Hi and help |
Post Reply | Page 12> |
Author | |
Frank_Ward
Newbie Joined: March 18 2022 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 7 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Posted: March 18 2022 at 12:31pm |
Hi from Ireland.
I am looking at purchasing a No.4 Lee Enfield. I have viewed a really nice rifle that has been regulated by Fulton. It has matching serial numbers on the receiver, bolt and fore end. The issue is, there are no markings on the wrist of the rifle. Is that common? Based on the serial number "AV12***" I believe its a Maltby, 1943ish made rifle. Would no marking on the wrist be odd? Thank you |
|
Honkytonk
Senior Member Joined: December 30 2017 Location: Brandon Mb Status: Offline Points: 4770 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
No4 Mk2 looks like. S/K scope mount?
|
|
A square 10
Special Member Donating Member Joined: December 12 2006 Location: MN , USA Status: Offline Points: 14452 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
not uncommon on a no4 , they were commonly marked on the left receiver , granted some were marked on the wrist but not unexpected to see no markings there - now , that serial number sounds suspiciously like a gibbs of some other after market refurb of original [unless you left off a few digits ]
no longer have my references but my recollection is there were generally a letter or double letter prefix and 4 [BSA only] or mostly 5 digits with contracts awarded with each producer having been assigned by the first digit , ie the FAZ 2 , BSA 3 , Maltby 1 , all had a block starting with 10000-19999, 20000-29999 , 30000-39999 etc and longbranch 0L etc , savage 0C etc there were no prefix and only two digits [except possibly in pre production trials rifles maybe ] like i said i no longer have my references to give more , but someone may jump in with that info ,
|
|
Frank_Ward
Newbie Joined: March 18 2022 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 7 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Receiver is stamped no.4 mk1/2. Mount was added by Fulton
|
|
Frank_Ward
Newbie Joined: March 18 2022 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 7 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
The serial number has an AV prefix followed by five digits beginning with 1. That's why I believe its from Maltby. The left hand side of the receiver is stamped no.4 mk1/2 followed by the serial number. there are no markings to say where it was made or where it was upgraded from a mk1 though.
|
|
Goosic
Senior Member Joined: September 12 2017 Location: Phoenix Arizona Status: Offline Points: 8792 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
[/QUOTE] The serial number has an AV prefix followed by five digits beginning with 1. That's why I believe its from Maltby. The left hand side of the receiver is stamped no.4 mk1/2 followed by the serial number. there are no markings to say where it was made or where it was upgraded from a mk1 though. [/QUOTE]
If we could see some photos of the complete reciever and bolt with the serial number, we can ascertain what it is you own. Except for some, all FTR rifles were refurbished at the Fazackerly factory. Sidenote: We can reference the complete serial number easier to get you your answer that you seek..
|
|
Frank_Ward
Newbie Joined: March 18 2022 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 7 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
That's a picture of the receiver and serial number.
|
|
Shamu
Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 17603 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Yes, a No4 Mk1 FTR'd at Fazakerly & upgraded to the hung trigger. Subsequently Sold Out Of Service, then "Regulated By Fultons" & presumably scoped there? But . . .
"No4 Mk2 looks like. S/K scope mount?" Agreed it even says so. (EDITED to fix typo) I find that odd. The S&K was a shorter copy of the Fultons, so why would Gibbs put on a copy instead of their own mount? S&K on my No5 "Goobermint Model Sporter" Fulton's mount on a No4 Mk2 |
|
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
|
|
Goosic
Senior Member Joined: September 12 2017 Location: Phoenix Arizona Status: Offline Points: 8792 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
As vague as the photo is, it breaks down like this: Unless it is an early made Long Branch or Savage, a No4Mk1/2 was either originally made at Fazackerly, Maltby or BSA Shirley. Being that your serial number after the prefix letters starts with a 1, that would be an indicator that it came from the Maltby plant. That being said though. The definitive proof that it being made at the Maltby plant would be if there are any tiny circles with numbers inside them stamped anywhere on the reciever... (I am using a photo Pukka Bundooks shared as an example)
|
|
DaveNo5
Groupie Joined: January 15 2022 Location: Western NY, USA Status: Offline Points: 82 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I have this from Stratton's British Enfield Rifles Vol. 2. The five-digit serial number and AV prefix indeed make it a Maltby by this reference. The second image is the serial number range that Stratton shows for Maltby. Stratton also shows that Maltby rifles were marked "M," "RM" or "ROFM." I do not know where these marks would appear. I also do not know if they would appear on all rifles. The AV prefix does not appear, in Stratton's list, but should fall sometime in the first half of 1943 if they were numbered sequentially. Maybe someone else has some insight either of these? Welcome to the forum. Dave
|
|
DaveNo5
|
|
Shamu
Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 17603 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Those initials in a circle were unique to Maltby IIRC.
|
|
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
|
|
Goosic
Senior Member Joined: September 12 2017 Location: Phoenix Arizona Status: Offline Points: 8792 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
The OP's rifle is AV12997. My No4Mk1/2 is BV15240 and has no markings on the wrist except for a broad arrow. The only way I knew for certain it is a Maltby was from the one and only circle with a number inside of it stamped on the bottom of the reciever...
|
|
A square 10
Special Member Donating Member Joined: December 12 2006 Location: MN , USA Status: Offline Points: 14452 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
this is what happens when we try to be helpful to someone that gives less than full information and no photos - all of what i gave was accurate , it needed the interface with the OPs real data , but it was what would help if applied , what was given was deficient and i should just have ignored it or asked for more , if anyone wishes to take issue read the OP
came back as to avoid that sounding to harsh - not my intent , i just wish people would share all the info to get the best response , ill stop responding to the ones that dont , ill stay calmer
|
|
Frank_Ward
Newbie Joined: March 18 2022 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 7 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Apologies for the vague post I'm trying to get as many photos as I can from the seller. Attached are the markings onvthe rifle that he has just sent me. I appreciate your advice and I would like to thank you again for your help. |
|
A square 10
Special Member Donating Member Joined: December 12 2006 Location: MN , USA Status: Offline Points: 14452 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
no problem , i was just venting over a number of past posts that ended up acting like i had not given helpful info and i was feeling a little left out , at my age we get marginalized often enough that i should not get offended ever ,
im fine , your fine , hope i can help in the future but there are many here that are very capable of responding to most anything that comes up ,
|
|
Goosic
Senior Member Joined: September 12 2017 Location: Phoenix Arizona Status: Offline Points: 8792 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
The N79 is a dispersal code for Viners Ltd. Sheffield who made that specific part. The two tiny stamps on the left side of the wrist are also some of those Maltby stamps. The bolthead stamps are just typical stampings.
|
|
Post Reply | Page 12> |
Tweet
|
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |