Vol. IX No. 1
Sterling & Enfield Conversions of Lee–Enfield No. 4 Rifles to 7.62 NATO: An Explanation for Certain Design Choices?
Mike Burns
Abstract
Both the Sterling Engineering Company Limited and Royal Small Arms Factory Enfield proposed conversions of Lee–Enfield No. 4 rifles to the 7.62 × 51 mm (NATO) calibre in the 1960s. This article discusses a number of the design details of these two distinct conversions, and posits a possible explanation for some of the differences, namely on the basis of Sterling’s UK Patent No. 897,079. By making certain design choices regarding the charger bridge and ejector, Enfield managed to find a technical solution which avoided infringing Sterling’s patent, and hence avoided a legal battle that could have arisen from its 7.62 × 51 mm No. 4 rifle conversions.
Get access.
Issue: Vol. IX No. 1
Published: 31 July, 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52357/armax64815
Peer-reviewed?: Yes
Keywords: RSAF Enfield, Sterling, Lee–Enfield, bolt-action rifles, 7.62 × 51 mm, calibre conversions
Bibliographic Information
Mike Burns, ‘Sterling & Enfield Conversions of Lee–Enfield No. 4 Rifles to 7.62 NATO: An Explanation for Certain Design Choices?’, Armax: The Journal of Contemporary Arms, Vol. IX № 1 (2023), pp. 77–88, <https://doi.org/10.52357/armax64815>.
About the Author
Mike Burns is the founder of the YouTube channel Bloke on the Range, and has been a hobbyist historic firearms researcher since his teenage years. Since 2016, he and Fabien Compos have been publishing videos regarding historic firearms, sports shooting, military history, and related topics. Professionally, Mike works in intellectual property in Switzerland.