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HomeLibraryCanadaLee-Enfield No. 4
Bolt-action Rifle

Lee-Enfield No. 4

The tough and fast-firing bolt-action rifle carried by Canadian infantry throughout World War II and Korea.

Canada Introduced 1939 Small Arms Limited / Royal Small Arms FactoryRole: Standard infantry rifle

Specifications

Caliber
.303 British
Weight
9 pounds
Magazine Capacity
10 rounds
Effective Range
550 yards
The Lee-Enfield No. 4 of Canada

History

The Lee-Enfield No. 4 was the primary personal weapon used by Canadian soldiers across battlefields in Europe during the Second World War. Built to be rugged and reliable, it was capable of working in deep mud, pouring rain, and freezing cold without breaking down.

Canadian factories, notably Small Arms Limited in Long Branch, Ontario, produced hundreds of thousands of these rifles for Allied armies. Soldiers loved the rifle because its smooth bolt design allowed them to shoot rapidly and hold ten rounds of ammunition at a time, twice as many as most enemy rifles.

After World War II, Canadian troops carried the trusty Lee-Enfield into battle once again during the Korean War. It remained in regular front-line service until the Canadian military began transitioning to modern automatic rifles during the early Cold War.

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