Identification and Serial Numbers |
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Henderblur
Newbie Joined: November 05 2018 Location: Georgia Status: Offline Points: 7 |
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Posted: November 05 2018 at 3:48pm |
he!!o, I recently bought a No.4 Mk 1/2 Lee Enfield and am having some trouble interpreting some of the markings. I've read a lot of material online on identifying Enfields, but I've gotten very few answers regarding this one in particular. Here is the No.4 Mk. 1/2 and what i believe to be the new serial number that was given to it during the /2 upgrade This serial number matches the one on the band with a screw that was added with the trigger upgrade, if I'm not mistaken. Along with this It seems to be a faint 'T' to the left of the serial number, which I am not sure of the meaning. I know some of the rifles that were chosen to become snipers were marked with a 'T', but I'm not convinced this is an example of that. Of course if I'm wrong please tell me. This picture shows a second set of letters and numbers to the left of the first markings shown. I have come to think that this may be the original serial number, but I have not seen this formatting in my research yet. It reads "TR 1953". This may be related to the /2 upgrade. I'm really not sure about much of this and I would greatly appreciate anyone knowledge or input on these markings. Here is the picture of the serial number on the band and the back of the bolt. |
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maxwell smart
Senior Member Joined: January 23 2009 Status: Offline Points: 236 |
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This conversion has markings consistent with having been done by BSA in 1953.
The markings used by BSA are different to those used by ROF Fazakerley, which also did conversions. It seems possible that the BSA conversions were done for non-British Government contracts, and that previous markings were scrubbed and new serials were applied.
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Bear43
Special Member Donating Member Joined: August 11 2010 Location: Doland, SD Status: Offline Points: 3059 |
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In the second picture those circular marks are Maltby inspection stamps. So, your rifle went through the Maltby factory at some point in its life as well.
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Zed
Special Member Donating Member Joined: May 01 2012 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 5585 |
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I don't see a serial number on the rear of the bolt! is it marked elswhere?
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It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!
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Henderblur
Newbie Joined: November 05 2018 Location: Georgia Status: Offline Points: 7 |
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Henderblur
Newbie Joined: November 05 2018 Location: Georgia Status: Offline Points: 7 |
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Goosic
Senior Member Joined: September 12 2017 Location: Phoenix Arizona Status: Offline Points: 8792 |
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That is not a TR 1953. That is a FTR 1953 electro stenciled over the original Maltby markings. FTR= Factory Thorough Repair. 1953 is when the rifle was rebuilt/repaired to the Mk1/2 configuration.
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Goosic
Senior Member Joined: September 12 2017 Location: Phoenix Arizona Status: Offline Points: 8792 |
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Is there a big screw through the wood just in front if the magazine? The butt socket looks like it was scrubbed and renumbered. India rebuild perhaps. It is definitely not a sniper rifle by the way.
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Henderblur
Newbie Joined: November 05 2018 Location: Georgia Status: Offline Points: 7 |
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Thanks for the info. That being FTR does make sense, I looked closer and the 'F' was covered by the stamp, but it is actually still there. There isn't a screw in front of the magazine, but there is one directly above the trigger which I believe was a part of the conversion. On the bolt I found this marking. The arrow I think I read was a marking that meant it was indeed a non-government export and that there was often a letter near it denoting the country, but if that was the case I don't know what 'M' could be. |
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paddyofurniture
Senior Member Joined: December 26 2011 Location: NC Status: Offline Points: 5255 |
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The "M" is the boot head size.
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Always looking for military manuals, Dodge M37 items,books on Berlin Germany, old atlases ( before 1946) , military maps of Scotland. English and Canadian gun parts.
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hoadie
Moderator Group Joined: March 16 2006 Location: Niagara/Canada Status: Offline Points: 9003 |
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..I think he means "Bolt head size"
You hafta understand Paddy...he's pheonetically challenged |
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Loose wimmen tightened here
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Shamu
Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 17603 |
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Yes the "hung trigger" of the Mk2 couldn't use the "strap" previously used to hold the rear of the forend & was replaced by a through bolt instead.
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Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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A square 10
Special Member Donating Member Joined: December 12 2006 Location: MN , USA Status: Offline Points: 14452 |
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nice mk 2 conversion with some interesting history i think , i like the worn look of the finish , it gives it character ,
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Henderblur
Newbie Joined: November 05 2018 Location: Georgia Status: Offline Points: 7 |
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Thanks for the all the info and comments. The only big mystery really left now is where it was sent after the conversion. Does anyone know if that is something that is able to be figured out?
The bolt is also peculiar to me. The flat edges don't really match what I've seen on other rifles.
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maxwell smart
Senior Member Joined: January 23 2009 Status: Offline Points: 236 |
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I think the bolt head markings might actually be "M47", with the "4" being very lightly struck.
No 4 bolt heads were sized by numbers, not letters. I think I can just make out the "0" size numeral on the top edge of the bolthead. |
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Shamu
Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 17603 |
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The bolt head size number was on the outside face of the lug, not the top. This is the "0" on my No5. |
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Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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