Can't Make out Serial Number
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URL: http://www.enfield-rifles.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11794
Printed Date: March 26 2026 at 2:51pm
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Topic: Can't Make out Serial Number
Posted By: cgav34
Subject: Can't Make out Serial Number
Date Posted: December 21 2021 at 8:06am
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I was gifted what appears to be a No 4 MK 1. The only markings on the rifle are shown in the two images below. First image, I can make out "4 MK 1" The only thing I can make out in the second image is: 1943 L7807 There appears to be some engraving above 1943 that I can't make out, and also what appears to be a F and a 7 at the bottom, near the trigger guard. I'm guessing the L in the serial # signifies it came from the Canadian plant, and that it was built in 1943?   |
Replies:
Posted By: A square 10
Date Posted: December 21 2021 at 11:44am
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if this was a longbranch by 43 it would have a double digit before the L and the balance of the serial number after those three , also longbranch was making the mkI* rifles not the mkI i think its a maltby but ill allow those that know more of them to confirm or refute
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Posted By: Goosic
Date Posted: December 21 2021 at 11:52am
| What is the serial number on the bolt handle? |
Posted By: Bear43
Date Posted: December 21 2021 at 1:05pm
| I honestly can't tell if that serial starts with a "1" or an "L". It looks like there is a partially scrubbed number below it. |
Posted By: britrifles
Date Posted: December 21 2021 at 1:05pm
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Pretty bad serial numbering to be a Long Branch, and I think they used a “0” prefix in front of the “L” for the first 9,999 rifles. Not exactly sure when they changed to Mk I*, but quite early in production, in late 1942 I think… Does it have the bolt release catch on the right side of the receiver that you push down to release the bolt (Mk I) or does it have a slot in the front of the receiver track on the right side that the bolt head rides in (raceway) which allows the bolt head to be rotated out of the track for removal (Mk I* change only implemented at Long Branch and Chicopee Falls). |
Posted By: AussieShooter
Date Posted: December 21 2021 at 1:18pm
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My vote is an “L” as the prefix. I don’t recognize anything before the L. Unfortunately I can’t decipher anything in the first photo. I also noticed the FTR stamp at the bottom near the trigger guard screw. I thought only Australia used FTR? ------------- "Corruptissima re publica plurimae leges" - Tacitus The more corrupt the state, the more it legislates |
Posted By: britrifles
Date Posted: December 21 2021 at 1:23pm
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I don’t know which arsenals performed the FTR. Fazakerley did many No. 4 rifles, I have several that are marked FTR(F) with Fazakerley made 5 groove barrels. I don’t think Long Branch did, nor Savage. I’m regretting not taking my copy of Skennerton with me over the Christmas holiday, left it at home.
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Posted By: Goosic
Date Posted: December 21 2021 at 1:31pm
That is not a L. It is a D
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Posted By: cgav34
Date Posted: December 21 2021 at 1:39pm
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The bolt handle has the same L7807. The first character is definitely a L, in a sans font. It does have the bolt release, so a MK1. There’s also an * stamped on the top of the receiver.
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Posted By: Goosic
Date Posted: December 21 2021 at 2:24pm
| That * on top of the reciever is either two broad arrows facing each other for out of service or it just indicates that an Armourer found rust in the chamber or the bore or both. If the bolt handle and reciever both have L7807 you just might have yourself a scrubbed POF rifle. |
Posted By: britrifles
Date Posted: December 21 2021 at 2:34pm
| That’s what I was thinking. None of my three Long Branch rifles have that type font stamp. A simple “L” and numbers are all in line, not jumbled around. I’m pretty sure Long Branch was making Mk I* rifles by 1943. |
Posted By: AussieShooter
Date Posted: December 21 2021 at 2:56pm
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I have an Aussie receiver with the * which we (this board) determined was the broad arrow OOS mark based on its size - it was larger then the * marking used for model designation or rust. This rifle also has the black paint on the metal - I think this may indicate POF?? ------------- "Corruptissima re publica plurimae leges" - Tacitus The more corrupt the state, the more it legislates |
Posted By: A square 10
Date Posted: December 21 2021 at 11:42pm
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dont think it a longbranch - that L prefix with four digit serial number might be identifiable if i had my references , but i dont , im quite certain it can be identified by that data from the tables and the date can confirm , the tables show the contracts and the digits assigned to each contract , one might have to jump around a bit to get there but its there , if its FTRd that can change the data , i cannot make that out in what was presented tho , 43 is midwar high production era ,
ill rephrase - its not a longbranch , or a savage , by 43 they were both mkI*s , they only made a mkI in the very earliest days of production and very few of those in either case so very rare and somewhat valuable as such , this is NOT one of those , |