Jungle carbine-Golden State Arms model

[Stan in SC]

At the South Carolina Arms Collectors show in Columbia,SC I picked up a very pretty Jungle carbine.It is not a true Enfield No.5 but rather a No.4Mk.2 which was converted to jungle carbine configuration sometime in the 1970's or 1980's by a California company called Golden State Arms.This company is no longer in business.
GSA made 11 models of converted Enfields ranging from just slightly sporterized ones all the way to the top of the line model which had extensive rework.Although looked down upon by true collectors of Enfields the GSA models do appeal to the shooters since all of them were made on rifles with good bores and actions.
The one I obtained looks like it just came out of the factory.The wood has no dings and the black finish on the action and barrell is excellent.The bore is shiny new looking and the action functions perfectly with dummy loads.
The rear sight is the 300/600 peep.
This was obtained from a gent walking the aisle with gun in hand and I asked to look at it.A bit of bargaining and it was mine.

Stan

[xpertgreg]

I have one of the GSA's myself, was grandad's hunting rifle. Mine is a 1941 Supreme.

gw

[Stan in SC]

The 1941 Supreme is the top of the line which I mentioned above.I also have one which I found at a Greenville,SC show two years ago.I had a scope mount of the period which is a Weaver quick detach drilled and tapped to it and mounted a 1970's vintage Weaver variable on it.Before mounting the scope which I have had for about 30 years it was sent back to Weaver for complete refurbishment.
The 1941 Supreme is a great rifle.The only part left of the original Enfield is the action which has been "slicked up".The barrel is aftermarket of a heavier contour than a stock Enfield and the checkered walnut stock is reputedly a Bishop.I hunt with mine a lot and it is very accurate having the heavier barrell.
I am glad someone else has one and yours is doubly more valuable having been your granddad's rifle.

Stan

[xpertgreg]

I love mine, but have been tinkering with the idea of having it drilled and tapped. I would love to take a deer with it, but I'm not great with iron sights, and since it is infact meant for hunting I'd have no problem doing it was it's real value to me is that it was Pop's. I think he would agree to have it D&T'ed as well. I just haven't been able to find anyone that i'd trust to do it (locally that is). I'm so afraid that it would get lost in the mail, or messed up that I have never had it done.

do you have any pics of the setup you have on yours? or know where I could get a like setup?

gw

[Stan in SC]

Mine was done here by Fred the gunsmith at Low Tech whose link is on the home page.He did a great job.
Fred is very very milsurp oriented and knowledgeable which is not the usual case with gunsmiths.
The mount is the Weaver quick detach.


Stan

[xpertgreg]

Stan, don't know if you have seen this site or not, but just in case I'll post it.

http://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/~stratton/SantaFeRifles.htm

here is a mount that for some reason I'd like to find, just seems like it fits.

[xpertgreg]

also, do you know if the synthetic sporter stocks would fit these? I have thought about having the original stock refinished and trying to put a synthetic on for hunting purposes, and just using the original during the off season.

gw

[Stan in SC]

That mount is exactly the mount I used.It's a Weaver quick disconnect.
I'm sure that synthetic stocks would fit.I would use the original stock.

[Rockman]

I'd use the original stock, but I'd get a 10 round mag. for that beautiful piece!

[Stan in SC]

One of the identifying featues of some "GSA" or "Santa Fe" rifles as they are called is the distinctive 5 round magazine.These are always marked "Santa Fe" and "Japan" on them.Of course not all of these rifles have them.Some have the normal milsurp 10 round magazines.
In some states it is not legal to hunt with a 10 round magazine.

Stan

[Rockman]

Stan, I understand what you mean. 10 rounder just for display then? ;)

[gunguy56]

I know this is a response to a dated thread, but last weekend I picked up at a local gunshow a Sante Fe 1941 Supreme. The checkered stock was by Sile, and the barrel has the stamping-"PRODUCED BY THE SANTE FE DIVISION OF GOLDEN STATE ARMS CORPORATION 1941 SUPREME". The bore is a 5-groove in mint condition, but I believe that it is the original barrel, as there are remnants of military stampings on the barrel next to the front edge of the receiver that the polishing wheel did not completely remove. The weapon was a good buy at $250, and will be a welcome addition to my growing "herd" of Enfields. Am considering drilling and tapping it for a Weaver side-mount. All in all, a pretty sporter that I'm planning on turning into a hunting rifle. Glad that I found it....

[Cork]

I have used a S&K mount that replaced the rear sight on a No4. The mount is on a No 5 Carbine now. Countryboy who hits some of the other boards owns this No4 enfield now. The mount is very sturdy. Santa Fe Collecting is gaining steam. I do not have any enfield sporters a d&t mount would be lower and give a better cheek weld. Still this works when one does not want to harm a CnR rifle.
Cork
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e205/relichound/TedwithHogenfield.jpg

[Stan in SC]

Cork,That's a big azz pig!Thanks for the picture.You are correct on the Santa Fe collecting seeming to gain steam.

gunguy56,How did you determine that the stock was by Sile?I always heard and have never had it verified that the 1941 Supreme stock was by Bishop.
Also if you mike a stock military barrel and mike the 1941 Supreme barrel there's a diameter difference.At least this was true on mine.

Stan

[A square 10]

nice pig - that young man got a nice rifle as well