No.4Mk1 markings help

Flyingbrickracing · December 21, 2009, 09:53 PM

I'm looking for info on my No4 Mk1.

It has a 1/49 date of manufacture and the ser. num. it PF73XXX,

From my research (I may be wrong on this) it was made at ROF Fazakerley Lankashire ( code "F" )

It has crossed flags Inspection mark ( looks like S Africa.but has no letter designation in the mark)

It has a "U" with a downward pointing arrow in it.

Thank you for any help you can give.

the pic is of the "U" on top of the reciever,I can provide pics of other marks if needed.

This is a very interesting rifle (to me) and would like to know more about it.

golfnutrlv · December 22, 2009, 02:24 AM

Enfield serial numbers are a tough business. Unlike the US Military in WWII Era, the Brits gave each company a serial number range, and then just told them to start over when they ran out. So, you can potentially have x number of no 4 mk I's with the same serial for example.

To be an authentic Enfiled, the markings and serial number need to match on the bolt, reciever, and barrel (located under top handguard).

Looks like you have done some of the initial identification, I am not as familiar with the Fazerkly rifles, but it should have a year of manufacture on the reciever.

Hopefully this gets you started, its a great rifle, real shooter.

Reply or PM is another question comes to mind!!

Flyingbrickracing · December 22, 2009, 06:27 PM

Thanks for the reply,

It has a 1/49 date of manufacture and all the numbers match as well.

I did a little more digging and it seems it was made for South Africa.

According to a website I found the downward arrow is the same as an upward pointing arrow,just nobody knows why it points down.

Another thing that I am curious about is that it was painted and had no bluing at all.

golfnutrlv · December 22, 2009, 07:33 PM

Here is a website I have used to identify my Enfield info:
http://enfieldrifles.profusehost.net/gh.htm

Read through the different markings, and info. Should help you shed a little light on your rifle. Note the arrow marking is the symbol the British put on the rifle to say that it had passed inspection for service.

Lots of good info on this sight. Take a look around, bounce any more questions off me if necessary.

on the blueing, do you mean the barrel seems to be painted? That's one I have not heard of before, might have been done at some point by another owner if there was one.

Since the numbers all match, you have an authentic Enfield! That's a rare thing indeed. Tough to find them all in one piece anymore.

Enjoy!!

golfnutrlv · December 22, 2009, 07:43 PM

Here is another one, moderated by Tikirocker, who is a member here as well.

http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/viewforum.php?f=27

Flyingbrickracing · December 26, 2009, 06:59 PM

I've looked at those sites and that is where I found some of my info,I'm now looking for a book on the subject to help me research this and other misurp rifles.

limpetmine · January 1, 2010, 02:50 PM

Google Ian Skinnerton and the Lee Enfield Story. 3D edition is out, and is the final edition. A great book. a must have.

gyvel · January 2, 2010, 01:33 PM

"U" markings that contain the broad arrow denote issue to the former Union of South Africa.

December 22, 2009, 02:24 AM	#2
golfnutrlv Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 1,347	Enfield serial numbers are a tough business. Unlike the US Military in WWII Era, the Brits gave each company a serial number range, and then just told them to start over when they ran out. So, you can potentially have x number of no 4 mk I's with the same serial for example. To be an authentic Enfiled, the markings and serial number need to match on the bolt, reciever, and barrel (located under top handguard). Looks like you have done some of the initial identification, I am not as familiar with the Fazerkly rifles, but it should have a year of manufacture on the reciever. Hopefully this gets you started, its a great rifle, real shooter. Reply or PM is another question comes to mind!! __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ VIGILIA PRETIUM LIBERTATIS "The price of liberty is vigilance" America is at an awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards.

December 22, 2009, 06:27 PM	#3
Flyingbrickracing Junior Member Join Date: April 11, 2009 Location: Schenectady New York Posts: 7	Thanks for the reply, It has a 1/49 date of manufacture and all the numbers match as well. I did a little more digging and it seems it was made for South Africa. According to a website I found the downward arrow is the same as an upward pointing arrow,just nobody knows why it points down. Another thing that I am curious about is that it was painted and had no bluing at all. __________________ Slap the bolt,SLAP IT!!!!!

December 22, 2009, 07:33 PM	#4
golfnutrlv Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 1,347	Here is a website I have used to identify my Enfield info: http://enfieldrifles.profusehost.net/gh.htm Read through the different markings, and info. Should help you shed a little light on your rifle. Note the arrow marking is the symbol the British put on the rifle to say that it had passed inspection for service. Lots of good info on this sight. Take a look around, bounce any more questions off me if necessary. on the blueing, do you mean the barrel seems to be painted? That's one I have not heard of before, might have been done at some point by another owner if there was one. Since the numbers all match, you have an authentic Enfield! That's a rare thing indeed. Tough to find them all in one piece anymore. Enjoy!! __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ VIGILIA PRETIUM LIBERTATIS "The price of liberty is vigilance" America is at an awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards.

December 22, 2009, 07:43 PM	#5
golfnutrlv Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 1,347	Here is another one, moderated by Tikirocker, who is a member here as well. http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/viewforum.php?f=27 __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ VIGILIA PRETIUM LIBERTATIS "The price of liberty is vigilance" America is at an awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards.

December 26, 2009, 06:59 PM	#6
Flyingbrickracing Junior Member Join Date: April 11, 2009 Location: Schenectady New York Posts: 7	I've looked at those sites and that is where I found some of my info,I'm now looking for a book on the subject to help me research this and other misurp rifles. __________________ Slap the bolt,SLAP IT!!!!!

January 1, 2010, 02:50 PM	#7
limpetmine Junior Member Join Date: December 28, 2009 Posts: 9	books Google Ian Skinnerton and the Lee Enfield Story. 3D edition is out, and is the final edition. A great book. a must have. Last edited by limpetmine; January 1, 2010 at 11:48 PM.

January 2, 2010, 01:33 PM	#8
gyvel Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,172	"U" markings that contain the broad arrow denote issue to the former Union of South Africa.