out in fore-end for clearance of now-removed cut-off, and, just below receiver rail, at front of this cut-out, the pivot screw axis hole.
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12
1915 Enfield, Sht L. E. Mk III, With Aperture Sights, (or, No. I Mk V Trials Pattern) - Pre-production, Mk V prototype, with unique rear sights, volley sight aperture and locking bolt, (safety lever), but still retaining the cut-off.
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13
No. 1 Mk V Trails - First appearance of the Mk V cut-off without "spotting" hole. It may have had the earlier cut-off originally, with this a later replacement, but this is pure speculation, as even the old Pattern Room Collection doesn't have an example of this rifle.
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14
1924 Enfield, Sht L. E. Mk V - Regular production-run model, with the standard Mk V cut-off without "spotting" hole.
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15
No. 1 Mk V - Standard, production-run Mk V with its proper cut-off. Note different rear sight, safety, and lack of volley sight aperture, compared to Trials Rifle, (photo 13).
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16
1930 Enfield, No. 1 Mk VI - Re-stamped serial number with "A" suffix indicating conversion and re-issue as a No. 4. Low receiver wall and groove for locking bolt made it unsuitable for conversion to a (T).
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17
No. 1 Mk VI - Battle scarred veteran of Britain's darkest days in WW II, the original, stamped cut-off has been removed to conform with No. 4 standards.
Fortunately, the checkered forend was not replaced.
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18
1931 Enfield, No. 4 Mk I (T) ex-Trials - Came in a "LESS TELESCOPE" marked transit chest, so telescope doesn't match, but rifle itself appears to be in original condition with Enfield inspector's stamps on almost every part.
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19
No. 4 Mk I (T) ex-Trials - Stamped cut-off still in place. Other original features, such as button cocking piece, transverse striker screw, and lack of trigger guard swivel are evident.
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20
No. 4 Mk I (T) ex-Trials - Cut-off open. Enfield logo on rear sight and magazine platform, (follower), with inspection stamp on front telescope bracket mounting pad.
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21
No. 4 Mk I (T) ex-Trials - Bottom of cut-off shows stamped depression creating stop, inside which is stamped the Enfield logo and "29".
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22
No. 4 Mk I (T) ex-Trials - Tight shot of cut-off makes obvious its stamped production. Note rolled over section creating the grasping piece.
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23
No. 4 Mk I (T) ex-Trials- - Oblique view of stamped cut-off showing simplified construction method. Compare this to cast cut-off in picture 6.
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24
Pics provided courtesy of "Nigel"
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