1942 Enfield Savage/Stevens India ??? |
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phantomphixxer
Newbie Joined: August 03 2009 Location: KY Status: Offline Points: 5 |
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Posted: August 03 2009 at 3:09am |
New to the Enfield rifles:
I recently purchased a 1942 No.4 MK I s/n 25XX all numbers match, bolt, stock, socket and magazine. The breech has a crown over CP proof. The small parts (bands, sight and magazine) are marked with the square S or box S. The stock has a large F R on side and near the socket on the bottom is stamped L.S. 1950 is stamped near the socket on side of stock.
The flat (LH) side of receiver has no marking other than No. 4 MK I and what appears to be a punch mark hardness test? Behind the front sight on the metal forend cap is a J B stamped.
I know that during lend lease the U.S. Prop was marked along with the bursting bomb stamp. This rifle has neither? The socket band has the date and S/N and what appears to be a partial "B". The right side of the socket band has no marks but still has the same tooling marks and finish as the left side. It does not appear to be "scrubbed?" No disc in stock and dozens of cartouches including the broad arrow.
I usually can make an edumecated guess but this one has me scratching my head? Does the small parts marked with the Square S and the numbers matching make this a possible Savage reworked in India? Thanks
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Cookie Monster
Special Member Joined: January 22 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 7510 |
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Rifles were only stamped with the Lend Lease during WWII. I know of several rifles where they took Savage receivers that were left from the war as surplus parts and were made if to rifles at one of the various Common Worth armories.
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phantomphixxer
Newbie Joined: August 03 2009 Location: KY Status: Offline Points: 5 |
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During the cash & carry years when International Law didn't require the ruse of lend lease did the rifles have the Bursting Bomb proof? My receiver isn't marked? Could this be a Savage as all the small parts are stamped along with the magazine (F) factory (R) Repaired in India? All the numbers match. India used the F R instead of the F T R. Wasn't India the only ones to serialize the magazine to the rifle?
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Enfield trader
Senior Member Joined: May 11 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 741 |
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There were early Savage No4's that had the bolt release behind the charger bridge then they were made with the bolt head release in the rail by the chamber.
So there were Savage No4 MK1 and No4 MK1* -- Savage rifles have a C in the serial number. Also usually Savage was arked in front o the No4 MKI or No4 MKI* If yours does not have a C in the serial number then I would say not a Savage.
Magazines were not just serialized in India.
Can you post some pics?
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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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i was going to request photos as well , the points made are critical to review ,
- savage made both some early mkI with bolt release and these may not be property marked , the first use of the mark would have been circa 1941 and in serial range 4Cxxxx , so the four digits you give might be correct , but the prefix is crucial and many later mkI* without the bolt release this occured circa 1942 in serial range 13Cxxxx so again the prefix is crucial to your question ,
- that FR could indeed be an indian refurb marking , the paretial "B" on the wrist socket conjurs up a couple possibilities depending on its location relative to the serial number ,
-the disc had been dispenced with at this point and the markings reduced to codes for manufacturers and subcontractors , the stock markings sound indian ,
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phantomphixxer
Newbie Joined: August 03 2009 Location: KY Status: Offline Points: 5 |
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Thanks. I'll get a few pics and post them. The seiral number is a straight number with no prefix. Will post cartouches and other stamps. Thanks again.
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phantomphixxer
Newbie Joined: August 03 2009 Location: KY Status: Offline Points: 5 |
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Here are the pics. If anything else is needed/ Just ask.
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Enfield trader
Senior Member Joined: May 11 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 741 |
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Well it is not a Savage but it does have some Savage parts and a Longbranch bolt head. I can not tell te mfg from the markings
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jona
Senior Member Joined: October 24 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 94 |
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The serial number on the receiver ring was assigned to Shirley. Your rifle is apparently an early BSA that has been rebuilt a time or two with whatever parts were at hand. Very typical.
FR also means Field Repair. |
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jona
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phantomphixxer
Newbie Joined: August 03 2009 Location: KY Status: Offline Points: 5 |
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Thanks everyone. The rifle has a perfect bore and held a 2" group @ 100m. I was shooting 1943 WRA ammo. I always shot and collected the 06 and 7.62 NATO. I think I may become a fan of these old warhorses.
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