The Enfield 1914 Pattern “Sniper’s Rifle”
As each battalion now holds three of these rifles on charge for sniping purposes (G.R.O. 3567) it is essential that your snipers shall understand the main differences between this and the R.S.M.L.E.
It is as well to understand at once that a far higher degree of accuracy can be obtained from the Enfield 1914 than from the R.S.M.L.E., and this is the reason why it has been issued to snipers. The higher degree of accuracy is due to two main causes:—
- 1. The rifles so issued have been specially selected from thousands of other rifles of the same pattern, on account of their accuracy, after severe and exhaustive tests.
- 2. The rifle is fitted with an aperture or peep sight, which, as will be readily acknowledged by most expert riflemen, possesses a great advantage over the open U or V backsight. It is therefore unnecessary to focus the backsight, and the blur which is unavoidable when aiming with the open U or V backsight is entirely absent with the aperture or peep sight.
The following are the main differences which must be noted and thoroughly understood in order to get the best results from the new rifle.
THE SIGHT
The rear of the body is made in the form of a bed in which the sight should always lie when not in use. In this position the aperture battle sight can be used if desired, but it should seldom be necessary for the sniper to use this sight. The battle sight is actually sighted to hit on the aiming mark at about 400 yards’ range.
The sight leaf is hinged on to the sight bed and is raised to an angle of about 90° from the sight bed for use. There are in all four positions in which it will rest. (See [diagram 1].)
- 1. At an angle of about 45° from the sight bed; this is the most convenient position for “sight setting.”
- 2. At an angle of about 90°; this is the position when in use.
- 3. At an angle of about 135°.
- 4. At an angle of about 180°.
The two last positions have been made possible so as to avoid damaging the sight by accidentally knocking it, if raised against undergrowth, etc., when skirmishing.