No4 with mixed serial numbers

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   I have recently inherited a No4 Mk2.  The rifle is in great shape with a 5 groove barell, strong rifiling, excellent crown, good finish, and excellent wood. (beech).
The rifle has obviously seen use but not abuse.

I am a bit puzzled by the mixed serial numbers.

Electropenciled on the left side of the receiver is:

NO 4 MK 2 (F)
11/49   PF 153859

On the bolt handle is:

  153859

However, on the left side of the wrist (butt socket) is:

    AA
   6648

Obviously, this is not the bolt that originally came with this rifle.

There do not appear to be any other signifigant markings.  No proof marks. No apparent import marks.

My questions:

1.  Since only Fazarkely made the No4 Mk 2 can I presume that the number AA 6648 is an original 
     Fazarkely number?

2.  Since there is no "FTR" marking, what might account for the replacement bolt and the  
     electropencil serial number?

Any thoughts, theories, or information will be much appreciated.

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Aardvark Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: August 01 2012 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote Aardvark Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: No4 with mixed serial numbers Posted: August 01 2012 at 9:42pm
	I have recently inherited a No4 Mk2. The rifle is in great shape with a 5 groove barell, strong rifiling, excellent crown, good finish, and excellent wood. (beech). The rifle has obviously seen use but not abuse. I am a bit puzzled by the mixed serial numbers. Electropenciled on the left side of the receiver is: NO 4 MK 2 (F) 11/49 PF 153859 On the bolt handle is: 153859 However, on the left side of the wrist (butt socket) is: AA 6648 Obviously, this is not the bolt that originally came with this rifle. There do not appear to be any other signifigant markings. No proof marks. No apparent import marks. My questions: 1. Since only Fazarkely made the No4 Mk 2 can I presume that the number AA 6648 is an original Fazarkely number? 2. Since there is no "FTR" marking, what might account for the replacement bolt and the electropencil serial number? Any thoughts, theories, or information will be much appreciated.

Cookie Monster Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Special Member Joined: January 22 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 7510	Post Options Post Reply Quote Cookie Monster Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August 02 2012 at 1:08am
	Welcome to the forum and congrats on your new rifle, let us know how she shoots and post pictures if you can The "Cookie Monster"

Shamu Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 20510	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shamu Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August 02 2012 at 6:13am
	I don't remember the date when the factory serial moved from the wrist to the receiver side, but you may find that you do have a matching bolt & action, the number on the wrist may not be the original one!
	Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)

Aardvark Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: August 01 2012 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote Aardvark Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August 02 2012 at 9:13am
	I should have mentioned that the numbers on the bolt handle AND the numbers on the wrist are STAMPED, NOT electropenciled. The only electropenciled numbers are the ones on the left side of the receiver. There is also a small, very faint F stamped into the top of the bolt handle root.

BlackAck Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: July 25 2012 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 189	Post Options Post Reply Quote BlackAck Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August 03 2012 at 1:51am
	The AA mark has been found on other Enfields and is thought to stand for Ardrossan Academy. The 6648 may be a locally assigned ID. The No. 7 & No. 8 rifles I learned to shoot with had a cadet contingent ID on them on the left wrist in electro-pencil too, our CQMS came up with them. I just remember how awful they looked. So strange serials are not without precedent.

A square 10 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Special Member Donating Member Joined: December 12 2006 Location: MN , USA Status: Online Points: 16997	Post Options Post Reply Quote A square 10 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August 06 2012 at 4:53am
	i agree with the above its an original matching mk2 by FAZ the other marking is a rack/ID #