No. 4 Mk 1 serial number

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Topic: No. 4 Mk 1 serial number
Posted: May 08 2022 at 5:47pm

nice looking rifle

rick510

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Posted: May 08 2022 at 3:18pm

Well, I just paid way too much for some ammo today so sometime in the next 2 weeks I'll be paying a visit to the range.

Cheers

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Posted: May 08 2022 at 1:39pm

Very nice. Great looking rifle!

Looking forward to a range report!

DaveNo5

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Posted: May 06 2022 at 10:51am

Here are a few:

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Posted: May 05 2022 at 5:36pm

It would be greatly appreciated if you could post some photos of the whole rifle...

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Posted: May 05 2022 at 5:18pm

You might have a great shooter here if forend fit is good and barrel is in good condition.

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Posted: May 04 2022 at 8:44pm

Hi Dave, Thanks for the info, very interesting. Yes, I was very impressed with the condition of the rifle when it arrived. Nicest Enfield I have seen, so far. I do think the barrel was replaced based on the new condition, and the furniture looks too good not be refinished (in my uneducated opinion). I am expecting delivery of a '45 Long Branch next week and based on the pictures, it looks just as good as the '43 Brit. I'll post some pics after it arrives.

Cheers,

Rick

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https://www.rifleman.org.uk/Dating%20your%20rifle.html

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Posted: May 04 2022 at 5:43pm

Thanks. The "18.5" is much more clear in that light. Nice looking rifle!

Here's a few links you may find helpful:

The above link gives insight on the proof marks. The "N-B-5" above the electro-penciled barrel serial number would put it a re-proofed in 1962 if I am counting right and inspected by inspector "5," whoever that was.

https://www.gunboards.com/threads/barrel-markings-on-enfield-no-4-mk-i.266777/

This is just discussion of another proof mark that looked like a "19.5."

https://www.enfield-rifles.com/british-system-of-chamber-pressure-measurement_topic10711_page2.html

The last is some discussion of the peculiar British method of proof testing, which was different from CIP and SAAMI methods. Some of the regulars who post here have some very good information in that thread. I learned a lot.

DaveNo5

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Posted: May 03 2022 at 4:53pm

Here is a better picture.

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Posted: May 03 2022 at 2:29pm

DaveNo5 wrote:

Goosic: Good catch. I downloaded the picture and zoomed in on the "19.5" and it may actually be an "18.5," but it is hard to tell (or maybe an 18.5 with a 19.5 on top of it?). That is good info on the 2.222" as well. I agree with the creativity part. It looks like the rifle was somewhat crudely re-marked at some time. Even the "T" in tons looks like it was stamped twice if you zoom in.

Except for 7.62mm Envoy/Enforcer/L39A1/L42A1, all .303B chambered Enfield rifles sold into the civilian market will have been proofed to 18.5 Tons and stamped as such. If you look closer at the bottom left of the 9 where it starts to curve up and inwards you can make out a light strike. It is an 8...

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Posted: May 03 2022 at 2:22pm

A double strike is not that uncommon especially on an Enfield. It's when you see electro-stenciling over a stamp that you become concerned. Fazackerly has on occasions used an electro-stencil and lined out the original No4Mk1 and then stencil in No4Mk1/2 or No4Mk1/3.

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Posted: May 03 2022 at 2:11pm

Goosic: Good catch. I downloaded the picture and zoomed in on the "19.5" and it may actually be an "18.5," but it is hard to tell (or maybe an 18.5 with a 19.5 on top of it?). That is good info on the 2.222" as well. I agree with the creativity part. It looks like the rifle was somewhat crudely re-marked at some time. Even the "T" in tons looks like it was stamped twice if you zoom in.

DaveNo5

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Posted: May 03 2022 at 11:58am

rick510: The electro-stenciled 5 is in the wrong font that would have normally been used. The 9 that has been electro stenciled over the 8 on the 18.5 tons per □" is also in the wrong font. Someone else other than the original manufacturer decided to get creative.

The ENGLAND and the BNP .303 2.222" 18.5 tons per □" are sold out of service stamps when the rifle is placed into the civilian market. The only rifles that recieved a 19.0 ton proof stamp are the 7.62mm NATO chambered L39/42A1 rifles.

Little clues as to manufacturer can be found on all the metal bits screwed onto the reciever as well. Stamps that show M47C indicate BSA Shirley. Stamps with a stylized M indicate Maltby. Stamps with a F indicate Fazackerly...

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Posted: May 03 2022 at 7:34am

Hi Britrifles. The pictures posted to the forum do not show detail very well but I sent them to a Canadian historian and retired infantry Captain Colin MacGregor Stevens and this was his reply:

LEFT SIDE WALL

On the left side it says on the upper line "No. 4 MK I (F) F.T.R." - This means it went through a Factory Thorough Repair at Fazakerley ROyal Ordnance Factory.

Older marking is below. The "5" in front of the lower No.4 MK I marking is a puzzle. It is NOT for No. 5 Mk. I or Stevens-Savage.

W5434 is indeed the serial number but I do not know which British maker.

WOOD FURNITURE

J.C

N22
is John Curtis, 22nd manufacturer in the North of England to be assigned a number in WWII

SOCKET
1943

W5434 (faint, electric pencil)

W5434 (restamped for clarity during FTR)

ENGLAND (country of origin when sold surplus, a U.S. import requirement at the time)

End of reply.

The 5 and the W are still a mystery but I believe Dave is correct with BSA as the origin. I am theorizing that the barrel was replaced during FTR due to it's excellent condition.

I'll post a picture of my rifle when reassembled.

Best Regards all.

Rick510

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Posted: May 03 2022 at 4:09am

Looks like the rifle was reserialized, two numbers on the wrist. Also a number “5” or letter “S” before the “No. 4 Mk I” marking on the left side of the receiver which I’ve not seen before. There are also markings above which are not readable.

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