1951 Enfield Rifle Breech Cover (C.B. & Co. Ltd, Australia)
Australian made canvas breech cover for .303 Lee Enfield rifles, stamped C.B. & Co. Ltd 1951 with A.M. 23/71 contract code and D↑D property mark, associated with early Korean War era service.
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Specifications
| General Information | |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia (Commonwealth pattern equipment) |
| Manufacturer | C.B. & Co. Ltd |
| Model | Breech cover for .303 Lee Enfield rifles, A.M. 23/71 contract pattern |
| Year | 1951 |
| Caliber / Type | Canvas breech cover for SMLE No. 1 Mk III* and No. 4 pattern rifles |
| Configuration | Olive drab cotton canvas cover with curved nose section, side flap with snaps, reinforced seams and leather drawstring through metal eyelets. |
| Serial Number | Not serialized |
| Markings | Ink stamps inside the cover: "C.B. & CO. LTD", "1951", "A.M. 23/71" and broad arrow with D↑D Australian Department of Defence property mark. |
Historical Summary
After the Second World War, Australia continued to rely on the .303 Lee Enfield rifle for both regular and reserve forces. When Australian troops deployed to Korea between 1950 and 1953, they carried SMLE No. 1 Mk III*, No. 4 and No. 5 rifles supported by British pattern webbing and a growing range of locally produced accessories.
This breech cover belongs to that early Cold War and Korean War period of equipment. It was produced under Australian Department of Defence specifications, as indicated by the D↑D property mark and broad arrow acceptance stamp, and carries the A.M. 23/71 contract code associated with canvas rifle accessories. Similar covers with matching markings and early 1950s dates are known from Commonwealth service, often turning up in surplus alongside Australian marked webbing.
In the field, breech covers protected the rifle action in dusty, muddy or very wet environments. They helped keep fouling and moisture out of the receiver and bolt raceway during marches, vehicle transport and static guard duty. In conditions like those encountered in Korea, with hard freezes, mud and dust, a simple canvas cover could make a real difference in keeping a rifle reliable and reducing cleaning time.
Collector Notes
Collectors value these Australian marked breech covers because they combine clear contract information, a specific 1951 date, a readable contractor stamp and the distinctive D↑D property marking. Together those elements tie the piece to Australian Department of Defence inventory in the early 1950s and to Korean War era Commonwealth service.
On this example the canvas retains its olive drab tone with even fade and no tears, fraying or field repairs. Staining and handling marks are consistent with service rather than abuse. The leather drawstring remains present and flexible, which is not guaranteed on hard used canvas gear. The maker and contract stamps are light but still legible under close inspection.
Because many breech covers were discarded once rifles were retired or converted, complete and clearly marked examples are less common than slings or standard webbing pieces. This pattern pairs especially well with an Australian issued SMLE or No. 4 rifle, a Korean War webbing set and period photographs of Australian forces in Korea.
Provenance
- Acquired as surplus and later identified through comparison with other breech covers marked C.B. & Co. Ltd and A.M. 23/71.
- No specific unit or individual soldier association is documented, but the markings place it firmly within Australian Department of Defence stocks in the early 1950s.
- Retains original finish and hardware, with only routine cleaning for display.
Downloads
- 1951 Enfield Breech Cover - Collector Info Sheet (DOCX)