Make: ROF Fazakerley

Model: No. 5 MKI Jungle Carbine

Serial Number: BE1419

Year of Manufacture: 1945, C&R

Caliber: .303 British

Action Type: Bolt Action, Fed by Detachable Magazine

Barrel Length: 18.75”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a protected post. The rear sight is a ladder-style aperture marked from 200 to 800 yards.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is in a 2 piece wood configuration featuring a straight comb, steel buttplate, checkered semi pistol grip and checkered forend. The buttstock and forend have been hand checkered along with what appears to be topological mapping. The right side of the stock has a hand carved depiction of a running deer. There are some light scratches present. There are no chips or cracks. The stock rates in Very Good condition.

Magazine Quantity & Condition: One 10-round detachable magazine. There is some light operational wear which is typical for service use. The magazine rates in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Oil Dipped

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright, the rifling is sharp. There is no visible erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. There are light scratches present, as well as some thinning on the high contact areas. The screw heads are lightly tool marked with serviceable slots. The markings are clear. This rifle rates in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: 1 Magazine as mentioned above.

Our Assessment: The No. 5 MKI Jungle Carbine was a shortened and lightened evolution of the standard Lee-Enfield rifle, developed in WWII to meet the demands of jungle warfare. Issued to British and Commonwealth forces operating in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, this carbine featured a reduced overall length, flash hider, and hollowed receiver and bolt handle to shed unnecessary weight, making it more maneuverable in dense environments.

This particular rifle was manufactured at ROF Fazakerley in April of 1945 and remains in Very Good condition, with matching serial numbers on the receiver and bolt — a feature sought after by collectors. Most notably, the forend bears extensive trench art carved into the wood by the soldier it was issued to. Trench art is a unique form of battlefield folk art created by service members using the materials and tools available to them during periods of boredom, stress, or reflection. These carvings often carried personal meaning — initials, symbols, slogans — and offered soldiers a way to express identity, commemorate service, or mark time in theater.

For collectors and historians alike, this rifle is more than just a military firearm — it’s a personalized artifact of wartime experience. Whether you're drawn to the mechanical design, the WWII heritage, or the human story etched into the wood, this No. 5 MKI Jungle Carbine is a compelling and rare addition to any military collection.